Discovery 2 Traction Control

[mudzilla]

Hi everyone!

Im looking at getting a Disco series 2. The majority of the time i will be driving it on road, while off-roading on the weekends.

I want to have good off-road performance so i was wondering if the traction control is effective enough seeing as the centre diff lock is removed on these models?

I have heard mixed opinions on the traction control on both the discovery 2 and range rover p38. Any ideas?

Also, what about the other 'new' additions such as the air suspension? Does this perform well off road?

If anyone has any suggestions on alternative cars please say. It needs to be post-1998, good on road manners and ideally excellent off road ability. Not too pricey either, about the same range as a disco 2.

Thanks!

[diggerdog36]

Very interesting question, I have a 2000 Discovery II, and I cant fault it off road, Ive had loads of other 4x4's from LR90's to Jap Crap!!

Whilst the centre diff has been omited from the Disco II some do still have the 'gubbins' there to re-fit it. Theres plenty to read about, see www.discovery2.co.uk (http://www.discovery2.co.uk) he has fitted it and made an excellent 'how to' page. Traction Control in my opinion is better, as it also acts as a diff locker, if one wheel is in the air, the TC locks that wheel, sending power to the other wheel, you cant do that with a CDL unless you have diff lockers, it will just spin the wheel in the air!!

As for the Air suspension, I took mine off as I was sick of the bags leaking, at £80 a time they get a bit annoying!!
On road the Disco II is outstanding, especially so if you get the ACE (Active Cornering Enhancement) version, see here. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9rVALw5ck&fmt=22

Now the price has dropped massively on them they are a very good choice, just make sure you check ALL the electrics, ECU cable for oil and Manifold bolts (they shear causing squeeling under load)

[Newsreader]

:stupid: I would agree with that, outstanding vehicle on and off road. My airbags have held out so far, had to have a new compressor fitted though. I find the air suspension increases departure angle enormously as you have option to raise it at the push of a button, also handy for hitching up trailers ;)

[V8_Disco]

:stupid: I would agree with that, outstanding vehicle on and off road. My airbags have held out so far, had to have a new compressor fitted though. I find the air suspension increases departure angle enormously as you have option to raise it at the push of a button, also handy for hitching up trailers ;)

Or if you tow the SLS function is superb

Aidan

[Newsreader]

Or if you tow the SLS function is superb

Aidan
Yep superb and when you are carrying loads too

[mudzilla]

Thanks for all your replies!

Also, thanks diggerdog for those links, very interesting!

Im moving from a ex-Mod Defender to Discovery 2 and just wanted to be sure the off-roading side of it is capable enough! As much as i love the Defender, my knee cant cope with the clutch anymore so i goota go for an auto.

What is everyone else driving? TD5? Tempted by the V8 but that would be very thirsty and LPG conversions are quite pricey too.

[V8_Disco]

You can get some very nice v8s out there that are already converted to LPG, there can be expensive faluts with the block in this engine, its the same one in the p38... so buy with your eyes open. But its not like the TD5 is without its expensive faults either

Aidan

[grieuclarke]

Does anyone know where i can get the Kit to reinstate the Diff Lock in My Disco 2 Discoparts don't seem to exist any more.

As an aside do we have a definitive yes or know as to whether a Disco 1 Linkage will work

[diggerdog36]

The Diff lock assembly is available from Ashcroft Transmissions, but the price on their page is £225, surely this cant be correct!!

Good question as the whether a Disco 1 lever would work!

[grieuclarke]

If you look at the Info regarding this it says "CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK, WE ARE WORKING ON AN ALTERNATIVE"
Guess i shall give them a Call to see if they are out of Stock.
I get the impression from what i've read these Kits are becoming increasingly difficult to get hold off.

[grieuclarke]

Well Just Phoned Ashcroft and they don't have any!!! parts are due in next week for the Alternative so they have my number and we shall see when i hear from them!!!

[Dave 2000]

Traction control is good but does have (IMHO) it's drawbacks, the TC works by applying brakes to the 'slipping' wheel. The first problem is the wheel must slip to activate the system thus making a deeper hole than you originaly had, the second problem is if you are in water the brake pads cannot grip the disc rendering TC useless.

If your half serious get a centre difflock ftted to help TC, if your really serious get axle locks front and rear ARB or whatever and do away with TC.

Downside with front difflock is you should use strengthened CV joints or you may end up with a broken CV this adds to the expense, as I said, it depends on how serious you are.

regards

Dave

[NickSamAmber]

We were greenlaning today (we have road tyres and NO diff lock) and the route had river crossings and muddy fields and the traction control is spot on. We didnt even need to drop into low ratio although me and the mrs did come to the conclusion it would of been a little less sidewards if we had at least All Terrain Tyres. But I really wouldnt bother with paying out for a diff lock unless your doing some extreme stuff but then you really need to think about extreme off road tyres first, but your sound like a helicopter on the main roads!