Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Discovery => Topic started by: Horness on October 09, 2006, 11:25:34

Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Horness on October 09, 2006, 11:25:34
For a 1998 300 Series Disco.

Looking for best/recommended place to get one from, preferably with a drop plate so that I can fit the tow hitch.

Cheers
Horness
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: defenderdan on October 09, 2006, 12:56:19
I don't want to state the obvious but surely southdown would be the best place  :wink:
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Horness on October 09, 2006, 13:21:24
#-o  http://www.southdown4x4.co.uk/ (http://www.southdown4x4.co.uk/)

Tried google searching for them just before I posted this.  Changed results to UK only, and presto.  :oops:

Presume it's the Zinc Plated : £249-00 + VAT = £292.58 jobbie I'm after if I want it with a drop plate?

Cheers
Horness.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: bobtail4x4 on October 09, 2006, 13:37:51
If you have a lift and or bigger tyres make sure you dont buy a disco tow point, I complained at Billing and was told I needed a deafener one, so why sell a tankguard expecting the car NOT to have a lift or bigger tyres?
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: gords on October 09, 2006, 17:20:18
Quote from: "bobtail4x4"
If you have a lift and or bigger tyres make sure you dont buy a disco tow point, I complained at Billing and was told I needed a deafener one, so why sell a tankguard expecting the car NOT to have a lift or bigger tyres?

Does the Defender one drop down lower then? You could always add a drop plate to the Discovery one?
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Range Rover Blues on October 09, 2006, 18:17:21
Try Firstfour.co.uk or something klike that, I found them cheaper.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on October 09, 2006, 21:32:17
IM TRYING TO GET THESE SORTED NOW, IS THERE A GOOD MARKET FOR TANK GUARD WITH DETACHABLE HITCH PLATE? HOPING TO BE SELLING FOR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DONE AND DUSTED! AT THE MOST. WHATS THE GENERAL CONCENSUS.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Jake on October 09, 2006, 22:08:11
Sounds like a good price.
As long as their nice and strong.
I tow my caravan on my Southdown and it has no problems with strenght.
Good luck
 :D
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Eeyore on October 09, 2006, 22:08:53
Quote from: "guardian off road product"
IM TRYING TO GET THESE SORTED NOW, IS THERE A GOOD MARKET FOR TANK GUARD WITH DETACHABLE HITCH PLATE? HOPING TO BE SELLING FOR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DONE AND DUSTED! AT THE MOST. WHATS THE GENERAL CONCENSUS.


The Southdown guard is fully tested and type approved, so it can be fitted on later vehicles legitimately. Probably explains part of the price!

cheers
 8)
Eeyore
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: barny on October 09, 2006, 22:15:05
Quote from: "guardian off road product"
IM TRYING TO GET THESE SORTED NOW, IS THERE A GOOD MARKET FOR TANK GUARD WITH DETACHABLE HITCH PLATE? HOPING TO BE SELLING FOR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DONE AND DUSTED! AT THE MOST. WHATS THE GENERAL CONCENSUS.


Sounds cool to me, my rear plough took 6 mins to jet was out the other day. I had to get a bloody lever bar in there to shift it !
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on October 09, 2006, 22:16:41
few of our customers have southdown guards, they look a good bit of kit, the only thing i would do different is a few nice holes to allow any water and muck out so your tank dont rot even quicker. as for strength, i would use same 5mm plate for the actual guard, and also 5mm for the sides etc as opposed to 4mm, as for what difference in cost that bit makes would rather go for 5mm all round.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: barny on October 09, 2006, 22:28:56
Like your thinking, can you keep me posted please as my tow bar is stopping me putting my jate rings on due to being corroded on. Fitting one of the will essentially cure all problems !
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Moneypit on October 09, 2006, 22:31:14
Will keep watching this thread as I've got a plow fitted to the back of Moneypit and will need to change it at some point.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Cal on October 09, 2006, 22:46:42
I'd be interested in one as well...
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: bobtail4x4 on October 09, 2006, 23:51:43
Quote from: "gords"
Quote from: "bobtail4x4"
If you have a lift and or bigger tyres make sure you dont buy a disco tow point, I complained at Billing and was told I needed a deafener one, so why sell a tankguard expecting the car NOT to have a lift or bigger tyres?

Does the Defender one drop down lower then? You could always add a drop plate to the Discovery one?


the deafener one has an extra couple of holes yes.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Range Rover Blues on October 10, 2006, 01:50:13
Well I paid £300 ish for mine from First Four, delivered.  It weighs a fair bit too.
I hadn't realised it was type approved, good on them.  I know the testing isn't cheap so that won't help with the cost I suppose.

As for making it even thicker, well the weight (30 odd kilos) is a problem, If I could have one just as good but thinner then I would.  I did a bit of laning the other night and forgot to take off my tow hitch, so it's done a bit of ploughing and I doubt the drop plate of the SR tow hitch would have survived (that was my alternative choice).

Another thing to bear in mind is that although they are all sold as Disco/RRC the tow hitch needs to be different on the RRC or it looks a bit cr4p, I had mine made about 2" shorter which helps with the rear axle load a tad too.

With the Southdown on mine it's not far off the MAM for the vehicle now though, so I have to be careful.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Horness on October 10, 2006, 08:49:38
Thanks guys.  It's looks like the FirstFour site is under major construction, so I've dropped them an email.  Southdown are doing free P&P this month, so may use them.

Guardian - How long are we talking before you can take orders?
I like the sound of the holes to let the mud out, but at which point to you say the hole is big enough to stop mud gathering, but small enough to stop penetration should a rock hit that area?  Also, will it make the guard weaker if it has holes in it?

Cheers
Horness
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on October 10, 2006, 09:38:53
time is a problem at present as working flat out on the other stuff! but it is my next project, probably going to be a couple of months yet untill they are draw protod and in stock.
weight is an issue with these, as you say they are mentally heavy, and to be honest you could use 4mm sides and 4mm main plate, this would give more than enough protection virtually the same as 4 and 5, but you try telling some people that, they dont understand that it doesnt have to be an inch thick, as they have several folds in the panel, this makes sheet very strong, but once someone manufactures something ie southdown, if you made them off a lesser thickness material people will knock it and convince themselves its not as strong.
as for the holes, i will be having probably 40mm holes, 4 or 5 in a row across the width of the guard and each side of each bend, this was it doesnot compromise any strength at all.
this will allow muck in, but they get muc in them without holes, the holes are to allow you to hose it out and stop water sitting in it as you are bolting a tin sink around your fuel tank, hosing it will allow the crap to all fall out.
thats my theory anyway!
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Range Rover Blues on October 12, 2006, 17:16:01
You could safely put holes in the front end of the guard without compramising strength as the mounting holes are 2/3 the way back anyway.  I thought about cutting holes in mine to lighten it.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: landroverkeith on October 13, 2006, 07:21:21
also watching this thread id also love to get rid of my plow from the rear of car
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Disco_Dunk on October 13, 2006, 08:48:29
Also interested - like the weight-saving ideas & 4mm is fine with me!!!

Is alloy feasable like some of the steering guards? I realise it'd have to be thicker, but it'd be lighter wouldn't it? Guess that would put the cost WAY up too, though.

Dunk :cry:
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on October 13, 2006, 10:00:36
hi
ally will make it dearer, and i cannot see the point in spending a couple of hundred quid on something that could smash!
you drop the weight of a landy down on a stump or a rock etc, i dont care who made it, if its ally i would think it will pop, as where the steel one isnt gonna move.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: landroverkeith on October 13, 2006, 16:15:08
def keep us posted on this ;) lol if ya ever want to feild test one lol ill do it
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Skibum346 on October 13, 2006, 17:16:43
Quote from: "landroverkeith"
def keep us posted on this ;) lol if ya ever want to feild test one lol ill do it


[!Expletive Deleted!]... I was about to say that!!!

Put me on the list as well Mr Guardian..!
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on October 14, 2006, 10:05:42
oo
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Sheddy on October 14, 2006, 12:05:43
eeerrrrr .... am I missing something here?  The fuel tank on my Disco is plastic so where does the rot problem come into it?

------------------------------------------
I've got a couple of Guardian products.  The ally sump guard is splendid, does exacly what it should do and fitted with no problems.  It takes ther knocks without any problems.

I also have a set of tree/rock sliders.  They attach on to the chassis outriggers. The first time they saw contact they folded into the sills and door bottoms.  The sliders have since been modified (a lot of metal added) so that they bolt through the sills.  That doesn't help with the problem that the jacking points are physically too small to take a hi-lift adaptor though.
-------------------------------------------

I've got a Southdown tank guard and it is a proper bit of kit.  Takes the knocks without a problem, as does the Southdown front axle protector.  Since fitting the tank guard I've also fitted a Scorpion datachable towbar.  This seems to take more of the knocks now because it sits lower but nowhere near as low os the original equipment jobby, it only protrudes under the rear bumper by about 3.5 inches.  No problems with it though.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on October 14, 2006, 13:40:36
your tank will be plastic, its the rangeys that have the metal tanks.
we have modified our sliders also, they have large jacking points now to accomodate them big jack adapters.
not had any problems with them folding up though, it is important the holes drilled are exacltly 10mm or else it will allow movement if under a heavy load, other wise there is nothing that can move.
we didnt put the plate on that bolts to the sill itself as most people ask about this and do not want them as they rot the sills(apparently).
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: nat_hale on October 14, 2006, 22:53:29
I was considering either a Southdown tank guard with drop plate, or a Scorpion Racing detachable towbar with a seperate tank guard.  Either way the prices were about £300 total, for tank guard and towbar.

I ended up going for the Scorpion towbar (just under £200), and can then buy a tank guard later when I've got the money!!

As for demand, its would probably be high, as the Scorpion detachable and SD guard/drop plate were the only two detachable towbar options I could find.  However, after speaking to Discoparts at the Malvern show, they are about to start selling a Scorpion-style detachable towbar (they thought for around £130-140), and it looked a good bit of kit. If only I'd known....!!

Regards,
Nat
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: alanweston on October 15, 2006, 10:29:41
My mate Fat Vic as got a southdown tank gaurd he does not  want bought for his disco but wont fit because of the rear winch, Wants £200 for it
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: WoodyWolf on October 17, 2006, 16:09:39
I have a SD on my 200tdi and it has had some scrapes and thumps, I think it is a great piece of kit if not heavy. i am in the process of fitting some HD rear springs though to cope with the extra weight.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Brains on October 17, 2006, 16:43:09
Got an equipe ally tank guard from lrs off-road, brilliant bit of kit has took all the knocks and scrapes that may have been the end of the tank :D

But it doesn't have a demountable tow hitch tho :(
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on October 17, 2006, 18:18:50
yes equipe, very nice products, not cheap gear is it! ive seen a couple of there bits and pieces and found its well made and well finished.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Moneypit on February 13, 2007, 14:16:00
Quote from: "Eeyore"
Quote from: "guardian off road product"
IM TRYING TO GET THESE SORTED NOW, IS THERE A GOOD MARKET FOR TANK GUARD WITH DETACHABLE HITCH PLATE? HOPING TO BE SELLING FOR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DONE AND DUSTED! AT THE MOST. WHATS THE GENERAL CONCENSUS.


The Southdown guard is fully tested and type approved, so it can be fitted on later vehicles legitimately. Probably explains part of the price!

cheers
 8)
Eeyore


No it's not.  I asked them direct and they said that the cost of getting it type approved was prohibitive.

Quote
Hi Shaun

Thank you for your email, unfortuantely our DII detachable tow pack is not type approved. I think it says on the website. Unfortuantely it is cost prohibitive for us to type approved each marque. Please be aware some companies out there are saying that their detachable tow packs are type approved and they are not. If they say that they are, ask to see a certificate of conformity, just to safe guard yourself.

 


Which is a pity as I liked the look of it.

Personally I won't risk it as I do tow a caravan and I'd hate for the insurance company to be able to wheedle out of paying out if something happened to it.

I can see it now, "I'm sorry sir I know your caravan was stolen from your holiday campsite, but your tow bar isn't type approved and therefore you broke the law towing it there, and we don't have to pay out"

Personal choice and nothing to do with what looks to be a well made piece of kit.
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: CNorman on February 13, 2007, 17:25:15
I really want a tank guard for my disco.

Do simonites not do one for £90. I could not personally justify £200+ Even at £200 it would have to be a good one.

I would imagine loads of people would buy them. The disco tank is very exposed!
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: CNorman on February 13, 2007, 17:33:00
Just got onto a company who produce a tank guard for the discovery 4mm thick steel or 6mm thick aluminum.
Have not personally used it but it looks very good.

£70odd +Vat for tank guard and £10-50 +Vat for postage.

Cheapest guard i have seen so far so i will probably go for one of them come pay day!

Cheers

Chris

http://www.safari-equip.co.uk/index.php?page=66
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: DiscoCWK on February 13, 2007, 18:00:43
I removed my towbar after loosing forward AND rearward movement in this incident!

(http://members.mud-club.com/galleryimages/03d64a7788a0c5d90992fb733a76496c)
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: skiprat on February 13, 2007, 18:01:56
looking around on the bay of e the other night....Guardian tank guards popped up in my search, and may i say they look very good, i just need to save a few penny's. then i think i will have to place an order.. :lol:

kris
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on February 13, 2007, 20:53:32
hi guys, yes the tank guards are sorted, just waiting for the hitch plates to be pressed, but the tank guards are now for sale complete with all fittings ready for hitches.
i think they are indestructable (all 5mm) and they fully enclose the whole tank front, back, sides and of course the bottom.
pics on ebay if you want a look.
mud club baz has one on the way to him, im sure he will let you all know just how good they are!
cheers folks
spence
guardian
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on February 13, 2007, 20:55:19
P.S. can we call them guardian fuel tank guards :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Horness on February 14, 2007, 10:42:03
Make that me as well - I'm just about to order one.  :wink:

How easy/hard are they to fit?

Cheers
Horness

EDIT: Payment Sent.  :wink:
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Moneypit on February 14, 2007, 10:52:28
They look good, do you do one for the D2 that's type approved?
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Guardian. on February 14, 2007, 13:59:55
yes they are easy to fit just two bolts on the sides and two in the rear, all in origional holes in the chassis.
the only thing that makes them awkward is the weight and laying under your landy, helps if you can find a mate to help, but i put on, on me tod.
sorry not for the d2, its taken me god knows how long to get this one sorted! now you want more :lol:
fanks
spence
guardian
Title: Southdown Fuel Tank Guard
Post by: Moneypit on February 14, 2007, 16:12:08
Oh well, I shall continue to leave furrows in my wake :D  :lol:
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