OK, so I am finally now seriously in a position and ready to take the plunge and what has the reputation of being a horrible piece of junk. I don't care. I have been in lust with these darn things since I saw the first pieces on the Camel Trophy (I suspect I'm not the only one) back in the 90s. I have researched them on and off for the last 5+ years and I think am somewhat savvy to the platform. I finally just joined a few days ago now that I'm finally going to just do it.
I ended up being a Jeep guy when I got done with school and went down that road. When in grad school I did one of the harder trails in the area with a Disco 1 and thought the thing supremely cool (first time I saw one in the field). However, all those stories about someone's brother's monkey's uncle who had one that caused world hunger have always scared me away- even when I had the time to wrench all the time.
Well, fast forward to now, and with 2 kids and 2 large dogs, my 4 door Wrangler Rubicon just simply isn't big enough. My wife has a RRS SC (with the Jag drivetrain) and despite me being terrified of it when we got it, I get it now. I MUST have a Rover of my own. I want to write a check for one and only lightly modify it as I'll be keeping the Jeep for heavy trail duty. The prices are such that it should be quite easy to do these days.
This will be a true mall crawler for the most part, but I'd like a nice rack on top to put the roof top tent on, and carry the dirt bike on a hitch carrier to take me to places in comfort. I'd like to keep the MAX for acquisition to $6-7k, and then a couple or so grand more for modifications (rack, lift, tires, and possibly a few other bits), and from what I've seen this is quite possible.
I think I've narrowed it down to my #1 choice being an '04 DII based on being able to add the CDL (despite my non-need for supreme trail prowess), and the bigger engine. I am thinking #2 choice would be a '00 or '01 (if the VIN range is correct) again for the CDL and probably a good bit cheaper.
I know the economy is embarrassing (a blown 500+ hp fire breathing monster like my wife's gets better mileage), it will leak some or all of it's fluids like Ed Snowden leaks secrets, and will be slower than my Jeep. I've read about Chevy, Steve, and Martin wreaking havoc, headliners that look like my 1 year old's diapers, front driveshafts that try to pole vault the machine, and leaks of natural fluids from above through the star gazers. Again, I don't care. They are just too cool, and while fuel is relatively cheap, and these can be had for incredible prices, it's an itch that is ready to be scratched.
All this mindless babbling said, am I looking at the correct years for the correct reasons? I guess it should be said that I'm 6'7", and some have cautioned that I might be pushing my luck on fitting. If a comparison can be drawn to my wife's RRS, I fit perfect with the exception of needing a couple more inches of headroom. According to what I've found in spec, I'll get just that in the Disco, so I just need to confirm legroom, but all the years on the track with cars has me comfy not being able to gangsta lean in my vehicles.
So then, anyone have a line on a straight example? I'd really like a good runner as I don't want to bother with an engine transplant just yet, but mileage isn't that much of an issue as long as it's fairly squared away.
Thanks for reading and any input is greatly appreciated. My apologies for being a noob.
I ended up being a Jeep guy when I got done with school and went down that road. When in grad school I did one of the harder trails in the area with a Disco 1 and thought the thing supremely cool (first time I saw one in the field). However, all those stories about someone's brother's monkey's uncle who had one that caused world hunger have always scared me away- even when I had the time to wrench all the time.
Well, fast forward to now, and with 2 kids and 2 large dogs, my 4 door Wrangler Rubicon just simply isn't big enough. My wife has a RRS SC (with the Jag drivetrain) and despite me being terrified of it when we got it, I get it now. I MUST have a Rover of my own. I want to write a check for one and only lightly modify it as I'll be keeping the Jeep for heavy trail duty. The prices are such that it should be quite easy to do these days.
This will be a true mall crawler for the most part, but I'd like a nice rack on top to put the roof top tent on, and carry the dirt bike on a hitch carrier to take me to places in comfort. I'd like to keep the MAX for acquisition to $6-7k, and then a couple or so grand more for modifications (rack, lift, tires, and possibly a few other bits), and from what I've seen this is quite possible.
I think I've narrowed it down to my #1 choice being an '04 DII based on being able to add the CDL (despite my non-need for supreme trail prowess), and the bigger engine. I am thinking #2 choice would be a '00 or '01 (if the VIN range is correct) again for the CDL and probably a good bit cheaper.
I know the economy is embarrassing (a blown 500+ hp fire breathing monster like my wife's gets better mileage), it will leak some or all of it's fluids like Ed Snowden leaks secrets, and will be slower than my Jeep. I've read about Chevy, Steve, and Martin wreaking havoc, headliners that look like my 1 year old's diapers, front driveshafts that try to pole vault the machine, and leaks of natural fluids from above through the star gazers. Again, I don't care. They are just too cool, and while fuel is relatively cheap, and these can be had for incredible prices, it's an itch that is ready to be scratched.
All this mindless babbling said, am I looking at the correct years for the correct reasons? I guess it should be said that I'm 6'7", and some have cautioned that I might be pushing my luck on fitting. If a comparison can be drawn to my wife's RRS, I fit perfect with the exception of needing a couple more inches of headroom. According to what I've found in spec, I'll get just that in the Disco, so I just need to confirm legroom, but all the years on the track with cars has me comfy not being able to gangsta lean in my vehicles.
So then, anyone have a line on a straight example? I'd really like a good runner as I don't want to bother with an engine transplant just yet, but mileage isn't that much of an issue as long as it's fairly squared away.
Thanks for reading and any input is greatly appreciated. My apologies for being a noob.
But it is good to know. I'll have to find one locally just to go sit in and see just to make sure, but good food for thought nonetheless.
