Hello! New to the boards have a few ?s

[saharatj98]

Hello all, not new to forums, but new to the rover community. Had many different Jeeps of different types and finally made the swap to a 2003 Disco SE7.... First question is on the lack of a CDL on the 2003 models.... I have read and heard different opinions from others and the dealer on this issue.... I am used to lockers! I will be lifting this probably on 2" OME springs with 265 75R16 BFG Mud Terrains. How aggresive is the TC and is there anything I can do to improve other than the expensive T case swap. Some say TC is different but better. Others say it is useless off road. I will be wanting to prepare this truck for family outings,hence the sale of my TJ. Rubicon being one trip for an idea of what I want to be able to do with this truck. I have run this in a 3" lifted Cherokee (XJ) and the Disco is actually over an inch shorter in the wheel base and only marginally wider and longer. The Cherokee is very crude in comparison (2001 model last of the breed I owned last) to the Disco. I bought this truck because the price was right, low miles and had nav and HK which I've never seen on an SE only HSE models. Not optioned with ACE or air suspension with full service history 38,000 miles. I have not had a chance to play with it yet although in the last two weeks since I bought it we have had snow storm after snow storm and with our hills the traction control has been incredible. It does much better on the streets in snow and ice than my Jeeps ever did and they were pretty good. The Disco still sports the dreaded Good Year HP's too. ARB bull bar and XD9000 along with prob safari gard rock rails... How vulnerable is the rest of this truck? Everything looks pretty tucked in. Everybody fusses about the tie rods... Jeeps are in the same place too and I have only whacked one in 15 years. Diff covers I can see needing protection and something to do about the rear overhang.... A swing out would be great because I do not want to add any more weight to the rear door. It already seems really strained as it is. ALL OF YOUR EXPERIENCE AND COMMENTS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! I want to learn this new rig. I plan on joining a local rover club too.
Chuck
Puget Sound Area, Washington State

[Funrover]

Welcome..... The TC has impressed me also..I do not own a DII but I wheel with a guy who does. The TC in deep snow did great and on large boulder does great, it did give a little fuss on a smaller obstacle a few times.....but some of the was operator error....... Disco mike has a DII has goes where ever he wants.

Once you get sliders and a push bar the only real problem you have is the rear.... The over hang behind the rear wheels can get damaged!!! That is common. but with careful spotting you will be fine!!! Thr transmission, t-case etc don't hang down liike in jeeps, it is still a good idea to get protection however.. I don't have any yet but I have only hit my muffler and my cat converters.......... I think you will like the ride over a jeep.........

[Disco Mike]

Chuck,
I sent you an e-mail.
Mike

[saharatj98]

Yeah, I like the way it drives. Very solid compared to any Cherokee's I've owned. Does not ride as choppy either. Seems to me the rear is not as stiffly sprung as the front? I have been crawling all over it looking for weak spots. I can see the bottom is fairly flat, but the rear drive shaft balancer? is nearly as low as the cross bar that immediately preceeds it. The exhaust as it comes down from the engine looks vulnerable as does the mid muffler. E brake cable on driver's side looks like a snag waiting to happen and the fuel tank, factory skid just does not look like it wants to meet rocks more than a few times. I've seen some rear bumpers for these and I want to retain some factory appearance, keep the rear fogs and reverse lights. I need a hitch for towing and the factory one looks pretty stout.....I was figuring on an OME HD set up good for about 2" and 265 75R16 BFG Mud Terrains. front dis connects and leaving the rear connected for towing. Unless someone can convince me stiffer HD springs offset this difference enough to put your wife and kids in it. I drove my TJ all the time disconnected, but I was the only operator.... ARB with XD9000i and prob safari gard rock rails... I like the clean look... ARB's incorperate steps, but they look like they still leave the under tray without protection... I wonder about the SE7 step, guess i'll remove it if I start having issues with it. I have two 7 year old girls so, All else fails, throw them in pack a parachute when we get to our destination. They ride for free.