I just bought a 1996 Discovery I, SE7.

It's in pretty good shape, with 78,000 miles on it. No rust, and drives well.

However, if I like a vehicle, I can't resist modifying it. I've spent countless dollars and hours modifying sports cars. This will be my first shot at modifying a four wheel drive. I know nothing about four wheel drives in general, or Land Rovers in particular. Luckily, I live just 45 minutes from the good folks at Great Basin Rovers, so I've got a competent shop to help me fix up my car and spend my money.


Just a few weeks after I bought it, I'm starting on the modifications and accessories.

I didn't buy this vehicle to be a rock crawler. It's my camping machine. It allows me to access more remote areas that are accessible on a 4x4 road. I want it to be a portable base camp for backcountry fishing, hiking, and climbing. So, it needs to be off-road capable, but also comfortable for traveling long distances on road trips.

I'm trying to focus on things that will improve off-road performance without compromising it's usefulness as an all-around vehicle (and daily driver.) Also, I'm looking at replacing parts that are bad, or are known to go bad on the Discovery I.

It's getting outfitted with a bunch of camping accessories to make base camp life nice.

Car mods, upgrades, and repairs so far:

BF Goodrich All Terrain AT-KO tires (245/75-16)

Old Man Emu springs and shocks (2 inch lift.)

Skid plates for front and rear differential housing, and front skid plate for steering gear

Replaced hubs/swivel *****, front and rear

Added wiring for connection between primary battery and National Luna Portable Power Pack.

Rear Ladder

Escape Gear cotton canvas seat covers

Camping and off-roading accessories:

Thule roof rack

Autohome Columbus Carbon roof top tent

National Luna Portable Power Pack and deep cycle marine battery

ARB Fridge/Freezer

Rhino Rack Foxwing awning

Pillowtrack inflatable traction device

More Power Puller 3 ton hand winch

Bushranger inflation jack

My first 4x4 road with the Disco I



Autohome Roof top tent and Foxwing Awning Deployed



Love these Escape Gear canvas seat covers


Recovery gear and fridge



Future mods: Truetrac diff, front and rear, with 3.9 gears

OEM brush bar with reinforced recovery point

Shovel mounted on roof rack

 

i dont think you need anything.. in fact you have more than some of us off road guys. as for the OEM brush guard i would skip it and get yourself a steel bumper that will have recovery points included on it and possibly a winch box and a winch (those hand winches scare the crap out of me). what is going on with the rear suspension? that one pic it looks compressed under the weight of your tent and gear? is that an illusion or a problem?

 

You seriously did all those modifications before you ever took it off-road?

 

For what you will be using it for, you have already gone into over-kill.
Truck looks nice, how about service? I would suggest you follow my old list and get that truck real current.

1 Oil filter, K&N 3001 or Mobil 1- 301
1 Factory air filter
6 Qts. of engine oil
2 feet of 3/16th vacuum tube
2 feet of 5/16th vacuum tube
6 Qts. Of Vavoline’s high mileage Dextron 3 ATF
7 Qts. of 80/90W synthetic gear oil, 85W/140 for HD use
3 Pints of Vavoline’s DOT 4 Brake fluid
4 Qts of ATF for the Power steering fluid
2 Gallons of coolant
1 Bottle of Lucas Power Steering additive
1 Bottle of Lucas Transmission additive
1 Can of Spray Carb. Spray
1 Can Of Brake cleaner
8 Spark Plugs, I use Bosch Platinum Plus 4's
1 Set of Magnacor or STI 8mm plug wires
1 Serpentine belt
2 Bottles of SeaFoam gas additive
1 T/Stat
1 bottle of WaterWetter or Purple Ice
Hoses and belts, as necessary

60,000 Mile Service or Major Service for High Mileage Used Vehicle just purchased

Bleed the brakes
Flush and change the power steering fluid adding one bottle of additive
Service the tranny adding one bottle of additive
Change the coolant and t/stat
Do an engine flush before changing the oil
Do an induction cleaning
Clean the throttle body
Add fuel additive to full gas tank
Change both of the diffs fluid
Change the t/case oil
Replace the plugs and wires
Replace the air filter
Lube all the drive shaft grease fitting including the 2 slip shafts
Do full inspection of brakes, hoses, bushings etc.

Hopefully I didn't leave anything out.

 

Were did you buy those seat covers and how much were they?
Please post a link if you can.

 

Seat covers were $400.

They are made by Escape Gear.

Bought them here:

http://www.equipt1.com/companies/Sea...er-discovery-1


Video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHZwDAHnv5Q

 

Spike, keep an eye on ebay and craigslist. I got my seat covers for $100. The rears were hardly used and were $50, the fronts were never used (still in the storage bags) for $50.

 

I will have to keep my eyes open on e-bay, Craig's list around here has very little in Rover accessories.
I want waterproof seat covers, my drivers seat is starting to show its age even though I keep it lotion up.
$400 is pretty steep, those seat covers look good, but man thats alot of dough.

 

Hope my Disco doesn't see this thread...it may get jealous. Looks great!

 

My kids LOVE the tent.