AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5737
 
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Gareth wrote:Paddymoo, tell us something about your 2a please! I have a fully rebuilt 109 2a, and want to know what you did to it to survive a trip to Morocco.
I drove mine to South Wales and back last month, and that felt like a trip around the world.
Would love to take mine to the desert, but what would it need? Its a standard 1966 2 1/4 petrol with full soft top.
Gareth
I think it’s a standard SWB 2a petrol hard top. It gave everyone a run for their money  It suffered from lack of power due to the poor quality fuel supplied in Morocco. Having said that we had a job to keep up with the nutters across the desert runs  For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me 
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 Sun Nov 05 2006 8:12pm |
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DiscoStu
Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Location: Wishing I was lat=33.0734331776, lon=9.4311512718
Posts: 6084
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AndrewS wrote:Having said that we had a job to keep up with the nutters across the desert runs
I thought Ken was 'support crew'? Wasn't he meant to follow you?  
Can't believe someone took a 2a . Just goes to show how true the 'dust to dust' costing is! Well done to them (and Land Rover)!  Black Betty Tunisia 1 2 3 Power by 
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| Sun Nov 05 2006 8:22pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9366
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Who fancies a 2a / Disco3 entry next year! Anyone mad enough to be a co-driver? Silver TDV6 HSE
Pepper White Cooper S Convertible
Old English White MGB GT
Ex Military 109 Series 2a Soft Top
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| Sun Nov 05 2006 8:26pm |
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AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5737
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Gareth wrote:Who fancies a 2a / Disco3 entry next year! Anyone mad enough to be a co-driver?
It’s a must chap. Looks like I have two teams sorted already Marie is co-driving one of my vehicles. So if you do manage to get a team together (4 persons) we will give you a hand if required. For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me
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| Sun Nov 05 2006 8:40pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9366
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The seeds are definilty sown. I will give it some serious consideration.
 Silver TDV6 HSE
Pepper White Cooper S Convertible
Old English White MGB GT
Ex Military 109 Series 2a Soft Top
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| Sun Nov 05 2006 8:49pm |
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paddymoo
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: bristol
Posts: 11
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sorry guys, i did write a long story about how we prepped the 2a to go to morocco, but then the computer died a death and i got angry...
to summarise.
its a pretty standard 1962 2a that has been pretty much fully rebuilt by dave over the last 5 years. he has put a hell of a lot of time into making sure it runs as well as it possibly can, and these efforts involve;
engine rebuild
patched and waxoiled chassis (though this melted and ran out in the heat)
overdrive (essential)
twin choke carb
gone too far suspension
double cardan prop shafts
parabolics f + r, with heavy duty rear to cope with extra weight
solid state fuel pump
new discoverer st tyres
stainless hi flo exhaust
military ignition system
front disc brakes
goodridge hoses
cobra monaco seats (though the disco seats in my s3 are much better)
all manner of sensors
inverter
and lots of other bits that i dont know about... basically, it is just a fantastic condition 2a with posh suspension and it performed brilliantly
right. its time to pot this before the computer dies..
happy trails
paddy.
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 1:46am |
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paddymoo
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: bristol
Posts: 11
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Gareth wrote:Who fancies a 2a / Disco3 entry next year! Anyone mad enough to be a co-driver?
if you need someone, let me know!
paddy
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 1:48am |
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Alex E
Holy Bratwurst!
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Club Tropicana (the drink's aren't free)
Posts: 615
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i took a ride in the 2a when we were in a convoy to camp and it was brilliant , if it wasn't for the drive down (which can be avoided as you can get the boat) i would consider taking one.
although i was san migueled up at the time and it still had the novelty factor. I'm Powered by........Diesel 
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 11:22am |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9366
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I've just been watching the Video of the Sandboarders doing the last special stage. Did the 2a do that successfully?
I think mine would lack the power to get the momentum to do that. Although weight is obviously a factor, and the 2a is relatively light in comparison. Silver TDV6 HSE
Pepper White Cooper S Convertible
Old English White MGB GT
Ex Military 109 Series 2a Soft Top
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 11:49am |
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AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5737
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Gareth wrote:I've just been watching the Video of the Sandboarders doing the last special stage. Did the 2a do that successfully?
I think mine would lack the power to get the momentum to do that. Although weight is obviously a factor, and the 2a is relatively light in comparison.
The 2a did similar stages and walked some sections, again poor fuel = power loss did make it struggle a bit in places. The stages were set up so that most vehicles would struggle at some point. As mentioned our 110 got a lot further than the modified vehicles in most instances and the 2a got further than some of the modified 90s
I would recommend that all Moroccan fuel is filtered before you put it into the tank, and it may be worth taking petrol additives to increase performance. For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 12:10pm |
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paddymoo
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: bristol
Posts: 11
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yup. the 2a did really well in some sections, but as andrew says, the dodgy moroccan fuel (sometimes poured in from water bottles that came conspicuoulsy out of someones shed), and the fact that it was missing a little towards the end means it was lacking in power.
this also drove my driver nuts...
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 12:21pm |
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paddymoo
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: bristol
Posts: 11
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Alex E wrote:i took a ride in the 2a when we were in a convoy to camp and it was brilliant , if it wasn't for the drive down (which can be avoided as you can get the boat) i would consider taking one.
although i was san migueled up at the time and it still had the novelty factor.
that was a beautiful exchange - from the numb arsed, slightly deaf bouncing, to the smooth as silk, hotchip blasting, san miguel necking joy of the D3... made me smile anyway - thanks!
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 12:26pm |
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JakobVels
Joined: 11 May 2006
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 199
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Ken2463 wrote:Mossy wrote:Now if only there was a button to press and up, extended up, ultra extended up and hello moon
There is but is costs £3000.00
Did anybode actually have the guts to try this yet ? ("not me" said the coward)...
http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic5289-45...133de62348
Cheers
Jakob
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 12:34pm |
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10forcash
Site Sponsor
Joined: 09 Jun 2005
Location: In the naughty corner.... eligible for parole 2025
Posts: 13632
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Wheels & tyres
Some damage suffered to the 19" rims & MT/R's due to the combination of low pressures (initially 18-20psi all round) and the short sidewall. increasing to 20 psi front & 25psi rear seemed to help protect the tyres & rims although this could also be due to the reduction in the amount of rocks in the sand and the 'focussing of the mind' as to the number of servicable spares available. No measurable loss of traction was felt with the increased pressures.
both tw*tted rims were succesfully returned to use with a hydraulic bottle jack and a lump hammer....
Another team were running 18" rims with wranglers, these seemed absolutely fine on all surfaces, no data available on their TP's or their performance during the unscheduled night-drive through the washed out road sections 
Suspension
Many D3's reported suspension 'errors' although in reality this was purely due to the system being unable to self-level for an extended period of time due to the corrugations and speed being driven. No reduction in operating effectiveness of critical errors reported.
One vehicle (team Aviators) suffered a burst air pipe resulting in the front suspension sitting on the bump stops, they had attempted a repair with rubber fuel line and spring clips - not suitable for 30 bar airline... they were considering changing the airbag in the shock absorber at one point - repairs were carried out using an airline coupler (cheers Chris ) and large quantities of gin... They managed to burst the coupler the next day after 'enthusiastically' cresting a dune
Engine
All vehicles suffered a lack of power during the mountainous sections, with altitudes of up to 7500 feet, fuel quality also compounded this and contributed to high soot levels, this was not an issue unique to the D3's
During the drive home (just after dropping RLD off - I think) I began to suffer from loss of power, symptoms were:-
Viscous fan 'roar' almost constant
Engine surge, starting at 2000 rpm getting progressively worse up to a ceiling of 3500 rpm, engine would not rev freely and picked up very slowly - some uphill junctions had to be traversed in low box
Cause traced to poor connection to fuel temp sensor and oil coating on intake air temp sensor. previous attempt to clear the problem by changing the fuel filter was unsuccesful (although we got a fair audience -and a beer - in the mcdonalds carpark)
It would appear that without temperature inputs the engine will fallback to a semi- limphome mode without any dash warnings and initiate 100% cooling fan duty.
Other issues
EPB - the usual low voltage issues - a quick way to reset is to pull the manual release cable and cycle the EPB on & off once the voltage has come back up
DSC - other than turning off anywhere near sand, it also functions as a TPMS system on twisty mountain roads 
No issues caused a 'breakdown' as such and all D3's were capable and able to travel with the errors in effect or after a reboot.
Would I trust a D3 on longer and more tortuous journeys? hell yes
To put it in perspective, other, better prepared & supposedly competition ready vehicles suffered mechanical & electrical failures which very nearly meant withdrawing from the competition for them...
The D3's went higher, for longer, in more comfort and back again under their own power (as did the Sandboarders 110) Many other vehicles were trailered to Spain, some broke down on the way.  for Freelander 2 Diesel, Discovery 3 / RR Sport TDV6 & RR Sport TDV8, Defender (TD5 & Puma) - available Now!
Vehicle modifications, preparation, training and equipment also available
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 2:55pm |
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catweasel
Joined: 05 May 2006
Location: ?????
Posts: 3945
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have you been away or something. hadn't noticed
good to hear the D3 is reliable as others wouldn't like you to think.
congrats to all and where's the video.
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| Tue Nov 07 2006 3:05pm |
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