My Disco II Build
- Thread starter MStudt
- Start date
MLu
Adventurer
Very nice! How did you attach the panel to the rear door? Using the original fasteners, or pop rivets or something?
Will you have an extra piece or some sort of folding thing to go over the gap between the frame of the bed and the front seats? It would be a bit short as it is now?
Will you have an extra piece or some sort of folding thing to go over the gap between the frame of the bed and the front seats? It would be a bit short as it is now?
DiscoDavis
Explorer
I love the pop hatches with the gas lifters! That is super neat.
SONICMASD
Adventurer
Yes, I love my Disco - probably to a point that most people would consider unreasonable. I can probably give you a few tips as I am pulling the engine out next week and will be installing a transplant 4.6 that I picked up to use while I build my uber motor. The plan I've conceived is to have top hat liners installed which supposedly fixes the head gasket problems for good then use the crank and rods from my donor engine to upgrade my 4 liter to a 4.6. The cost, including $1500 for the liner modification, comes out to just under six grand and that's with all new parts right down to the motor mounts and a Crower cam.
It may sound unreasonable to most but what else are you going to get to compare with a good D2 with a brand new engine for $6k?
Ya, that is an ultra-low price to get into the hobby of overlanding/4x4ing. The only thing that can compare in terms of value is the Montero. 92-99 can be had for around $2-4k with the some of the benefits being: factory rear air locker, fits 33" tires with no lift, rear spare tire door mount that can support up to a 37" tire, huge internal capacity, and beefiest components compared to other IFS vehicles.
Downsides: Only came with 3.5L engine and v8 swaps are not easy or common. Limited aftermarket support but there's enough and actually growing. IFS, not a disadvantage for overlanding but the rock crawling guys sometimes go down thr SAS swap route but thats like at least $6k alone.
D2 and Montero - best values in the market IMHO. Its a trade off depending what qualities are most important to you. I went Montero, my best friend went D2.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It will. The platform currently sits at 62", and that is a bit short for me. I'm going to have another fold out section to extend it forward by another 14" to reach a total length of 76". This piece will lay completely flat for sleeping, and it'll have a riser on it to put it at an incline for lounging.
I should have that section finished up next week.
It looks like things are about to get serious on this build. I was going to pull the motor for a rebuild, but I've decided against that now. I've been thinking about this for the last couple weeks, and trying to come up with the most logical choice. My fear of rebuilding the current motor is that the head gasket will fail again before we even leave in June. It also seems like one of the cylinder sleeves has slipped very slightly.
Looks like we're going to pony up for a rebuilt motor that used flanged sleeves, and all new components. This Rover only has about 93k miles on it, and we had hopes of keeping this for along time. The motor has been the biggest headache on this vehicle, and it sounds like the rebuilt motor will fix all the known issues these motors have.
Looks like we're going to pony up for a rebuilt motor that used flanged sleeves, and all new components. This Rover only has about 93k miles on it, and we had hopes of keeping this for along time. The motor has been the biggest headache on this vehicle, and it sounds like the rebuilt motor will fix all the known issues these motors have.
SONICMASD
Adventurer
Damn, that sucks. I'm sorry to hear it. How long do these Rover engines usually go for?
Depends really. Ours had leaking head when we got it with about 68k on it. Now again at 96k the same head is leaking again. The new motor fixes the original issues with the cylinder sleeves, and a couple other bugs.
I'll have some new pictures to post up by the end of the weekend. I'm hoping to have the platform all finished up by Sunday. The last project is making two folding headrests that'll extend the platform about another 14" forward. This will give the platform an overall length of 74", and a collapsed length of 60".
I will have another addition in the next couple weeks. Next week my Front Runner roof rack will be delivered. Along with the new rack I'll also have a couple sets of awning mounts, and a mount for the jack. The rack is going to have a 99" CVT awning on the driver side, and a 55" CVT awning off the rear.
Stay tuned.
I will have another addition in the next couple weeks. Next week my Front Runner roof rack will be delivered. Along with the new rack I'll also have a couple sets of awning mounts, and a mount for the jack. The rack is going to have a 99" CVT awning on the driver side, and a 55" CVT awning off the rear.
Stay tuned.
I finished the platform over the weekend, but ran of of daylight. I'll make sure to get some pictures in the next couple of days. Since the platform got finished up we were able to order the custom bed yesterday as well. We're going with a 5 piece bed that is made from 3" high density foam, and comes with custom slips to protect them.
With the platform finished up I was able to start, and actually finish it. I installed the new Front Runner roof rack, 2 CVT awnings, shovel mount, and Bushcable limb risers.
With the platform finished up I was able to start, and actually finish it. I installed the new Front Runner roof rack, 2 CVT awnings, shovel mount, and Bushcable limb risers.
Not a lot of progress, but still some. I received the new steering guard from MM4X4 over the weekend, and was able to get it installed. This was by far the best looking skid that I could find, and it was cheap! Even with shipping from the UK this cost me $160. Came with all the hardware, and powder coated black.
I also spent a few hours a couple weekends ago stripping all the paint off the OEM Rover ladder for some additional tube work. I added some 1/2" box tubing to the lower part of the ladder to accommodate a couple Rotopax. Once this addition was finished I rust treated the bare metal, primed it a couple times, and then painted it black again.
I also spent a few hours a couple weekends ago stripping all the paint off the OEM Rover ladder for some additional tube work. I added some 1/2" box tubing to the lower part of the ladder to accommodate a couple Rotopax. Once this addition was finished I rust treated the bare metal, primed it a couple times, and then painted it black again.
With the crappy lighting due to crappy weather I haven't been able to get any good pictures of the progress made over the last week. I pulled the platform out along with all paneling in the rear last weekend. With the panel removed I was able to run all of my wiring for the backup light, cooking light, 2 USB ports, and CB coax. I still need to wire the Bluesea fuse block, power inverter, and lay the wire going to the engine bay.
I'm also making a couple fold down cooler holders that are mounted to the body, and run through the panels. I'm "hoping" these hold with a loaded down cooler, but I'm skeptical about them. These are made from t-slot extrusion, have locking hinges, and adjustable caribiners fixed to eye bolts.
With the giving season upon us I've decided to give us some goodies. Step one was ordering a 9,500lb winch, and snatch block. With the deal 4WD was having I couldn't pass it up. I'm also going to be order a backup light pod, 13" single row bar, and a 30" single row bar. In addition to that I may pick up some Tred 4x4 boards, and ARB compressor.
I'm also making a couple fold down cooler holders that are mounted to the body, and run through the panels. I'm "hoping" these hold with a loaded down cooler, but I'm skeptical about them. These are made from t-slot extrusion, have locking hinges, and adjustable caribiners fixed to eye bolts.
With the giving season upon us I've decided to give us some goodies. Step one was ordering a 9,500lb winch, and snatch block. With the deal 4WD was having I couldn't pass it up. I'm also going to be order a backup light pod, 13" single row bar, and a 30" single row bar. In addition to that I may pick up some Tred 4x4 boards, and ARB compressor.
oostvogels
New member
Looks good! A couple of months ago I also got myself a discovery 2 with the idea to make a bed in the back and fold out tables in the rear door. I haven't started the build yet but I'm curious to see your extending headrests as I'd like to make the bed very similar but a little higher to get more storage underneath. Keep posting these nice pictures Please! 
MLu
Adventurer
Looking good! Seems we've had the same kind of idea when it comes to carrying fuel. I simply bolted some square stock to the ladder and wing-nutted the jerry can holder to that, so the whole package is fairly easily removable. The weight of the (usually empty...) can sits on the lowest rung of the ladder.
