Few Upgrade Questions

[Gate7]

Hi all, just need some information on the upgrades I'm considering.

Yesterday I went the nearest ARB dealer for some info and prices.
I'm currently looking at a Bullbar, Warn winch 9000lbs, SideSteps (for the wife ),
and a roof rack. My question i suppose is simple, after installing all this gear, would i need to change my suspension or shockers due to the access weight on the truck?
If so, would that alter my ACE efficiency?

Just trying to come to terms with the total expense that's all.

I saw the pic of your ride DiscoMike, very nice and clean

Thanks all.

[drum655]

here is my 2 cents. You have some awesome plans for your rig, but i must recommend that you do not get side steps! If you do off road your rig (which i am assuming you are gonna do since you re buying a winch) the side steps will get beat up really bad really quick. i suggest you get RTE sliders with nerfs on them! thats what i have and they really make getting in my truck a lot easier! but like i said, thats just my 2 cents! Have fun with your truck!!!!

[keptin]

totally agree.....if at all possible, go with a pair of RTE rock sliders, (www.rovertym.com), they will run you about $500---expensive, but the side steps will most likely be destoryed anyway on the trails---would end up being a waste.

As for the weight of the bullbar and winch.....first off, ARB bull bars look great, but functionality wise they suffer. A TJM bar is much better.....a superior bar (as far as off-road capability goes) is an RTE slimline bumper. They can all hold winches, the problem with the ARB is that it is big and cumbersom for the trails....TJM bars are about the same size but are shaped differently to provide a better approach angle. As for the weight, its dependent on how old your rig is (how worn the springs are) and the weight of the bumper. The ARB and TJM will sag down the front a couple inches on older springs, you can compensate by getting some genuine rubber spacers from www.expeditionexchange.com until you can afford a lift, but they shouldnt be used as a permenent solution.

The ACE system won't be affected much because it controls the tension of the swaybars, not the carrying of the vehicle's weight.


Since you mension you have ace, something equpted to DII SE's, do you also have air suspension?? If you do have air suspension, I recommend you get a suspension lift to replace the air-bag springs with coil springs......the airbags tend to burst, leaving you stranded (or at least in a rough situation).

[Gate7]

Thanks for the advice guys, seriously for someone as myself who hasn't got the knowledge on cars it's fantastic to see there's always ppl out there willing to help out with advice.
As for my disco, it is a series II 1999 model with the ACE fitted by the previous owner. It has coil springs not airbag springs.
The side steps i saw are the ARB protection steps coil sprung and mounted on the chassis, cost $607.00 australian. The winch bullbar was $1461 fitted which suits the warn & magnum 10,000lb winch with 9.5mm cable $2259
And to top it all off the roof rack with a mesh floor $1270 fitted.
Expensive set up without the possible suspension upgrade. :-(

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by Gate7

Thanks for the advice guys, seriously for someone as myself who hasn't got the knowledge on cars it's fantastic to see there's always ppl out there willing to help out with advice.
As for my disco, it is a series II 1999 model with the ACE fitted by the previous owner. It has coil springs not airbag springs.
The side steps i saw are the ARB protection steps coil sprung and mounted on the chassis, cost $607.00 australian. The winch bullbar was $1461 fitted which suits the warn & magnum 10,000lb winch with 9.5mm cable $2259
And to top it all off the roof rack with a mesh floor $1270 fitted.
Expensive set up without the possible suspension upgrade. :-(

I agree with the other ideas mentioned above. as for the ACE, it can't be added, are you sure you have ACE?
Yes as a 99 with normal mileage, you will need to lift the truck a little to offset the extra weight and to correct the drop in the factory springs. Consider using the OME springs and shocks, make sure you use the 751's springs in the front, the are actually made for the D1's but work real well on DII's.
Good luck,
Mike

[Gate7]

Positive Mike, when I bought the car from the dealer he made it very clear about the ACE system in the LR. Also my mechanic after test driving it, told me how much better it handles around corners because of it and told me how bad they are without it. But without previous LR experience i wouldn't know.

My LR has just clocked up 100,000kms by the way.
I'll post a pick of the engine bay tomorrow maybe you guys can tell me if it's installed or not.
Cheers

[Disco Mike]

My consern was more around your statement that someone had it installed, you probably do have ACE, but it came from the factory that way.
Look at you power steering bottle, if there are 2 side or separate reservors, you do have ACE. My 99 has it and it will out perform non ACE trucks at high speeds in the mountains on curves.
Let us know how it goes, and send pictures.
Mike

[salty]

The ARB step is not very stong, it's kind of a strange product for ARB actually and really doesn't fit in with their otherwise excellent products. If you really are not interested in the strength it may still be okay for you. I've seen one used to jack up the side of the car and it bends so far you cannot open the doors. I'm not sure what other options you may have in Australia though. Shipping one of the US brand ones is probably too expensive for you.
The 751 and 759 springs from ARB are a good choice and don't affect the ace either, the 759's give a beautiful ride, the 751 is a little taller.
I would not go so high on the Winch loads, look at what pricing you can get at around the 8 -9k lb load. FYI this is stall rating for Warn and Super winch is a load rating, this is different. In any case 8k is a lot and if you use a pully block at the anchor end and return the hook end to the bumper you'll end up with 16k lb pull any way, I think for the rarity of it's use this is the better solution and you probably get to keep 1k$ for other projects

I have the ARB bumper with air bag compliance, personally in retrospect I'd go with the regular one as it's a little stonger.

As for the roof rack, I would also recommend the half length ones, I have a full length one and the wind noise is pretty high.
I'll be visiting your home country in July, unfortunately in a Toyota Landcruise. They still sell the real one in Australia!

Jim

[Gate7]

Here's 2 pics of the engine bay.


Is this the Ace?



Thanks

[keptin]

cool! So different than mine....the first thing I notice is your brake fluid res. is on the opposite side.....strange...because your ABS modulator is on the same.

[Gate7]

So i take it as a yes... Is the oil in the Ace system different to the brake fluid?

[drum655]

it used the same fluid as the power steering!

[Gate7]

Sorry, That's what i meant.

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by keptin

cool! So different than mine....the first thing I notice is your brake fluid res. is on the opposite side.....strange...because your ABS modulator is on the same.

It took me a second also to pick up on that and then realize it is a right handed Disco, kind of strange.
Mike

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by Gate7

So i take it as a yes... Is the oil in the Ace system different to the brake fluid?

When you change the fluid, try and you a synthetic steering fluid like Vavoline, it will take alot more heat then regular p/s fluid.
Mike