Overland Journal: Discovery I, 5-speed

[Scott Brady]

lol!!

Yeah, I know :costumed-smiley-007

 

[Scott Brady]

So, when do the 35" tires and lockers go in?

Never on the larger tires. In fact, I am going to go even smaller the next time around.

I seem to have missed it, so I went back and tried to search for it but can't find the detail. What are you doing or have done with the rear bumper? This photo doesn't look stock:

It is the Rovers North bumper from Proline. It is the most stock looking metal replacement I could find. It is reasonably strong and has good fit/finish. Those are jacking points.

I'm also curious about your impressions on the gas tank skidplate.

I like the skid. It takes some work to install, as the skid actually raises the clearance by moving the tank up. I am sure they can install it quickly, but it took a little work on our end. About 2 hours in total. The reason I like this skid the most, is that it serves as sufficient tank protection, yet is only about 18 pounds. The stock skid is completely inadequate, even for mild exploration. I also like that when powdercoated, the Columbia Overland skid is stealthy and looks factory.

 

[Momrocks]

Never on the larger tires. In fact, I am going to go even smaller the next time around.

Have you worked up the courage to go 215/85x16?

 

[Scott Brady]

Have you worked up the courage to go 215/85x16?

Yep, 7.5 R16 to be exact. It just feels like the right size for a DI, mine at least.

In reality, the BFG 245/75 R16 AT/KO (which I am currently running) is a great tire for the DI for most any "road". I would even be content crossing the Rubicon or Dusy with those tires.

 

[ersatzknarf]

Never on the larger tires. In fact, I am going to go even smaller the next time around.

I did go to 35s (35x10.50R16) and it takes a lot of $$$ to get there (we went with Rovertracks-built Sals axles front and rear, ARBs and 4.56 gears, not to mention the work to make it all fit on the car). It's a serious commitment. We are going down to a 33" tire for this new configuration. A Disco 1 can do an awful lot even just mostly stock. If I had anywhere near my stock gearing, I would look very seriously at the Michelin XPS 235/85R16 (unfortunately, that is the largest size they offer (32" OD)).

I like the skid. It takes some work to install, as the skid actually raises the clearance by moving the tank up. I am sure they can install it quickly, but it took a little work on our end. About 2 hours in total. The reason I like this skid the most, is that it serves as sufficient tank protection, yet is only about 18 pounds. The stock skid is completely inadequate, even for mild exploration. I also like that when powdercoated, the Columbia Overland skid is stealthy and looks factory.

That is a great idea for anyone with a Disco, which is rather heavy in the tush. Our skid plate is a custom one made from 5-bar ally with closed-cell foam between it and the relocated fuel tank (that Sals diff is not insignificant in size )


Cheers,
Frank

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I like the skid. It takes some work to install, as the skid actually raises the clearance by moving the tank up. I am sure they can install it quickly, but it took a little work on our end. About 2 hours in total. The reason I like this skid the most, is that it serves as sufficient tank protection, yet is only about 18 pounds. The stock skid is completely inadequate, even for mild exploration. I also like that when powdercoated, the Columbia Overland skid is stealthy and looks factory.

Yeah, I like the Columbia plate. I would have bought one if it wasn't going to cost like $600 to get up here. The 2 hours it took you to change yours was a lot shorter than the ~20 hours it took to build mine. Mine weighs about as much as the RTE.

How was the "moving up" done exactly? I didn't see a lot of clearance between the gas tank and the floor of the truck. You must now have a gap in the tank strap tensioner?

What's the thinking on the rack? Do you have that much stuff to carry, or you just like the look? (which is fine)

 

[Scott Brady]

That could be a difference between the D1 and DII. It moved it up 3/8 to 1/2"

 

[Brian McVickers]

I installed the Columbia Overland tank skid on my DII as well. It pushed the tank up slightly but not enought to cause concern for the upper side of the tank.

Install time for the DII was about 30 minutes. Place a jack under the tank and pump it up enough to support the tank, (best done when near empty!). Then remove the stock skid, position the Columbia Overland Skid and get under it to support the lot with your knees. Then remove the jack and reposition it to support both the new skid and the tank. Tighten all the bolts and you're done.
:smiley_drive:

Mine is bare aluminum but I really like the black too.

Brian

 

[4Rescue]

Damn Scott, that Disco is coming along nicely eh... I love the new Lights, and the Tank Skid looks to be really nicely done... Is that from Colombia Rovers here in Portland??? Not being a rover guy they don't have anything for me to drool over, but they do make some VERY nice things for Rover folks eh.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Scott Brady]

Yep, the Columbia Rovers you know. Good guys.

Thanks for the compliments on the Disco. It is coming along slowly but surely

 

[Scott Brady]

I'm curious how you have come to this opinion. I think the stock tank configuration is completely adequate for mild exploration, and beyond.

Just my opinion, which was formed after a Jeep punched a hole in its gas tank in Baja, in a gas station parking lot. . .

Lots of exposed plastic on the factory tank configuration.

 

[rovertech]

Disco is looking good Scott. The skid plate is cheap insurance and worth doing. I have bare aluminum version on my D2.

 

[Antichrist]

That trailer hitch is somewhat tragic though. So it's welded on, and it's not coming off (unless the welds rust... or you cut it off) It looks like it hangs down so low and there's not much you can do about it.

The hitch is in the stock location relative to the chassis. The aftermarket bumper is higher than stock due to what appears to be a 2" body lift.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I know the hitch is in the stock location. I'm just surprised by how they did that. And you can't just remove it if you don't need it, or get a bumper that moves it up?

 

[Antichrist]

Ah, ok. I thought you meant it was worse than the stock location. If I ever get around to building a rear bumper to match the body lift, I'll also be moving up the hitch.

As for raising the fuel tank, with the body lift you can move it up 2", or build one 2" deeper for additional fuel capacity.