Fred: Don't know much about damage yet. Haven't seen the truck since it was taken to the lot, and I'm awaiting further word from my insurance company on the damage/estimate. The ARB bumper seemed to protect a lot of the front end, but I'm just not sure what happened beneath the skin. Airbags did not go off.

 

Go ARB if you do any off roading
That is, if you can afford it.
If not, there are tons of places to get new bumpers.
[/quote]

I have been looking FOREVER for a replacement bumper. I only do very mild off-roading and am looking to replace my front bumper. (It was cracked when someone backed into it at a Charger's game) Now I have a bumper that is missing a bunch of plastic that cracked off into a million pieces. Where do I go to find a replacement bumper other than at the Stealer? Anywhere local in So-cal? Stealer wants $500.00 for a bumper! (sorry for the hijacked thread..)

John

 

John: $500 is about right for a replacement LR bumper, even ordered through a body shop,though I imagine you could find it cheaper online.

The heavy-duty aftermarket bumpers are NOT a cost-savings though. I think you're getting a lot more for your money, and I loved my ARB bumper (before the accident), but it cost me $800 plus installation. I bought mine through British Pacific in Valencia--they are GREAT to deal with. Will answer your questions quickly and thoroughly and walk you through the whole process. (I also bought my OME shocks and springs from them.) I think Expedition Exchange is somewhere near LA too, and they sell ARB and TJM bumpers.

 

So I finally got my Disco back yesterday. Almost $11K in repairs and 36 days in the shop. The truck LOOKS great. I had General Grabber AT2s installed while all the work was being done (the front two tires had to be replaced due to the accident anyway), and I love the way these look on the truck -- I attached some photos -- but I haven't had a chance yet to really see what they can do offroad.

After driving the truck just a short distance so far, I have a few questions about how it's riding:

1. The steering seems much less precise than before--the steering wheel feels like it has more play before really turning the wheels. Could this be related to the new tires--am I noticing a performance difference between street and AT tires? Or could this be related to the accident? (By the way, I have an OME steering damper installed, that seemed to survive the accident just fine.)

2. The truck definitely feels more sluggish, but perhaps this is also related to the slightly larger AT tires too? (I went from General ST 255/65R16 tires to 255/70R16 AT2s.)

Unfortunately the vibration I was feeling just before the accident, after installing a Tom Woods front drive shaft, is still there at 75-80 mph (discussed in another thread).

Sure am glad to have her back, though!

[IMG]local://upfiles/7042/51C6A94B359C4D788177F99463572DCF.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/7042/06ACB2D1A2DB4188B289A239CA6B50D8.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/7042/54F0D471753A4EA082D9F24768E20BE5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/7042/C036A06208264AB39D65F4529BAC96D1.jpg[/IMG]

 

WOW that looks great! thats giving me some inspiration[X(]

 

I think that your handling problem is due to the tires, if you had streets on there before AT's will handle alot differently.
It will be more sluggish because the trk weighs more now, heavier bumper and heavier tires.
Your tire size isint enough of a differance to make a differance, but a AT is a heavier tire.
As for your vibration, it has to be your new driveshaft, it probally needs to be rebalanced.
Truck looks great by the way.

 

The sluggishness I think is the tires--I'm getting used to the feel of the truck with the AT2s now. But I'm still not sure about the play in the wheel--I can pretty vigorously wiggle the wheel back and forth on the highway without affecting the direction of the vehicle. This definitely wasn't true before. Could that just be the AT tires? Or is it possible my steering damper has impacted by the accident?

 

It might be the steering damper, most likely it is the tires though. AT's will not be nearly as responsive as street tires.
You may want to replace the damper just to rule it out.

 

My general A/ts did not cause any sluggishness in the steering, but then again, I have 18", no lift, and I run a smaller size as well (since I dont have a lift). I went from streets to the generals and there was no change at all.

But on a side note, the truck looks great!