Is a Rover for me?

[PhyrraM]

Hello all. I've been reading this forum for a while, but rarely post.

I just messed up the front of my Montero and am looking for a replacement. My uses are mostly taking my kids and scouts camping, exploring, off roading, and daily driving when the other car is down. I'm not into rock crawling or deep mudding, but if there is something cool to be seen "down the road" I'd like to be able to get there. I always like to say "If it IS, or WAS, a road - I'd like to be able to go down it.

I had a '95 Montero SR. It was suited to the purpose really good. Decent power, good room inside, comfortable. Seats seven if asked, or tons of gear if not asked for the passengers. Factory rear locker. 2wd, AWD, 4wd and low range modes. Tons of rear articulation. Will take 32"-33" without a lift. The main downsides are the front IFS, a timing belt instead of chain, and a tendency to pop a head gasket if overheated. Other than that, a really solid and reliable truck.

The frame was not damaged in my incedent and it still seems to run fine, but all the sheetmetal forward of the firewall needs to be replaced. With current gas prices pushing good examples down to $2500-$5000, I'm better off replacing it.

Then I notice that (some) Discoveries (or RRCs) can be had for that money too. I like the idea of upgrading to a front solid axle and the "world platform". I do all my own wrenching, so a truck with a few problems doesn't scare me off - as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel...no chronic, or unsolveable, problems. Is a $3000 Disco even worth looking at? For "entry level overlanding" is it a step up from the Monty? I will likely never leave North America, but running things like the Mojave Road interest me greatly. I have a few friends with rock Jeeps and it would be nice to head out with them, even if it means using a few of the bypasses on hard stuff.



Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[oryxexpeditions]

I've owned a 96 Montero. It was a great vehicle for adventures, but ended up costing me a lot of money in a short time. I went to a Jeep Liberty next. Great vehicle too, very reliable, but not as good an off roader as I wanted. After that I bought my first Land Rover, a 96 Discovery, for only 500.00 with a broken front driveshaft u joint. I fixed that and did the full maintenance and drove it back and forth cross country without a single problem. I then ran into a nicer 95 Discovery with only 100K miles for 700.00. It wouldn't start, but it ended up just being a loose starter wire. Fired right up and ran well except for an exhaust manifold leak, which cost me 50.00 to fix. Been driving this daily without any issues for over a year. I also have a Range Rover Classic which I bought for 1900.00. On this one, I have had to do the brakes, fix a fuel line, and replace the distributor. Otherwise it has been a great vehicle as well. The bottom line is that great deals can be found on older Rovers, and I definitely wouldn't be put off, especially if you like to do your own repairs. Paying to have one fixed could become expensive. As far as performance, they are superb. Drive nicely on the road and have a superior design for off road use in stock form. With mods, the sky is the limit.

David

[454]

Rovers love, and I mean love, preventative maintenance.

The problem that you run into is when some guy buys a $2k Rover and then skimps on the pm. He gets in over his head and then dumps the truck. Since Rovers can be had cheap, some cat buys one, refuses (or is unable) to spring for the maintenance, and then dumps the truck when it overwhelms him. Pray that you don't get his old truck.

[LR Max]

Buy another newer Montero. Their only weakness is they flip over when they get side swiped by a U-Haul truck.

I recommend avoiding U-Haul trucks. Or installing anti-U-Haul truck devices. Like, big spikes or something. Then driving the crap out of it.

[GroupSe7en]

Dude, if you're wondering if you want one - then you probably don't.

You have to want one, to put up with the reality of owning one.

They are the greatest, and the most wretched, depending on what time it is.
If you aren't in love with it...

But, who knows, you might fall in love the second you get behind the wheel.

Best of luck,
Mark

[I Leak Oil]

With all the info, good and bad, out there on coilers if you have to ask......
You either want a rover or you don't there is no try Danielson......
The U.S. spec trucks aren't the "world platform". They have the vintage 60's buick V8 instead of the TDI that the rest of the world gets. The V8 is probably the biggest source of headaches with coiler rovers.

[PhyrraM]

Coilers - interesting term. I like it.

As far as wanting one...yes, I want one. I also want a Montero, and a Jeep, and a Defender, and a ______ . I am leaning towards trying the Rover, partly because I always wanted one. However, when dealing with a vehicle where one of the main goals is reliabilty in the middle of nowhere, the familiarity with a Montero is a bit comforting. However, I'm sure that comfort level will come with a Rover in short order too.

So, I guess the question is...Which do I want more? A Toyota 80 series Cruiser is also on the list, but they seem to go for too much considering the equipment level. Typical Toyota, paying for the name.

My main stumbling block on the Discovery is that - on paper - the axles seem weaker than expected. Does this prove to be true in real world conditions? Also is the lack of at least a rear locking differential a major setback? Does the added articulation make up for it?

[oryxexpeditions]

Coilers - interesting term. I like it.

As far as wanting one...yes, I want one. I also want a Montero, and a Jeep, and a Defender, and a ______ . I am leaning towards trying the Rover, partly because I always wanted one. However, when dealing with a vehicle where one of the main goals is reliabilty in the middle of nowhere, the familiarity with a Montero is a bit comforting. However, I'm sure that comfort level will come with a Rover in short order too.

So, I guess the question is...Which do I want more? A Toyota 80 series Cruiser is also on the list, but they seem to go for too much considering the equipment level. Typical Toyota, paying for the name.

My main stumbling block on the Discovery is that - on paper - the axles seem weaker than expected. Does this prove to be true in real world conditions? Also is the lack of at least a rear locking differential a major setback? Does the added articulation make up for it?

As far as axle strength, it really depends on what size tires you're running and the terrain. If you're rock crawling etc. with 32 inch and up, then the stock axles will eventually pay the cost. On 31's and down, in moderate off road conditions, I think the stock axles are fine. With a locker installed, you will need aftermarket axles to avoid break downs, because of the extra stress. You can run a limited slip, such as a Trutrac, fine with the stock axles, because they engage more softly and never lock up a 100%. The real weak link is the stock two pinion differentials. Just replacing these with a good four pinion diff makes a world of difference. Anything, Detroit Locker, Trutrac, ARB, or even the factory open four pinion is fine.

In terms of the need for a locker or limited slip, Land Rovers articulate better than almost anything stock, and modded hold their own with any other modded vehicle in this area, so strictly speaking, this makes up a lot for having open diffs. However, the great articulation of a Rover makes lockers all the more effective, and means you can really get into the tough stuff. . .

David

[JeremyT101]

Although I cannot answer all of your questions regarding the Disco, I do currently own one myself. If I had the funds to get an 80 series LC or a potentially better truck, well, I would have. I picked mine up for 4k, and it had MANY problems (though I did not know this), but it had a totally clean body and frame with absolutely no rust, and low km's. Though, I concede the majority of these problems were caused by other idiots who tried to fix the truck, had no idea what they were doing, bodged parts and wires and generally just buggered the whole job.

I have been without a car for two months now due to this whole situation. Its been in the shop for two weeks now and im assuming it will need another week. THANK GOD I happen to have a very highly qualified rover mechanic 60km away from me who has a bunch of part discos for us to steal little bits off of. I cannot imagine the headache this would have been without him, truly my savior. Though, I know that once the truck gets put back together, and I take care of the old girl as well as I can, it should run to the ends of the earth.

So my advice to you is, if you plan to buy a Disco, or any other LR for that matter, take it to someone who knows these trucks BEFORE you buy it, not just your old plain-jane mechanic. These things are too complex and different and they will miss stuff. If he gives you the green light, and you love it (it was the driving position, power and the feel that really won me over with this truck) do it. If he tells you to run, RUN.

[oryxexpeditions]

Once you drive a Land Rover, there's a high chance you will be addicted for life. . . You will enter an existence where on one shoulder there is logic whispering Land Cruiser. . . Land Cruiser. . . it would be so safe, so reliable, so easy. . . On the other shoulder there will be emotion whispering Land Rover. . . Land Rover. . . the feel behind the wheel, the performance, the passion, the adventure, sunsets over the Serengeti, Tom Sheppard and the sands of the Sahara, Camel Trophy, true love for a vehicle (sometimes love and hate go together!). . . That's the way it is. . .

David