LR Discovery Sport “Stalking” Mods

R. Macleod & Son - The Best Hunting Companion
wytonpjs

wytonpjs

Well-Known Member
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As some maybe aware from other posts up to Christmas last I was a fervent Freelander 2 abuser taking my trusty stead off-road weekly stalking. Sadly, I passed her on at Christmas after an unfounded engine scare to a fellow stalker and ended up with a dS. I have finally got around to putting the same “stalking” mods onto the dS - not an easy job due to the very modern electronics and differences in build. Next weekend I have a cunning plan to fit a winch to the dS - not as capable as the one in my old FL2 but hopefully adequate enough to get me out of some mishaps.

Installed mods are:

  • DRL inhibit
  • Low flood red LED for lights-out track transit
  • High-Viz strobes for when I end up putting it into places I shouldn’t
Anyone interested in doing similar, drop me a pm for the lessons I’ve learnt😂

 
10mm plate top and bottom with 5mm spreader for winch bracket, M12 stainless bolts through impact bar. As tight as ****** in there with barely a mm spare - watching closely the temperature implications but the FL2 with a winch 4 times the size didn’t give rise to any heat problems.
 
wytonpjs said:
10mm plate top and bottom with 5mm spreader for winch bracket, M12 stainless bolts through impact bar. As tight as ****** in there with barely a mm spare - watching closely the temperature implications but the FL2 with a winch 4 times the size didn’t give rise to any heat problems.
Click to expand...
What size cable 12mm OD ?
My friend who uses a lot of winches brought a very good swager for the terminal ends, gone are the days of solider and a roll of self amalgamating tape. Mind you it looks neat on a T8 mod wrap lol
 
Winchmax supplied electric cables (15mm2 copper - 6 gauge) and I use a set of Chinese hydraulic pliers (crimper) to form the end fittings into the Anderson plugs. Winch cable is 5mm genuine Dyneema SK75 synthetic and its only rated at 5000 lb compared to my FL2's 13500 lb, but it's how you use it that matter ;)
 
Hoe did you disable drl as i was told when i bought mine you cant also legal requirement side lights are dimmer than day time so i just use them instead also drl are bright enough to see driving up tracks what tires are you running
 
GWP said:
Hoe did you disable drl as i was told when i bought mine you cant also legal requirement side lights are dimmer than day time so i just use them instead also drl are bright enough to see driving up tracks what tires are you running
Click to expand...
I have introduced a Bluetooth "switch box" that interrupts the DRL power supply operated remotely via a bluetooth key fob for off-road stealth driving - the red light gives me enough to see track edges or obstructions. The tyres are Falken Wildpeak AT3 in 19" - same as I had on my old Freelander (2 sets) which I found more resistant to sidewall damage and better off road that General Grabber AT3.

IMG_2923.webpIMG_2909.webpIMG_4172.webpIMG_8283.webp
 
Just curious but how do you find the Falken Wildpeak 19"s on the road? I am looking at something a bit tougher for my 13 Freelander with 19" wheels but do 95% of my miles on motorways/A/B roads and really dont want excess noise etc.
 
CreedSnore said:
Just curious but how do you find the Falken Wildpeak 19"s on the road? I am looking at something a bit tougher for my 13 Freelander with 19" wheels but do 95% of my miles on motorways/A/B roads and really dont want excess noise etc.
Click to expand...
They are outstanding on road - not noticeably noisy and I find their performance in the wet at lot better than reviews suggest. On my first set, in the heavy snow we had a few years back they were incredible. I do a lot off-road but in overall terms, 90-odd percent is on road and these are great 👍 They are one of the few tyres available in 19".
 
wytonpjs said:
They are outstanding on road - not noticeably noisy and I find their performance in the wet at lot better than reviews suggest. On my first set, in the heavy snow we had a few years back they were incredible. I do a lot off-road but in overall terms, 90-odd percent is on road and these are great 👍 They are one of the few tyres available in 19".
Click to expand...
Many thanks! I may well give them a go 👍
 
wytonpjs said:
10mm plate top and bottom with 5mm spreader for winch bracket, M12 stainless bolts through impact bar. As tight as ****** in there with barely a mm spare - watching closely the temperature implications but the FL2 with a winch 4 times the size didn’t give rise to any heat problems.
Click to expand...
Why stainless bolts?
Many have inferior tensile strength, what markings are on the heads of yours?

I'd want a minimum of 8.8 for that application.
 
wytonpjs said:
I have introduced a Bluetooth "switch box" that interrupts the DRL power supply operated remotely via a bluetooth key fob for off-road stealth driving - the red light gives me enough to see track edges or obstructions. The tyres are Falken Wildpeak AT3 in 19" - same as I had on my old Freelander (2 sets) which I found more resistant to sidewall damage and better off road that General Grabber AT3.

View attachment 376904View attachment 376905View attachment 376906View attachment 376907
Click to expand...
Nice freelander, out of interest what was the unfounded engine scare?
 
jon 12 said:
Nice freelander, out of interest what was the unfounded engine scare?
Click to expand...
Whilst going fast up a steep hill the Aux belt partially shredded, whipping off the crank sensor. Car died instantly and it was an interesting recovery from a blind bend on the hill with Police assistance. Initial (duff) advice was that the cam belt had gone (previously replaced) and I was max'd workwise and domestically so, when the wife said treat yourself to another £10k vehicle, I acquired the Euro 6 HSE dS (Bristol has a CAZ). When I got a proper chance to look at the FL2 the cam belt was ok so a simple Aux belt change and crank sensor replacement and sell on my much abused (but sadly missed FL2). I still have pains of remorse :doh:

Stalking in the heat on Sunday morning however, I was loving the cold-air blown front seats of the dS and in many ways, it's better that the FL2 but at the back of my mind is the Ignieum's timing chain:scared:

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Sold: - 2010 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE with Off-Road Mods - £3k (Bristol)

Reluctant sale of my much abused but well-loved FL2 (164,430 miles) with later facelift enhancements and off-roading additions. The MOT has just been done and is valid to 27 Dec 24. It has a full service history and the timing belt and waterpump were changed in 2021 at 122,887 miles. A...
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
 
eldon said:
Why stainless bolts?
Many have inferior tensile strength, what markings are on the heads of yours?

I'd want a minimum of 8.8 for that application.
Click to expand...
Primarily corrosion and future ease of removal. Bolts are of good quality and remember, this is only a small winch not the monster I had on my FL2. Trick is going to remember its limitations in the "heat of use".............
 
wytonpjs said:
Whilst going fast up a steep hill the Aux belt partially shredded, whipping off the crank sensor. Car died instantly and it was an interesting recovery from a blind bend on the hill with Police assistance. Initial (duff) advice was that the cam belt had gone (previously replaced) and I was max'd workwise and domestically so, when the wife said treat yourself to another £10k vehicle, I acquired the Euro 6 HSE dS (Bristol has a CAZ). When I got a proper chance to look at the FL2 the cam belt was ok so a simple Aux belt change and crank sensor replacement and sell on my much abused (but sadly missed FL2). I still have pains of remorse :doh:

Stalking in the heat on Sunday morning however, I was loving the cold-air blown front seats of the dS and in many ways, it's better that the FL2 but at the back of my mind is the Ignieum's timing chain:scared:

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Sold: - 2010 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE with Off-Road Mods - £3k (Bristol)

Reluctant sale of my much abused but well-loved FL2 (164,430 miles) with later facelift enhancements and off-roading additions. The MOT has just been done and is valid to 27 Dec 24. It has a full service history and the timing belt and waterpump were changed in 2021 at 122,887 miles. A...
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
Click to expand...
Fingers crossed for you, hopefully no stretch in the timing chain. Could be worse you could have a wet belt🤣.
 
GWP said:
Hoe did you disable drl as i was told when i bought mine you cant also legal requirement side lights are dimmer than day time so i just use them instead also drl are bright enough to see driving up tracks what tires are you running
Click to expand...
September 2018 onwards and drl are mot testable items but before then they can be switched off. Did mine (2016) and never put them on for mot and nothing said
 
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