[what wheels?]

I like daan's they look great on a landy not sure they suit the ibex though plus they're not exactly off the self (believe me I've got enough to be getting on with). Wolf's again great wheels but not wide enough for 285's.

I could live with modulars but wondered if there was something better and want input on what's what.

Mike

[what wheels?]

I'm going to need some wheels for the ibex. Tyres will be bfg km2's probably 285/75x16 (33") but i may go up to 35". So the question is what wheels the ibex is 110 size so load rating needs to be to that level and I don't like 15" but would consider larger. so what options are there? Is steel better than alloy (i will be off roading it)?

Oh and I'm limiting it to defender/disco 1 fitment as I don't want spacers.

Mike

[Why do so many people run Simex copies, sorry "Insa Turbo Special]

I think your right plus simex pattern look cool don't they....?

Personally I think your hard pressed to beat the bfg km2 for great off road ability, more than acceptable road use and wear.

Mike

[Replacement cylinder head]

All you have done by fitting a three hole gasket is marginally reduce the compression ratio I doubt you'll notice any difference. If however you had gone the other way you risk the piston contacting the head. For what it's worth I would leave it alone (unless you notice a real difference) but next time you have it apart I would do the measurement and fit the gasket applicable.

Mike

[Gearbox mounts]

If it's any help I've used r380 (td5) gearbox mounts and cross member on a disco lt77 and lt230 in the ibex can't comment on forward/aft position for obvious reasons.

Mike

[discovery 2 racing suspension]

If I remember correctly that rangie was a disco 2 chassis, the body was all but a spaceframe and it was a chassis / suspension development mule for tomcat motorsport. I'm sure they were running it when I bought my tomcat.

Mike

[Bloody typical]

Yeah it sounds like the hydraulics have let go. See if there's any fluid coming out of the drain hole in the bell housing if so that's a slave problem. The other thing it could be is the release arm has warn through. Check the hydraulics first if that's all fine pulley the slave out and you might be able to see if the arm has punched through. If it has you'll be splitting engine and box so you may as well do the clutch while your in there unless it's recently been done.

Mike

[Overdrive rebuild and alternative to Heli Coils]

I have used something similar made of brass for wood. Drill a hole I my case just whined them in instant thread in wood for removable items.

Mike

[discovery 2 racing suspension]

Having had both a disco and a tomcat(granted mine had standard suspension) the main reason the tomcat was better is a low centre of gravity. This you can't do in a disco but I do drive quickly and a disco on police springs works well you could try something like x-eng's disconnect anti roll bar that would help. The biggest thing is ( and no offense ment) you need to learn to drive a disco differently the best I can describe it is treat it like a front wheel drive but please please be careful because it is top heavy and it will bite you.

Mike

[Wire color help]

Off the top of my head:

N: Brown

U: blue

S: slate

Just checked here:

http://lucas.ucs.ed.ac.uk/tutorials/LandRovers/Wiring/

Mike

[Unimog 416 U1100]

There is something about the unimog.....please help me stay away from them. Scratch that tell me more pleeeaasse.

Mike

[Bobbed and caged RRC called The "JWH"]

I figured you had no choice to be honest most people only have 30m on any way as low line winches won't take any more.

Mike

[New Bonnet Opening / Prop Kit]

Pisssst nige gas rams should be fitted with the body up hill so the seal in the end get lubricated every time it opens.

Mike

[Bobbed and caged RRC called The "JWH"]

If I remember correctly you need something like 1.2m from drum to a fixed point on the rope for it to self spool this is why The vector system on the ibex goes to the rear cross member round a pulley then free back to the drum mid mounted.

Mike

[Winch - repair or replace]

Would I be ending up with a better winch than the Warn too ?

I've used both an m8000 (ladoga on 45) and an ep9 (the fore runner to the TDS on the the tomcat) they are very good winches if it was me I would say the ep9/TDS has the slight edge due to the brake not being in the drum. The brake began to fail at the end of ladoga on the m8000 (service item an way) both suffered a casing failure due to rope bunching under the tie bars, both were welded up and went on for years. So is the TDS better than the m8000? No. Is it worse? No. Take your pick.

Mike

[Things I learned this week]

????

[RANT false advertising!]

Not in my experience I sold an item on eBay and the buyer never paid but i got charged fees on the sale so I raised a dispute with eBay and I have just been notified by eBay that they have closed my case and I should claim my fees back from the buyer, which is a bit hard as the buyer didn't answer any messages

Also as the buyer is zero feedback it won't allow me to leave negative feedback

Unfortunately the eBay dispute system is heavily loaded toward the buyer's side great if your a buyer, hard or sometimes impossible if you a seller. Sorry back on topic.

Mike

[Waterproof seat covers for child's seat]

I know they are stupid money but why not get another seat just for the landy that way one stays clean the other dosen't matter. That's the only solution we could find just can't afford to do it right now.

Mike

[80" special - what mechanicals for perfect recipe? (non-LR welcome]

There was a farm utility vehicle back in the 80's that was forward control with a mini engine and box longitudinally mounted that ran to chassis mounted diffs and independent suspension I always thought there was mileage in this set up. Granted the engine would need to be a good way back but modern transverse engines have the diff offset to one side generally the gearbox side so that should be enough to make the prop length viable.

Mike

[Stack exhaust thoughts]

What truck/ engine do you have as if 65 is all you can get I'd be spending my money improving that first. Have a 90(45) with a noisey exhaust I will be quieting it down next time as it's really draining on long trips and quite antisocial on the morning commute. A stack will need either a ting ting on the top or a drain at the lowest point.

Mike

[80" special - what mechanicals for perfect recipe? (non-LR welcome]

How about fitting a transverse engine and gearbox longitudinaly then using the drive shaft outputs to go to the axles. You lose the transfer box and middle diff lock but if you get the axle gearing right you don't need a low box. Put diff locks front and rear and that sorts the lack of middle lock.

Mike

[In or out?]

I'm considering a cage on the ibex (at a much later date) my plan would be internal rear hoop and rear stays then external tubes from the hoop through the body along side the roof line and down the A pillar to the chassis then a tube across the top of the windscreen. This should be to msa spec (may require a tweek) and still protect the main contact points of the body. This would be more tricky on a disco but I think doable.

Mike

[LED Indicators, Fitting / Wiring problems]

Normal heat shrink is fine (mine are) I would suggest you have either a bad connection/earth or check your hazard switch as indicators go through it.

Mike

[What's a Sankey Worth]

I paid £350 for a narrow track tool box trailer in good original condition about 3years ago and there's one similar on eBay currently at £580 ish but the tool box trailers are rarer and more sort after.

Mike

[Rumble rumble rumble.....]

It's impossible to check the rear prop with the hand brake on as everything from the hand brake drum down to the wheels is under load. Unless you lift a wheel off the ground.

Mike