Pay and Play Setup?

[Thunderkatt]

As my 93L LSE is off the road at the moment (see Newbie/Rear floor X-member replacement Post) and before i go to MOT i will need 4 new tyres and some bushes replacing. I would like to modify the suspension (maybe a 2"spring lift), replace all the bushes with poly ones and then fit some appropriate size tyres.

I don't want to modify the arches but i would like to fit heavy duty bumpers at a later date(not sure if that's relavent?). Opinions on A/T, M/T and the cheap Insa Turbo brand tyres would be very helpfull.

The set up i would like is for pay and play sites but not extreme as i will prob have the mrs and my 4 year old girl with me .

Thanks for your input and hope it's a good talking point, i have plenty of time to ponder your suggestions as i'm gona have my hands full with the rear end tin worm .

Thanks again Kris

[q-rover]

Going by your other post I would think you'd want to make

sure everything is solid, especially your recovery points, rather

than spending money on shiny stuff.

[Thunderkatt]

Going by your other post I would think you'd want to make

sure everything is solid, especially your recovery points, rather

than spending money on shiny stuff.

As i said i will have plenty off time to consider peoples opinions as like you rightly point out i need to get her solid again so that will take proriority.

Any advice you can give a novice will be appreciated.

Also i'm on a very tight budget so after i have finished shoring her up i only want to buy things once and not do trial and error setups. Thats why i set the post up so i could get a number of peoples opinions over a period of time.

Thanks Kris

[q-rover]

As a start, forget shiny suspension.

Make sure you have quality recovery equipment, as well as recovery points.

Then get a set of tyres, possibly AT to start with. Something like a remould

won´t cost the earth. Then get out there and get dirty. Also consider getting

a pressure washer and maybe a compressor, so you can rustproof the vehicle

once it is solid.

When you know what you like, you might prefer greenlaning or weekend camping

to P+P, then look at the vehicle and figure out how to improve it for the activities

you partake in.

Then your wallet/ fab skills/ tools are the limit. You will be surprised at how far

a standard vehicle can get with the right driver.

[Thunderkatt]

As a start, forget shiny suspension.

Make sure you have quality recovery equipment, as well as recovery points.

Then get a set of tyres, possibly AT to start with. Something like a remould

won´t cost the earth. Then get out there and get dirty. Also consider getting

a pressure washer and maybe a compressor, so you can rustproof the vehicle

once it is solid.

When you know what you like, you might prefer greenlaning or weekend camping

to P+P, then look at the vehicle and figure out how to improve it for the activities

you partake in.

Then your wallet/ fab skills/ tools are the limit. You will be surprised at how far

a standard vehicle can get with the right driver.

Thanks for the advice, you sound way too sensible to be owning landies I think Insa Turbos are remoulds and they seem reasonably priced. At the moment the tyres i have on are 195 on standard LSE 16" alloys which i think are a bit skinny and are starting to crack on the side walls even though there is plenty of tread on them so i think for safety they need replacing. I've read in land rover mags that M/T are frowned upon when green laning so maybe A/T is the better option.

Do i need to fit new bumpers for recovery points or do they come straight off the chassis ie ringlets, do i need them welded on? I was going to remove the front fog lamp valance anyway and i have a tow bar on the back(which i don't use,was thinking of removing it) but i don't think that would be any good for another landie to tug on if i'm stuck.

At the moment all my off road experience comes from messing about on the land at the back of Yeadon Airport Leeds. I enjoyed it alot but i wasn't sure if it's legal to be up there. I have seen some videos on youtube of landies on Tong Moore and at Flappits(is that still open?) and it looks alot of fun. They aren't far away from me, hence why i was asking about a pay and play setup.

Thanks again Kris

[Thunderkatt]

As a start, forget shiny suspension.

Make sure you have quality recovery equipment, as well as recovery points.

Then get a set of tyres, possibly AT to start with. Something like a remould

won´t cost the earth. Then get out there and get dirty. Also consider getting

a pressure washer and maybe a compressor, so you can rustproof the vehicle

once it is solid.

When you know what you like, you might prefer greenlaning or weekend camping

to P+P, then look at the vehicle and figure out how to improve it for the activities

you partake in.

Then your wallet/ fab skills/ tools are the limit. You will be surprised at how far

a standard vehicle can get with the right driver.

PS, i whole heartedly agree with the rust proofing as i once i've put all my blood sweat and tears into her i want her to stay solid. Chrisv8 has offered me a X-member from a rangey he is scrapping, i think i'm gona go see him about it when he goes to a Sort out at Brinham i think it is. It would be alot cheaper than a new one but i'm a little unsure about 2nd hand parts. I'm a trusting person and i don't think ChrisV8 would steer me wrong. As for the boot floor i'm thinking of an aluminium floor, then that way i don't need to worry about it and would cut down on the welding(plenty of pop riviting though).

Also i think would like to see how far my driving skills would get me in a standard rangey as i'm quite proud of my driving . I'm a class 1 trucker for a living driving a 480bhp Volvo ( i know i've got a piccy of a merc on my profile , that was my old truck, i can't find a volvo piccy small enough to display) and i've also got a PSV.

As for recovery equipment would i need any more for the basics than a good strong tow rope (maybe a bungee), a good shovel and plenty of people to help with the pushing and hard labour

Thanks Kris

[FridgeFreezer]

For pay & play you don't need bling.

If you really must, stick a set of Police spec springs on it and a set of Colway or other cheapo MT tyres (235/70R16 will fit without problem) and then enjoy. Save your cash for servicing it properly (which no-one does after playing in the mud) and buying tools / new parts as required to keep it running properly and in good condition.

[muddy]

I live just down the road from the bombholes up at yeadon and it aint legal although people still go up from time to time although its not really that taxing as far as off roading goes.

The standard rear tow bar if in good shape is perfectly fine for recovery although you dont really want to using a standard tow ball, a pin hitch or nato hook is much better. At the front a pair of jate rings are good (the one piece forged ones NOT welded) although its better to attach the strop to them first!

I would use a standard nylon rope or tow strop not a bungee as these can lead you into all kinds of problems.

Personaly i hate lift kits, i would fit RR police spec springs to lift the ride height and enable you to fit 235/85 mts wich will be perfect for all pay and plays. I wouldnt bother with fancy shockers for the time being just get out their and play!

As has been said before the standard vehicle is very capable and in some cases more fun as its more of a challenge to drive.

Finaly chrisv8 is very nice chap who i'm sure can sell you all sorts of goodies at a decent price

Will.

[Thunderkatt]

Thanks for all the advice (g-rover/FridgeFreezer/Muddy). It has all been taken onboard and i now have a better idea of what i'm gona do when she is solid again. Looks like restraint is the order of the day with Cast Jate Rings all round, maybe a pin/ball hitch instead of std tow ball, cheap set of M/T tyres, set of police springs, good quality straps and recovery rope, good shovel etc...

Thanks again gents. Will keep you apprised of the rear X-member replacement. I plan on some surgury this weekend.

Thanks again Kris