[cnieri]

Suggestions wanted for upgrading/modifying 99 Disco I

I just purchased a 1999 Discovery I, nicknamed Red Rover. Any suggestions on what to do first? It has a lift kit installed already, but I was wondering what modifications to make, and how much I can expect to pay for them. I'd like to find out what will give me the most bang for my buck. I'm not planning any serious off roading yet, but want to make the Rover look really good, and possibly increase gas mileage. Any advice welcomed, thanks! :rellye

 

[01001010]

Go for a KN Filter..it'll help gas mileage a bit. By the way, is that a D1 or D2?

 

[01001010]

haha..woops..nevermind!

 

[cnieri]

KN Filter

In another thread, I read that the KN lets a lot of junk in, is this true? Does anyone else have any experience with these types of filters?

 

[Quicksilva]

This should provide ideas...

http://public.fotki.com/Quicksilva/disco/

 

[LRWheelman]

cnieri, in response to the post in "various problems w/ my Disco", you may just have a weak spring in one of your brake sets. The Discoverys' have a great and easy to service brake caliper system, so just make sure that next time you replace your brake pads to replace the hardware (springs & pins) also. It may also be a slightly loose wheel bearing, as your brakes may be pulling it back into alignment when you press on the pedal, Check to see when the wheel bearings were last repacked, and check to see if thay need it again. If your Discovery is lifted, keep an eye on your driveshafts. They don't take extreme angles well, especially the rear if it has the rubber "Roto-flex" coupling. I replaced mine with a u-joint driveshaft a couple years ago, and it was money well spent. Another mod that I really like is the larger D2 style cup holders. Very nice for keeping your large beverages from spilling. Get the deluxe, two color ones with the removable inserts for best results & you can store your graphite tube for the ignition lock lube process handy, within reach of the steering wheel! Cheers & Congrats! LRW :clap:

 

[Disco]

Cnieri, your question about what mods to make is not an easy one to answer, as there are a multitude of options, all varing in price, quality etc. Adding accessories is a personal 'ego' thing, that we all suffer from.
Differing opinions from the forum, will leave you totally confused eg, K&N filters. As has been mentioned many times, K&N filters are better than the paper filters that come standard with the discovery's, BUT......you have to maintain them. Bad reports about K&N, is no doubt from people who have been too lazy to maintain them. FWIW, I have K&N filters on both my disco's.

 

[cnieri]

Good feedback

Well, I'll definitely keep that in mind with the KN filter. As for the plethora of options available, I'm definitely aware of that, as well as it being a matter of preference. What I'm looking for isn't what the best things are, but more, what will stretch the dollar the furthest in upgrading the vehicle. For instance, putting in a new stereo system isn't really a priority, and could cost hundreds to thousands. I'm wanting to know what's the best choice to do first, tires? upgraded suspension? outside enhancements? (such as brush guard, new grille, etc.) I just don't have a lot of ideas on how much everything costs, and what I should start with. Any suggestions on what kind of spark plugs also? I read somewhere that fuel performance can be improved by changing the air filter and spark plugs. I'm getting about 15-16mpg as it is right now, just city and highway driving.

 

[01001010]

Then that's where you should begin to work...minor engine mods to increase performance, and improve efficiency. I'm doing the same thing...My rover officially became mine not too long ago and i still have not done any of the exterior mods that i have wanted to because im fixing the things that are of high priority to keep the truck running ( mine is my daily driver so i do a lot of city and highway driving as well ). You are right about the plugs... i'm tuning up my entire ignition system (wires, plugs, coil, cap, rotor, battery <optima red-top ). Something I'm also doin just for sh**s and giggles is upgrading to a 12K H.I.D. Headlamp conversion with a Hella Ballast. After that comes the Brushguard with the Land Rover Lights. Since i do the occasional off-road driving I'm also getting some protection for the fuel tank and a skip-pad up front.

 

[cnieri]

What kind of plugs are you getting? How did you choose?

 

[01001010]

Choosing plugs can be confusing sometimes...depending on what type of conditions you're going to put your engine through...me for instance, drive my truck every day and also go off road so i want good mileage but good performance (meaning having good power) as well...because of that i chose the BP2s...they provide a good enough spark for good performance and i can use them without having to change my entire ignition system around...you can use BP4s on the truck but it would be overkill...BP4s, i consider to be for more moderns engines with individual coils for every plug. If you used them on the truck i think you would have to get some of the thickest wires available to take full advantage of the technology used on the BP4s to get a GOOD spark out of them. With the BP2s, im upgrading to the 7mm wires, which are pretty thick wires already, ( i used 8.8s on my 65 stang )...its also good to have a strong battery. So there you have it!..lol...BY THE WAY...im somewhat new to Fuel Injected Engines so if anyone out there thinks that any of what i said here is rotten salami, PLEASE feel free to correct me...im going by my carburated-engine knowledge.

 

[01001010]

BP = Bosch Platinum

 

[BIRD]

ARB brush bar

I put an ARB brush bar on my truck. It was cheaper than one from the stealership. I will be putting ARB side steeps on as soon as I can. As for MPG. keep your foot off the gas!! LOL I get about 18 MPG and I use 92 octan and keep my rpm below 2200 in the city. And keep you ac off in the city. I hope this helps

 

[SCSL]

I just purchased a 1999 Discovery I, nicknamed Red Rover. Any suggestions on what to do first? It has a lift kit installed already, but I was wondering what modifications to make, and how much I can expect to pay for them. I'd like to find out what will give me the most bang for my buck. I'm not planning any serious off roading yet, but want to make the Rover look really good, and possibly increase gas mileage. Any advice welcomed, thanks! :rellye

What mods to do 1st really depends on whether you plan to take your D1 out on the trails. Since you said you weren't planning on doing any serious off-roading yet, I would suggest aftermarket exhaust, which will be huge improvement to your D1--you'll feel the difference going up hill & passing. If you plan on doing any off-roading in your Disco, avoid aftermarket "brush bars" and other nonsense that is purely cosmetic and will fall apart off-road. You'll just end up replacing it later anyway with a real winch or bull bar with solid tow points. Cheapest & easiest 1st off-road mod is a solid rear tow point. You can get one for $25-ish that will conect to your tow hitch. This way when you get stuck (and you will if you do any serious wheelin'), you can be extracted without serious damage to stock parts. Finally, one of the 1st basic off-road "mods" for D1 is new tires. Stock Disco tires are absolutely useless on any hard-core trail. Please do not find this out the hard way. At least go to BFG A/Ts or equiv. You may not true mud tires but the stock tires are really not "All Terrain" in the 4-wheeling sense of the word. You have some great trails out there in CA. Good luck ! :wave: :drive: