Range Rover LSE Soft Dash????

[RUFF]

Were these available in Aus?

I talked my old man into buying a really cheap 3.9 auto disco a few months ago after he had owned 3 80 series cruisers in the past 2 years and constantly complained how uncomfortable they were and they all had other issues as well. He found the disco damaged at Auction. It appears to have a reco 3.9(best sounding 3.9 ive ever heard running anyway) And would you beleive only one oil leak in the entire car which is the lower sector shaft seal in the steering box. Its just a shame some clown fitted twin 2.5" tailpipes to it. He cut one off within weeks. It sounds heaps better now. Its also on Gas with scuba tanks fitted in the rear cargo area. I got 114ltrs into it yesterday. He loves this car and so far has not had a single complaint.

Now getting to the LSE point. Its been 5+ years since I sold my 3.9 Classic and I had forgotten how good they are to just drive. They are no powerhouse and they chew fuel but is there really a more comfortable car to just sit back and cruise around in? And they can Tow more than almost anything else on the market. I towed a car trailer 700ks yesterday to pick up a 2wd hilux I bought. And now I want another Range Rover. I also need a new tow rig.

But I dont like the Diso's as they are just too small inside especially the cargo area and I hate the classic dash and electrics. What I want is a LSE(long Wheel Base) with the soft dash. 3.9 or 4.2 Auto. Preferably with a coil conversion and on LPG. Otherwise this is an easy fix anyway. Were the Soft Dash LSE's available in Aus and does anyone know of any for sale?

[Aquarangie]

Yes they were sold here but you'll have to be patient as they'res a handful going around and very few for sale. Carsales has one for sale but it's a bit pricey for what it is IMO but they're a rare beast to get a hold of so you may have to pay more than you would like.

Mate bought a LSE 'hard dash' for $5K last year, needed a bit of work but otherwise a good Rangie. Good luck with it.

Trav

[RUFF]

Thanks Trav.

There are actually 2 on there now that I have looked

This one in WA- http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... &__Dx=mode" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Which is the sort of money I was expecting they would be worth. This car would be perfect if it was on Gas. Its allready had the coil conversion.

And then this one in Vic- http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... &__Dx=mode" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Which is perfect except I hate the trim color. But its on Gas with sill tanks which was my plan.

On another note I hate leather trim however I realise im going to have no other option. Is there anyone who can still supply fitted Lambswool seatcovers for these things?

Im not in the market right this moment. Unless I could find the perfect vehicle.

[Micka]

I've always felt the same way about leather seats, too RUFF, but after having them in my last 2 cars, I wouldn't go back to cloth seats. But a nice sheepskin seat cover is schweet to sit on, too.

It's funny how amazingly comfortable Rangies and Discos are. A good mate of mine was always a die hard Cruiser man, and I got him a 96 Disco in mint condtion for bugger all. He absolutely loves the thing and raves about how much better it rides on every terrain compared to his 2006 Sahara.

You might start getting the bug again. Just buy a few lengths of tube and see what happens

[RUFF]

You might start getting the bug again. Just buy a few lengths of tube and see what happens

Did you miss the part where I said I need a tow rig again

[uninformed]

You might start getting the bug again. Just buy a few lengths of tube and see what happens

Did you miss the part where I said I need a tow rig again

when do we get to see your build Tony???

Serg

[RUFF]

You might start getting the bug again. Just buy a few lengths of tube and see what happens

Did you miss the part where I said I need a tow rig again

when do we get to see your build Tony???

Serg

When its finished

[phat-customs]

Its not a soft dash Mod but its a little different.


http://www.aulro.com/apc/showproduct.ph ... 4285/cat/4

[Hally]

am I right by saying that a soft dash is a Dash out of a disco series 1? the one from WA looks in perfect nik always liked that model rangie good luck with the car shopping Ruff

[GRIMACE]

I agree with your comments on the leather. Specialy the dark black and brown variants

I been looking at these for some time now, but never had any $$$
I think the one in WA is still a bit exy, I know some have sold for upto and over 15K in the last couple of years, but it's rare, most go for around the 9K mark (granted they may not be in the condition your seeking).

Good luck obtaining one, I think everyone should have the priveledge of owning one, even Trav & Myself

Keen to see your build. Spewing we have to wait till its finished!

[discothrasher]

You might start getting the bug again. Just buy a few lengths of tube and see what happens

Did you miss the part where I said I need a tow rig again

when do we get to see your build Tony???

Serg

When its finished

common give us at least a little hint or taste Ruff

[RUFF]

You might start getting the bug again. Just buy a few lengths of tube and see what happens

Did you miss the part where I said I need a tow rig again

when do we get to see your build Tony???

Serg

When its finished

common give us at least a little hint or taste Ruff

Im building another 85 Hilux. But I wont go into details as there is a good chance I will loose motivation in a mater of minutes and sell it again Ive bought the car but wont be touching it till I have most bits I need to build it. And I wont start buying bits till after I come back from the US in Feb. Im in no hurry at all on this one. And it wont be anything real special.

[RUFF]

am I right by saying that a soft dash is a Dash out of a disco series 1? the one from WA looks in perfect nik always liked that model rangie good luck with the car shopping Ruff

No more like a series 2 or P38 dash-

LSE-


Series 2 Disco-


P38-

[jbell]

there pretty similar to a D1 dash not the D2, I've got a white one with the light brown trim, with lockers, body lift, flares & 35bfg krawlers aka luxo barge!!
with only 165k & I'm the 2nd owner, they are nice to drive....


Jeff

[RUFF]

Thanks Jeff. Other than the air suspension are there any other known issues common with the LSE? And what transfer did they run? I have absolutly no intention of wheeling this. The closest it will come is access roads in to wheeling areas with a car trailer in tow.

[GRIMACE]

Tony, all are factory viscous (Borg Warner) transfers I beleive.
Should be fine for your intended use.

Only thing I would be worried about is the auto and V8 being a bit lacking in the tow department. I know they are rated to tow a gazzilion megatons but in all honesty I have never enjoyed towing anything over 2T with the v8 and auto combo.

[jbell]

Yes I agree with Grimace the 3.9auto is a little lacking for towing, but i have towed with a manual 3.9 & it was way better,
lts a shame we didnt get the 4.2 that would be nicer.
Ruff no real issues with the lse, just the usual rangie stuff, head lining,oil leaks etc.. serviced properly they go forever!!

Jeff

[RUFF]

Tony, all are factory viscous (Borg Warner) transfers I beleive.
Should be fine for your intended use.

Only thing I would be worried about is the auto and V8 being a bit lacking in the tow department. I know they are rated to tow a gazzilion megatons but in all honesty I have never enjoyed towing anything over 2T with the v8 and auto combo.

My 3.9 Auto LPG Rangie was never an issue to tow with. And my old mans 3.9 Auto LPG disco was no issue this past weekend either.

[GRIMACE]

Tony, all are factory viscous (Borg Warner) transfers I beleive.
Should be fine for your intended use.

Only thing I would be worried about is the auto and V8 being a bit lacking in the tow department. I know they are rated to tow a gazzilion megatons but in all honesty I have never enjoyed towing anything over 2T with the v8 and auto combo.

My 3.9 Auto LPG Rangie was never an issue to tow with. And my old mans 3.9 Auto LPG disco was no issue this past weekend either.

I have had a few people with similar comments to yours, try and convince me otherwise.
I never had any problems towing the boat (approx 1.5t) but when ever I had the rock hammer trailer with a vehicle on it, or the work trailer loaded with soil (which was farken heavy) I was left extremely dissapointed.

[discothrasher]

the rockhammer trailer alone weighs 2T then another 2,5T ontop is massive no wonder it struggled

[RUFF]

Tony, all are factory viscous (Borg Warner) transfers I beleive.
Should be fine for your intended use.

Only thing I would be worried about is the auto and V8 being a bit lacking in the tow department. I know they are rated to tow a gazzilion megatons but in all honesty I have never enjoyed towing anything over 2T with the v8 and auto combo.

My 3.9 Auto LPG Rangie was never an issue to tow with. And my old mans 3.9 Auto LPG disco was no issue this past weekend either.

I have had a few people with similar comments to yours, try and convince me otherwise.
I never had any problems towing the boat (approx 1.5t) but when ever I had the rock hammer trailer with a vehicle on it, or the work trailer loaded with soil (which was farken heavy) I was left extremely dissapointed.

They are defianatly no $75K+ F Truck thats for sure but they get the job done very comfortably. Much more comfortably than any Toyota or Nissan will. And in stock form still have more power than either in a non turbo diesel.

[GRIMACE]

They are defianatly no $75K+ F Truck thats for sure but they get the job done very comfortably. Much more comfortably than any Toyota or Nissan will. And in stock form still have more power than either in a non turbo diesel.

I fortunately have not had the misfortune of experiencing the lack of quality from the other two manufacturers.

Unless you count a IFS 100series TD auto that failed miserably

[stuee]

Unless you count a IFS 100series TD auto that failed miserably

Do tell. After having driven the my old bosses one of these I was quite impressed and if they weren't still stupidly expensive I would quite happily buy one (I did convince him to get a Rangie after he purchased the joke that is the 200 series though). What was your experience with them?

[Micka]

Unless you count a IFS 100series TD auto that failed miserably

Do tell. After having driven the my old bosses one of these I was quite impressed and if they weren't still stupidly expensive I would quite happily buy one (I did convince him to get a Rangie after he purchased the joke that is the 200 series though). What was your experience with them?

He managed to get guppies in the turbo

I have pictures somewhere. There is a bow wave going up over the windscreen.

[Micka]

the rockhammer trailer alone weighs 2T then another 2,5T ontop is massive no wonder it struggled

That trailer weighs 820kg...I put it over the scales when it was going for rego.

RUFF's Rangie used to tow buggies with ease. I think it towed better than my Fender, and that thing was like a 650 Kenworth.

[discothrasher]

is that the trailer gregs got now ,it just massive

[GRIMACE]

Unless you count a IFS 100series TD auto that failed miserably

Do tell. After having driven the my old bosses one of these I was quite impressed and if they weren't still stupidly expensive I would quite happily buy one (I did convince him to get a Rangie after he purchased the joke that is the 200 series though). What was your experience with them?

To eleaborate further on what micka has stated. I tested it out thoroughly on a weekend trip to a 4wd park.

On road it was fine comfort wise. Cruise control was rubbish. Cornering was poor. Throttle response was all over the shot.
On the dirt it was very unsettling at speed, my old 5" lifted rangie felt better.
I tested it out in low range, on a very steep climb it slipped constantly through the torque convertor and would not climb, I think this may have been a fault as it even struggled to climb gutters back home.
Steering feel was non existent. Unlike the feel of the suspension where every pebble could be felt.
Then there is the wading ability. Lets just say that was pretty poor aswell, I lost power before I even got the rear wheels into the wee puddle
One bent conrod and a bit of turbo work later and it was back to the same old overpriced shitbox!
All in all toyotas (100s & 200s) are far from the quality people seem to beleive they have...

Enough about that though, back to Ruff and his LSE hunt.

Once you have found it and are over it, I may be interested in it for a future project

[GRIMACE]

Mini hijack! Pissin in the wind here, but anyone know of an LSE chassis available, might have to give a couple of LR wreckers a buzzle!

[6.5 rangie]

good luck! how about using a 110 chassis? stronger!

[peter r]

Mini hijack! Pissin in the wind here, but anyone know of an LSE chassis available, might have to give a couple of LR wreckers a buzzle!

G`day , you may want to look at one first .

They are not as would be expected specially made for the length , well they are specially made but by cutting lengthening joining and gusseting a short or normal one .

Ours is like the WA one infact it started its AU life in Perth