Need help with some offroad accessories (winch bumper, roof rack) - Land Rovers Only

woodmasterfox · 02-10-2008, 09:31 PM

I just bought a 2003 Discovery SE that is somewhat built for trail use already, but I want to get it ready for serious trail use and overland/camping trips this summer. I'm driving from San Antonio, TX, down through Mexico across to Mazatlan on the Sea of Cortez (hopefully along the devil's backbone highway), taking the ferry across to Baja and driving up to San Diego to visit my wifes brother this summer. I will probably be getting off the road all along the way and I want to make sure I'm ready.

I don't know a whole lot about this truck. It has a 3+ inch lift but I don't know what brand. The shocks are Rancho and the springs are black. It also has corrected radius arms installed. The tires are 265/75/16 BFG A/T's but all five of them are pretty beat up so I'll be replacing them before my trip. The truck has the locking center diff and drilled and slotted brake rotors. I have the sway bar off right now and it drives great, beater than most stock Disco II's. It feels tight on the road but very forgiving over potholes and speed bumps.

Now about the winch bumper. I really like the look and approach angles that the Safari Gard Discovery II front bumper offers, but it has been discontinued and I can't find one anywhere. Does anyone know of any similar bumpers? I kind of like the ARB deluxe winch bumper but it seems a little large for my tastes. I don't need to retain factory fog light functionality as they have been removed somewhere along the line, and I'll be getting some IPF or Hella lights along the way soon enough.

I also want to get a roof rack. I love the safety devices roof racks that came stock on the XD series Discoveries but guess what: those are discontinued as well. I would love to get some input on a roof rack from you guys if you can spare it.

Thanks ahead of time!

Crysyn · 02-10-2008, 10:08 PM

Supposedly the Safety Devices racks will be coming back, do a search on this forum for what people who actually have the different type roof racks recommend. As far as bumpers, check out Rovertym.

rmuller · 02-10-2008, 10:39 PM

For a DII, springs are most likely either RoverTym or Old Man Emu, I'm leaning more towards RTE though. As for swaybars, the trend is to remove the rear and get quick disconnects in the front, but it's up to you.

Rovertym Engineering for all your bumper needs as well.. they have a similar, but superior design to Safari Gards, and they'll actually ship it unlike $G!

Roof rack -- From the latest, perhaps strongest, rumor I've heard, is that safety devices wont be resuming production of the roof racks, at least not like the ones in the past. Your best bet is to find a used one for sale, start scouring ebay, craigslist, forums... look at used car lots, find one w/ a roof rack, go offer them $, use the excuse no one wants it b/c it wont fit in their garage, etc..

XtremeMarine · 02-11-2008, 05:09 AM

For bumpers, there's only one choice, if you value your money. Rovertym. My Rovertym springs are a very dark metallic grey, but they are 06' models. Look for a number on the springs that is RR followed by a number. If you find that, then they're definitely RTE. Check with GBR for the color of OME springs. Ditch the Rancho shocks for OME or Bilsteins. You'll get twice the mileage out of them, and no headaches. For roof racks check out mofab.org or PM Moses on this site. Check out UrbanOffRoad on eBay or RoverRacks on eBay, which is the old NWP crew. Also look for a used Safari, but good luck, and prepare for a bidding war if you find one on a site. Personally I think your best option would be Moses since he is in Texas.

ArmyRover · 02-11-2008, 05:38 AM

OME springs are black with a sticker tag that gives the part number nothing stamped on them as far as I remember.

Rovertym bumpers would be your best bet for a rugged dependable winch bumper. They make some of the strongest stuff out there

woodmasterfox · 02-11-2008, 06:25 AM

Man you guys have been a lot of help. I love Rovertym's slimline bumpers, thats exactly what I was looking for! I think the low profile light bar will do nicely for my needs. As for the suspension, on closer examination I think the springs are OME HD springs.

I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet on the roof rack and be okay that I can't get a Safety Devices piece unless I can get the guy I know with an XD to sell me his off his D1. Will the roof rack on a D1 fit a D2?

Also a question I forgot to ask was about under body protection. Is there a specific brand that you guys think offers superior skid plates? I have heard that southdown offers some really great stuff and I like that they powdercoat it yellow but I'm open to suggestions in that regard.

XtremeMarine · 02-11-2008, 06:55 AM

If someone you know has an XD, you'd find it easier to buy the truck, then to get a part off of it. lol. Southdown is nice, also check out equipe 4x4 and Devon 4x4 for skidplates. For diff guards, RTE's weld on units are the strongest made.

XtremeMarine · 02-11-2008, 06:56 AM

A DI and DII rack will be interchangeable. But the mounts are different. So if you know a fab shop, you could probably have some tweaking done, or have new mounts made.

rmuller · 02-11-2008, 07:52 AM

DI & DII racks mounts are the same.. the difference is the length of the racks.. A Disco2 is 6" longer then a Disco1.. so if you put an XD rack on your 2003, it'll be too short and look kinda funny.. find the right rack, or buy a hannibal or something... nice thing about those are the flat surface for tents..

XtremeMarine · 02-11-2008, 08:11 AM

Another option would be to mount a DI rack fully to the rear, and then get a MOFAB light bar to mount at the front. Then you could fill the roof up, and have mounting tabs for 8 lights, or combo of lights and accessories. Or since the Hannibal doesn't have light tabs, a MOFAB bar would allow lights still, if you are thinking of mounting some.

stolenheron · 02-11-2008, 08:22 AM

get a hannibal roof rack. i love mine, its solid as hell.

woodmasterfox · 02-12-2008, 10:40 AM

I actually really like MOFABs half rack roof rack, and since they aren't that far from me I think I'm going to take a trip up there and see if they can custom fab me a full roof rack similar to the Safety Devices one. I'm also going to see if they will fabricate one of their front bumpers for me with a nice low profile light bar up front instead of the full brush guard, I don't like my bumper to make a huge statement and I'm looking for three light tabs up front.

As for a winch, I've always worked with Warns in the past but I'm thinking of trying out a T-MAX winch this time around. I mean are Warns really so much better that they warrant being twice the price of a T-MAX? I kind of want to find out.

XtremeMarine · 02-13-2008, 06:11 PM

MOSES is the man. I know he can make you a full rack. He was talking about doing one for my truck, but didn't have a DII available to template. Good luck. Make sure to post up pics.

rmuller · 02-13-2008, 10:21 PM

If you need a rack for a D2 and want an SD then wait for one to appear.. if you can find an amazing deal on a D1 rack, then take that, use it for a bit but post it up looking for trade for d2 rack or resell it, because it will sell..

Wortho · 03-01-2008, 01:22 AM

Those slimline bars don't look like they'd give much protection if somthing big and furry jumped in front of you. Love the look of the Safety devices racks though, shame they don't make them anymore.

XtremeMarine · 03-01-2008, 07:20 AM

LOL! Our big furry stuff doesn't "jump" in front of us, just walk or run.

Roverhound · 03-01-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wortho

Those slimline bars don't look like they'd give much protection if somthing big and furry jumped in front of you. Love the look of the Safety devices racks though, shame they don't make them anymore.

And an ARB would?

superpowerdave · 03-01-2008, 09:30 AM

I know it won't add anything to the discussion, but I'd be looking for an LT230 before I started dropping big money on accessories. I was under the assumption the CDL didn't come back until 04, but I could be wrong.

2Discos95-00 · 03-01-2008, 11:59 AM

Get the rack right here DISCOVERY II VOYAGER ROOF RACKS made in the USA Factory Direct Land Rover Accessories. They seem legit and offer free shipping. Thats where i got mine from and loved it. They offer plenty of options. Check lit out and let everyone know what you thought about their products.

Wortho · 03-01-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

And an ARB would?

Yep