Mongrel
-
Posts
47 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Blogs
Posts posted by Mongrel
-
-
I'm looking at fitting Jate rings to the front of my Discovery 1.
I've been reading up a bit about them and seem to be finding differing opinions about whether to use forged, welded or stainless steel rings.
One post talks about the welded rings deforming and even breaking, another about forged cracking and catastrophically failing and another that was saying the stainless ones are too thin and not strong enough...
So, recommend whatever you use please people, and any pluses or minuses.
-
I'm a believer in what goes around, comes around. If I help you out, you'll hopefully pass that on.
That you can count on. In another hobby, I had quite a few helping hands in the early days. I now run a small syndicate that I set up off my own back and intiative that gives other people the chance to put the theory into practice.
I like to think that I have put back in as much, and then some, as I got out of it, but now I do it beacuse it gives me a sense of well being and I enjoy meeting similarily minded people.
It's a good thing you have the right equipment for traversing causeways, although you might want to look at building an amphibious off roader!
-
This one had an ARB diff locker and compressor attached, that was my main interest.
-
John is good
Go on to the NPTC/C&G website and look for the assessment centres in your area. Ring then up and ask for details of local NPTC instructors. If that doesn't work let me know and I'll ask HQ (I'm an Assessor for them).
I don't know your area well - sorry
If you are down in Somerset, once we have dried out, give me a shout and I'll sort out a days training for the cost of the TPL (£15) and a pub lunch
John is running an open day this weekend, I'm going to pop down for a chat.
Somerset's not so far and certainly viable when things warm up, I may well do a long weekend and take you up on that extremely generour offer when the weather improves, appreciated, thanks.
-
Well that was short lived! Why do people put stuff on Fleabay when they are going to end it early if/when someone makes a good enough offer?
Three days left and ended early as 'no longer available'.
-
I wouldn't bother with a steering guard - but I would invest in a track rod guard (the one that runs along the back of the axle). It takes a fair bit of driving like a complete fool to damage the drag link or the drop arm. Front diff guard is useful
Best thing you can invest in is a bit of training.
There will be a local BORDA registered off road driving centre near you I expect. But make sure it's not some numpty who claims to be the greatest off roader ever. Look for NPTC/City & Guild competence and/or LANTRA tickets. Avoid the Land Rover Experience as it's flipping pricey and will give you little of what you need....
You need to understand how the vehicle responds in certain situations and what NOT to do
Failed hill climbs
Side slopes
Hill Descents
Are the big three
If you stuff up the rest you'll learn not to do it again.
Stay out of water - especially gritty/muddy water - unless you want a crash course of vehicle mechanics
Basic recovery techniques are usefulI
I am looking at training at the moment but have only really found John Morgan at 4x4 driving, Sussex at the moment, there are others but they are further out and to be honest, until I get an idea of the going rate, and not knowing of any of them, I'm flying a little blind. I will do a lot more digging before parting with any cash though! Point taken about steering/diff/track rods, thanks.
-
90 front or rear diff will fit disco, and vise versa, but 110 rear won't - salisbury axle
-
Perfect, thanks guys.
-
I have tried a search but haven't found the answer yet...so, would a Defender 10 spline diff fit into my 200 TDI rear axle? I'm assuming the rear axles must be different but I'm potentialy looking at doing a diff swap over.
-
Ha ha, glad you had a good time. Yes, this is pretty extreme level of competition. You don't HAVE to play at those levels
Just as well as I suspect the budget or ability won't stretch that far....although the Defender 90 challenge truck in the sales section looks like a good start point!
-
Blimey! That was an eye opener! Bunch of bloody loons!
-
Shellbridge Lane is where you are heading for. Afraid I'm not sure of the postcode. There are event arrows from the main roads, and the gateway is well marked with banners.
Event kicks off about 10am.
Muchos Gracias, sure I'll find it from this. I know Shelbridge lane and suspect the site may well be more or less at the end of a mates road, I've seen some muddy trucks pulling out of a gateway there, I just hadn't put two and two together.
-
It's recently been fully poly bushed, but will take a look next time I'm under her.
-
i've had a look on the website and can't find a site address for Slindon, or any timings? Can someone point me in the right direction, I know where Slindon is and will be coming in from the A27 side.
-
After having it drilled into me that the most important thing is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance, I had my Disco over a pit today to look at where the slackness is in the transmission. This manifests itself as freeness and then a clunk in take up or between changing direction of travel (forward and back).
There seems to be movement in both axle diffs and the transfer box. Is this 'normal'? If not, where should I expect some movement and where should there be none?
The attached video will give an idea of how much and where. Apologies for the quality, it was done on the phone and then YouTube degraded it even further, but, it gives an idea of how much and where. Apologies also for the coarseness of my fellow garage dweller!
-
Once again, thank you everyone again for all the posts and suggestions, I'm sure you get 'reet tired of answering the same old newb questions but it has given me the impetus to go n find out more!
-
Agree with what most have said above.
Maintenance. - Recovering a stuck AND broken motor is a complete pain in the rear for all involved.
Recovery points, and your own rope. You want a minimum 24mm diameter, and 4.5m is a popular length. polypropylene is OK, nylon is better. Many clubs don't allow kinetic ropes due to safety issues FF mentions above. JATE rings at the front, and a standard towing hook at the back are a great start.
Tyres - sounds like what you have already will be fine to get started with.
Clubs - plenty to choose from. Mud Monsters is based in West Sussex and runs pay and play days throughout the year. We also have a Winch Challenge event on this Sunday at Slindon (not too far from you
). This is an extreme level of competition, not for beginners, but is a great event for spectating.Just to reiterate - you don't need half a tonne of bolt on stuff to drive off road. Driving skill, gained over time is your greatest advantage. You will learn the limits of your vehicle's ability far better without loads of toys interferring. You will be surprised how capable a standard Discovery is.
Oh my word! Just been looking through the Mud Monsters website and pics! Now I Know how little I can do!
Ref: Slindon, can non-members spectate? I'd love to come and see what its all about. It will also give me a chance to see first hand how and where things need attaching!
-
A tow ball isnt ideal for recovery, but will normally do the trick, if you can get hold of a pin type, that would be safer, get it as high as poss, or it will make a nice anchor for you.
Fit a ' jate ring' or two to the front for recovery, pretty cheap on ebay, and a strong tow rope.
The dynapro tyres should be fine until you get more extreme.
personally my next mods would be;
~A front diff guard
~Heavy duty steering arms.... Oe arm are supprisingly easy to bend when trying to steer out of ruts!!
~c.b radio for calling for help!
Otherwise just get out in it, you'll soon find out what you need, and what you dont
Enjoy!
From the top....
Tow ball and pins are rated, is 4 ton adequate, or maybe 3.5 is enough?
I'm thinking of fitting a steering guard, is it a better idea to use separately mounted jate rings or are you ok using the mounts on a steering guard?
I did see the heavy duty arms, they don't come up cheap though do they! Any particularly decent suppliers.
As for C.B., welll....that only works if you have someone to radio to!
Also been looking at tow strops. What length and rating should I be looking at for these?
Sorry to be so full of questions, but the more I read the more questions I get!
-
Having read 4 pages of 'who's most likely to kill themself?', I think you lot have probably got me just about scared enough to question my ability to navigate the bumpy farm tracks I potter around!
-
Find a good local trials club that offers trials for road going vehicles and go along to watch and/or compete. They will give you all the advice you need and you get to see what your vehicle is capable of in a controlled environment with advice on hand. You can then start to think about any modifications you can make to improve the vehicle off road.
A standard Disco is a good base for trials and you really don't need to bolt half a ton of carp on it before you take it off road. For trials a decent set of tyres will certainly be your first option.
Filling in your location on your profile will give people a better chance to recommend suitable clubs/locations/options
Awww MAN! Proper newbie mistake!
Rectified now thanks.
I'll take a look at at local Trials clubs but was looking more toward doing a bit of lightish laning intially just to see how much I enjoyed it. Most posts are advocating tow points which seems sensible, will the tow bar suffice intially, it's just a ball type but the bracketry and mounting is rock solid?
She already sits on Hankook Dynapro MT's which have made a world of difference on the chalk and clay around the farms, not got stuck yet...but not really tried that hard either! I'm assuming things like snorkels and winches are in the 'nice to have but not really needed to start with' bracket?
Many thanks for all of your responses.
-
Evening all and hello!
As you can no doubt see this is a first post, and to be honest is a feeler as to whether I can/will get further into the joys of Land Rover ownership!
I have a Discovery 200 Tdi, bit tatty round the edges, lacquers beginning to look like a discarded snake skin, but, on a rock solid chassis, with a decent engine. I have a bit of slack in the gearboxes/props/uj's etc, but they've not bothered me enough yet to really go hunting them down!
It's road legal with a new MOT but is mainly used for getting me to and around a couple of local farms that I have cause to access.
I quite fancy doing some more off road work with her and getting a bit more challenging terrain under her.
So, what would the professionals say are the bare requirements for getting out there and finding out whether it's for me? Am I best off looking toward pay and play days or trying to finding some relatively local green laners to tag along with? I must admit it's the green laning and social side of that that appeals more.
Many thanks.
Is this an adequate recovery rope?
in Competing in Land Rovers
Posted
As per the title really, I'm looking at doing some pay and play days, friendly punch competitions and some green laneing. I don't have a winch but obviously need a recovery rope.
Will this suit/ If not, why not and apart from shackles, what else should I have. I'm fitting Jates and bridle to the front with a 'pin' type tow bar at the rear.
Thanks.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-MTS-X-28-MM-3-STRAND-NYLON-RECOVERY-TOW-ROPE-/280735981694?pt=UK_Recovery_Tools&hash=item415d2b207e