110's and Discos

[jeffryscott]

My 96 Disco I was reliable, well-built and full of character. I had to replace a leaky master cylinder, an automatic window assembly and the overflow for the radiator (2x). The Series I Disco is a rather simple, mechanical beast with relatively few electronics. For example, the axles can be easily changed in the field, etc ... For what it is worth, the D2 is much more complex. The only reason I sold was gas consumption ... premium at 12 to 13 in town was too expensive as a daily driver.

When I acquired mine, the secret, I was told, was to find one whose history you know. Find out if maintenance has been done, parts replaced, etc ... Many parts do fail, but once fixed, the replacements seem to be better. Land Rovers are the type of vehicles you need to stay up on and not let nagging little things go, or they can become big things. And they can be picky - only Castrol brake fluid (the rubber doesn't like the other brands).

While I think my 4Runner is a better daily driver and ultimately more reliable with less fuss (meaning maintenance is simpler) it doesn't have the character of the DI, nor will it ever.

Once the kids are older and we are in a little better financial situation, I'll have another Series truck - specifically will look for a 1961 Series IIa 109.

 

[KevinNY]

There is also the build of the vehicle. Look under one sometime. The only things I see that are built like a Rover are LC's and trains.

Thanks for saying that so that I didn't have to. You won't find folded stamped steel parts under a rover. Most of the other "trucks" out there are really very light duty vehicles made to look tough. On a run recently that some friends did a H3 had it's steering arms completely fail, not hit something, just bend from fatigue. Now the owner is a nice guy and really does wheel his rig, he has 35s and the factory locker. But to have both sides fail at 28k miles is rediculous. Just a very light duty truck built to look tough on top.

Most everyone builds their rigs up to some degree but you start way ahead of the game with a rover. Most of the jeep guys I know have nothing left of their original suspension.

 

[ShearPin]

Reliable Land Rovers

Here's another vote for the Land Rover brand of reliability..... While they will never let you forget they are mechanical contrivances - look after them and they will look after you. In my oppinion, this it what gives them their personality. It becomes a relationship you have to work at. Makes you get intimately involved in your method of travel. Then when they do break you care for it like a wounded animal. Or, if you curse it you apologize later when it does the impossible, takes you home despite a broken gearbox, or drives an incredible distance on empty to the next gas station.

If you are the type that leases or flips vehicles in 3 or 4 years the "weld the hood shut" reliablitly of a Toyota is probably for you. If your looking for a new family member, or to adopt a neglected aging one, a Land Rover is the only choice.

Due to a growing family my Series III short wheelbase has been put into semi-retirement. When it came time to replace him there was only one choice. I recently found a Canada import legal 110 station wagon with 40,000 km on a 300 tdi kit with galv. frame. I hope to have it plated and legal later this week (already 1 ticket for driving unregistered). I've wanted one since High School - reading LRO's travel section.

Henry

 

[overlander]

Here's another vote for the Land Rover brand of reliability..... While they will never let you forget they are mechanical contrivances - look after them and they will look after you. In my oppinion, this it what gives them their personality. It becomes a relationship you have to work at. Makes you get intimately involved in your method of travel. Then when they do break you care for it like a wounded animal. Or, if you curse it you apologize later when it does the impossible, takes you home despite a broken gearbox, or drives an incredible distance on empty to the next gas station.

If you are the type that leases or flips vehicles in 3 or 4 years the "weld the hood shut" reliablitly of a Toyota is probably for you. If your looking for a new family member, or to adopt a neglected aging one, a Land Rover is the only choice.

Due to a growing family my Series III short wheelbase has been put into semi-retirement. When it came time to replace him there was only one choice. I recently found a Canada import legal 110 station wagon with 40,000 km on a 300 tdi kit with galv. frame. I hope to have it plated and legal later this week (already 1 ticket for driving unregistered). I've wanted one since High School - reading LRO's travel section.

Henry

Henry,
Very nice choice. Looks like a Foley Specialists project as well. Very nice. What a no brainer decision. I would like to hear more about it. You owe us a reader's rig write up. galvanized frame and TDI. wow.

 

[TeriAnn]

So far folks have mentioned the rarity of Defenders sold in North America keeping Defender prices artificially inflated in the States (kept rare by restrictions on importing & licensing of individual imported vehicles). A person or two has touched upon Land Rover charisma, which Ford and BMW have been trying to eliminate.

As a woman who has owned a Series Land Rover since 1976, series rigs are all I can write about with any authority, but most all my comments are the same for Defenders (Series IV?).

I think Land Rovers (Series & Defenders) are one of the most modifiable utility 4X4s available anywhere. They are a hollow rectangular box which means you can stuff a lot of things in them and under them that you just can't fit with a more modern curvy design. You can bolt on any number of different roof and body panel parts to make the vehicle fit your needs and there are a wealth of different bolt on or near bolt on panels to choose from. A surprisingly large number of parts will bolt on from between 1958 and 2007 models. It is the ultimate 4X4 tinker toy.

With the possible exception of a few European military truck designs, Series and Defender Land Rovers (including the forward control models) are likely your best foundation vehicle to be modified for space utilization efficiency. You can just about do anything with them. Mine is set up so I can play house inside. Complete with daisy floral curtains and 2 kitchen sinks.

I've had more than one professional mechanic refer to components on my Land Rover as "Seriously over built". While a Series Land Rover is underpowered by today's standards and doesn't have the best articulation, the vehicle is rugged. Their weak points are the axles & gearbox. There are lots of axle upgrades available and the gearboxes hang together with stock engine power levels. But what's important is that a Series rig was basically designed to be rebuilt in the bush with little more than a screwdriver and adjustable spanner. They are rugged, simple and easy to work on.

What makes series and Defender rigs good expedition foundation rigs can be boiled down to: charisma, easy to work of rugged simplicity and an easily modified rectangular box on wheels with a rich variety of bolt on or near bolt on body parts that lends itself to be easily modified for maximum space utilization efficiency.

I don't have the experience to write about Discos other than to say they seem to be very capable off road vehicles that are quieter and more comfortable than Defenders or Series Land Rovers. There's lots of add on drive train, suspension and body protection goodies available, but I have never seen one efficiently modified into a caravan. There is lots of wasted interior space and I'm not sure they lend themselves to more than carrying camping gear comfortably into remote locations.

 

[Lynn]

There are a lot of people here with more experience than I, but I thought I'd throw out my $.02.

Just to give a little perspective, here are the non-Landrover vehicles I have driven: My first 4x4 was a Chevy Luv. Remember those? Actually a pretty capable little truck. I traded it for a CJ7 that I had for several years, and wish I still had. My most recent was an '85 4Runner. None were more than lightly modified, and all were daily drivers. I've also spent considerable time behind the wheel of a full-sized Bronco, military M-151s, an Ebro cab-forward truck ("fill it with oil and check the gas"), a Nissan Patrol mini truck, and a Mitsubishi mini truck.

LandRovers I've used and abused: I was stationed in Spain in '89 and '90, and we had a LR 110 that we used heavily. I also had a job in Turkey for a year ('00) and we used a 110 and a 130. The Spanish 110 was gas, and the other two were diesel, but not turbo'd.

I found the LRs to be heavy, uncomfortable, and underpowered. I had my CJ7 with me in Spain, and found that the Jeep would laugh at mud holes that mired the 110, because it had a much higher power-to-weight ratio. The ergonomics were also very poor in the 110 and 130, so they were uncomfortable to drive any distance. In both Spain and Turkey we had long drives on improved roads to get to the unimproved areas where our equipment was dispersed, and I found the LRs to be just miserable on the road. In Turkey we had about 3 hours of highway driving to get to our work area. After 6+ hours (round trip) in the LR, I'd be stiff and sore all over, and generally very grumpy.

The LRs did have a couple of advantages. For instance the weight of the 110 or 130 can be an advantage. Pulling a 110 out of the mud with a Jeep was hopeless, but pulling the Jeep out with the 110 was a breeze . The Landrover could have a slight advantage in deep snow, if the track was flat. If it was off-camper, the weight of the vehicle tended to slide it off the road. Getting the LRs serviced in Spain and Turkey was simple, whereas parts for the Jeep were non-existent. 'Course, the Jeep required a lot less maintenance...

I still really love the look and heritage of the LRs, but, personally, I would not own one. Other vehicles are just as capable off-road, and far more comfortable. For use within the US where parts and gasoline are available, I'm partial to Jeeps, but if I were planning a world expedition I would look at either a Landcruiser or MB G-wagon with a diesel. Either would have better ergonomics than a 'classic' LR, perform as well, require less maintenance, and have similar parts availability. They just don't have the neat factor.

Note that I have no experience with the Discos, other than the fact that I've known two people that have owned them, and they would both attest to the fact that they are high maintenance.

 

[david despain]

I think Land rovers receives somewhat poor rating is that most owners "soccer moms" don't maintain them the way their supposed to just expecting them to run like airplanes.

my disco is JUST like an airplane, its broke every time I drive it!

although i am fixing it this week, so i can sell it
hey scott wanna buy a creampuff?

 

[4Rescue]

I think a nicely built 110 like ShearPin's is about the only LR that might steal me away from the Toyota side. that is one really neat looking rig and I can only see the back of it Got any more pics of it?).

I'm a fim beliver tha the LR "thing" as it's being called is alot of ledgend built around the older series trucks and Defenders. Frankly, the new disco's and Rangies ARE problemmatic just like nearly everything that has gotten more high tech is problematic. I have lived out in the middle of nowhere Australia and I'll say that to survive out there you really only need simple reliable things. Not alot of electronic controled crap that you can't fix when it goes down (cause see, LR's might very well have the WORST reliability record with regards to electronic things). This relaible simplicity is what the old LR's are all about.
I am a Toyota man and probably always will be, for all the stories of LR's getting to some incredible places, there's a LC story to match, there is no truck on the planet that is built as indestructable as a 70 series LC, or really any toyota 4x4 for that matter).
One thing about LR fanatics that I have noticed and really appreciate is that they realize that their trucks are rare and thet treat them like collectors items eveny if they do wheel them hard. I guess I'm really taken by the difference between say Flatfender Willy's owners and the guy with a Series I. Flatties are pretty rare trucks, and pretty much the truck that started ALL of this fun stuff we call 4wheeling, yet you find alot them just rusting away in the weeds. And I'd say that of the 500 110's that we ever saw, 90% of them have an owner that keeps very good care of them.

Cheers

 

[Andrew Walcker]

"It's a (fiil in the blank here) thing, you wouldn't understand" seems to leap to mind. Although Jeeps see to have this saying coined, those of us who are LR fanatics never even questioned why we chose to drive these vehicles. As with any manufacturer, we take the good with the bad. Before my D-90 I owned a FJ40, FJ55 (just recently turned over to the AT Gang), FJ62 and a FJ80 in addition to a CJ5. While I thoroughly enjoyed each and every vehicle, and wish that I still had them all, I had to have a Defender! Too many years of staring at National Geographic and watching Mututal of Omaha!:wings: My D-90 has provided me with plenty of PO issues, but has never left me stranded. I have been diligently taking care of each issue as it arises and know my vehicle very well, which provides me with a certain peace of mind when I get out in the desert. Go with the vehicle that awakens that certain sense of adventure within you and you will not be disapointed! :arabia:

 

[bovw]

Well I just completed a 4000 mile vacation in a 95 D1 and couldn't be more pleased. Averaged 15.2 mpg, and very comfortable. I don'tknow about the comfort level of a 110, but the Disco rocks.

 

[FortyMileDesert]

In 2004 they got it right

Reliability? That depends on year and model. Mine has been incredibly reliable so far:

I own an '04 Discovery S (the base model without sunroofs, leather, armrests, 18 inch wheels and lots of speakers). Improvements over previous year Discoverys include the 4.6 liter engine with beefed up bottom ends, a better and faster reacting electronic traction control (4ETC), a center differential lock (CDL), the transfer case has been beefed up strength wise and added improved sealing.

I've added 3 inch lift springs (with a serviceable front drive shaft and stock shocks), upgraded to 265/75R-16 BFGs, some home built sliders and front and rear skid plates, trimmed the excess off the front bumper, built a whole new skinnier and tougher rear bumper and then filled the inside with off-road gear....

It now has 51,000 miles and has experienced 68 off-road treks mostly in northern Nevada. Probably 25% of its total miles have been in dirt (I'm retired). Other than normal maintenance; I've replaced two headlight bulbs....

Those of you who are uninformed and consider all Landrovers to be unreliable might consider the fact that most of the reliability issues in recent years are due to the Freelander; which has been terminated.

It's a shame that the '04 was the last of the Discovery model - They finally perfected it. :safari-rig:

 

[Ruffin' It]

Agreed 100%. I'll sell my Rover when there is nowhere left to explore. Until then, I'm keeping it.

Reliability? That depends on year and model. Mine has been incredibly reliable so far:

I own an '04 Discovery S (the base model without sunroofs, leather, armrests, 18 inch wheels and lots of speakers). Improvements over previous year Discoverys include the 4.6 liter engine with beefed up bottom ends, a better and faster reacting electronic traction control (4ETC), a center differential lock (CDL), the transfer case has been beefed up strength wise and added improved sealing.

I've added 3 inch lift springs (with a serviceable front drive shaft and stock shocks), upgraded to 265/75R-16 BFGs, some home built sliders and front and rear skid plates, trimmed the excess off the front bumper, built a whole new skinnier and tougher rear bumper and then filled the inside with off-road gear....

It now has 51,000 miles and has experienced 68 off-road treks mostly in northern Nevada. Probably 25% of its total miles have been in dirt (I'm retired). Other than normal maintenance; I've replaced two headlight bulbs....

Those of you who are uninformed and consider all Landrovers to be unreliable might consider the fact that most of the reliability issues in recent years are due to the Freelander; which has been terminated.

It's a shame that the '04 was the last of the Discovery model - They finally perfected it. :safari-rig:

 

[TeriAnn]

I'm a fim beliver tha the LR "thing" as it's being called is alot of ledgend built around the older series trucks and Defenders.

Yep, and the press figured out what was going on as well.

" A Land Rover is less of a car than a state of mind"

Quote from Car & Driver magazine's review of the new 1964 Land Rover

The legend was built by the Series I, expanded upon by the Series II and III. Sadly, the Defender was priced higher than Jeeps and Japanese 4X4s so have become more of a rich persons vehicle while the Toyotas & Nissan Patrols of the world have taken over the role of cheap rugged outback transport.

Frankly, the new disco's and Rangies ARE problemmatic just like nearly everything that has gotten more high tech is problematic.

Agreed. They just have too may bells & buzzers which easily break, can be difficult to get to and cost a great deal to replace. It is no wonder that a 15 year old Range Rover is often in poor condition and selling for under US$1,500. One problem is that the aluminum V8 is fragile. I think that's why GM discontinued the engine and sold off the tooling. It is a great engine for a light weight sports car but just overworked in a full size 4X4 trying to make its way in the outback.

When the Nissan Exterra was introduced into the States they had a media blitz that focused on a message I wish Land Rover had not lost somewhere along the path to becoming a luxury car,

"Everything you need and nothing more"

That used to work very well for Land Rover before they learned that there were high sales margins to be had in the luxury car market.

 

[kellymoe]

I'll add my 2 cents also.
I have had several trucks in the last 22 years, from a Samurai to Defender, Willy's Overland to Toyota 4Runner.
The 4Runner was hands down the most dependable plug and play vehicle I have ever owned. I wish I still had it just for a daily driver. I currently own a Land Rover Defender 130 and a 1994 Discovery. On long road trips I take the 130, not because I want the extra room but because of the mechanical simplicity. The Disco is too temperamental and though it would probably do fine on most trips I would rather break down in my 130 than my Disco. I can fix my 130 with simple tools as there are no complicated electronics or high pressure fuel pumps to go out. I have yet to experience any mechanical failure with the 130 but cannot say the same for the Disco which is several years newer. I feel with the 130 I can always rig something up to get me moving again. I drive the 130 hard and am not afraid to take it into remote areas by myself or with my family. I just cant say the same for the Disco.

 

[seriessearcher]

2 cents here

I have owned 3 Discos and 2 Series II Land Rovers. My advice to anyone thinking of a newer Land Rover is to have a deep pocket book, or make sure it has a warranty. The three discos were all purchased from the dealer and certified. They all went to the shop either every month or every other month for service due to a problem. One was purchased back from the dealer as it was such a poor example of a land rover. The Series II on the other hand can be worked on with a leatherman and drive on 2 cylinders. They go forever. I just took my 1960 around the block to test the new disc brakes and had every little kid, as well as some big ones looking and pointing. If you want an older disco I'd look at the prices online for replacement parts. Think about can you afford to wait to have them shipped to you so you do not require buying from the dealer. Can your car be down for 2 days because of a water pump and you ordered from BP in California to save a good bit of money? It is a matter of what you like and don't mind putting up with.

That said, I have had 3 disco IIs. They drive like hell have never let me down and out. They have done great with the last three blizzards in CO with 3 to 4 feet of snow. When the warranty on this latest one goes out though the 4 door rubicon with a life time warranty is looking mighty attractive.

It is all up to personal preference in my mind.