The first trick for me, would be finding one I could afford.... and then not using that same money to buy and ex-mod 110 instead.

 

I like the approach and departure angles on H1s. Breakover angle, not so much:

YouTube - ‪Hummer H1 Rock Crawling Water Fall at Hidden Falls‬‏

Since we've had some discussion of solid axle vs. generic independent suspension:

YouTube - ‪WarPath New Mexico Extreme Rock Crawling Part 1‬‏

Also, let's see anything with independent suspension do this:

YouTube - ‪land rock crawling‬‏

 

Use the money you intend to spend on aftermarket parts for the Discovery as a downpayment for your next truck....

Seriously, I've had trucks and SUV's, but none of them has been able to go where I have taken my Discovery 2 stock!

It's requires finesse and technique driving it. You cannot just give it the gas (or any other vehicle) uphill with the hope of making it uphill or through mud.

Its different than any other GM vehicle. Go to a Overland Experts and learn how to drive.

 

 

Nevada Ben got harassed pretty well on Pirate and Dweb and split a long time ago.

 

Yeah, I was sorta sorry to see him go, he was pretty funny.

 

My Discovery 1 is brilliant it's a '98 model and it's been on the trail (rough stuff) and survived. Been washed down river in the heavy rain, and survived.
The plastic bits on the dashboard are a bit flimsy, but then a bit of tape or strong glue and its good to go.
All of the mechanical parts are easy to fix if they go wrong, if you are doing a lot of trail driving then think this is a 14 year old truck. The bushes are old; the shocks are old; the springs are old; the engine mountings are old. The water pipes are old.
Replace all of these with new.
Then see how this truck will deliver on the trail.

My Discovery 1 was the executive version in South Africa, with all the drop down plastic under the bumper, for the trail this must be taken off, it gets ripped off anyway the first time you go over some rocks, take off the std tow hitch assembly, it's too long and digs into the ground. Fit a front bash plate and sump guards.
If you intend to do some water driving. Remove the security system box, and re-wire (you will be stuck in the wild if this gets water in it)
And fit a air box pipe that will be above the water line.

Remove back seats, (they add weight) Take off spare wheel from 5th door bracket and put inside where the back seats used to be.

Do all of these things and you will have a very comfortable 4x4 for trail driving.
PS: Really good tyres make a difference too.

 

I... think the dude's probably made up his mind by now.