View Full Version : Essential 4x4 accessories
I think that it's time for a thread on essential 4x4 accessories.
I'll start with two things that I think adds to the steering and underbody safety of our Land Rover:
Steering guard - protects the steering linkages at the front. Get these hit and you'll know about it so adding a guard dramatically improves safety.
Diff guard - know the diff cover and you could be facing a really expensive repair.
What's your essential 4x4 accessories?
First and foremost decent tyres - the best way of not getting stuck. They don't need to mega mud tyres as set of All Terrain type are idea for most situations.
Underbody protection - Steering guard, front and rear dif guard. QT service rock slider is about the best for the back as it protects the front and back sides.
Vinyl seat or waterproof seat covers. You know there going to get dirty.
hi-lift jack - way jack with it and way can winch short distances with it. Plus strops and tow rope (101 uses forthem).
spade/digging shovel
Good quality oils
Some one with more experience to show you how to get the best out of your vehicle and how to read the terrain. It supprising where a standard vehicle will go, but also how easy it is to get a full kitted up vehicle stuck or broken.
A somebody to go of tarmac with - don't risk it on your own unless you know the route very well.
If its a Landy tool kit and over draft facility.
After that its add ons for more serious off roading rather than green laning/ general use ie snorkel, extended breathers etc..
All what EDs says is correct, including the overdraft!!!.
When I first got my Disco i booked a days tuition at a Landrover Experience School, having been tought and had a bit of practice, I can say that for everything I am likely to do with a Landrover can be achived by a straight out the box vehical. All I have fitted is a towing bracket for pulling my trailer.
Sure if you are going to do some serious off roading guard the dangly bits up, but for an odd drive on reasonable tracks no need.
Now I'll need to update this next week,
Wanted :- steering gear, diff guard.
Accessories round here, two Schoolkids and a head scarf and lots of chrome.
I would have to agree with the suggestion to go on a good training course. The knowledge and experience of how to handle a 4x4 properly can far outweigh the importance of most accessories. I was lucky to go on a Land Rover course through work and I have to say it was great. Took me places with a Landy I wouldn't have looked at before.
Otherwise, I would suggest a good tow rope together with another 4x4 to pull you out just in case you do get stuck.
I would have to agree with the suggestion to go on a good training course. The knowledge and experience of how to handle a 4x4 properly can far outweigh the importance of most accessories. I was lucky to go on a Land Rover course through work and I have to say it was great. Took me places with a Landy I wouldn't have looked at before.
Otherwise, I would suggest a good tow rope together with another 4x4 to pull you out just in case you do get stuck.
A word of caution of tow ropes and towing ... make sure that the anchor points you attach ropes to is secure and strong enough for the job ... I once saw a tow rope rip off an anchor point on a Bedford sending the rope and the anchor through the screen of a Marina van!
For a pul point of a Landy you can't do muc better than fitting a few jate rings to the chassis front and rear (assuming the chassis is in good nick).
MagiKelly
20-07-2004, 18:21
(assuming the chassis is in good nick).
On a Landy? Are you mad!!!!
On a Landy? Are you mad!!!!
There are a few ... one at least :o):
Skid plates are a must, and of course the Hi-Lift jack. An extra set of U-joints are handy,extra set of belts to run the fan, altinater, power steering and such. Tow hooks mounted to the frame front and back. A good come along comes in handy even with using a the Hi-Lift. Along with the shovel some grating type material to under a tire, when stuck in the mud. Did I mention jumper cables. Might have to do a spot of welding with them or start another vehical.
A word of caution of tow ropes and towing ... make sure that the anchor points you attach ropes to is secure and strong enough for the job ... I once saw a tow rope rip off an anchor point on a Bedford sending the rope and the anchor through the screen of a Marina van!
For a pul point of a Landy you can't do muc better than fitting a few jate rings to the chassis front and rear (assuming the chassis is in good nick).
If you do have to tow someone out of something that they should not have driven in to - do it in reverse with your bonnet open. Hopefully it will catch the block and tackle before it leaves an imprint in your head. Stay away from kinetic ropes (just not worth the risk) :yikes:
Training, and a few bits to stop you breaking it should be all you need. Steering guard, jackable sills etc. High Lift (be careful), winch (but remember the training bit again), rope/strops, shovel, snorkel etc, etc.
If you get on a good course, you should get some good advice on what to fit without going way over weight with your vehicle (and getting stuck even more).
Adi007 and Rob,
Good tips for towing. Once had a rope snap whilst pulling some driftwood off a beach. That gave me enough of a shock! Hate to think what it would have been like if it had been a winch cable or anything else substantial :yikes:
A large plate for the jack ;)
Spare belt(s) depending on model.
Wrap an old coat or blanket on your tow rope or cable. If it snaps it will wrap in the cloth intead of something more important. A "pullpal" tool is good to have if there is nothing to anchor too.
MartiniDave
21-07-2004, 08:37
I bought a cheapo multi-tool, about £1.80 IIRC, that ALWAYS lives in the Series 3. So far it's worked well in that I haven't needed it, but if I were to take it out!!!
I also like to carry a Hi-lift and a shovel, along with a decent bit of rope, and a tool roll of the commonly needed spanners etc.
Never felt the need for skid plates etc on the leaf sprung landies, as the springs themselves seem to do the job.
With the Discovery I plan to install replacement bumpers so I can use the hi-lift on it, untill then I have to be very careful reading the ground.
Dave
Dave,
If your considering replacing your bumpers on the Disco have a look at the Marshland kit. The do bumpers with lifting point, recovers points and lamp holders. The recovery point with also take there detachatable winch plate, (there also akit to for rear winching & recovery).
http://www.marshlandoffroad.co.uk/
I've got the bolt on kit on my 90 - its the dogs Bits.
MartiniDave
21-07-2004, 15:22
Cheers EdS,
That looks like what I need!
Dave
gurushaun
22-07-2004, 11:54
Dave
'Till you get your new bumpers Hi Lift (or Jackall I can't remember which) are doing an adapter which allows you to use the jack on one of your wheels. See LR Enthusiast Magazine August 2004 P95.
Cheers
Shaun
MartiniDave
22-07-2004, 12:02
Thanks Shaun,
I saw that but wondered how good it would really be. I'd really like to replace the defender I had stolen, but the prices for anything without starship mileage are rediculous! On road the disaco is a far better family car, but in the serious clag you can't beat a defender - unless it's with a series 3 :nana:
Dave
Dave
'Till you get your new bumpers Hi Lift (or Jackall I can't remember which) are doing an adapter which allows you to use the jack on one of your wheels. See LR Enthusiast Magazine August 2004 P95.
Cheers
Shaun
Super idea ... thanks Shaun!
Here's what I carry...
Hi-Lift Jack, Defender chassis adapter and a big lump of wood.
Spade, of the pointed type.
Turfer Winch and 23m of steel cable.
Snatch Block.
Two straps
Tow-rope (lifting strop off a timber boat).
D shackles of various sizes.
Strong pair of leather gloves.
Some old carpet.
Engine oil, brake fluid, water and anti-freeze mix.
Compressor.
Lamp........
...and a few tools.
It has a steering guard fitted but no diff guards. I'll have to look into getting some as I've scrapped the rear diff on the ground more than once, lucky it was only mud :roll:
I run it on Bronco Roughrider mud tyres which are very good (see avatar for tread pattern).
Carcajou Garou
27-07-2004, 02:45
A good pair of boots :shock: 4x4 tend to get stuck deeper and farther in the bush than your regular vehicle you may have to walk out and get more help. People tend to try harder to go places and eventualy the best of us get good and stuck; out comes the help. :super:
just a thought
...and a more powerful stereo or you'll not here it.
...and a more powerful stereo or you'll not here it.
Stereo??? We need a comms system in ours!
MartiniDave
27-07-2004, 15:24
Where do you get waterproof stereos from?
Dave
WD 40 seem to work on mine. That and covering it in duck tape before it gets wet.
When I fasten the new speakers in with baler twine I'll have used the full tool kit on it!
MartiniDave
27-07-2004, 15:47
WD 40 seem to work on mine. That and covering it in duck tape before it gets wet.
When I fasten the new speakers in with baler twine I'll have used the full tool kit on it!
:rolmao: :rolmao: :You_Rock_ :rolmao: :rolmao:
Dave
havingagiraffe
05-08-2005, 19:47
Where do you get waterproof stereos from?
Dave
Our Lightweight has a stereo hung on a but of timber attatched to the bolts holding the hard top to the windscreen frame. If water's deeper than this, a broken stereo will be the least of your worries :-)
Before you ask : no, you can't hear the stereo when the truck's moving :-)
havingagiraffe
05-08-2005, 20:50
I think that it's time for a thread on essential 4x4 accessories.
I'll start with two things that I think adds to the steering and underbody safety of our Land Rover:
Steering guard - protects the steering linkages at the front. Get these hit and you'll know about it so adding a guard dramatically improves safety.
Diff guard - know the diff cover and you could be facing a really expensive repair.
What's your essential 4x4 accessories?
I like to carry a couple of proper lorry type ratchet straps in the back of my Landy. Lots of obvious uses such as binding a cracked chassis, holding an axle in place if the springs or locating arms brake, holding doors shut when the catches pack up, holding the bonnet and spare wheel back against the roof rack to stop it falling and decapitating you if the stay fails.....you can tell I'm a Land Rover owner - I wouldn't worry about these scenarios if I had a nice reliable Toyota :-)
The strap's ratchet mechanism generates enough mechanical advantage to use the strap as a short pull winch. Not as powerful as a hi-lift and chain, but a lot easier to use. Can be double rigged for twice the force but half the speed if you're really stuck.
I used to have a Tirfor forestry winch which I now regret selling. Fantastic tool. Designed to be used everyday in harsh conditions - cheaper, lighter, more reliable and more versatile than a vehicle mounted winch. The big 'uns will physically lift the front of a Landy off the ground.
I've seen Landies with cables running from the front of the wings to the upper corners of the windscreen frame to fend off branches and undergrowth. Great in the woods, but not very pedestrian friendly. Try to get your aerial and snorkel fitted on the offside where they're less likely to get damaged by overhanging branches on country lanes.
Pre 1987 Landy doors have recessed door handles which don't get tangled up in the scenery. They'll fit newer Landies as long as the matching catch mechanism and door stay is used.
Floppy rubber mud flaps fittted to older Landies can be tied back to the crossmember so they don't get stuck between the tyres and the ground when reversing on uneven terrain.
Having seen a Landy topple over, I'd add a decent roll cage to the list. The thin aluminium hard top or truck cab will fold as soon as any pressure's applied - nowhere near as strong as a modern car with an integral bodyshell.
Can of EZ start. Incredible stuff - it'll spark even the most tired diesel into life. Especially useful if air's got into the fuel system. Not a long term replacement for decent glow plugs and leak free fuel lines though......
Mobile phone and AA membership :-)
Mobile phone and the number of a mate with tow rope.
I'd agree with everyone else on the importance of driver training. For most people, x amount of money spent on training will get you further up the trail than x amount of money spent on extras.
bushwacker bob
06-08-2005, 00:59
a pair of leather gloves
a few litres of water
lots of coffee
Kelly kettle
Hi-lift or farm jack.
You can winch with them, use them to do many different tasks.
Great value, just make sure you have a good jacking point.