My take on whether or not you should look into buying one of those $1000 Discos on FB Marketplace or CL.... Happy hunting, and please don't forget to subscribe for the most Rover content on RU-vid!
I have a 96 D1 here in Kenya. Mine is a 300tdi with R380 5-speed, which eliminates a lot of the weak points with the V8/auto box combo. Mine has been utterly reliable and solid.
I have an 03 D2 facelift. I bought it very cheap knowing the engine was on the way out. After replacing it with a nice rebuilt tophatted 4.6, it has been as reliable as rain. Just the usual minor repairs at the usual intervals since. The only issue it has now is the clear coat, like me, it's gone white on top and falling off(out)
Hello mate, its the limey here from over the pond. Just to add if you get a d1 automatic, with a buggered engine, have think about a detriot deseil implant. I'v got a hummer engine for me defender. I'l let you know how the project progresses. All the best for the year ahead👍👍👍👍🤑
I am about to go see one tomorrow, thanks for this video, i am looking at a 1999 Disco series 1, clean title, 168 miles, supposedly used as a camping rig and in good shape, guess i will find out.
The same thing happened to me with the transfer case. I was doing a bit of off-roading and had put it in low to climb a hill, but after getting on the road home it popped back into neutral. Had to pull over and shift it back and it was fine. Definitely a bit disconcerting though. ‘97 Defenders used pretty much the exact same drivetrain as these discos (4.0 V8 w/ 4 speed auto)
I bought my green '97 a few weeks ago. Rusted under the driver's seat and in the bed. Going to have one of my welding buddies repair it this week. Overall it runs good, it's an automatic. I have obvious gear slippage when accelerating, lots of resistance to me pushing the gas, usually in the first minutes of driving in the morning (could be because it's winter). But I love the thing, nothing I've driven has the same feel. Reminds me of a tractor for some reason.
I rescued a barn find 100K mile 98 Disco that had been sleeping for 8 years a couple of years ago. I'm on the east coast of Canada, so mine was way rustier than yours. I had to pay my welding guy large to fix the frame and floor. The rest was brakes and fluids and general maint. that I did myself. I also had to do a full interior refresh, as it was a petri dish of mould and mildew inside when I found it. It runs like a champ and has never overheated, or even thrown a check engine light. It makes a great tow rig for my track car and is unstoppable in snow. Its also my wife's favourite vehicle out of the eight I own. I guess its a keeper! You have some great tips here, thanks for the worthwhile Disco vid! Subscribed!
I have 1999 D1. Identical to yours in video. Head gaskets & thermostat replaced years ago. No rust (due to leaks coating the undercarriage while driving)..... Best investment was an ULTA-GAUGE. ..... 4.0 eng/ZF trans great.... everything else tends to give a costly surprise- every other week- in fact will be replacing driver window motor and removing headliner to repair drain tubes - this weekend.
This video is very informative the 4.6L started having problems because they removed the oil coolers and that’s why those weren’t as reliable it sucks D1’s are reliable D2’s don’t rust it’s a hard choice I have a 98 D1 it’s in similar condition to this one just a little lest rust it’s amazing for a New England truck, love the classic tho
I own 3 D1's, never had a overheating issue with any of them other then the radiator getting filled with debris because of the transmission coller in the bottom of the radiator, the issue was with the D2...
@@mikeproctor3664 “one could drive it w/o worries” is one of the funniest things I’ve heard today. I currently have a ‘98 and had a ‘99 for 4 years. You might forget it for awhile but D1s should never be assumed to be reliable. I love them but you need to watch them like a horse that can decide he’d rather be in the barn. It takes a certain type of person but I’ll not be without one. The tips in this video are good. Look for bodged wiring, too, realizing that you’ll likely need to do some of your own.
Best advice on this subject and speaking as a brit and has had several land rovers s2 s3 and defenders oh and only 1 disco , unless you enjoy spending more time and money fixing them than driving and enjoying them then a land rover is for you , getting them to start first time every will cost you , your house and wive and thats if your lucky , I managed to weine myself off land rover and got a patrol y61 , starts first time everytime
Secrets to bleeding / filling cooling system? I'm currently changing water pump (waiting for delivery) on my '97 D1. I've been told that cooling system air bleed out can be a pain....cannot find anything concerning procedure.. any tips?
Performed the water pump replacement easily...refilling cooling system was simple...."bled" air out with radiator plug removed while refilling and made sure refilling was done continuously with no air allowed to get into system. No problems.🤗
@@AddictedMotors How well does this hold up? I've been told these seals come off very often and arent a permanent seal. Great video, Thanks for the help!
@@AddictedMotors ok that's what i was thinking. Someone I know might be selling their 95 Disco 5 speed so i'm giving it some thought. In good shape, what you pay for one?
Honestly - parts are pretty reasonable if you do some research. The BIGGEST con is lack of parts availability on the road if you break something. I had an 01 D2 that committed suicide in Wyoming and now own a 1997 D1. The D1 is rougher overall (bad rear door hinges with big rattle, 5" lift by PO making me have to pay to take it back down to reasonable height) but infinitely more reliable, even with a known bad O2 sensor and exhaust leak. Its an old rig rode hard and put away wet. But she's still got good bones.
