Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey guys, it's time to replace the mk and thinking of a Disco for a number of reasons.

1. Seems to be plenty of 94-96 Discos with less than 200k on them, for around 8k, where as a similar Patrol is way out of my budget.
2. Most of the Discos have had no off road work, and Patrols that are in my budget are thrashed.
3. I really like the size of the Disco, SWB Patrol too small, LWB Patrol too big.

How much work will it take to fit 32x11.5 r15's (they'e Mt/r's so really only 31.5"), will a 2" spring lift and a guard chop be enough, and can the drive train handle these tyres without stuff breaking. I've read other posts but none deal with the 32x11.5r15's, which I already have.

I'm figuring that these tyres are about 10% bigger than stock, so my low range will drop to about 2.9:1, is this correct? If so it should still be better than a stock Patrol.

I will be looking at the V8 with zf auto(hopefully on lpg), cant afford a diesel.

On a couple I've looked at the headlining is sagging, is this common? Can u just glue it back using a syringe?

I've made a checklist of problems to look for,
I know to check all the usual places for oil leaks, plus the alpine windows and around the windscreen for water getting in and rust.
The aircon for leaks or odours.
The rubber flex joint on the prop shaft, and around the front axle rubber boots for signs of rust.

Are there any other hints you guys might have, before paying a lr expert to check my final choice?
Thanks

The issue with the 32x11.5s is the width.... If they weren't so wide i'd say no probs with a 2 inch lift, but i think the gaurd chop may be neccesary for those. It definitely is on a rangie with 2 inch spring + 2 inch bodylift for 33s, and disco wheelarches are much the same size...

I've seen 32x9.5 simex run with 2 inch spring and 1 inch body with no chopping on a disco....

Re low range drop, you're off with that i think. It would be more logical to calculate overall final drive ratio, using a modified final drive ratio, as the effect on low range has to be calculated via the diffs (since they stand between Tcase and tyres). I believe the ratio change has more to do with the circumference increase of the tyre than its actuall dimensional increase (if that makes any sense). For reference, the diff ratio to correct speedo readings with 33's is around 4.1, standard i believe is 3.54.

GQ Patrols have 4.11 diffs as standard, Mavericks have 3.9s (not sure why this oddity, possibly something to do with regearing for Australian conditions) I don't know what their low range ratios are, or gearbox ratios, but the point here is that you are comparing apples and oranges. What you need to do, if you are trying to compare, is work out crawl ratio (multiply first gear ratio by lowrange ratio and then by diff ratio) for each vehicle.

Hi there, I have a disco on gas about 190ks and run 31 x 10.5 ets

I have gone the face fixing flexi-flares and run with altered off-set rims so under major articulation or uptravel you may need to adjust the stops.

I have a 2 inch lift and took about 1 inch off all the guards- including the doors which actually wasnt as bad as you might think. Took about 6- 8 hrs go to whoa with the right tools and the occassional one handed mate. (he had his beer in the other hand).

PS doing it in daylight is easier than night too.

Thanks for the help guys.
I wasn't sure about the low range thing but I think I get it now, I didn't take into account the diff ratios.
I calculated the stock final drive ratios.
94 Disco Auto= 28.46
Man= 39.0
92 Patrol Auto= 21.95
Man= 35.39
If my calculator skills are correct.
I remembered how to work it out properly, got to use the revs of the tyre per mile at a given speed, can't be bothered working it out now, might do it later.

I think Mavericks and Patrols are the same, 4.11's for manuals and 3.9's for auto's, according to the info on the racv site at least.

Main reason I was interested was because I was told that disco's had better crawling abilities than the jap vehicles.

I recon I will buy one and just take my time and cut back guards one weekend then the front the next.

Thanks again.

check for rust!!! everywhere! espically in boot.lift up rear carpet and rubber soundproofing,unscrew the bit at the back holding it all down right by the door,its a strip of plastic..have a good look..

my 95 disco has need of new boot floor ..i didnt look before buying!!

if has sunroof be really sure they havenot leaked..check front floor ,foot wells ,sills at the very ends and rear arches etc....

p.s. the 300tdi engine is real nice..easily tuned too..worth the extra money??

zen wrote:check for rust!!!

Fortunately he is not in your fine country. Every LR I've seen from the UK is a pile of rust. Never seen that in Australia.

On the tires, they will fit. You'll need to chop, regardless of lift. Aftermarket flares are the best way to go. Lift is not really needed for clearance. You'll want them mounted on wheels with less backspacing than stock, say 4" or so.

On the axles, yes..... Aftermarket diffs, halfshafts and stronger CVs are good idea. The CVs in particular are complete rubbish.

For an Auto V8, nothing special to look at that you would not look at for any other similar 4WD. The V8s of that age usually have worn camshafts and stretched timing chains. An aftermarket cam, double roller chain and a chip will normally transform them.

Thanks for the extra info, found a few more to look at tomorrow, so far the one's i've seen have been pretty average, even though less than 200k on them.
If I do get one I'll wait till I brake stuff before doin the cv's, axels etc. Being a student doesn't pay well.

as they say keep looking- there are heaps out there that have never been off road and are a bargain but there is also a lot of average out there.

the Toorak Tractor really know their stuff in Braeside so if you are near there they will probably check one out for you for $50 or less if you ask nicely.

zen wrote:check for rust!!! everywhere! espically in boot.lift up rear carpet and rubber soundproofing,unscrew the bit at the back holding it all down right by the door,its a strip of plastic..have a good look..

my 95 disco has need of new boot floor ..i didnt look before buying!!

if has sunroof be really sure they havenot leaked..check front floor ,foot wells ,sills at the very ends and rear arches etc....

p.s. the 300tdi engine is real nice..easily tuned too..worth the extra money??

Landys really dont suffer badly from rust down here, most 30 year old rangies have bugger all unless used for launching boats and we dont need salt on our roads. the amount of rangies i saw in the uk with rusted out chassis was amazing - i have never seen a rusted rangie chassis here.

Thanks for all the help guys, but I'm going to get a Patrol.
I borrowed a mates dad's Disco for a day and loved it, except for one thing, the boot is too small. We could only just get the gear for a day trip in, let alone a few nights worth of stuff.
Thanks again.

Get a DEFENDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

msh wrote:Thanks for all the help guys, but I'm going to get a Patrol.
I borrowed a mates dad's Disco for a day and loved it, except for one thing, the boot is too small. We could only just get the gear for a day trip in, let alone a few nights worth of stuff.
Thanks again.

Patrol is a very agricultural vehicle in comparison to a disco but hey horses for courses

Tom

After owning several patrol's i will be honest in saying that after driving my new(OLD94) disco i would never go back. Sure its got a bit less room but even me who goes on big trips and takes a car full of people full of gear still managed it with the disco. Best thing of all was the comfort...everyone loved it and everyone is slowly converting. Just my opinion...i love the comfort and the value for money they represent...

Marc

I know that they are good to drive, and good value but the boot is just too small, when I drove my mates one the other week we had the boot near full with 2 bow cases an esky and spare fuel, and that was just for a day trip.
I had a look into defenders but they are out of my budget, they hold their price pretty well around here.

RangingRover wrote:The issue with the 32x11.5s is the width.... If they weren't so wide i'd say no probs with a 2 inch lift, but i think the gaurd chop may be neccesary for those. It definitely is on a rangie with 2 inch spring + 2 inch bodylift for 33s, and disco wheelarches are much the same size...

I've seen 32x9.5 simex run with 2 inch spring and 1 inch body with no chopping on a disco....
.

I ran 34" 255/85x16 on mine with 2 inch body lift & 1 inch of springs, but I also put spacers behind the back lower edge and hand flared the guards with some careful bending.