Light offroading
Pro Wrench
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 31
From: Placerville, CA USA
I took my Completely Stock '03 to the Nevada Desert to play in the sand. Well, it didn't go well. I had a Mercury Mountaineer outrun me every time and everywhere. It was pretty embarrassing. Even with my stock tires aired down, it was not even close, and he didn't air down. And then, on the second day, my brakes squealed and set off the Three Amigos. At that point, I was unable to do ANY sand at all due to not having any traction control. It was awful!
This year, I added better tires, and made sure to clear any codes immediately when the brakes squealed. Went to the Nevada Desert again to Sand Mountain, aired down to about 15 lbs and outran EVERYONE on the mountain. I was going places nobody else would even try (With a FULL load of people. Because everyone wanted to ride in the Air Conditioned, Leather Appointed, Smooth Ride Comfort of the Disco.). Drove all the way around the Mountain, both directions. It was a much better experience, and everyone was very impressed, mostly myself. It climbed most things I threw at it. It had limits obviously, but less than anyone else there, Jeeps, Dodge, Ford, Chevy, etc...
This year, I added better tires, and made sure to clear any codes immediately when the brakes squealed. Went to the Nevada Desert again to Sand Mountain, aired down to about 15 lbs and outran EVERYONE on the mountain. I was going places nobody else would even try (With a FULL load of people. Because everyone wanted to ride in the Air Conditioned, Leather Appointed, Smooth Ride Comfort of the Disco.). Drove all the way around the Mountain, both directions. It was a much better experience, and everyone was very impressed, mostly myself. It climbed most things I threw at it. It had limits obviously, but less than anyone else there, Jeeps, Dodge, Ford, Chevy, etc...
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Mudding
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
It is a '99 I did not know that I can wrench select the CDL this is good to know.
I am not doing much yet in terms of real offroading, but I just went to coils last week and am happy about that.
My next big issue that I will bring up in a new thread is my transmission temperature sensor going off. sigh.
I am not doing much yet in terms of real offroading, but I just went to coils last week and am happy about that.
My next big issue that I will bring up in a new thread is my transmission temperature sensor going off. sigh.
It really all comes down to what you consider light off-roading....
I think I saw that you said in another post you've got a 99 right? If so you've got the cdl. If you don't wanna buy the lever for it then learn where the "nipple" is and keep a 10mm open end wrench in the glove box. When stuff looks hairy then before proceeding just crawl under and lock your cdl. I do it all the time in my 99.
But aggressive tires are a must. They don't have to be huge m/t's either. I have stock sized falken wildpeak a/t on my 99 and they have been great (super smooth and quiet) on and offroad (muddy back roads and gravel). The only time I was stuck was when I bottomed out in the mud but you can go up to about a 30.5in tire running stock height springs.
I don't have a winch on either one of mine (haven't needed one enough yet), but it sounds like the badlands winch from harbor freight is a pretty good $300 winch if you're looking for that added security.
Also can't speak from experience about the britpart steel bumpers but I think lucky8 has it for around $500 shipped. (I could be wrong though)
You can't go much more affordable as far as upgrades than the three brands I named. Granted you didn't ask for the most affordable, but it helps to know where prices start sometimes.
I think I saw that you said in another post you've got a 99 right? If so you've got the cdl. If you don't wanna buy the lever for it then learn where the "nipple" is and keep a 10mm open end wrench in the glove box. When stuff looks hairy then before proceeding just crawl under and lock your cdl. I do it all the time in my 99.
But aggressive tires are a must. They don't have to be huge m/t's either. I have stock sized falken wildpeak a/t on my 99 and they have been great (super smooth and quiet) on and offroad (muddy back roads and gravel). The only time I was stuck was when I bottomed out in the mud but you can go up to about a 30.5in tire running stock height springs.
I don't have a winch on either one of mine (haven't needed one enough yet), but it sounds like the badlands winch from harbor freight is a pretty good $300 winch if you're looking for that added security.
Also can't speak from experience about the britpart steel bumpers but I think lucky8 has it for around $500 shipped. (I could be wrong though)
You can't go much more affordable as far as upgrades than the three brands I named. Granted you didn't ask for the most affordable, but it helps to know where prices start sometimes.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 211
From: dallas texas
1st check fluid level/color. 2nd those sensors go bad and give false positives. 10 - 15 minutes to change that sensor. it's at the bottom of the cooler, passenger side. 22 mm or 7/8 wrench (I used pliers) phillips screw driver are needed. remove top shroud (4 fasteners) remove 3 screws on panel under pass. side wheel well. push up panel. replace.
there is a sensor on the t case too. but you can reach under and unplug, to eliminate that as culprit.
there is a sensor on the t case too. but you can reach under and unplug, to eliminate that as culprit.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 962
Likes: 90
From: Southern OR
I was able to unplug the front cooler sensor to determin if it was the culprit from the top passenger side of the radiator, there is where the factory plug that goes down to the sensor is. (This was on an a late 01' Disco I was working on).
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Mudding
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
I checked the fluid level today and it was fine, the color was good as well, looked brand new.
What is the harm if the sensor is bad besides the annoying light? I just want to make sure I don't fry anything, but the transmission fluid looked new. I have a few trips coming up and there is nothing worse than being stuck at the side of the highway with your family.
What is the harm if the sensor is bad besides the annoying light? I just want to make sure I don't fry anything, but the transmission fluid looked new. I have a few trips coming up and there is nothing worse than being stuck at the side of the highway with your family.
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