Is the Weight of Mods and issue.

[DevilDisco]

I'm considering some mods for the Disco and while I know these things don't get great milage I'm wondering if adding mods like Arb Bumpers, Sliders possibly a winch, have much affect on the vehicles mileage? How much will the added weight detract from the mileage.
I notice that when I load the Disco with gear and the family its the mileage is not much different from when I travel by myself so should I be worried about adding heavier compnents?
I think I needs steps because everyone uses the plastic sills as steps and I'm afraid they'll break unexpectedly. I'm considering sliders as I want the sill protection as well. Also considering HD front and rear bumbers.

[Disco Mike]

If you are putting on a bumper and winch, don't but on steps. The first few times off on a trail and you'll tear the steps off. If anything, put on a set of sliders and go have some fun. As for the extra weight, won't hit you by much as far as your mileage is concerned.
Mike

[Thor]

fill the sliders with Hydrogen gas. Very light.

[msggunny]

Originally Posted by Thor

fill the sliders with Hydrogen gas. Very light.

Or helium. And all 5 tires. And cap off your frame and fill that with helium.

[wimp]

ditto on the Helium, you don't want the Hinden-Rover!

[DevilDisco]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

If you are putting on a bumper and winch, don't but on steps. The first few times off on a trail and you'll tear the steps off. If anything, put on a set of sliders and go have some fun. As for the extra weight, won't hit you by much as far as your mileage is concerned.
Mike

Thanks Mike Sliders it is. The other reason I also asked was because I notice that when ever anyone buy's an ARB or similar bumper they normally get uprated springs. Will this apply to the HD rear Bumper as well?

[Disco Mike]

Normally there are a couple things going on in most peoples minds when they buy a HD front bumper, they will probably put on a winch sooner then later and they will be doing more off road and in general want to get the truck up off the ground a little.
Now if you weren't going off road and not buying a winch, your now tired coils may or may not handle the weight of a bumper with out much of an additional drop in height.
Mike

[DevilDisco]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Normally there are a couple things going on in most peoples minds when they buy a HD front bumper, they will probably put on a winch sooner then later and they will be doing more off road and in general want to get the truck up off the ground a little.
Now if you weren't going off road and not buying a winch, your now tired coils may or may not handle the weight of a bumper with out much of an additional drop in height.
Mike

The Disco is still a DD so I'm chosing the MOD's carefully. I haven't been out really wheeling yet, but it was one of the driving factors in getting this vehicle. Took it off road once and loved it but spends most of its time on the highway and I'm pleased with the road manners.

The mods so far have just been for Fun. I've had good luck with the K&N air filter (using a Maf cleaner just in case.) The Borla Exhaust has is nice but truthfully the programming for the ECU seems to be rather good at keeping the vehicle stock, so they aren't doing much good with having the vehicle chipped and I did not have good luck with that the first time. I'm still considering it.

The Magnecor wires were for peace of mind, running them with Champion plugs but I have Bosch P4's as well. The next big upgrade will be the DBA rotors and Kevlar pads next week. It appeas at 65k I need new rotors so the upgrade makes sense.

I drive a lot of back roads with not much street lighting and lots of corners. I was looking into some Hella Dyna veiw to get some extra light in the corners but I need somewhere to mount them. I was consdering a brush bar or A bar but for an additional fist full of dollars I could just get an ARB which would be more useful later in the Disco's life when it does go off-road more and possibly hold up better on the stray chance I encounter a deer on one of those back roads. I have had a few close calls but the brakes on the Disco are quite good.
I considering sliders with integrated steps because I want the step and the plastic sill guards are really there as cosmetic finishing pieces but everyone that rides in the Disco uses them for steps, and they might not last that long used for that purpose. The sliders would offer good protection for off-roading and serve the immediate and daily purpose of helping my passengers into the vehicle.
The HD rear bumper for immediate use would be in case I got rear ended. I had a close call earlier this year there was contact but thankfully no damage. For long term I'd like to have for protection for off-road excursions. The Steering guards, diff guards, a possible 2" lift to fit larger tires and sway bar disconnect I can't justify yet. Well maybe the sawybar disconnect.
A roof rack may also be in the near future as I find I'm toting more and more stuff when I take long distance trips. I could also get a "dog guard' and pack gear to the roof, or a cargo basket for the trailer hitch. The roof rack though would spend most of its time in the garage and not for daily use because of increased air resistance. The dog guard seems like the better option right now though.
HID's are also on the list as l'd like more light for back road driving, but can't find a suiteable kit. DAP is out and the kits I see on line don't seem like they would maintain the integrity of the headlight housing for 03-04 models. They are wired internally to a harness wight caps that seal water out of the housing. The kits go directly to the bulb and don't address the harness. I tested the Silver Stars against the stock and it's not brighter just a different color and they seem to blow out more. Unless I can find an HD wiring kit for the H7 bulbs one halogen is just as good as the next until it blows.
That's pretty much my wish list of mods, besides in car entertainment for the little one but they'll be over a couple of years and as necessary. If I got HD bumpers I'd get the coils though and consequently integrate the lift.

[Thor]

It's surprising what can be modified and remain a daily driver. You just need to spend the time fine tuning everything for good ride and handling. This is my daily driver. I drove 5 hours to the National Rally 8 hours off road and 5 hours back home the next night without much fatigue (other than lack of sleep). This is also the reason I chose a modified RR1 instead of a Defender.

[DevilDisco]

I guess my best mod would be making the time to hook up with other owners and actually go out regularly. I don't mind the drive. It's easy to find an excuse to go somewhere when you know you have friends wating. I just have to go out and make some. Solars is 2 1/2 drive and they normally meet on Wednesdays. Not that I mind but it is a lot to squeeze into a weekday. I know there are some groups in Florida I'd like to get out but when they have some thing I normally have something, normally work related. Don't always get weekends off in the military, but my wife said she wanted to go off-roading earlier this week. So now I'm really looking for somewhere to go.