Discovery 1 Road trip preparation ?'s

[IthrowWrenches]

Hello all. I've been entertaining the idea of driving my 99 D1 on our annual family road trip this summer. It's a decent running vehicle that I daily drive and has around 167k miles currently. I would be driving from Kentucky to Arizona to do some backcountry exploring. Most of the trip from KY to AZ would be freeway but, while in AZ we plan to get lost a bit and do some camping. I wouldn't be doing any extreme offroading. Just some light trails etc. Nothing that a stock suspension and all terrains couldn't handle.

So, with that being said, what are some things I need to check on the Disco before heading out? I'll be putting new brakes on, radiator hoses, checking bushings, bearings, fluids, and leaks. All of the normal stuff. I may also be throwing in a new radiator as well because I noticed the fins starting to rust on the current unit.
From experience, what else would I need to check? What are some lessons you guys have learned long during long distance travel in your Rover? Also, what would be some "must have" parts to have with me?

I've got about 5 months until we roll so, there's plenty of time for repairs.

Thanks

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[454]

Dig up Scott Brady's old thread on his D1. There was a good list of spares listed.

Nevermind the search; I had it in my Subscribed threads folder.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/33806-Critical-Spares-List-Discovery-I

 

[IthrowWrenches]

Dig up Scott Brady's old thread on his D1. There was a good list of spares listed.

Nevermind the search; I had it in my Subscribed threads folder.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/33806-Critical-Spares-List-Discovery-I

Nice! Thank you

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[jymmiejamz]

If it is a daily driver and in good condition you shouldn't have to do anything.

 

[IthrowWrenches]

If it is a daily driver and in good condition you shouldn't have to do anything.

I think that's partly true. But, driving 2500+ miles is alot different than the regular commute. It's due for maintenence and I figured while I was spending money on it, it would be a good time to ask for suggestions.

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[XJLI]

If it is a daily driver and in good condition you shouldn't have to do anything.

Agreed. Scott's list is pretty good, but insanely extensive. If you're doing brakes, do all the bearings and seals as well. No reason not to. I'd bring a spare water pump, fuel pump, and brake switch and call it a day.

 

[Ray_G]

I think that's partly true. But, driving 2500+ miles is alot different than the regular commute. It's due for maintenence and I figured while I was spending money on it, it would be a good time to ask for suggestions.

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Do the things you are planning & then get it settled from the radiator swap for a few weeks prior at a minimum. Past that just drive it. I drove mine from VA to WI & back last summer and had the vss go out (unplugged it and kept going sans speedo) and on the way back the roads of Wi claimed my rear tailpipe.

I'd do it again tomorrow if I was in the US.

 

[ColoDisco]

In both of my D1's I did a lot of maintenance. That being said the spares I brought on road trips with wheeling in mind were minimal. Spare front and rear driveshaft. Toolset specifically for my Discos. In your case a OBD2 reader as I had one for my 98. Spare fluids are a must. Only thing that left my D1 stranded was the alternator which was 3 weeks old. Check your electrical charging and battery health. Spare fuel and water pump are always a good idea. In both my D1's I had replaced both. Having new ones installed is piece of mind.

 

[454]

I'd bring another serpentine belt.

 

[luckyjoe]

Also consider the age of your D1, how long you have owned it, what maintenance you have done, and what is truly unknown. You're looking at driving 30-some hours one way, much of it at sustained highway speeds. I agree with bearings and seals when you do the brakes, also evaluate the age/condition of your rubber brake lines and check the hard lines for corrosion - replace as necessary.

Without full maintenance history I'd also look at the following:

• Have the oil cooler lines been replaced?
• Has the ZF trans filter been changed and ATF flushed?
• (Replace the trans cooler lines when you do the ZF filter, as well as new exhaust Y-pipe studs/nuts/gaskets)
• Replace Fuel Filter
• Inspect/Grease U-Joints
• Replace Coolant Expansion Tank if original
• Check motor sump and front cover, replace seals as needed
• Change all fluids (diffs, LT230, SPH)
• What about tires, and your spare?

It sounds like a lot, but you asked the question, so you have some concerns. You also mentioned getting lost, so vehicle dependence is high. It's not that much work if you do it in stages over your five month prep time, and coordinate your jobs so you are not touching/disassembling the same thing twice. I did this list and more on our 1995 RRC over 5-6 months. We took in 1300 miles looping through Eastern Canada over Thanksgiving week. It was an awesome trip and the Rover ran like a champ!

 

[Ray_G]

I would suggest a scan gauge over just a normal code reader, CEL clearing on the move & accurate temp monitoring in one package that sits nicely on the steering wheel cowl. Change the u joints in the DS's before you go and just take spare joints for the rear vice two shafts, worst case you can pull the front and go 2wd after locking the CDL

Don't overthink it, these are very robust trucks that, if DD like you do w/yours, there should be few surprises.

 

[IthrowWrenches]

Also consider the age of your D1, how long you have owned it, what maintenance you have done, and what is truly unknown. You're looking at driving 30-some hours one way, much of it at sustained highway speeds. I agree with bearings and seals when you do the brakes, also evaluate the age/condition of your rubber brake lines and check the hard lines for corrosion - replace as necessary.

Without full maintenance history I'd also look at the following:

• Have the oil cooler lines been replaced?
• Has the ZF trans filter been changed and ATF flushed?
• (Replace the trans cooler lines when you do the ZF filter, as well as new exhaust Y-pipe studs/nuts/gaskets)
• Replace Fuel Filter
• Inspect/Grease U-Joints
• Replace Coolant Expansion Tank if original
• Check motor sump and front cover, replace seals as needed
• Change all fluids (diffs, LT230, SPH)
• What about tires, and your spare?

It sounds like a lot, but you asked the question, so you have some concerns. You also mentioned getting lost, so vehicle dependence is high. It's not that much work if you do it in stages over your five month prep time, and coordinate your jobs so you are not touching/disassembling the same thing twice. I did this list and more on our 1995 RRC over 5-6 months. We took in 1300 miles looping through Eastern Canada over Thanksgiving week. It was an awesome trip and the Rover ran like a champ!

Nice list. I like to tinker in the garage so, this will give me plenty to do! Ive had the car for about a year and there are alot of unknowns. But, atleast there is plenty of time! The tires will be new before we leave so, that one is covered.

A trip through Canada sounds fun BTW!

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[IthrowWrenches]

I would suggest a scan gauge over just a normal code reader, CEL clearing on the move & accurate temp monitoring in one package that sits nicely on the steering wheel cowl. Change the u joints in the DS's before you go and just take spare joints for the rear vice two shafts, worst case you can pull the front and go 2wd after locking the CDL

Don't overthink it, these are very robust trucks that, if DD like you do w/yours, there should be few surprises.

Great advice. I've had few surprises thus far with it. I drive it about 50 miles a day and it's never let me down. Although, I do recognize the fact that 1999, although it doesn't feel like it, was 17 years ago. Regardless of the make or model, old parts will eventually give way.

I really appreciate the response.

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[97GreenMeanie]

Vacuum lines should be added to that list.
Replace them or bring spares.
The main line from the firewall cracked in half and my truck ran like it dropped a cylinder or two.
Very unnerving failure for such a simple fix.

 

[mick968]

Road Trip

10 yrs ago we did road trip in my 97 D1 from St.Louis to Moab (with stop in Breckinridge,Co. to flyfish) (at that time I had never driven it more than 50 miles 1 way trip) we were going to attend our first National Landrover Rally. We were poorly informed and more poorly prepared. Honestly had no idea if it would make it out of the St.Louis metro much less through the Rockies and (1300 miles!) what a way to get familiar with your vehicle about halfway there (middle of Kansas) we developed a slight vibration didn't think much of it (turned out to be Rotoflex which completely failed when we were out on trail in Moab)(note -if you still have Roto rear shaft bring spares) the only thing we were prepared(plan) to do was to leave Landrover out there if something happened and fly home needless to say we had great time(learned how to replace Roto on the trail)(with vice grips and sparkplug wrench)(only tools we had!) and the Rover ran great way home and still in action today so my suggestion is load up,do some prep,don't worry and have a great story to tell from your trip!