At Long Last - Bought a Disco I

[RobG4]

Hello all,

For the last few years, I have been itching to own another off road exploration vehicle. During my 20's I had a much loved (and missed) 1983 FJ-40. I sold it for all the usual reasons that seemed so logical at the time, and have regretted it ever since. I've looked at Land Cruisers, Monteros, Troopers and others.

But the emotional, romantic side of me always wanted a Land Rover, and today I finally got one.



A very cool fellow from Charlotte sold me his 1997 Discovery SD 5 speed. He is the original owner, and as a LR employee he kept it very well maintained. He outfitted it Expo style, and traveled to 44 states using it to do what it was designed to do. In 15 years he put 96k miles on it.



I haven't decided yet what else I will do in the way of outfitting. Could it use lockers? Sure...but I want to reach the point where I require them before making that decision. The original rack is available when I get my toy savings account re-stocked. Maybe a fridge in the back.

I really feel like I am fortunate with this truck. It has been meticulously maintained and loved, as well as used. It's clean, but has it's scars. It seems healthy and capable. I'm about to dive into the 90k service myself to baseline it.

I can't wait to get it out on the trails!

I'm the grinning idiot on the left, trying to get off the lot before the PO is overcome with sellers remorse!

 

[mtnbike28]

congrats and great looking truck!

 

[Rovertrader]

Very good score, well done!! Good approach to familiarize yourself with the truck as well.
Check your VIN as the fuel pumps changed mid year '97 I believe, and perhaps carry a spare, a serpent belt, filters, and a coil pack. She should serve you well for many many miles/years.

 

[Ray_G]

Very nice truck! Good to see someone snatching up a 5 speed to carry on its being used as intended.
r-
Ray

 

[Javelinadave]

Disco's are classics in my book. My first Rover was a Disco 2 that I wish I still had.
Congrats!

 

[Colin Hughes]

Congrats, nice looking truck.

 

[crimson850]

I saw that truck on nc craigslist. Glad a rover fan bought it to use as it should be!

 

[evilfij]

Throw redline MTL in the trans and shift it slowly like a truck. R380s are not the most durable trans if shifted quickly.

 

[Eniam17]

Congrats on a great find. It looks like you got a nice, clean Disco. Who better to buy from than a Rover tech who is the original owner! I would love to find a clean rust free Disco like that.

 

[454]

Review Scott Brady's D1 thread for a good primer if you haven't already.

 

[crimson850]

Review Scott Brady's D1 thread for a good primer if you haven't already.

Do you mind posting a link to mentioned thread?

 

[RobG4]

Starting working on Disco Betty this week in preparation for a trail ride on Sunday.

First things first:

Out went the 10+ year old Pioneer head unit, and in went a new Kenwood. The PO had a nice rockford fosgate speaker system with subwoofer, amp, mids, and tweeters. The new head unit brought them back to life in a BIG way! Very pleased.

Next up was a D-Ring Shackle and receiver hitch:

Now I begin the baseline maintenance using the 90k & 97.5k service schedules. The work I'll do tomorrow is:

Clean K&N Air Filter
Top up windscreen fluid front & rear
Top up clutch fluid
Renew manual gearbox oil
Replace Fuel Filter
Change Oil Filter
Change Oil
Change T-stat & gasket
Change Coolant
Bleed Brakes/Change Fluid
Flush and change the power steering fluid adding one bottle of additive
Do an induction cleaning
Clean the throttle body
Replace Spark Plugs

I'll post pictures from Sunday, assuming I don't screw something up tomorrow.

 

[Antichrist]

Nice purchase. I really like my 5-speeds much more than the ZF. Mind saying what you paid?

A few things off the top of my head.
Ditch the K&N and use a paper filter. K&N's let through more dirt.
Be sure to use a 180 thermostat (if not using an OE one), like Stant Superstat - 45858. Felpro 12994 gasket.
Use a quality oil filter like Wix 51515 or Baldwin B2. Don't use genuine filters, they have a poor design.
Rotella T is a good oil choice, slightly higher ZDDP levels which these engines need.
I'd change the LT230 and diff gear oil.
Lube all the u-joints, making sure you see new grease coming from around all 4 seals on each u-joint.
When you need new plug wires Kingsborne wires are a good choice and very reasonably priced.

 

[RobG4]

Thanks Tom, I have been following your advice from posts on DiscoWeb already! Got the Stant T-Stat & Felpro gasket. I already bought a K&N oil filter that was recommended for this model. There are some Magnacore 8mm wires that look almost new on the truck already. The transfer case & diff oil are on the list for this weekend or next. I paid $4000 for the truck. The PO really wanted it to go to an enthusiast and was amenable to my budget.

 

[David Harris]

Welcome and nice buy! All good advice here. Second Scott Brady's D1 thread for clean build ideas.