Rodewaryer Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 I tried search and the FAQ's, and looked a bit on this forum but frankly didn't see anything to answer my queries..... I about to get moving on the '96 series 1 V8i Disco again, I started by installing a third set of aux lamps recently (have the stock alternator and a yellow top Optima battery) and of course, being a light freak I have upgraded bulbs in all of them. Note: I have separate harnesses w/relays etc for each set, nothing is mickey mouse. I think the standard altenator could handle them as long as I don't use too many other accessories at the same time, but since it's likely about time to replace the alternator again anyway, I'd like to upgrade it. Is there a known unit out there or am I on my own to find an outfit that upgrades our standard ones? Also is there a known ground upgrade kit possibly recommended? I have about 50 questions but basically just one more for now, where do most Disco offroaders mount 5 gal Jerrycans? I'm not a member of any offroad clubs, and do most of that on my own so I don't see any other Disco's that I can use as examples. Any tips on a good site, or possibly help a fellow Disco owner out with a link :-) to where I can see some good examples of what the best set up is? Thanks in advance for any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Welcome, you need to put your location in your profile so people can perhaps suggest a local club for you to joint, it's well worth it. For alternators, hunt round the scrapyard for something that mounts the same (they're mostly very similar, either right or left handed is about the only major thing to look for) and has higher output - look for ones on cars with lots of electrical accessories, luxury cars etc. especially big diesels. You can find up to 150A units on standard cars, and it will be cheaper by far than buying an uprated aftermarket special. Don't forget to uprate your main battery feed to the alternator though. I have a 140A alt for sale as it happens I think most people mount jerry cans in the boot with a tie-down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodewaryer Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Welcome, you need to put your location in your profile so people can perhaps suggest a local club for you to joint, it's well worth it.For alternators, hunt round the scrapyard for something that mounts the same (they're mostly very similar, either right or left handed is about the only major thing to look for) and has higher output - look for ones on cars with lots of electrical accessories, luxury cars etc. especially big diesels. You can find up to 150A units on standard cars, and it will be cheaper by far than buying an uprated aftermarket special. Don't forget to uprate your main battery feed to the alternator though. I have a 140A alt for sale as it happens I think most people mount jerry cans in the boot with a tie-down. I rather enjoy exploring and camping with mates, just a couple vehicles and some 7.5 minute Topo charts. Pick a direction.....and see what's out there. Great privacy and remote desert locales work well for sighting in new rifles etc. However, for some local get togethers with Land Rover owners, could be worth it..... I'll search the companies that make or modify alternators then, HOalternators.com has done HO variants for my SVT Focus for me, I'll check their site since it seems it's not a common thing with the Discovery. Appreciate the offer and I wish I was a local but shipping from the UK across the pond for a heavy part would be ludicrous. (I just paid $25 shipping for two lamp covers from the UK, holy brown matter. I could ship 6 of those back to him for that amount.) I've been aiming for a 180 amp, it's the basic upgrade output for the Focus, with many versions over 200amp. What's the standard output of the Disco's? Around 120amp? Fuel cans inside the vehicle, am I hearing you right? I need to mount them securely outside. I saw an ad in Land Rover owner Intl today for Scorpion Racing and low and behold, Jerry can holders for roof racks. That's a start at least. I miss my old Carawagon where I was able to mount one right in front of each wing, worked wonderfully, sure miss that old beast. The Disco will be just a bit more difficult..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First_Fleet Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 If you wire the Jerri lid levers to the handle & twist it up tight after making sure the seals are ok, then strap them down hard with the correct ratchet straps near the rear ventilation outlet (in case of any vapour, but unlikely) you should be ok inside failing external storage. If I have time, I will place the full Jerris, spout down in the sun for a couple of hours to allow them to pressurise to see if there are any leaks. Never had one yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 The standard Disco alternator will be 60-80A on a Disco 1, they're not big beasties. I have a jerry can in the back of the 109 but then a Series has more "natural ventilation" (like all round the door gaps) than a Disco so fume buildup is not an issue. I'd advise against having anything to do with Scorpion Racing, they're not very popular round here. Most of their stuff you can find for less from the original manufacturer or whoever thought of it before they knocked the idea off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwriyadh Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Don't use flip-top jerry cans, they are too likely to leak eventually. When they do it's too late whether they are inside or outside. Look for the screw top models with the spout fitted inside, much safer. If you are travelling the desert then COG can make a big difference to your route and sometimes even whether you can move or not. When travelling to the Empty Quarter I always removed the back seat, stuck a second spare wheel behind the drivers seat and strapped 4 screwtop jerries on their sides, spouts up, between the wheel arches. The roof rack was saved for lighter, bulky parts of the load. Being picky with how I loaded the Disco made a termendous difference to the severity of the terrain I could tackle. The Disco 1 V8 had a 100 amp alternator as standard, there was a 120 amp version available as part of the "Gulf Campaign" during 97/98 to upgrade the cooling and A/C performance on hotter climates. jw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodewaryer Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 You guys are awesome, I knew I'd pick up lots of leads here. I already have flip top jerrys so spout up and outside was a good plan from what I'm hearing. However I've had mine for around a decade now and it's dry here....yet no leaks......I will keep the comments regarding the screw type in mind next time for certain though. So a 'special' alternator from Land Rover was 120 amp, ummmm interesting. I will still get a quote from the HO Alternator people just so I know what that option is but it won't be my only lead now. Besides, I will likely need a core unit anyway so the search is on. I was already expecting to upgrade the main alternator to battery cable as I've already done this to my Focus. In case anyone's thinking the Focus must be a ICE life support system, I attach a pic.... And my somewhat timid but venerable Disco without the 3rd set of lamps (still working the wiring!) which are identical to the rectangular set and just outside of them in front of the bumper under each headlamp: Appreciate the Scorpion Racing tip, but they were valuable in that their adverts show a lot of equipment in one spot. Now I know 'what' to look for and just need to figure 'where' at this point. Many thanks again to you guys for the responses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Appreciate the Scorpion Racing tip, but they were valuable in that their adverts show a lot of equipment in one spot. Now I know 'what' to look for and just need to figure 'where' at this point. I'm sure if you post up and ask where you can find X instead of buying it from Scrapiron you'll get plenty of love here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodewaryer Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 I will assume that's the common term for them, Scrapiron, I like it..... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 They are also "the orange company", for an insight as to why they're not flavour of the month round here you may want to familiarise yourself with a bit of back-story, which also IIRC contains numerous links to far more ethical suppliers of quality gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodewaryer Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Someone mentioned Frog Island 4X4 as a source. Is that better than the scrapiron lot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Someone mentioned Frog Island 4X4 as a source. Is that better than the scrapiron lot? Frog Island and Devon 4x4 have a good rep although they are a little spendy they do some decent gear and, crucially, they're not Scrapiron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Desert running, or anywhere for that matter is not a good idea with fuel(petrol)(gasoline) inside the vehicle, you can get oversize under vehicle fuel tanks for the discovery, TJM and ARB do them in Australia . probably be a better price and shipping from OZ. Another Idea might be the way they mounted J/cans on some of the series safari vehicles That is with fold down carriers mounted on the side behind the doors 2 each side . Width of vehicle not being a problem usually in desert type areas . When you are bag in normal type areas , they just fold up flat. They also keep the cog low, for dune crossing etc, and prevent being overweight on the roof rack. If you want to save wiring lamp and multiple lamp problems get a pair of Bull lamps as fitted below JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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