Land Rover Discovery, Defender & Range Rover
How to Modify for High Performance & off-Road Action
Published on 15. March 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
128 pages
978-1-84584-315-1 (ISBN)
Description
A world of fun, excitement, exploration and satisfaction awaits the owner of one of these iconic Land Rovers and Range Rovers - and this book is your ticket to that wonderful world.
Some of the most popular Land Rover pastimes are detailed here, with explanations of how to take part and what equipment you need. This unique book explains how these versatile machines can be modified to suit a vast range of applications, from simple upgrades for easier everyday driving and servicing/renovation tips, right up to large scale conversions for racing, trialling and international expeditions.
Everything is explained in clear, straightforward text, written by a qualified engineer and Land Rover enthusiast with many years of practical experience, and accompanied by detailed photographs to show the reader how it's all done. Many of the modifications shown were carried out on the writer's own vehicles, giving the reader an honest account of the effort involved - bruised knuckles and all. Featuring 'how to' sections, comparison charts to help you choose which modifications are right for you, detailed spec sheets, and lists of useful contacts, this is the definitive guide to getting the most from these exciting vehicles.
Some of the most popular Land Rover pastimes are detailed here, with explanations of how to take part and what equipment you need. This unique book explains how these versatile machines can be modified to suit a vast range of applications, from simple upgrades for easier everyday driving and servicing/renovation tips, right up to large scale conversions for racing, trialling and international expeditions.
Everything is explained in clear, straightforward text, written by a qualified engineer and Land Rover enthusiast with many years of practical experience, and accompanied by detailed photographs to show the reader how it's all done. Many of the modifications shown were carried out on the writer's own vehicles, giving the reader an honest account of the effort involved - bruised knuckles and all. Featuring 'how to' sections, comparison charts to help you choose which modifications are right for you, detailed spec sheets, and lists of useful contacts, this is the definitive guide to getting the most from these exciting vehicles.
Reviews / Votes
"If you are just starting to think about modifying your off roader, this will make an excellent start." - Range Rover Owner & Enthusiast "A well written book by an author who obviously knows these vehicles well and has assembled a wealth of information. If you are contemplating buying a coil sprung Land Rover, the cost of this book may well be regarded as insurance, as it has a chapter devoted to buying advice and the things to look for." - New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association Inc. "A brilliant guide to modifying a Defender, Discovery or Range Rover Classic, this book contains plenty of information as well as pictorial inspiration." - Land Rover Owner InternationalMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
David & Charles
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 207 mm
Weight
535 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84584-315-1 (9781845843151)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Ralph Hosier
Land Rover Discovery, Defender & Range Rover
How to Modify for High Performance & Off-Road Action
E-Book
03/2022
Princeton University Press
€11.49
Available for download
Person
Ralph Hosier's childhood enthusiasm for cars blossomed into a two decade career in vehicle engineering, working with the likes of Ford, Bentley, Jaguar, and Land Rover. He has a degree in engineering and is chartered, as well as being a member of the IMI and IET.
Ralph started getting muddy with Land Rovers in the early 90s, and, after many green lanes and play days, he decided to step things up and go Competitive Safari racing in a home-built Bowler Tomcat.
Ralph started getting muddy with Land Rovers in the early 90s, and, after many green lanes and play days, he decided to step things up and go Competitive Safari racing in a home-built Bowler Tomcat.
Content
Introduction & acknowledgements 7 Chapter 1: History 9 Chapter 2: Racing 12 The Dakar Rally Raid 13 Top Dakar mods 14 Comp Safari 14 Top Comp Safari mods 15 Challenge 15 Top Challenge mods 16 Trialling 17 Top Trialling mods 18 Getting involved 18 What makes a racing car? 18 Chapter 3: Expeditions 19 Camel Trophy/G4 19 Top Camel Trophy/G4 mods 20 Darien Gap 21 Top Darien Gap mods 21 The road to Kathmandu 22 Top Travellers' mods 23 Spares 23 Tyres - the key to survival 23 Chapter 4: Trekking 24 Green Lanes 24 Top Green Lane mods 25 Pay and Play days 26 Top Pay and Play mods 26 Chapter 5: Buyers' guide 27 Range Rover 27 Discovery 30 Defender 31 All models 33 Body 33 Chassis 34 Engine 35 Cooling 36 Gearbox 36 Axles 37 Steering 37 Brakes 37 Suspension 37 Tyres 37 Identity 37 Chapter 6: Servicing 38 Lay up and recommissioning 42 Ageing 43 Chapter 7: Repair 44 Bodywork 44 Chassis 47 Mechanical 49 Exhaust 50 Cooling 51 Brakes 52 Steering 53 Electrics 54 Chapter 8: Modifications 56 General tips 57 Protection 58 Cages 60 Bull bars 61 Suspension 62 Road bias 65 Wheels and tyres 66 Road use 66 Off-road use 66 Under pressure 68 Tyre markings 68 Wheels 68 Alternative spare wheel mounting 70 Brakes 71 Engines 72 Diesel engine tuning 72 Diesel LPG 73 Engine tuning 73 Rover V8 73 4-pot petrol engine 73 2.0 Mpi 74 Engine swap 74 Engine cooling 75 Exhaust 76 Engine mounts 76 Transmission and props 77 Transfer box 78 Propshafts 80 Axles 80 Diffs 80 Half shafts 81 6x6 81 Portal axles 81 Wading 82 Snorkels 82 Body and interior 83 Roof rack, roof tent 87 Lights 88 Recovery 89 Winches and bumpers 89 Body mods 93 Pick up 93 Bobtail 93 Electrics 97 Immobilisers 100 Towing 100 12N wiring pin designations 101 LPG 102 Electric drive 103 Chapter 9: Conversions 104 Tomcat 104 Dakar and Bush Ranger 105 D44 Outback challenge 107 Specials 108 Chapter 10: Case studies 109 Range Rover Classic Vogue SE 3.9 V8 109 Top mods 112 Defender 110 wagon 300Tdi 112 Top mods 114 Discovery 300Tdi 115 Top mods 116 Chapter 11: Technical specs 117 Range Rover 117 Defender 118 Discovery 120 Chapter 12: Useful contacts 121 Land Rover and off-road preparation specialists 121 Parts suppliers 121 Engines 122 Transmissions 122 Electronic controls 122 Clubs 122 Museums 122 Follow Land Rover 122 Follow the author 122 Index 127