Is a Rover for me?

[PhyrraM]

I guess my next question would be which Land Rovers to look at? I know about the major differences between Disco Is and IIs, but which Range Rovers are worth looking at? Which ones do I stay away from?

Does the added rear overhang on a Disco II really something to worry about?
Is a tranfercase swap easy enough to put the 2001-2003 Disco back on the list?

Again, on paper, it seems like a later ('97-'98) Disco I seems like the sweet spot?

[JeremyT101]

I can't tell you too much about the RR, but for Discos I can give my 0.02$. If you are going to go for a Disco II I would try to find an 04. They seem to be the decided upon most reliable of the bunch, some had the CDL as standard but IMO I would only go for a Disco 1. The reasons for this are many. The first for me is no air suspension. It is a given that at some point in the truck's life the air suspension will have to either be fixed or replaced, this is not cheap. If you care not about it, you can always do away with it and switch to coils in the rear. its a pretty inexpensive swap kit from a site like Atlantic British.

I also tended to stay away from the DII because of the head gasket issues many of them have. I have heard its like a 10-1 ratio for DII vs DII head gasket failures. Which, I didn't want to deal with.

There are also quite a bit more electrical stuff going on in the DII, notably many people have issues with the 'three amigos' I think its called, few lights that go on on the dash quite frequently.

All of these things put together, made me eventually go for a 98 Disco I. It had everything I wanted and nothing I didn't (expect a good maintenance track record opps)

I now tell everyone who is considering getting a Rover this. BEFORE you buy one take it, even a long drive away, to a shop that specializes in Land Rover. These guys will spot things that regular mechanics just don't know to look for. I wish I had done that with mine, but thats who it is at now after the fact. My guy is a wizard thank god. But still, thats what I would do.

[PirateMcGee]

wait so you're worried about gas prices but want to get something that gets worse mileage?

[oryxexpeditions]

I guess my next question would be which Land Rovers to look at? I know about the major differences between Disco Is and IIs, but which Range Rovers are worth looking at? Which ones do I stay away from?

Does the added rear overhang on a Disco II really something to worry about?
Is a tranfercase swap easy enough to put the 2001-2003 Disco back on the list?

Again, on paper, it seems like a later ('97-'98) Disco I seems like the sweet spot?

For Disco 1 versus 2 look at this thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...42-Disco1-or-2

For Discovery's also read this one:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=51721

For the Range Rover Classic:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...+Rover+Classic

For the P38 Range Rover:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ghlight=plunge

For owning a Land Rover in general:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=20219

As far as the added overhang on a D2, I would say it depends on how extreme the terrain and what size lift and tires you have. Taller mitigates the overhang more. In general, a well modded D2 won't suffer much of a penalty off road.

You don't need to swap the entire transfer case on a 01-03 Disco to give it diff lock. There are kits to add this to the stock transfer case.

I myself am a Disco 1 fan for the reasons given in the links above. However, as an all around vehicle I think the D2's are much more comfortable, quiet, refined and roomy than the D1's, but approach things with a little too much electronics and weight adding luxury items for me. I appreciate the more basic off-road oriented feel of the D1. I would own a D2 if I found one I particularly liked though.

I have to say, though, that the Range Rover Classic has it's own unique appeal, and I go back and forth between it and the Disco 1 as my favorite vehicle to drive.

David

[PhyrraM]

wait so you're worried about gas prices but want to get something that gets worse mileage?

Nope. I got about 14mpg before I ran it off an embankment, and as a part time pleasuremobile I don't need any better. I do place some emphasis on total range, but not really mileage - If that makes any sense.

I was saying that the current price of gas has pushed the asking price of trucks (in general) low enough that replacing the Montero makes more sense than fixing it

There is a good looking '97 Disco XD in the local Craigslist that I want to go and see. It's on eBay too for the curious. There are plenty of others too, ranging from $1000 "needs motor" to $12,000 50K mile '04s. The current local selection seems to be better than Land Cruisers or Monteros so I should be able to find something good. I plan to pick something in the next few weeks. I have a Subaru to fix and sell and tax money is on the way.

[dcarr1971]

Like the others here have said, get it looked over but an independent Rover mechanic. I own both a D1 and a D2. Despite similar looks, they're truly different animals and both are great vehicles in their own right. My D2 was my first Rover, and it's the one that I've off-road-ed the most. It is solid, roomy, comfortable, and will go just about anywhere most people would want to take it. That extra 7" of length can occasionally get in the way though...

My D1 is a 5-spd, has a cheap aftermarket Thrush muffler in place of the stock exhaust, so it sounds great, and IMO it's just plain fun to drive all the time... The D1 is simpler (even though it's a '96), feels more agile, and has been very reliable. That said, it's not anywhere near as comfortable as the D2, and if you need to haul stuff (i.e.- kids and a 95lb German Shepherd) on long trips to go 4-wheeling, then you might be better off with a D2.

[REDrum]

FWIW....for ~$4K you can find an 90's RRC or a 60's Series needing TLC and JB weld. Both will have issues, both have cache, both will work well for your needs, but the RRC will do it a bit quicker. Unless you get a rare Series w/ V8 they all seem woefully slow. My Diesel SIII sports 68 crank HP You will have better luck with a RTT for a RRC too, if that is in your cards. One can be put on a Series, but rack options are very limited. I know almost nothing of Discos other than every 3rd soccer mom in my town drives one.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, you have to like to wrench to own a British car. If you don't, look around for Land Cruiser 80s, they can be had for ~$4K too

[PhyrraM]

I had ruled out leaf spring rigs. All of the ones from my experiences (admittedly not Rovers) don't flex nearly as well as a comparable coil spring truck. Are Series Rovers the exception?

[REDrum]

I had ruled out leaf spring rigs. All of the ones from my experiences (admittedly not Rovers) don't flex nearly as well as a comparable coil spring truck. Are Series Rovers the exception?

For your budget, that is the least of your concerns. There are replacement springs and thing you can do to OEM springs that will change the spring feel/flex. But that is a different thread

[PhyrraM]

Death of the Montero. It could have been repaired, but for the price of these things these days it hardly seemed worth it. My brother is putting the motor and locking rear axle to goo use in an earlier SWB Dodge Raider.



After a ton of reading forums, browsing classifieds, and a bit of soul searching I found it's replacement.



It's 2006 V8 HSE. It is pretty much loaded including the HD package with the rear locker. Verified by checking for the full size spare, physically seeing what is almost certainly the servo-motor and electrical connector on the rear diff, and even running it up a steep low-traction hill and verifing the "lock" icon on the screen locks. It also has Navigation and cold weather package, as the boys are really pumped about the rear seat heaters. The only notable things missing are the rear seat entertainment DVD player and the Sirius radio. Not too worried about those. Just under 70,000 miles.

I appreciate all the info I've come across on the forum in the last few months. Thanks!