DII Mods

[BeachRover]

I have had my '01 DII for about 6 months now. I have installed lift & new tires. I would now like to install an "A" bar or "nudge" bar as some call it with additinal lighting as well as an expedition rack. Can anyone recommend the best products for these 2 items and a good source. Also, I want to install 2 lights on the a-bar and 4 on the roof rack. Which lights in particular (manf., model & type beam) would you recommend?

 

[rmuller]

Hey Richard, Instead of just fitting a brush bar, you should go with a full new bumper.. there are multiple sources for this, including TJM, ARB, RoverTym, Safari Gard, DAP, Aedofab, Northwest Parts.. it'll run you probably about 500-1500 depending on which one you go with.. but it'll give you A) better approach angle, B) Stronger bumper, C) place to mount a winch, D) place to mount lights. As for what lights to put on your bumper, it all decides on how much you want to spend.. I like Hellas.. there is a guy (Jammer) selling pairs of FF1000's w/ all wiring/relays on here for $85+shipping.. just do a search for FF1000 .. as for the roof rack, unless you got deep pockets, your best bet is to start searching for a used one.. they retail about $1200, but you can pick them up for under $800 used.

 

[cmoore207]

Second on the dedicated off-road bumper. The cosmetic brush bars/a-bars might look better, but they can easily become damaged or cause damage to your bodywork if they take a hit on the trail.

 

[Knut]

I have the LR brush bar on my 2001 DII (it was on the truck when I bought it a few months ago). I would recommend against the brush bar if you intend to take it off road. It is way too weak. Go with a new bumper.

 

[BeachRover]

Thanks for your input. I had looked at the ARB bumper, just not sure if I need that. I'm in coastal NC and 90% of the "offroading" is on the beach getting to fishing and surfing spots. Put the lift and new tires on to gain clearance because I was bottoming out in the sand ruts.

Primary reason for the A-bar was to mount auxillary lighting, no real need for winch. On the roof rack, need it to haul fishing tackle & surfboards. I've seen a couple that I liked but they wouldn't allow my rear sunroof to open. Someone had recommend a "Hannibal" rack.

As far as lights, many have recommend the Hellas but also quite a few have recommended "Lightforce".

 

[rmuller]

Eh, even with an ARB or TJM without a winch.. you still have a solid point in the front to use a hi-lift jack.. that could be very useful in the sand!

 

[BeachRover]

Good Point!!

 

[mike97d1]

as far as the rack,i have a full rack from north west parts on my 01' disco its great,both sun roof work and there is space for 5 lights, it was only about 7 or 8 hundred buck.i live in wilmington too,so if you want to check it out before you buy one give me a call. 232-5067.

 

[syoung]

Geez- I'd want a winch (and a pull-pal) for sure if I ran on the beach a lot. Get stuck once at low tide and you are dead meat.
Lightforce are kinda neat- you can aim them like a Maglight. Personally, I think they are overpriced by a factor of 50%. If they were metal instead of all plastic, I think they'd be properly priced. Whack a plastic lamp on a branch and it's dead. For the same price, you can get Hella Rallye 4000s in the choice of beam pattern to fit your needs- the Holy Grail of lamps... well, at least the non-HID ones.

 

[wolfman]

I just got a LR Adventure Rack put on my 2004 DII. This was after almost 9 months of hand ringing to make up my mind which rack to buy. The LR rack is made by Safety Devices. I really like it. Picks up some wind noise at about 50 mph and I'm told the lights (bigger the better) cut some of the noise. Out of money for now but will get some one day. I have the bogus LR foamy A-Bar light mount - came with the car. I hate it. It is MUCH beter to go the ARB or TJM bumper route. It costs a little more but when you decide you want a winch you don't have to buy it twice. Why did I pick the LR rack? I got it on sale.

 

[leeawalden]

Jeffery, where did you get one on sale?

 

[WillTN]

Get a dedicated off road bumper. If you don't you will wish you had.

As for a rack get a Safety Devices rack.

For light get Hella 4000's. If you have two mounting places on the bumper put two euro beams on it. If it has three shots like a rovertym or SG bumper put on two euro beams on the outside and one fog beam in the center. On the rack put two pencil beams in the center and two cornering beams on the outside. And on the back of the rack put one hella double work lamp. That is the best light configuration I have ever used.

 

[koby]

Mods?

The rack is sexy and so are bumpers, lifts and 4Ks, but single mod I love the most in my Disco is my Engel.

If I had to give it all up save one mod, I'd keep the Engel.

 

[Steve Rupp]

single mod I love the most in my Disco is my Engel.

Absolutely!

 

[BeachRover]

Thanks to all for the responses. Michael, I'll give you a call soon to check yours out; maybe I'll see you at the North End one afternoon. Typically am parked on the right near the entrance (quick trips to port-a-john after mass quantities of beer). Will, thank you for the great light recommendations. Steve, I would like to have a winch but there is nothing to winch to when you're out here at night and you're the only car; just sand, fish and waves but I probably should go ahead and put one on.

Sorry for ignorance, not sure what an Engel is, can you explain further?

 

[F18Guy]

Richard,

Living in NC and hitting the beach, you should get a winch and a pul-pal. It's a tool designed to help you winch without a tree to secure to.

Pul-Pal

And to keep your beers cold....

Engel

For your bumper, you are in a great location. 5 hours from Wilmington is the RTE shop in Va. Call or email in advance and set up a shop day. Great customer service from these folks.

 

[flyfisher11]

Might consider a Hannibal rack living on the ocean. It is aluminum, won't rust, less noise than SD (although not as "sexy"), rails remove for overloading, flat floor, 4'X8' piece of plywood fits perfectly, tents and awnings available, have been ground tested to one ton.

http://www.hannibalusa.com/

 

[BeachRover]

Paul, great information and thanks for the info. After reviewing, just ordered the mid-sized Engel, can't ever have your beer too cold you know.

I was unaware of the pul-pal but I definitely need one of those and can now see mounting an ARB front bumper and winch.

 

[sean]

u can always bury a log or your spare tire to use as a anchor if nothing else is available.

 

[rmuller]

u can always bury a log or your spare tire to use as a anchor if nothing else is available.

I've heard of that before... how deep would one have to burry it to actually be able to winch out a rover?