Looking for a cleanish D1 for my weekend warrior (and also suggestions).

DWizzle

Member
Aug 19, 2019
5
0
Atlanta
Hi All - New here, but I've been following and lurking on here, landroverforums.com, expeditionportal for a while now. About me - grew up 4x4ing and camping in the north Georgia mountains (5 speed Jeep Cherokee), I love building and tinkering with shit, and have some experience wrenching on cars (but would be considered a noob on here my most) -specifically my Jeep and the VW TDI sedan I had. That was all when I was young, single, and had a little jingle in my pocket. Now I'm married with 3 young kids with a lot more jingle but also a minivan and a basic b*tch MDX. At least the later is AWD.

So I've been wanting to get a weekend 4x4 project car that I can mess around with, spend too much money and time on, and take out on the trails. I've looked at some classic 4x4s (bronco, blazer, scout, etc) but all seem too expensive for what they are and hard to find. Plus I've been attracted the Discovery look and know that if done right they perform very well on the trails. And everyone has a Jeep.

So my ideal Disco - D1, 5 speed, rust-free, fully maintained by and enthusiast, diesel converted, green. I can do all of the trail necessary stuff my self. I want a D1 because of the lack of electronics would make it easier for a noob like myself to maintain, I want to keep it simple. But I'm not totally against a D2 or later.

For the right one, well maintained, diesel conversation, I'd be happy to spend 5 figures on it. I think the lack of rust is key to me because the body and frame are where I have the least experience and least interest in fixing myself.

So, any of you enthusiasts have any extra Disco you are will to part with ... which would help create another Landie nut? I have not had too much luck finding anything worthwhile online.

Also, given my criteria and background, any suggestions for me?
 

logan_gibson

Well-known member
Dec 20, 2016
258
47
Alabama
D1 sounds like a good fit, they do have the ecu/alarm that can cause problems and needs a tool to read.
If youre in Atlanta, youre close to "The Shop" which can help you along the way as well.

If you're not set in stone on a diesel, there are a few D1's here in Alabama that I might can get a guy to part with.
 
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roverover

Well-known member
Feb 27, 2005
3,819
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Lancaster PA
www.UsedLandRoverParts.com
Yes the diesel is a tough find I have a nice D1 with some trail bits for whatever reason you want a diesel you can pick up 300TDIs in Europe and do that conversion

 
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DWizzle

Member
Aug 19, 2019
5
0
Atlanta
D1 sounds like a good fit, they do have the ecu/alarm that can cause problems and needs a tool to read.
If youre in Atlanta, youre close to "The Shop" which can help you along the way as well.

If you're not set in stone on a diesel, there are a few D1's here in Alabama that I might can get a guy to part with. He has about 32ish.

Yes, excellent - No, I'm not set in stone on diesel and understand I might need to eventually do that conversion myself.

Only 32? I'd love the opportunity to take one off his hands.

Also, yes, I'm in Atlanta.
 

roverover

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Feb 27, 2005
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Lancaster PA
www.UsedLandRoverParts.com
You need to talk to people that have driven them My feedback has been that they are slow and stink up the trails they should never be the lead truck Andrews would barely pull a hill coming through Ohio. If you are dead set on a diesel look at a 300 MB
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
200/300TDi engine pull hills just fine, and can be tuned easily for more power. Earlier 2.5D and 2.5D Turbo are best used around the farm, small towns, or trailered.
 

DWizzle

Member
Aug 19, 2019
5
0
Atlanta
Yes the diesel is a tough find I have a nice D1 with some trail bits for whatever reason you want a diesel you can pick up 300TDIs in Europe and do that conversion


I really like this one at the price point and it definitely looks like it would be a great trail truck. I just really want a 5 speed, even more so than a diesel. Any comments on the auto tranny in these?
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
Rocking an LT77 is easier than R380 since R and 1st/2nd are adjacent. Mid-hill starts require skilled footwork or using the handbrake (make sure it's well adjusted).

 
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DWizzle

Member
Aug 19, 2019
5
0
Atlanta
Well damn, now y'all are convincing me out of a manual. I grow up on a manual in my Jeep, but have been driving Auto for years. I would say that off-roading when I was 16 I definitely got stuck or missed some climbs because I didn't know what I was doing with a stick...

Plus my wife can drive it, not that I would let her.

There is something about going through the gears and engine braking that gets me. IDK
 

roverover

Well-known member
Feb 27, 2005
3,819
28
68
Lancaster PA
www.UsedLandRoverParts.com
The newer autos are very different I would have never had an Auto till I started driving Rovers they have a decent amount of braking in downhill situations and you can balance on a rock which is near impossible in a manual unless you are severely geared
 
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StangGT5

Well-known member
Feb 4, 2019
295
130
Atlanta, GA
Like another member suggested, you might want to talk to US drivers who have lived with a diesel. Overhere the turbodiesels are sought after because they are rare. My take is worth what you paid, but the V8 enjoys praise down under where they have a more even split.

As an aside, the first and last time I contacted The Shop they quoted me nearly $700 to replace the rear u-joint on a D2. Keep in mind, there is only one and the entire job takes about 45min to do. I asked twice to confirm they weren't talking about installing a new front driveshaft, as that price would make more sense. Nope.