hernan1304
Member Since: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 490
  
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| Underbody protection - needed for desert driving? |
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I know there's been a lot of discussion on these pages about different types of underbody protection. Mine is just a quick question - is it important to install underbody protection for desert driving? (ie sand dunes)
Also, how important is it for rock crawling?
I would like to think that LR have given the D3 decent protection and that I shouldn't have to worry about hitting the bottom when cresting dunes etc, but never hurts to ask! Any input welcome.
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 17th Mar 2008 2:07 pm |
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Dom Harvey
Lord of the Four Fingers
Member Since: 15 Apr 2005
Location: Dorset
Posts: 7454
  
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Don't think anything would be needed for sand dunes, but over rocks I guess so  2004 Discovery 3 - gone
2006 Discovery 3 - gone
2008 Discovery 3 GS - gone
2011 Freelander LE Special Edition - gone
2007 Discovery 3 XS - gone
2012 Discovery 4 GS - current
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| 17th Mar 2008 2:15 pm |
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Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
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IMHO there's no debate get it for a little more peace of mind , Yes you can go without and probably don't need it its your choice
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| 17th Mar 2008 2:16 pm |
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catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
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I believe Chris Tyler hit an unseen rock in the sand and would be walking home if it wasn't for some underbody protection. is your D3 insured. bet it is but you hope not to use it, same for underbody protection. if you can afford it  , get it.
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| 17th Mar 2008 2:26 pm |
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hernan1304
Member Since: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 490
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Thanks for the replies - I think it will be a while before I can get it since being in Dubai aftermarket parts are a bit harder to come by (unless you drive a Land Cruiser) AND much more expensive than they should be, but I'll keep it in mind especially as I get more experienced and start getting myself into more trouble.
It's a slippery slope though to start thinking about things to add / change!! Was looking at the brand new Wrangler HT's on my brand new D3 today and imagining them gone... 
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| 17th Mar 2008 4:00 pm |
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ianv
Member Since: 20 Dec 2007
Location: Bungendore, New South Wales
Posts: 338
 
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Lots of sand and rock under mine so far without issue. I have completely hung it up and "wrinkled" the fuel tank guard. All is strong enough as long as you don't expect to attack obstacles at speed like a tank. TDV6
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| 18th Mar 2008 8:49 am |
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hernan1304
Member Since: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 490
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No definitely not in the habit of attacking obstacles at speed in my very very expensive car  That's great info Ian, confirms my suspicion that for this kind of terrain and careful offroading it's probably not a necessity. If I do have the bad luck of encountering something unexpected (like a buried boulder), I have offroad recovery and offroad insurance, so should be  . Thanks again!
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| 18th Mar 2008 9:09 am |
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catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
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hernan1304 wrote: I have offroad recovery and offroad insurance, so should be . Thanks again!
f  k that, Id rather not need to rely on them. kinda of like saying "yes but I have a drivers airbag". if I could afford to I would. more reliable insurance IMO than your offroad insurance.
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| 18th Mar 2008 9:13 am |
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NoDo$h
Member Since: 02 May 2006
Location: Finding new and exciting ways to milk badgers.
Posts: 19689
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hernan1304 wrote:Thanks for the replies - I think it will be a while before I can get it since being in Dubai aftermarket parts are a bit harder to come by (unless you drive a Land Cruiser) AND much more expensive than they should be
No idea if Israel and Dubai talk to each other at a trade level, but ASFIR kit is made in Israel if you can find an importer. I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
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| 18th Mar 2008 10:04 am |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
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The one thing I would recommend is the Mantec front plate. I notice from your pictures that you removed the plastic cover to recover your vehicle.
The Mantec exposes the recovery point, whilst protecting the front underside. The plastic cover has plastic fasteners which are a pain to refit. A little WD40 will help them, push too hard and the clips will disappear into the depths of the front bumper!
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| 18th Mar 2008 10:36 am |
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hernan1304
Member Since: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 490
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NoDo$, nope definitely no trade between UAE and Israel so ASFIR is out of the question.
Gareth - I was looking at the Mantec plates with interest. Maybe will look into participating in a group buy if there is a future one? Not sure whether they'd ship to Dubai...
No hassles from the stealer in terms of voiding warranty with the Mantec plate right?
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| 18th Mar 2008 10:50 am |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
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No warranty issues here. I have had mine fitted for ages, and no problems at all. It has saved the front underside from a few scratches too.
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| 18th Mar 2008 10:55 am |
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Q8_LR3
Member Since: 29 Jan 2006
Location: Every where in kuwait!
Posts: 217
 
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My plastic oem sump guard broke when I hit a sand dune, I bought an aftermarket aluminium sump guard from british pacific, No problem so far. '05 LR3 HSE V8 - Adriatic Blue - Larini Exhaust System - Lamp Guards - Dual battery system - Hidden 12k winch - Rasta Sump Guard
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| 19th Mar 2008 7:17 am |
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rhffgb
Member Since: 27 Sep 2007
Location: Waterlooville, Hants.
Posts: 96
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There's plenty of hidden rock in the desert sands, as off-road bikers out here will tell you (nursing a busted wrist at present!!). Am having my D3 kitted up with protection plates for diff, gearbox, air tank/compressor, fuel tank etc all fabricated/fitted by local LR dealership. Have the Mantec sump protection plate which has already served me well when rock crawling in a wadi - but even at group buy prices its price was doubled by shipping and import duties. Cheaper to find a relaible fabricator locally to match up with photos you can obtain of existing plates.
Roll cage is being fabricated/fitted in the next month too along with Long Ranger auxilairy fuel tank.
Keep on truckin'!!
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| 3rd Jun 2008 9:38 am |
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NoDo$h
Member Since: 02 May 2006
Location: Finding new and exciting ways to milk badgers.
Posts: 19689
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Ooooh, we want pics of this lot when it's all done I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
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| 3rd Jun 2008 9:47 am |
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