doing my homework

[elcapitanmas]

I recently sold my 2000 toyota tacoma with a rotten frame I put more miles on it offroad than I did on. I am dead set on a LR disco 1 or 2 for my next vehicle. I will be doing as much research over the next few months so that when I find a vehicle its the "right" one. I have asked this question on other forums and have gotten some great advice. Im looking to spend 2500-3000 for the vehicle and an extra grand on the side to get started. So far I have been pointed towards 94 and 95 discos, as well as 04. Everyone I talk to about LRS always brings up airbag issues on the suspension, but have been told that the above years and disco models in general don't have airbags to worry about. I havn't narrowed down what years/models have CDL, but that is def important. I also have read about certain models/years having issues that can be assumed with a matching vin number.
I won't be offroad as much as I was with the toyota but it will see a good deal of trails, and ALOT of snow. Im in Ct, and there are quite a few discos for sale in the area, and I know the generals to look for when buying a used vehicle, but I don't know what to look for when looking at used LRS. Any vehicle I do get will most likely have over 100k miles on it, so thats something to consider. I usually put at most 4000 miles on my personal vehicle, and the GF has a supercharged mini cooper, so its not necessarily going to be a "daily driver"

any advice is greatly appreciated and welcomed. I also have access to a fully stocked garage for general work, but am not looking to replace any majors.

Thanks
Ethan

[TerryS]

Hi Ethan. Welcome to LRO. You're going to find plenty of D1s in your price range, and most 95-97 will be relatively truouble free. What you will immediately see on any found native to New England is the rot in the rear wheel arches and rusty sills. Since the Di is pretty basic, It wouldn't concern me if I were "looking" at one out of the area, i.e. ebay, or other internet sources, so don't rule out looking at one from the south, where rust is less prevalent. Under the bonnets on all of them seem to have rust, and the more they sit, the worse they are. (Lot Rot)
I have spent too much over the years paying auto transporters, but if you have to spend a grand for one out of GA or any of the dryer states, that grand will be well spent.
Don't rule out a Range Rover classic, as they are great trucks, and in many ways, better than a D1. '03-'04 D2s are expensive, older D2s can be had as cheaply as D1s, and while it's often debated, I am not alone in liking D1 front axles, and general drivline better (except for the motor itself, as the Bosch engines in D2s are great) What ever you decide, you're going to find it's a love hate relationship and when the truck finally dies, you won't be any better or worse off with one than another.

[elcapitanmas]

another question about discos, one very important thing on my new rig is going to be a roof basket, or whatever you want to call it. Were the baskets an option from the dealer or aftermarket only? Is there any hardware preexisting on the roof for mounting the baskets or is it more like a drill and hope it doesn't leak deal? I will be using the truck quite a bit for ice fishing excursions up to the adirondacks and will be putting my ice shanty up there as well as other gear.

Thanks
E

[Capt. Ron]

As the owner of both a DI and DII I can say that if the DI had the 4.6 like my DII, I would have never purchsed the DII. Not that there is anything wrong with a DII, the DI just fits me better.

The CDL was in all Discos up thru '99. In the DII, '00 thru '03, do not have it, unless someone has installed one after market. In '04, they were back in. 2005 was the beginning of the LR3. The DII is still capable without the CDL but better with it. My '03 has one.

Land Rovers tend to leak. Why? No one really knows. So keep up with fluid levels. And for your sake, check some levels if you can, before buying! Like the diffs, transfer case and engine (obviously).

Stay on top of maintenance. You should be lurking under the hood and crawling around underneath weekly. That goes for any brand really, but especially a Land Rover.

The roof baskets/ racks are available aftermarket and dealers, depending on what you're looking for. Your choice.

Other than that, they have the same problems any other make has.

[elcapitanmas]

a couple other questions Ive come across while keeping my eyes "open"

still looking at discos only

is there a way to tell if an 04 is one of the oil pump problem childs?

anything specific to look for in a 99 disco?