New Disco Shakedown

[brushogger]

Last month I bought a new (to us) 2004 Discovery. It's a bone stock mall crawler for now, but I really wanted to see what it could do. I have to say I was pretty impressed. Ive had a lot of different 4wd's over the years, but this is the most highway friendly and off road capable combination I have seen. We went to Northern Colorado (Estes Park and surrounding area). Before I go further I want to thank DarinM for meeting me and loaning me his trail guide and zigsrig for all the guidance only a local can give. Since we are stock and it was a new truck, we decided on Rollins Pass as it is pretty moderate, and highly rated for scenery.

The eastern trailhead just south of WinterPark is closed, so we had to go north to Frasure and take CR-8 as a bypass. Follow the road past the houses and you will come to a switchback. There is a sign on a blue ski there. Turn right at the switchback, and you are on the trail.

 

[brushogger]

Heres the new baby! And that's my hot, off roading wife standing by it.

 

[brushogger]

We followed the trail until we found this signpost. Turn to the north here and it follows the old Moffat railbed around the mountain to the trestle

 

[Howski]

It's coming up on one year having my disco. People who aren't familiar with them are usually suprised at their abilities off road. Love it so far, although it can be a love/hate relationship. Just keep up with maintainence religiously.

 

[AxeAngel]

Sweet truck! Gets better with mods

-Sam

 

[brushogger]

You will have to back track to the main trail to get to the bypass around the trestle.

 

[brushogger]

After a few more miles you get above the treeline and onto the divide.

 

[brushogger]

When you get to the point where the continental divide hiking trail crosses the road, stay to the right. The trail continues over the mountain, and looks like it would continue over the divide. However, it ends at a parking area and the trail is gated off. The view is amazing though. You can see where the trial comes from the other side of the divde and ends up at two small lakes. These were the only lakes that you could drive directly too. Looks like a great camping spot. We had to back track out. Next time we are going to come at it from the other side.

 

[brushogger]

All in all a great trip. It's a shame it's gated though. You can see the trail would be drivable as this bypasses the old collapsed RR tunnel. We highly recommend it.

 

[Scott Brady]

Nice choice of the 04.

Looks like you are having fun with it too!

 

[Chazz Layne]

Nice, I'm jealous of the color. I have always wished I could get over my obsession with black vehicles and go sand... fortunately they put a good amount of insulation in our Discos.

I love this shot, clouds above and clouds below...

If you run into any trouble with the 18" tires and find you aren't quite ready to go to a 16", consider the Nitto TerraGrappler... it is the only decently built 255/55R18 I've found and a perfect match for the Disco's capabilities.

 

[brushogger]

The main thing I wanted to test was the traction control. It really worked great. As soon as a wheel would start to break loose, the TC would kick in and stop it. The hill descent assist kind of gave me the willys though. I don't think I'll be using it much. Maybe I'll get used to it. Do you guys use the HDC much?

 

[MatthewThompson]

Do you guys use the HDC much?

I don't think the Amigos have been absent long enough to properly try it out. :costumed-smiley-007 :costumed-smiley-007 :costumed-smiley-007

 

[Chazz Layne]

I don't think I'll be using it much. Maybe I'll get used to it. Do you guys use the HDC much?

Only when I want to scare my HORW.


It works, but in most situations where I'd use it low-range, M mode, 1st gear (or 2nd) and foot-on-the-gas are better.

 

[Ronct110]

Last month I bought a new (to us) 2004 Discovery....

Congrats!

And nice pictures.

I've driven other trucks also... and thus far the 2004 Discovery II to me has good hwy manners, comfortable to drive, creature comforts e.g. nice stereo, seat heater (and check out cup holders ) and off-road capable out of the box w/the TC and LT230 transfer case. I like the stadium seating and 4.6 engine is sweet - just right amount of power to get you to your destination quickly and when you put the diff lock in low on the trail, impressive.

Even better w/a small lift, and better off-road tires e.g. BFG MT KM2s up the off-road notch w/o huge impact on hwy road manners.

Tons of stuff and great forums out there to get the most out of your new truck!

For starters: check and rebuilt the front driveshaft w/grease-able points if not done yet; check the rotoflex for cracks in the rear, and get a spare brake light switch. And as mentioned, do your maint religiously and will give you years of great service.

My wife drives a 04 DII also w/7 seats; we took the middle seat out to make room for a fridge and our family dog in the middle. My two boys sit in the back, and my wife and I take turns driving it; she really like the DII vs others we have owned; that's ok I have my classic or Defender to enjoy as well. And we added a roof top box for carry our camping gears, and hitch box to carry extra fuel on our 04 DII. Great camping and trail ready vehicle!

Enjoy!