D2 shopping: '00 or '04?

Maximumwarp

Maximumwarp

Well-known member
Mar 22, 2015
836
26
Fairburn GA
A friend who came with me to SAE has now contracted the Green Oval Plague, and has started looking at D2s. I'm trying to steer him in the right direction (well, as right as I can within the Rover marque). Help me out with a pro/con list here.

99-00

PRO: *somewhat* more reliable powerplant, CDL present, cheaper

CON: needs shifter swap to use CDL, higher mileage, probably gonna need some work if we pick one of these up

04

PRO: Lower miles, 4.6, CDL w/shifter

CON: slipping liners, oil pressure issues, SAI/ACE

My question, besides being open to more input on this, are how troublesome were the 04 blocks compared to the 01-03? Iirc, the oil pressure issues were mostly resolved by '04. The liner thing is what worries me. A lot of the 04s we've looked at mention engine ticks. I don't think the 99-00 blocks had as many liner issues, but I could be wrong on that.

I list SAI/ACE as a con mainly because I'll be his mechanic, and that's just one less thing for me to fuck with.
 
rovercanus

rovercanus

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2004
9,651
246
Not all '04's had ACE.
I've got one of each. They both suck.
Either one will need engine work, at least head gaskets. I would go with the '04, better interior, more power, CDL, better SLABS and newer.
 
Buddy

Buddy

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2006
2,839
1
Central NC
mkcolli said:
I'll be primarily using it as a camping/wheeling vehicle.
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I had an '04 for a while and really liked it. Other than all the horror stories about dropped liners etc. I ended up selling it for two reasons. Mostly because I was worried about having major engine repairs and also because I almost rolled it off road and decided it was too nice of a truck to use it the way I did.

For me the biggest advantage of the '04 over the earlier DII's is the upgraded slabs unit. The traction control on that truck was great. None of the older DII's I've seen or have ridden in came anywhere close to being as effective. If you're going lockers that's probably not a concern anyway. I also liked the headlights and roof bars.

You can retrofit one of the '04 slabs units into an earlier truck so you can get the same result out of an earlier one. Or you can drop an early 4.0 into an '04 which I've seen done also. Ultimately it all comes down to what you like and want to pay for.
 
Maximumwarp

Maximumwarp

Well-known member
Mar 22, 2015
836
26
Fairburn GA
Buddy said:
You can retrofit one of the '04 slabs units into an earlier truck so you can get the same result out of an earlier one.
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I need to look into this for mine. Although, since I already have a Detroit in the rear, may not be worth it. Locking the front isn't too far down the road.
 
CRB357

CRB357

Well-known member
May 10, 2015
399
0
South
Buy my 03. I really just bought it to go to Alaska in. The engine is good. Head gaskets done. No rust. Interior/Exterior is in great shape. New 150 amp alternator, new OEM power steering pump, new belt, all the fluids were changed before I went to AK and back. New U Joints with zerks. Safari roof rack, ladder, brush guard, 6 Aux lights. Also sleeping platform the is easily removable. I've fixed the 3 Amigos and XYZ switch.
 
best4x4

best4x4

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2015
596
74
Beaumont, TX
I'll but that roof rack off your 03 CRB357 if your really do sell your D2.

I had an 04 and I liked the round crossbars and stock CDL, but I honestly hated the plastic headlights!! All the 03/04's I've owned either faded or got massive amounts of moisture buildup inside of them and they aren't cheap. The 4.6L was nice, but I am used to 4.0's. I prefer the interior color options of earlier 99-02 D2's so I settled for an 02 SE and I will be adding a CDL soon.
 
Maximumwarp

Maximumwarp

Well-known member
Mar 22, 2015
836
26
Fairburn GA
CRB357 said:
Buy my 03. I really just bought it to go to Alaska in. The engine is good. Head gaskets done. No rust. Interior/Exterior is in great shape. New 150 amp alternator, new OEM power steering pump, new belt, all the fluids were changed before I went to AK and back. New U Joints with zerks. Safari roof rack, ladder, brush guard, 6 Aux lights. Also sleeping platform the is easily removable. I've fixed the 3 Amigos and XYZ switch.
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I know, you've just gone completely through that whole truck. However, I think the lack of CDL might be a deal breaker, bc wheeling.
 
Tugela

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,766
566
Seattle
I don't think the question should be "2004 or 1999/2000?" The question should be "What truck is going to best allow me to achieve my goals and bring me satisfaction?"

To this second question I propose that the answer would be "The truck that has been cared for the best, is in the best condition, and has the most complete service history."

Let's assume that no matter which year Disco you buy you will invest time and money to modify it to your liking. Let's also assume that your time and money are finite resources. It would therefore be better to buy a truck that requires less of your time and money to get it to the configuration and performance that you want. This will mean you have more time and money to drive it and take trips, which is where most of the satisfaction comes from in Land Rover ownership (contrary to the popular opinion that posting on D-web is the most fulfilling part of Land Rover ownership).

If you buy a Disco that needs a bunch of work, you're going to put more time and money into getting it into reliable shape before you even start modifying it. That leaves you less time and money to modify and enjoy it. If you buy a Disco that is already in good shape and has had extensive maintenance completed, chances are better that you can get straight to mods and enjoy the truck sooner.

Bottom line: don't worry about the year. Just buy the least fucked up truck that you can find, fix what needs repairing, then modify it and go have fun. Be patient while shopping, don't hesitate to spend some money on pre-purchase inspections, and look for a good service history.
 
D

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,745
1,026
Northern Illinois
jymmiejamz said:
You're just splitting hairs comparing the two.
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I agree with this . You have a couple distinctions in Disco2. Secondary air or the early ones. That alone would make me want an early model without the shit.

The diff lock trucks are fantastic in the snow I get around here. BMW took away the center locking diff but lots of trucks have the mechanism in the t case but no shifter attached. That's because the old guard fought them tooth and nail on this. The best argument for keeping it was diagnosing driveline issues. The ability to drive from one end and take the other end of the truck out of the deal. I'm really not sure if BMW thought traction control would somehow damage the drivetrain or just a bunch of cheap ass holes.

Then last but not least by a long shot is those bastard vins that COULD have misaligned dowels at the front cover.

As these trucks get harder to find in good condition I have to believe special edition trucks will start to take a higher price. Owning a truck built by Land Rover speciial vehicles would be pretty cool. So a disco 1 XD is way high on my list and I would pay what I had too.
 
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