Buying a Discovery

[pseudo]

My friend is looking into buy a 97 Discovery Series I. Since niether of us know anything about land rovers (were used to jeeps ).

I have some questions.

1. If you put on aftermarket bumpers will you run into airbag sensors or anything of that nature?
2. Can you sell the stock bumpers and tire carrier, or will no one buy them.
3. Is it reasonably easy to swap seats out to the aftermarket racing type?
4. Are the automatics reliable, and do the automatics come with a full-time 4wd system?, I think I read that somewhere.
5. Do the Disco's have solid axles front and rear?
6. To fit a larger tire, like 33x10.5, will there be a need for fender trimming with a 4 inch lift?
7. Are there any aftermarket tire carriers?
8. And last but not least are there any major problems to be known?

Thank you.

 

[joey]

I have some questions.

1. If you put on aftermarket bumpers will you run into airbag sensors or anything of that nature?

No issues with Airbag sensors - easy to change bumpers.

2. Can you sell the stock bumpers and tire carrier, or will no one buy them.

You can sell them, but it will take time and you will not get much. I gave my front bumper to a friend.

3. Is it reasonably easy to swap seats out to the aftermarket racing type?

Aftermarket seats... Only know of a couple people who have done this, but I have heard that it is not that hard. I know that http://www.corbeau.com/index.shtml lists a seat rail that fits in the Discovery. Also if you pick up a Land Rover World magizine, they show a few seats that fit.

4. Are the automatics reliable, and do the automatics come with a full-time 4wd system?, I think I read that somewhere.

Automatics IMHO are a little more reliable than the 5 speeds, but then again there are not that many 5 speeds out there. They both come with a full-time 4wd system, but keep in mind, without lockers they are 1 wheel drive without the CDL (Center Differential Lock) engaged, and 2 wheel drive with in ingaged. Apply the brake slightly and all 4 will spin though.

5. Do the Disco's have solid axles front and rear?

Yes, solid front a rear as far back as the Series 1 Land rover till the 2004 Discovery, the LR3 is IFS.

6. To fit a larger tire, like 33x10.5, will there be a need for fender trimming with a 4 inch lift?

Yes, fender trimming will be required, plus with a 4 inch lift your going to need alot more than just springs and shocks...list is too long to remember right now.

7. Are there any aftermarket tire carriers?

Yes, but you can just flip the current carrier to fit the 33 inch tire.

8. And last but not least are there any major problems to be known?

Major Problems? Like just about any vehicle a good service record is a must, also the more you off road it, the more the little things will pop up and let you know you need to upgrade.

If you planning on a Daily Driver (DD) then the Disco is a wonderful vehicle plus it will take you anywhere (on or off road) if if something has issues. If your looking for a mud runner, keep in mind the Disco will go, but it doesn't have the HP to float on the mud and scoot.

I have had my '97 Disco for almost 3 years now, and have had no major issues, I have spent some money upgrading things, but nothing bad or has anything kept me from getting to or from where I wanted to go. There are other people who have had major issues. MAF sensor goes bad, $500, if you keep the ABS intacked $2000 for a set of sensors when they do go, and they will. Radiator $600, Altinator is around $400.

all these prices are just off the top of my head, so please do hold me too them, they could be more or less.

It all depends on how well it was taken care of and if everything works when you start.

some good reading https://www.roverparts.com/techtips_main.html#discovery