DISCO4.COM - View topic - My 2004 Tonga Green D3

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual Tonga Green

Thanks. It is a huge loss in our family, we have begun grieving but as there are too many dogs out there needing homes, I have linked up with an international charity and this Friday evening we are meeting with the view to bring home a dog rescued from Serbia. He has been homed 2 times and been in foster 2 times, he is only just 2 years old, if he is too scared of us, we won’t be bringing him home with us, but spending all of Friday evening after driving 6 hours to go to him and hopefully bring him home Saturday. It wasn’t planned, but he is on a list of dogs to be PTS because they can’t find homes for them.

Anyway, back to the more immediate stress…

Despite multiple vehicles suffering punctures in my old yard which I found out was deliberate by the old landlords brother, despite giving plenty of notice and paying my rent all on time! The Discovery has worked its balls off towing everything for the move.

Later when I wake up and drag myself out of bed, I will be transporting an 8ft by 12ft shed on its side on my car trailer. Ordinarily I would dismantle it properly and move it flat packed but moving less than half a mile, and on the same road, so going to chance the dodgy load 😂

So almost finished. Last thing to go is the blue D3 I started breaking. Scrap company are giving me £600 for it as it stands with parts missing 😂 and collecting it 😂

And no, yours eyes aren’t deceiving you, I towed the Range Rover like that to the new yard, deliberately went through a deep puddle fast and pretended not to hear my mate screaming at me until the journey was completed

Click image to enlarge

12th Jan 2023 1:22 am

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

The last few days have been crazy, I adopted a rescue dog who was about to be put to sleep because they couldn't find a suitable home for him.

I was told that he ended up with a ton of behavioural problems as not only had he started life as starved and beaten in Serbia, but then had 2 foster homes and 3 supposed permanent homes, which according to the rescue organisations behavioural expert had lead him to not being able to be around men at all. Well, being a man only household, I decided to drive over 200 miles to see for myself, saw that the behavioural specialist was a complete

So booked a hotel, visited him the first evening I arrived, told the foster home people to not hold him back and let him do whatever he is going to do, expecting to get bitten, snarled at etc....

But instead I was barked at constantly because some mupped taught him to bark until someone shuts him up by giving him treats. So on visit number 2 which lasted 40 minutes, I simply said, yes, he is coming with me. And he has been perfect for my husband and I ever since!

Anyway, getting a bit off topic there, so bringing it back, I went down on Friday the 13th! The journey started with a bang! The sound of the bonnet release mechanism giving out on a dual carriage way, I don't know how I managed it, but as the bang happened and I saw the bonnet start to head up, I hauled the brakes on at a smidgin over 70

and stopped it from flipping all the way up and managed to pull over safely, I accidentally destroyed my partners car key whilst in the process of getting the mechanism to work again so now owe him a car key! But after that, the car behaved impeccably for nearly 600 miles total round trip as we went sight seeing with the new pooch on the way home, and it only cost me £110 in fuel.

Then the day after I got back I had to carry on moving the business off of the expanding and trouble filled travellers site, which started as 4 statics and 1 bungalow, and 4 months after moving on site, over 30 touring caravans, and yards being built around the section I was in for 10 more static caravans to be rented to anyone who wanted to be off grid!

So had to move quick smart, and despite me being up to date in rent and not causing any trouble, because I had badly upset the guy I rented the yard from by saying I was leaving, they decided to make it near impossible to move to by making access soo narrow, I couldn't get my car transporting trailer through, but when they realised I didn't give a crap, they backed off as I pulled the fence posts out of the ground and rammed the restrictive fencing freshly up out of the way and all the wheelie bins (30 of them) that were also used to cause me grief ended up a couple of miles away! And a space that started at 16ft wide, then reduced to 5ft wide then became 12ft wide as I drove my D3 with the car transporter trailer hitched up and a 9ft by 12ft shed balanced on it out of the site, and as there was only 1 shared electric mains box for everyone that included the yard I was in, I took all the fuses with me, so they didn't have electric when I left, as during the 2 week long move that finished today, the power kept being shut off to disable the camera's and stuff kept going missing. I returned the favour without stealing from them

Also while I was away getting my new dog, they forgot to disconnect the power while deciding to attempt to rob the place, so I was able to send footage up to the point they realised the power was still on and disabled the cameras, to the police who I heard turned up with sirens etc... around 6 cars apparently turned up, where they found people on site, apparently being helpful and moving stuff on my behalf! This included the guy I was paying rent to!

But with a lot of precarious towing but only a short distance, 20 yards on a back lane but a mile total from yard to yard

I am now moved, and so glad it was done with my Discovery.

It has been ultra cheap to run for the move as well.

But now, I am closed for just over a week and a half so I can rest and bond with my new dog.

I though I would share some pictures of the fun.

Click image to enlarge

I had a mate walk behind the trailer for the entire journey as it was purely on by gravity

And meet my new dog....

2 year old boy. Believed to be a German Pincer.

Once I re-open the business, he will be with 24/7.

16th Jan 2023 10:49 pm

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

Decided to take a day out of life today and headed to the coast with my new dog, Drove a couple of byways, had lunch, visited 3 beaches and a nature reserve, old places I have been many times, but was great to be out in the old beast again. Sadly after all that driving, and no damage, inconsiderate builders around the corner from me had dropped and not picked up old screws, my tyre kindly caught one. CBA to deal with it tomorrow, so using my parents car for a road trip instead as my Astra also caught a puncture and I CBA to deal with that one either

Yes, I know, lazy.

Great fun getting to be a big kid again today.

Click image to enlarge

Friday I will go and get the D3's puncture repaired, but tomorrow it can rest.

25th Jan 2023 10:37 pm

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

It is a real joy being back in this as my daily again.

It is back to being my everything motor, Van, Commuter, Workshop and Tow Vehicle.

16th Feb 2023 11:36 am

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

Still using this beast as my daily, today carrying materials on the trailer to start construction of a new project.

21st Feb 2023 11:01 pm

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

It's that time of the year when digging deep is necessary

1 front lower arm needs replacing fairly urgently, and 1 rear upper arm needs to be replaced urgently and the squeaking and knocking was doing my head in. So I have order both front lower arms and both rear upper arms, so next week I will be getting my BMW on the road so I can pull this off the road for a few days to get these parts fitted. All I can say is, thank

I am in the trade! I would normally charge a customer around £1100 including 4 wheel alignment for this job.

Was a great excuse to do a bit of tool shopping though, as sadly, some of my tools have magically disappeared so had to replace them and took the opportunity to get some more bits and upgrade some others.

24th Mar 2023 1:17 am

gstuart

Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14129

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Auto Java Black

Wished to say that I hope the read uppers come out without a fight as I know when I done mine I had to use a recipe saw to cut the bolts out, not realising the bolts were hardened steel, alas going through many blades

If I remember rightly some of the other guys used an angle grinder , know u can also get some long reach disc cutters that have a 2 inch disc

Did also get a bush kit, well worth the money as think it was around £80 as changed the upper and lower knuckle bushes

Plus made sure I preset the arms at the correct height before torquing them up

All the best to u mate and plse let us know how u get on

24th Mar 2023 11:45 pm

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

Thanks, With that knowledge, I will make sure I am armed with my battery powered angle grinder

But will try and get it undone with my impact gun first. I currently have a Freelander 2 in bits and need to get my BMW 6 series on the road ready for when I tackle this as I think I will need to take this off the road for 1 - 2 weeks as I know the minute I start working on mine, I will get an influx of customers needing me to work on their cars too

But I do need to get this done asap as I am using it more and more for towing.

Click image to enlarge

26th Mar 2023 12:45 am

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

I have finally fixed the access to my tailgate issue, I replaced the microswitch already with a supposedly genuine one, which failed less than a year after it was installed, so this time I fitted a £12 universal set and now I can finally access the boot again.

I am hoping the weather is going to be good this coming week too as I plan on pushing everyone else's cars aside and going to get my front lower and rear upper arms done finally. I also plan on fitting the brand new condenser that I bought over a year ago so I can finally have my A/C working again.

22nd Apr 2023 7:48 pm

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

I am dreading Sunday, I am popping to the shop to get a new liquid marker pen and reciprocating saw blades, but I am going to tackle at least 1 rear suspension upper arm tomorrow, or at least I plan to!

I am already fed up with climbing down into a little Corsa, even if the fuel economy of the diesel engine is extremely good.

So in the morning I will be scouring the internet and watching as many videos as possible.

Also my car had a bit of a hissy fit 2 days ago, the tailgate catch refused to hold the tailgate, so after leaving the car unlocked for 2 nights on my dodgy estate with some heavy large tools in the boot, I drove 14 miles carefully with the tailgate flapping, got to my yard, and the damn thing randomly decided to work properly again

I think the car has a sense of humour as it is definitely

with me at the moment!

Luckily I have access to ramps and a whole ton of tools tomorrow by a new friend who is having to work on Sunday to catch up with his work load, and offered to let me use a ramp as my business was contracted to help him catch up

This Discovery is about to get a whole load of love.

13th May 2023 8:53 pm

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

Well.... Thanks to an issue at DVLA's end, my car is currently registered as scrapped and I am unable to use it while they sort this out! On that note, it forced me into taking it off the road, and over the next 5 weeks it is going to be having a major service, the final welding done, upper rear arms and lower front arms along with air con condenser being sorted. So currently running around in my diesel Corsa, which I have to admit, feels very strange seeing 45 litres lasting 400+ Miles, but is not practical for my profession

But it will do for now. I do miss my giant boot and my comfy leather seats though.

Little bit of a youth reliving experience, already added M3 style mirrors, boot spoiler and have alloys to go on, and as it is a 1.3 diesel, I am planning on getting this remapped.

28th May 2023 10:22 pm

Moo
D3 Decade

Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14389

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual Zambezi Silver

Your life is certainly not dull.

New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)

Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)

Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)

No longer the Old Buses original owner

231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control

28th May 2023 10:42 pm

disco-nut

Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951

Well.... The issue turned out to be a fraudster who decided after I reported him to the police for scamming me out of over £30k and 2 cars to register not just 1 car, but 4 of my cars scrapped and he managed to convince the DVLA that I had surrendered my license by him filling in a form and telling them that I had lost it, so couldn't return it

Needless to say, police are heavily involved and DVLA have allowed me to continue driving while the matter is being sorted. I had to submit photo's today along with a written statement about the situation to DVLA. I was advised to put the cars in a secure storage facility while this is being dealt with, so they are safe and secure. But the vehicles affected are my D3 SE and my D3 Commercial, My BMW 6 series and my Range Rover.

I had planned on getting on to the repairs this coming week too, BUT, I ended up injuring my eye, as while I was under a VW Caddy van that had been bodged to hell by its owner, my back twinged and it caused a bolt, torch and wrench to fall and hit me in the eye socket, but the bolt actually hit my eyeball itself. So resting for a few days. Well, I was actually told at least a week, but that is not going to happen!

8th Jun 2023 10:20 pm

DN
D3 Decade

Member Since: 23 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2344

2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Auto Zambezi Silver

You certainly have dealings with some ‘colourful characters’.

Hope the eye heals quickly.

D3 owned from new, P017 brake recall, BAS FBHIC, new FBH, LR013487 oil pump, new water pump. RRS front lower suspension arms. New suspension compressor/ relay. New Denso alternator. CuNifer rear brake pipes. New GKN rear propshaft. New HPFP belt & tensioner. New A/C Condenser.NO WARRANTY for many many years.

8th Jun 2023 10:41 pm

Moo
D3 Decade

Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14389

Have you thought of a different career? Yours sounds very fraught and stressful.

New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)

Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)

Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)

No longer the Old Buses original owner

231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control

9th Jun 2023 9:57 am