Looking at an 04 D2

[Luppercut]

Hey all,

I’m new to this forum. I came here to seek some advice. I’m looking for a reliable camping/fishing/road trip vehical. In my search I’ve come across an 04 D2 with ~100k miles on it. In the past I owned a 92 RRC and the maintenance killed me. However, that was my daily. This D2 would be a weekender. I really lile LRs, but I want to be able to jump in something and know that is isn’t going to leave me stranded.

I was hoping the members here could share their experiences with this vintage discovery and perhaps point out some pitfalls to lookout for. Below is the carfax on the vehicle that I’m interested in. I learned from the original dealer that is had the engineer replaced in ‘08 at roughly 40k Miles. (Is that good or bad?) It has a bunch of bolt ons; arb bumper, warn winch, wheels, lift and some others. They are asking $12.5k for it.

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...&partner=ATD_W

Thanks in advance.

 

[joey]

Although I really like the D2's for the money I personally would go for an LR3.

 

[SteveLK8Parts]

Yeah Joey is right in my opinion I love D2's but LR3's are one of the most reliable especially when maintenance is kept up.

 

[bblake12nd]

Run Run Run away, the maintenance will **** you and then the engine will fail. If the mileage is close to 100K the head gasket has probably already failed, if no it will very soon. Unless the purchase price is low enough to justify replacing the engine, pass on this one.

 

[rally3]

At that price point you should be able to find a really nice LR3

 

[remember5]

I agree with everyone, the LR3 is a much improved vehicle over the DII and for that price I agree also, you can find a really nice LR3 probably even kitted out.

 

[Mrdadaxt]

I disagree with everybody!
He didn't say he would like a LR3/4. He is talking about the iconic and tuff Disco II.
Now, who wouldn't want a Jag engine in their Disco! 4X4 enthusiast have a lot of respect and appreciation for the Disco I
& II. I know this from talking with folks that are crazy about their big, bad $25k - $65k Jeeps.
(again, a DISCO II not a LR3/4 for camping/fishing/hunting/4X'ing. The Disco looks more rugged.)
The engine in the Disco under discussion has +,- 60K miles on it. To be (probably) safe for another 100k now would be the time to rebuild the oil pump and do a head gasket replacement using the head studs and bolts specified by Mark Lagrou of D&D Fabrication (aluminumV8.com) manufactured to Mark's specs by ARP. yea, no kidding.
Now the asking price - even on the west coast or CO, it's a couple thousand high w/o the two maintenance items above.
That's kinda like the thinking you've heard before where the owner of some really nice vehicle is thinking "if they want it bad enough then I'll only let it go for $X"
Offer $10.5 and wait. $6.5k would be enough to build a correct high performance (stage II) long lasting, 4.6 with the guidance of the owner/operators at aluminumV8.com - this includes all of the wear-able ancillaries - pumps, hoses, mounts,belts,tensioners, idlers, etc., the hdwr needed in the block (bearings, rings, bolts,) and inspect, machine, rebuild of the heads. The figure of $6.5 would also cover the assembly of the block by an absolutely verified pro.
The stock engine in the Disco under consideration with 60k miles has the same reliability factor of a brand new off-the-shelf engine from one of our absolutely best-by-a-mile and absolute favorite Land Rover parts source. Every single engineering flaw still exist in the used and new stock blocks just mentioned.
A re-engineered Bosch controlled 4.6 block done to the specs of D&D Fab/Mark Lagrou built to Stage II, each Top-Hat cylinder liner CNC milled for it's respective piston, with .003 off the deck and .003 off the heads - is very powerful and reliable. And in a Disco II is absolutely satisfying.
So, from one of the western states a $3k to $5k '03-'04 Disco II's in need of major engine repair, the $6500 to build an amazing 4 bolt shiny gem of a powerful little aluminum V8, plus the cost for the techs to remove and install your new engine (yes, you'll need to be involved to get the engine once removed by the techs to local, verified hot-rod engine assemblers - and back to the techs for re-installation. Plan on flat bedding the Disco to storage and not leaving it at the garage.)
You're right around $10k at this point depending on what you need to spend for your source vehicle. Minimally plan on
replacing the front drive shaft from a reputable drive line source such as that from here in Denver specializing in engineering a heavy duty drive-shaft built with zerk fitting front and rear.
All of the off-roading add-ons mentioned on the Disco under consideration could be purchased for a couple thousand more dollars. But, the thing is - a Disco I or II doesn't need that stuff to do some serious off-roading once the proper off-road tires are installed. And the off-road tires are a must!

 

[remember5]

Nice soliloquy but based on his original post I really don't think he wants or has the mechanical skill to effect all the build up you mention and again at least in Tennessee $12k plus for a Disco II is way high and having owned a RRC, Disco I, Disco II, and LR3 I stand by the LR3.

 

[Mcb14230]

Hey all,

I’m new to this forum. I came here to seek some advice. I’m looking for a reliable camping/fishing/road trip vehical. In my search I’ve come across an 04 D2 with ~100k miles on it. In the past I owned a 92 RRC and the maintenance killed me. However, that was my daily. This D2 would be a weekender. I really lile LRs, but I want to be able to jump in something and know that is isn’t going to leave me stranded.

I was hoping the members here could share their experiences with this vintage discovery and perhaps point out some pitfalls to lookout for. Below is the carfax on the vehicle that I’m interested in. I learned from the original dealer that is had the engineer replaced in ‘08 at roughly 40k Miles. (Is that good or bad?) It has a bunch of bolt ons; arb bumper, warn winch, wheels, lift and some others. They are asking $12.5k for it.

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...&partner=ATD_W

Thanks in advance.

engine out likely means the sleeves were an issue. Does the new engine have pinned sleeves?

 

[Mrdadaxt]

Nice soliloquy

Really? so nobody is reading this forum on the Discovery? you're driving a LR3/4 - store bought. which is perfect
for most folks that don't want to build a 4x4 for whatever reason.
notice that the question from luppercut didn't mention LR3/4s and is posted in the Discovery forum?
real facts, real D2.
regarding the prior misplaced quote referencing pinned sleeves in this post, for longevity you need to jump to the best technology for building the old Rover V8. Pins through the water jackets in the Rover V8 block and through what would be new liners is a source of failure.
Long, long conversation short - the only proper way to build a Rover V8 block for use in the heavy LRs is using top-hat cylinder liners (aluminumV8.com)