Hello All,
I am putting my 03 together tomorrow and hope to have it driving in the afternoon.

So, on to the questions and advice seeking..

1) Has anyone replaced the headlights with the HID or other bulbs, do they make a difference and any brands better than the rest?

2) I am in need of the right hand bumper tail light lens, anyone have one?

3) I want to get the remote key for this, I see a lot of used ones selling, can you reprogram a used one?

4) Has anyone installed any of the enhancement chips, see any improvement and brands better than others?

5) Is the factory hitch a good hitch, I have a trailer that I use to haul some fair weight at times 2tons?

6) This one does not have sunroofs, anyone every installed factory sunroofs, how much of a pain?

7) Anyone have front tan leather seats?

8) besides Atlantic British & RoverGuy.com any really good inexspensive parts places?

Thanks for all your advice and tips.

 

1. HIDs make a huge difference but they are illegal. All HID kits are made in China or somewhere over there and then different names slapped on. Paying more just means you paid more for your HID.

2. Can't help, sorry. Price it at www.roverlandparts.com

3. Remotes can be reprogrammed but it requires the dealer's computer to do it

4. landzuii has had his ECU reprogrammed. You'll have to ask him about the results. The simple plug in chips are junk, stay away

5. Read your owner manual for towing weights. Make sure your trailer has brakes. If you don't have a owner manual click the link in my signature to download the RAVE manual

6. Sunroofs are a pain to add. You'd be better selling it and buying an SE that already has sunroofs.

7. Are you looking to swap out your seats or what? A lot of Discos have tan leather seats

8. For used parts Roverland Parts. jcyalas has put together a list of Rover parts places on his club website.

 

6. I haven't done this YET... but I just removed and -re-installed a sun roof assembly on a DI and it was very easy to swap. (The old one had broken tracks). I looked at it for while seeing how this could be done to an S model 03 like mine and I am confident I could do it just fine. I would say the pain AK is referring to would be measuring and cutting exactly so that the sunroof tray fits. If you cut too wide in any side your project is out the window. (no pun intended) Other than that, your 03 should be wired for sun roofs. I think mine was. You would also need to get the related switches etc...

8. http://www.landroverclubvi.com/rover-links.html

 

Eh sunroofs are overrated. I have them but it's just one more thing to break and replace. I would not miss them that's for sure. I'm sure though when my daughter is big enough she will have fun with the switch. She opens and closes the window with her toe now it's pretty funny.

 

Thanks guys, my suv now has a sunroof and I would miss it. I thought about the standard ole aftermarket but thought I'd ask the pros. Is the only thing holding it the window "framing" or is there another mounting source?

 

I replaced my front sunroof tracks and it wasn't terribly difficult. Dropped the front of the headliner and pulled out the sunroof. But installing a sunroof from scratch is a whole different beast. Getting the hole cut in the roof and then cutting the headliner to match seems like it would be a nightmare to me. I also think that cutting the headliner would make it more prone to sagging than it already is. If you decide to install sunroof(s) I would recommend getting a headliner from a truck that already has the sunroof openings cut.

As far as mounting I believe all the bracing is already in the roof that the sunroof mounts to but I could be wrong. You'll also need to make sure the drain tubes are there or you'll destroy your interior when it rains.

 

Thanks, it does seem like a pain job, I have installed an aftermarket sunroof before, but not like this.

I checked my seats are vinyl, so yup looking for tan leather seats

 

I agree, sunroofs are overrated, they let the light in so that your bald head gets sunburnt but thats all they are good for.

You can lock the window switches so that only the front ones work and not the ones on the doors.

 

Spike - you should be glad you have a 97 and not an earlier model. Apparently the sunroofs in pre-97s were not tinted or anything. My buddy said it was like sitting under a magnifying glass on his bald head.