superbuickguy
Explorer
Not my experience with troopers - they make LR head gasket problems seem like child's play.
Looking at Discovery 2's...what should I be prepared for??
- Thread starter EXPO08JK
- Start date
Not my experience with troopers - they make LR head gasket problems seem like child's play.
UnfrozenCaveman
Explorer
D1
We've had our 94 from new.
Simple to fix. Still haven't killed ot though it's getting pretty well corroded/rusty.
I think we've got our moneys worth out of it
We've had our 94 from new.
Simple to fix. Still haven't killed ot though it's getting pretty well corroded/rusty.
I think we've got our moneys worth out of it
Eric Edwards
Adventurer
What I was implying is that I had a terrible experience... with my truck breaking down 300 miles from my house and having to limp back home. If Land Rover had argued with me about fixing it, I would have left them my keys and walked out the door to my attorney's office.
My mother had a LWB Range Rover that was lemon, and my father-in-law returned/sold his 2012 Range Rover after 1 year of ownership back to the dealership. My hope is that the newer stuff coming out over the coming years is a quantum leap forward in reliability. I would love to have a diesel LR5 if it ever comes to our shores.
roverandom
Adventurer
And we are back to the DI.
For my money a DII is like the P38 RR. Nice when it works, a bear when it doesn't and iffy styling.
However, I'd sooner build a RRC or Series LR. I like the DI and think its an awesome vehicle but I can't love it the same as a original Rangie or classic Series LR.
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For my money a DII is like the P38 RR. Nice when it works, a bear when it doesn't and iffy styling.
However, I'd sooner build a RRC or Series LR. I like the DI and think its an awesome vehicle but I can't love it the same as a original Rangie or classic Series LR.
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4Rescue
Expedition Leader
Ok I'll just ask: Why a D2 specifically??? I'm not asking that to be a smart-***, and I can understand just simply "wanting one" (I too love the looks of them and the cabin/driving pos. and the "vibe" they give off etc.) regardless of any rational reasons to choose another vehicle, but I'm curious as to what the "reason" is (if there is a hard fast reason) for a D2 over say a 100-series LC???
This kind of lets you know what you're getting into... From someone who's got a lot of empirical evidence to make the judgement.
http://expeditionportal.com/top-10-used-overland-vehicles/
Cheers
Dave
This kind of lets you know what you're getting into... From someone who's got a lot of empirical evidence to make the judgement.
http://expeditionportal.com/top-10-used-overland-vehicles/
Sadly while it may be a "leap forward" in reliability, it's a rather large step back in ultimate capability and simplicity (read: fixing it yourself).
Cheers
Dave
superbuickguy
Explorer
because they're 10x more expensive?
$25,000
there is no choice between a numbered LR and the Disco2; but good gravy, it'd almost pay to import just a body and slap it on a D2 frame.
4Rescue
Expedition Leader
because they're 10x more expensive?
$25,000
there is no choice between a numbered LR and the Disco2; but good gravy, it'd almost pay to import just a body and slap it on a D2 frame.
Um... I was asking why an LR D2 over say a Toyota LC100??? Yes it'll still be more expensive up front, but it'll probably be less money in the long run to operate unless he went to a Diesel in the D2. Even then it could easily nickle/dime him to death for the "fun" of owning a LR.
That is one sweet looking EXMOD Sell-off though.
Cheers
Dave
superbuickguy
Explorer
Then you answered your own question and you're still not convinced so anything I say from here on out is pretty much falling on deaf ears. The D2 has the same suspension as the numbered Land Rovers, but is more posh - thus, you can buy a D2, put a numbered body on that frame and be dollars ahead (and able to register it). Also, it's easy to add lightness - making the D2 as functionally simple as the numbered LRs really isn't as hard as you might imagine... after all, if I can do it, monkeys can do it.
da10A
Adventurer
But be ready to change the rear air suspension and convert to coils, since the bags often leak and compressors often fail. And the D2 engines are extreme leakers that go through head gasket like there's no tomorrow or just explode if its a 2003 😀. Anything electric will be a problem, door actuators, bosch coil packs, a/c compressors etc.... I told you my friend, I know you want to live your own experience, but spare yourself the displeasure of owning a D2 and move-on while you still like them.
I use to freak when I'd see one. Now the only reaction I have, is sympathy for the poor sap behind the wheel, for I understand what he is going through.
Spend the extra money and get a diesel 110. Import it if you have to.
I use to freak when I'd see one. Now the only reaction I have, is sympathy for the poor sap behind the wheel, for I understand what he is going through.
Spend the extra money and get a diesel 110. Import it if you have to.
pugslyyy
Expedition Vehicle Engineer Guy
I don't think it is as dire as all that... but there is a reason that Land Rover abandoned the "Discovery" name in the US market. Biggest issue I see with people moving on is just the low mileage that they get.
It's a bitter pill, but if you have problems with the motor you need to swap the block and rebuild with composition head gaskets. Once you do that (with either a P38 or good date code D2 block) the motor should be solid.
I tend to agree with changing over the air suspension to coils - it is just the easy way to go. If you are committed to air suspension change over to the Arnott bags.
In my experience the Bosch electronics holds up pretty good compared to the Lucas stuff.
If you want to add CDL, make sure that the transfer case supports it (or be prepared to change it out).
roverandom
Adventurer
No, A DII has a 100" wheelbase, not 110". The DII suspension is significantly different from a "numbered LR". The power train is also electronically controlled as well so it's not a simple monkey body swap to make it into a military spec 110. Again, although it is still a lot of work, it would be better to start with an early DI or RRC if a hybrid is what you want.
In the end It would be much cheaper (and better) to import a 110 than to try to turn a DII into a 110.
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da10A
Adventurer
I guaranty you that they are unfortunately nightmarish vehicles to own. Reason why they go through head gaskets, is that they tend to overheat. The engine dates rom the 1960s.
I had become very familiar with the LR dealer service manager that also happenned to own a D2 and was a member in the local club. When I asked him why the D2 was so unreliable, he replied that unfortunately, they are very expensive vehicles to buy, and even more expensive to maintain. No one should buy one of these or the Range Rover if it is not dealer certified under warranty. Once the warranty runs out, the vehicle should go. He added that if it wasn't for his job and the ease of maintaining it being the service manager, he would never own one.
Even then, people get annoyed that they spend so much time at the dealer, getting stuff fixed.
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pugslyyy
Expedition Vehicle Engineer Guy
Well, I personally own 2 vehicles with the LR 4.6 and my experiences differ from yours. There are some bad blocks out there but a shop will be able to check the date codes. If the block is okay just get the heads done and reassemble with composition gaskets and new bolts to the correct torque - you shouldn't have any more head gasket problems unless you overheat it.
I love the DII, but here is my experience:
Purchased a 2004 with 60K miles. FORTUNATELY, financed it through USAA and purchased an extended warranty with it. Within 2 months it dropped a cylinder sleeve (google the 4.6 dropping cylinder sleeves!). Land Rover put a brand new crated motor in it with a 1 year warranty. I promptly sold the truck to a member on Expedition Portal. He drove it for about (guessing) 14 months (less than 12K miles) and the new motor (yes right out of warranty) dropped another cylinder sleeve! They no longer make the 4.6 replacement because of the cylinder problem, so you are forced to purchase a used which is a crap shoot, so he traded the truck on an LR3 (for scrap price) (lost his shirt on the deal).
My sister and her husband both had (again due to my influence) white 2004 DII's (one was an SE and the other an SE7). Within a month of each other they BOTH dropped cylinder sleeves. One was sold for enough for my sister to purchase a great low mileage DI (1998) which has been a dream truck, and the other was traded for an FJ.
Perhaps others have had different experience, but of all the Land Rovers I have owned (and that is a lot of rovers), the DII an P38 Range Rover were the most problematic and um quirky.
D
Purchased a 2004 with 60K miles. FORTUNATELY, financed it through USAA and purchased an extended warranty with it. Within 2 months it dropped a cylinder sleeve (google the 4.6 dropping cylinder sleeves!). Land Rover put a brand new crated motor in it with a 1 year warranty. I promptly sold the truck to a member on Expedition Portal. He drove it for about (guessing) 14 months (less than 12K miles) and the new motor (yes right out of warranty) dropped another cylinder sleeve! They no longer make the 4.6 replacement because of the cylinder problem, so you are forced to purchase a used which is a crap shoot, so he traded the truck on an LR3 (for scrap price) (lost his shirt on the deal).
My sister and her husband both had (again due to my influence) white 2004 DII's (one was an SE and the other an SE7). Within a month of each other they BOTH dropped cylinder sleeves. One was sold for enough for my sister to purchase a great low mileage DI (1998) which has been a dream truck, and the other was traded for an FJ.
Perhaps others have had different experience, but of all the Land Rovers I have owned (and that is a lot of rovers), the DII an P38 Range Rover were the most problematic and um quirky.
D