So what did you do to your Disco today?
Pro Wrench
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 18
From: Oregon
I've only had the beastie about a week and a half and finally got the chance to see what kind of ride it has off-road... WOW! The only other 4WD that I've had was a 4WD Isuzu mini pick-up about 15 years ago. It was rough as hell off-road. This Disco is oh, so, SMOOTH! I think that I'm in love, baby... oh, yeah.
Taken after a run to the bank after work. Redington Pass on the East end of Tucson, Arizona. 4:45 pm. No airing down of tires or anything, just driven out and let loose. 188,000 miles. Single owner, prior to me (bought it for $2800). Well maintained. 1999 Discovery Series 1. I put the black hood skin on yesterday. Bumpers, rack and winch coming soon! =)
Taken after a run to the bank after work. Redington Pass on the East end of Tucson, Arizona. 4:45 pm. No airing down of tires or anything, just driven out and let loose. 188,000 miles. Single owner, prior to me (bought it for $2800). Well maintained. 1999 Discovery Series 1. I put the black hood skin on yesterday. Bumpers, rack and winch coming soon! =)
Mudding
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 4
From: Brighton, MI
This is similar to what I had in mind as I was thinking of designs for these, really wanted to get rid of that poke the hole front mount set up. Looks nice. Do you think the straight arms provide plenty of clearance vs bent type?
Camel Trophy
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,079
Likes: 227
From: IL
The bent(cranked) trailing arms aren't for clearance, actually. When a truck is lifted the axle is pushed down. This means the frame bushing is under more stess(binding) than on a stock height truck. The cranked arms restore the angle at which the arms enter the bushings back to stock. A side effect is that they are tucked up out of the way more.
I'm not worried about mine being exposed more than the cranked arms.
My trailing arms are made from .25" wall, 2.0" OD DOM. The joints are 1.25" shank.
Mudding
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 4
From: Brighton, MI
I wouldn't bother reworking the radius arms unless you're installing a 3-link. The frame mount isn't the limiting factor on the radius arms, its the bushing bind at the axle end. You'll see much better results from installing slotted poly-bushings at the axle end than you will by changing the frame mounts.
The bent(cranked) trailing arms aren't for clearance, actually. When a truck is lifted the axle is pushed down. This means the frame bushing is under more stess(binding) than on a stock height truck. The cranked arms restore the angle at which the arms enter the bushings back to stock. A side effect is that they are tucked up out of the way more.
I'm not worried about mine being exposed more than the cranked arms.
My trailing arms are made from .25" wall, 2.0" OD DOM. The joints are 1.25" shank.
The bent(cranked) trailing arms aren't for clearance, actually. When a truck is lifted the axle is pushed down. This means the frame bushing is under more stess(binding) than on a stock height truck. The cranked arms restore the angle at which the arms enter the bushings back to stock. A side effect is that they are tucked up out of the way more.
I'm not worried about mine being exposed more than the cranked arms.
My trailing arms are made from .25" wall, 2.0" OD DOM. The joints are 1.25" shank.
Camel Trophy
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,079
Likes: 227
From: IL
Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 2
From: Upstate South Carolina
Installed my custom 6 degree cranked radius arms. Man I should have done that along time ago! Truck rides a lot better and the pinion angle is right where it needs to be. Orange polys on both ends with slotted bushings up front for improved flex. I also tracked down a clanking noise to a slightly loose panhard bolt and a loose front shock bolt. All is smooooooth and quiet now!
Pinion before: Hard to see without the DS connected but it was pointing up above TC output flange
Pinion now: Almost perfectly in line for the DC shaft
Pinion before: Hard to see without the DS connected but it was pointing up above TC output flange
Pinion now: Almost perfectly in line for the DC shaft
Three Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Ft lauderdale FL
definitely would like to know how well this set up works out. been thinking of doing for awhile. just concerned on how the axle will stay located under the truck at higher speeds. if the upper locating arm on axle will be fine with the ball joint. also it looks pretty strong, but the front mounting looks like it could be a weak spot. I could be wrong as I am no structural engineer. Would you mind keeping us informed after its been put through some stresses of offroading and street driving?
Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 2
From: Upstate South Carolina
definitely would like to know how well this set up works out. been thinking of doing for awhile. just concerned on how the axle will stay located under the truck at higher speeds. if the upper locating arm on axle will be fine with the ball joint. also it looks pretty strong, but the front mounting looks like it could be a weak spot. I could be wrong as I am no structural engineer. Would you mind keeping us informed after its been put through some stresses of offroading and street driving?