Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1172
An Anoraks D3
Hello folks,
I've owned my Discovery for just over six weeks and thought it about time that it had its' own thread
The vehicle is a 2006 2.7 TDV6 'S' and was bought from Tiger of this parish. It was specced from new with the cold climate pack and tow bar, and Tiger has added a T-Max split charger, RLD wheel protector and Garmin sat nav in a D4 surround.
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I bought it in the knowledge that it needed a few things attending to and, so far, I've replaced the rear disks and pads, the front prop and a drive shaft gaiter. It's going to need a whole slew of bushes and track rods soon, too. After reading about it here, I've also had a visit from Geoff to have the gearbox flushed and he did the 'clock on dash' mod for me whilst he was here:
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Beyond this mundane stuff, I've had chance to make a few changes of my own. Firstly, I've got four new tyres - General Grabber AT's:
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Cubby box tray:
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Black badges courtesy of Beanie:
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A dog guard, as I like stuff in the back to stay there:
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The load cover also provides a handy place to store this blast from the past:
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There are a few other modifications that I want to make. Principally, this will include adapting the tow bar to tow my Sankey trailer, fitting extended roof rails for things like bike racks and an Ozpod, and probably spot lights, although the standard set up is already much better than my previous Defender. I'm sure I'll find other things that I 'need' along the way too Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Last edited by LandRoverAnorak on 22nd Mar 2024 10:11 am. Edited 2 times in total
26th Apr 2014 7:24 pm
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1172
Today I fitted a rear ladder, which I picked up for a bargain price on eBay:
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The kit is pretty good and the instructions are nice and easy although I did make a couple of changes. The first was to swap the standard nuts and bolts for some nice shiny stainless ones:
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I also added some grip tape to the treads:
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I'm very pleased with the result and I also took the opportunity to try out a couple of roof bars that I'd also picked up recently:
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The ladder will also eventually become a platform for mounting a rear work light and reversing camera, but I've got to fabricate some bracketry for those first.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Last edited by LandRoverAnorak on 21st Mar 2024 9:48 pm. Edited 1 time in total
26th Apr 2014 7:32 pm
Comusat
Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Stalybridge
Posts: 575
Looking good
Keep the updates coming Lee
D3 TDV6 HSE, Bonatti Grey, 7 Seats, Dual Climate, Heated F&R Seats & Screen, Fog's , Auto lights & Wipers, SAT NAV, Harmon Kardon, Cruise, many rattles, occasional leak
D2 3.9 V8 supposed to be Green, was mainly rust. Gone but not forgotten.
26th Apr 2014 7:51 pm
Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
Just fitted one of those ladders as well
Planning on fitting a work light on as well.
Looking good by the way
AndyD4 MY15 SE TECH
D3 gone but never forgotten.
26th Apr 2014 9:20 pm
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1172
Thanks, chaps.
My wife bought me one of these LED worklights for Christmas that was intended for my 110, but as that's been replaced by the D3, I'm now working on a cunning plan to use it on that instead.
Click image to enlarge
I've got half an idea for a bracket that will allow the light to rotate and point down through the glass when the tailgate is raised, but I haven't sorted out the details yet Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
Was thinking of using the bolt for the top ladder bracket. Will mount it on top of the top step, if that makes sence. Just need a waterproof plug and socket and the 12v lead. There is a thread on here titled rear work light I think. Got a photo on that from Beanie of how he mounted his.
AndyD4 MY15 SE TECH
D3 gone but never forgotten.
26th Apr 2014 10:19 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
LandRoverAnorak wrote:
Today I fitted a rear ladder, which I picked up for a bargain price on eBay:
Each to their own I guess ..but I would have saved up for the OEM ladder as this one looks really 'unfortunate' if I'm honest 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
27th Apr 2014 8:42 am
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1172
Thanks If we're being 'honest' though, I think the OEM ladder is a rubbish design. It looks far too spindly and the first step is too high.
Generally, I choose my modifications based on their usefulness, first and foremost, albeit tempered by the cost. If I felt inclined to save up, I would have gone for the Prospeed one as it's a much better design, but the cost makes it overkill for my needs.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
The OEM is robust and the step is surprisingly in the right place ...even for short stout peeps like myself 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
Last edited by DG on 27th Apr 2014 9:15 am. Edited 1 time in total
27th Apr 2014 9:15 am
mickdundee
Member Since: 06 Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere between the Moon & NY city
Posts: 302
Did you buy that TAZ reg or was it on it when you purchased the D3?
27th Apr 2014 9:15 am
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1172
DG wrote:
The OEM is robust and the step is surprisingly in the right place ...even for short stout peeps like myself
I'm glad that you're happy with your choice
Mick, I was actually give the TAZ reg. by a fellow member of Defender2.net. I only really wanted it as it's non-aged related, but I've become quite attached to it now. I've just transferred it from my Defender onto the Discovery, although the process was a chore as the DVLA forgot to issue updated log books Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 13 Mar 2006
Location: Wales
Posts: 490
Never mind the ladder that Tow bar just waaaaay! too low!!
It's looking really good
27th Apr 2014 11:11 am
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1172
Yeah, 'tis a bit. We towed our caravan over Easter and when hitched up I thought 'hmm, that's a bit low'. Will have to change it for next time, although I am trying to work out how to fit a Dixon Bate to it, too Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
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If we're being 'honest' though, I think the OEM ladder is a rubbish design. It looks far too spindly and the first step is too high.
