95 Disco overland setup

[ColoDisco]

I have been planning more and more for overlanding my Disco. I took my first step in making sure I will not get lost!

Ram Mount
Bluetooth dongle
GSat bluetooth GPS reciever
Overland Navigator software
200w inverter and 12v socket expansion for power!

On the slate for this winter:
Remove roof rack and strip and respray. Possibly use POR 15 or powercoat
Front winch bumper
Rear bumper with seperate spare tire carrier
Terra Firma or OME lift
Source newer engine and overhaul, 188k and mine is feeling tired.
Reseal Tcase

Hope to have this all completed before spring..

Post up your plans if you are overlanding your Disco!

 

[Antichrist]

Ram Mount
Bluetooth dongle
GSat bluetooth GPS reciever
Overland Navigator software
200w inverter and 12v socket expansion for power!

Where are your compass and paper maps?

 

[ColoDisco]

Silly Tom. Compass on software for laptop, motion-x gps on iPhone 4, guide books and paper maps above windshield in map storage.

 

[atancreti]

Dose the laptop block all the air from the center vents??

 

[Doctor W]

Dose the laptop block all the air from the center vents??

Well yes......but with A/C on, the laptop runs nice and cool!

(LOL)

 

[Antichrist]

Silly Tom. Compass on software for laptop, motion-x gps on iPhone 4

How well do they work if the electronics fail? HD crash, screen death, iPhone dropped or drowned? Or just plain dead batteries?

Not knocking using a laptop or GPS, I've been using mapping software on a laptop and GPS's for about 10 years, but I also know things go wrong.

 

[ColoDisco]

Dose the laptop block all the air from the center vents??

It's fully adjustable so we can move it towards the back seat if need be and still see the screen.

 

[ColoDisco]

Your right Tom. What do you recommend for paper maps? I wanted to have something laminated/weatherproof.

 

[Howski]

the laptop seems extremely cumbersome in that spot. i don't think they have any more room in that area than a D2 and it is pretty tight in that area if i even have a decent sized drink in one of the cup holders

 

[ColoDisco]

the laptop seems extremely cumbersome in that spot. i don't think they have any more room in that area than a D2 and it is pretty tight in that area if i even have a decent sized drink in one of the cup holders

Well I did not think I would be spending a bunch of time defending why I did this but more rather inspiring more ideas. Eventually I want to add either a toughbook or a tablet in this area. The RAM mount is capable of folding completely vertical so it will just be the screen showing rather than have the traditional laptop position as you see now.

You are not thinking outside the convenience box FSU. Get the cup holders that go on the side of the center console.

The reason it is sitting there is there is still a airbag on the passenger side of the vehicle. I intend to remove the airbag and install the handle option if I can find one.
It does not block my view at all where it sits.

Also I took this offroad this past Sunday and it was not in the way at all. In fact it was nice having a 13" nav display even though microsoft S&T 2011 did not recognize I was on a FSR.

 

[Antichrist]

Your right Tom. What do you recommend for paper maps? I wanted to have something laminated/weatherproof.

It really depends on where you're traveling, personal preference and how much detail you want/need.
I really like the Delorme atlases as an all around map.
The most important thing is just to make sure you have what you need to still find civilization if your electronics fail.

 

[willypete]

Clean Rig
I second the need for paper maps, some people have had good luck printing their maps on national geographic waterproof paper.
On the engine I would try to look for a 4.6 to swap in I don't think in the end it will cost much more you can swap the front covers and still run a distributor, 4.6 or keeping the 3.9 i would do a cam upgrade as well it is some of the best money I have spent on my rover. The cam made the rover much more pleasant to drive, and did not hurt fuel economy it may have even helped it.
I would be happy to help with any questions you have on the engine build.

 

[ColoDisco]

Great suggestions on the maps! Who owned landrover when the 4.6 came out? Is that based on a Ford or BMW engine? I was told by another enthusiast that is a good option. I would also not mind keeping it simple as there are always 3.9's for sale for cheap.

 

[willypete]

The 4.6 and 4.0 are built on the same block as the 3.9 the old Buick 215. The 4.0 and 4.6 have cross bolted mains and different engine management than the 3.9.

The 3.9 stuff can be made to work on the 4.6 or 4.0 you just have to know what to swap.

I plan on the 4.6 in the future but for now I have a cam in the 4.0 (Crower 50229).

My engine still had good compression so I could not justify the cost. I did a valve job, replaced the head gaskets and installed the cam. I have been driving this rover since 2004 and did the cam in 2009. Believe me the difference is night and day with just a cam swap.

So if you are on a budget I would without a doubt rebuild the 3.9 with an upgraded cam and run a good oil to protect the flat tappets, you will not regret it.

Also the cam swaps are slightly different on Lucas, GEMS, and Bosch engines
Lucas tends to cost the least of the three as the cams do not have to be modified for a distributorless system.

I can give you more details when you get ready to build the motor.

 

[aka rover]

Nice Disco and no matter what others think about what you mount or how you mount it in the end you are the one who has to live with it.

And if you cant navigate by paper and compase i would learn how. Its one of the most valuable tools in your truck. I took a course in Australia before a challenge I was in over there and didnt realize how little i knew when i couldnt rely on land marks i was familier with.

And the 4.6 is a worth while swap, My defender has one with the 3.9 fixings on it and i couldnt be happier.

Cheers Ed