Disco 2 rear tow hitch (aka the ground anchor)

Is the tow hitch on a Disco 1 the same dimensions as the Disco 2??. Am fed up of the huge gert thing on the back of the TD5 digging in the ground when lugging wood across a field, even with the car pumped up the extra 50mm. Was thinking of putting the old tow hitch of the Disco V8 on as its alot smaller in height. Both are Genuine LR hitchs as well.

Dom

Reply to
Dom J
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I ought to be able to answer that having both around, but I can't. However, the horizontal bolts at the front end of the side arms through the chassis are much larger on the D2.

Which hitch are you using on the D2? All will interchange despite the suggestion that you need the air on with the air etc.. These details are for the Dixon-Bate ones used by LR.

The D2 multiheight (the most common) - 3 sets of holes at about 50 mm centres

The D2 adjustable - coil spring - 4 positions at 34 mm centres

The D2 adjustable - air spring - 4 positions at 50 mm centres

I'll send you drawings showing the various heights but the coil spring one is highest above the deck, followed by the multi height with the air spring one the lowest. There's 50 mm difference between the highest and lowest.

Reply to
Dougal

Cheers Dougal,

Shall get the tape measure out over the weekend.

Dom

Reply to
Dom J

Dom Hi,

Scorpion Racing (they are also know as Scrap Iron Racing) do offer a VERY nice quickly detachable tow bar thingy that is almost non existant when the tow hitch is removed.

It also serves as a mounting point for recovery and for a very versatile removable winch solution.

Its cost is not so expensive.

As their representative in Greece I do have an interest on this (in theory at least) but it was not a VERY good product I would have not recommended it.

It definately deserves your attention, so please have a look at it on their internet site.

I have fitted about ten of those (on Defender 90/110 and Discovery 1 vehicles) here in Greece and all owners are excited with them. They have recently introduced the D2 version but D2s are quite rare here in the land were diesel is not allowed (Greece)

Take care Pantelis

Reply to
Pantelis Giamarellos

cool - you got my attention.

ok - so what is the cost?

I've trawled the site:

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and got to here (javascript off):
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Just enough pretty pics, but nowhere do I see prices.

btw: had to laugh at the trading name of the rep in Cyprus.

Sounds idylic :)

Reply to
William Tasso

Same here. I query the arms that go back from the tow plate/socket appear to be bent outwards at the ends that fix to the chassis. On my DII I can't work out which bit of the chassis that would mate up with. On my current hitch the two arms are bent at the end but so they then run parallel to the chassis and mate with the welded triangular points with a BFO bolt through.

Raises the question of what do trucks run on? Or is diesel only not allowed for "private cars"?

Reply to
Dave Liquorice

On or around Thu, 22 May 2008 07:32:50 +0300, "Pantelis Giamarellos" enlightened us thusly:

Interesting. I've been thinking along those lines for the 110: I want to be able to tow the caravan, which needs the ball to go down to about 16" above ground level, and that's way too low for a fixed drop plate on something that's going to get any off-road use. Therefore it either needs a telescopic, or rotating, or removable system. Removable is probably the simplest, telescopic would be the nicest, technically. Rotating (as in the drop plate system swings 90 degrees sideways so that it's horizontal instead of vertical) would be easiest to implement as a fixed solution, and would allow of the conventional 2 rails with holes for adjustable height.

Main problem is that a decent hitch needs stays onto the chassis from low-ish on the hitch (this is to avoid overstressing the crossmember, I think), and these would have to have some ready means of detaching while still doing their job. Hmmm. more thought required. If I get it right, I could sell 'em :-)

Ideally, the finished article would also allow of mounting a NATO hitch on the crossmember as well.

Reply to
Austin Shackles

"Austin Shackles" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

I'll throw in an idea - ready to be shot down in flames, but what the heck..

How about a piece of 1/2 inch plate approx 6 inch wide, and 18 inches deep.

Cut a hole in the top to hang the plate off the NATO hitch , and bolt the tow hitch to the plate at the right hieght.

Off the back of the plate fix two eyes/bolts. Run rods from the back of these bolts to the chassis to keep the bottom of the plate in check. The rods could be held via split pins etc so that they could be swung up and clipped on the back of the cross member when not needed. You could aslo add a couple of rubber door stops on the back of the plate to stop it clanking, and to put some tension into the arrangement.

I am not an engineer so please adjust the gauge of the material as appropriate for safety, and aslo note the measurements given are pure guess work - It is only an idea

Giles

Reply to
Giles Ayling

I got a price for a removable tow bar and drop plate of £165 + vat ... but that's for my 300Tdi Disco, dunno if a D2 would be different at all.

IMV reasonable to expensive, but a lot depends upon quality. If it's decent stuff it's a reasonable price.

Reply to
Paul - xxx

Agreed - now I wonder why they don't publish the prices.

Perhaps our Mediterranean friend can advise :)

Reply to
William Tasso

On or around Thu, 22 May 2008 12:39:32 +0100, "Giles Ayling" enlightened us thusly:

I think it'd be more hassle to make it hang on a NATO hitch than it would to fix it to the chassis so it can be removed, TBH.

I need to have a think and try a few things out.

Reply to
Austin Shackles

There's also # 180244587066 on yer favourite blag-mart

More £$ though and doesn't 'look' so good as the unit from SR

Reply to
William Tasso

Thats exactly what we did formy 101. Ring from a natohitch welded to a plate for the drop. Bracing arms go backto a pair of SWB series spring hangers which fit the chassis rails perfectly.

I'll try and get some pictures, but may not be till after the BH. Drop me a mail if you want.

MW

Reply to
mike whiskey

On or around Fri, 23 May 2008 16:35:47 -0700 (PDT), mike whiskey enlightened us thusly:

I'd be interested in pics, certainly. Not yet decided how to do it - but I have more or less decided to fix the chassis meself. I'm not chicken about welding alongside (not touching) a sealed LPG tank. The garage want it removed. Need to study it a bit more - I'm hoping to just replace the rear x-member and repair the main frames.

It's only really a 1-year fix; if I get the dosh together it really needs a new chassis - once the main frames start rotting, I generally reckon the chassis is getting past it; but that ain't happening this year.

Unfortunately, the current cross-member is really too far gone to patch, I think. Although if I can, it'd be cheaper if not easier. I'll have to study it some more.

Reply to
Austin Shackles

William Hi,

The retail price in the UK is 165 pounds plus VAT, part number Y05-QD0003 The quickly detachable winch tray costs 99.95 pounds plus VAT, part number Y05-QD0010 and of course at this price it does NOT include the winch.

You already have the wiring harness and multisocket and I believe you will find a way to bolt them onto the the QT towbar.

IF you speak with SR you can ask for Roz and tell her that Pantelis has provided you with the prices and part numbers.

Take care Pantelis

P.S. I will not be receiving any commission but you will be doing me a favour to let them know about it.

Reply to
Pantelis Giamarellos

Dave Hi,

I am sorry I can not assist you on the "how does it mount" question for the D2 since I have yet NOT fitted one here in Greece. But I am sure the D2 version of the QD towing hitch/bracket will perform as nicely as the ones for the D90/110, D1 and RaRo Cl vehicles have done so far. That is based on my experience after fitting all those types here in Greece on vehicles of friends and clients.

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Trucks are allowed to use diesel in Greece. Same applies for taxis everywhere. But private cars of people staying in Athens or Thessaloniki (the second largest Greek city) are not allowed to use diesel engined vehicles within the boundaries of the respective "circular" limits for each city. Those boundaries extend to up to 35 kms from their centers. One of the reasons I moved out of Athens was to be able to buy and use my two ex CT Discovery 200Tdi vehicles.

And they now started discussing about prohibiting the use of vehicles of more than 15 years of age within the centers of ALL major Greek cities.

Mind you though Greece still levies HUGE import duties (but "baptised" with another name so as to by-pass EU directives on their abolition) on vehicles with engine capacity of more than 2.000 cc, diesel or gasoline powered.

And in any case the Greek state, or whichever state, has NO right to force me to sell my property and buy new one which I do not like (I would never change a nicely run-in and maintained 200Tdi with a TDV6 as far as longevity and simplicity of diagnostics, repair and upgrade is concerned)

Take care Pantelis

Reply to
Pantelis Giamarellos

Austin Hi,

the circular idea is an excellent one but I believe that it will be overstressing the securing pin since this will be taking all the rotational loads of the tow hitch "male" element when fitted into the socket. The square face and structure definately assists into dividing the load to the angles of the hitch and "male" element.

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SR also provides a "male" bracket suitable for the NATO type hitch (part number Y05-QD0001 priced at 35 pounds plus VAT without the NATO hitch.

Hope this helps.

IF anyone here has a problem with me quoting prices and part numbers please say so and I will stop it. I only do it since prices were specifically being asked.

I do repeat that I am strongly connected with Scorpion Racing but I have absolutely no monetary interest or direct monetary profit from quoting those prices.

Take care and thank you for your understanding Pantelis

Reply to
Pantelis Giamarellos

Paul Hi,

that the correct price for both the D1 and D2 vehicles.

Quality is VERY good and the kit is extremely easy to fit only with standard every day tools. You can fit it yourself, maybe with the assistance of the second pair of hands to keep the heavy bits in place in about an hour, also allowing for cup of tea or beer (depending on the ambient temperature)

HTH

Take care Pantelis

Reply to
Pantelis Giamarellos

William Hi

It has to do with the FACT that overseas buyers have to pay a bit more expensive for those products.

SR offers a free pricing policy for the retail prices of its products outside the UK. And this is the PROPER way to do so since the trade discounts are extremely small.

A non UK trader has to adapt the retail prices according to his own markets needs taking into account local taxation rates on the profit realised, local VAT rates, delivery charges, allocation of capital, storage, client support, guarantees and other factors.

As a rule of thumb though in my case I usually follow the suggested retail prices adding the delivery charges per consignment since I usually do not keep any stock and only operate on a "per client's order" policy when I place my order to SR.

This tends to make the Greek retail prices much lower and this is why SR has built steadily a good name for logical prices, reasonable to good quality and excellent support in Greece.

Take care Pantelis

Reply to
Pantelis Giamarellos

Do us all a favour and tell the powers that be to get a grip and put prices on their ads and web site! I have often browsed their wares and get this frustrated when I realise yet again I've wasted time looking at literally "priceless" bling.

I now actively avoid being drawn in to their ads and skip the pages as it's a complete waste of time. I and many others can't be bothered to email or ring for a price and will suspect it's overpriced otherwise the price would be displayed. Normally when I email for ring any supplier it's to place an order so I can't for the life of me think what SR hope to gain by not publishing prices. If it's a case of "If you need to ask then you can't afford it" all I can say is get a grip! People do have budgets when building / revamping 4x4's and if they can't work out the costs they will simply go to adds that tell them the prices, work out what they can get that month and more likely order from the competetive company that supplies a product that does the job.

It's as annoying as people putting adverts up for cars for sale but not telling you the asking price. They either want to sell it or they don't.

Just a personal pet hate.

Don't take it personal!

Lee D

Reply to
Lee_D

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