New Rover owner!

[troy]

My '98 XJ was getting a little long in the tooth with 260K on it, so it was time to go. It served me well for 6 years, but I wanted a change and nearly bought an a new 2012 wrangler unlimited. However, I just could not get myself to spend that kind of money on a Jeep.

'98 XJ:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/24715-Troy-s-98-XJ?highlight=troy%27s+xj

So I bought this:


I know it is an '03, but it has all dearler service records (Head gasket, shuttle valve, water pump), was converted to OME springs, has ARB bull bar, and warn XD9000 professionally installed. It was the color (silver on black) that I wanted, and I paid not even a quarter what a new Jeep would cost. I've done a complete 60K service and put money for major repairs in an account. The only thing I've added is a OME steering stablilizer, and ordered an oil pressure gauge.

I've got about 5K on it so far and this is my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. I'm expecting lots of repairs, but this thing suits me. Even the mileage hasn't been as bad as I was expecting.

Happy Rover owner.
Troy

 

[Errant]

It looks good, congratulations!

 

[Mg-rover1]

Congrats! These things are spoiled but if you take care of it you will enjoy it. I have an 04 D2.

 

[ColoDisco]

Congrats! Looks good!

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Looks great...you know the scoop re. the Center Diff Lock (CDL), right?

 

[RangeBrover]

Welcome to the Land Rover Club, just a warning though, Rovers are like herpes, once you get em, you never get rid of em.

 

[Howski]

Looks clean. Just keep up with preventative maintainence and have spares handy. Hopefully you won't get bit by the infamous 03' oil pump failure. The D2 is a great rig

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Very nice, I love the look of a built '03-'04 D2.

 

[spikemd]

Cool rig. Looks nice. As mentioned, keep up with maintenance, fix things sooner rather than later and enjoy the ride. It may surprise you as to how capable they are with minimal modifications and much more comfortable than a built jeep.

Read up on getting the CDL (center diff lock) installed.

Welcome. Don't know where you are located, but there are Land Rover clubs across the country. Great group of people all with the sickness to commiserate with.

 

[troy]

Thanks for all the kind words. I did read about the lack of CDL and oil pump issues on the '03s before I purchased it. The price was good enough to allow a new 4.6 crate motor from Atlantic British if need be. I considered the ARB and warn winch insurance, since they did not inlfate the price at all.

I've owned and built 4 different Jeeps and this seems to fit better at my current stage in life. The wife loves it, and the kids (2&4) love the stadium seating.

The part I love the most, is that all the things I was trying to do to my Jeeps over the years is largely done by the factory on the discovery. Add an ARB, winch and suspension, and I'm good. The ride difference is shockingly better than any Jeep vehicle I've owned.

 

[brushogger]

Congratulations! I was in your shoes 18 months ago when I bought my 04. It's a comfortable as my Surburban was on the road and more capable than any other stock 4wd I've ever owned, and I've had a bunch. Since nothing like this is being manufactured anymore, In 3-4 years, I plan to build another motor and trannie to have waiting in the wings. The only thing being sold right now that "speaks" to me at all is the JK unlimited, but if I buy one, I can't afford to go anywhere!

 

[Series1Rangie]

congrats on your new ride!

The part I love the most, is that all the things I was trying to do to my Jeeps over the years is largely done by the factory on the discovery. Add an ARB, winch and suspension, and I'm good. The ride difference is shockingly better than any Jeep vehicle I've owned.

I say this to everybody, but especially people coming from jeeps, drive it before you decide you need to mess with the suspension. These are amazingly capable vehicles in stock form. You know your type of off-roading better than we do, so I will trust your judgment on the winch and bumper, but seriously these are really capable with stock suspension and slightly taller tires.

Cheers,

Mike and Myles

 

[BirchHill]

Very nice! and dont fret the oil pump issue too much, most of the ones that were seriously misaligned have all imploded miles ago.

 

[troy]

congrats on your new ride!



I say this to everybody, but especially people coming from jeeps, drive it before you decide you need to mess with the suspension. These are amazingly capable vehicles in stock form. You know your type of off-roading better than we do, so I will trust your judgment on the winch and bumper, but seriously these are really capable with stock suspension and slightly taller tires.

Cheers,

Mike and Myles

Thanks for the advice. It actually already has a 2" lift and OME Shocks. I don't know what brand the springs are but I'd bet Rovertym or OME. ARB and winch were also on the rig when I bought it. It has the stock 255/65/18 tires in the General Grabber AT2. They ride nice, but it is begging for the next size bigger. I'm going to wait till these wear down before doing so.

 

[Series1Rangie]

Wow didn't realize they came with 18s. with a 2" lift i used to run 235/85 16s. A really great size for rovers IMO. tire calculator shows a 255/65 18 to be just under an 1nch shorter. With the 235/85s i only had to adjust my steering stops by a very little bit as well.

Cheers,

Mike and Myles