Newbie questions

[Barnstormer]

Hi.
I'm new here, and looking to buy a Disco sometime soon.
My questions are.....
1. Differences between D1 and D2? When is the change? Pros/Cons of model years?
2. Any real advantages to an Auto or Manual? I think I'd prefer a 5spd, but they seem pretty hard to come by.
3. Any big differences in the engines? (3.9, 4.0, etc...)
Any advice or caveats for the soon to be a Disco owner?

Thanks!

Brian

 

[discovery12]

Hi in my house we have Both a D1 and D2.
Differences between the D1 and D2
1. The D1 has CDL and the D2 has ETC one is a central lock the other is traction control.
2. The D1 is smaller.
3. The D2 has more electrics than the D1
4. if your gonna be offroading many will tell the D1 is more preffered. but both kick ass!.
5. The D2 has a tad bit more horse power unless u get a 03-04 alittle more.
6. The D1 is a little easier to fix on the trail.
7. The D1 has alloy doors the D2 has steel doors.
8. Land Rover changed the D1 into a D2 in 1999.
Things to look for with a rover.
make sure it has records of anything that was or wasn't done.
U won't get honda gas mileage so don't expect it. 13/17
Discoveries are know for gasket problems however if the truck was well kept then that shouldn't be a worry.
Discoveries do have little electric problems inside then mostly with sensors LUCAS:banghead:
They both are incredibly strong trucks. Very Strong chassis,gearbox,Trans ,Drivetrain component. Axles are ok again if your gonna be wheeling HARDCORE u might want to upgrade quickly.
There are many companies to help u build ur rover or keep it running great. shop around.
Go offroad in it
Auto VS Manual I don't know much. but I have a auto. I think the Manual gets better fuel economy. but I think it will be a little hard off road. with constant gear changing.
the major difference between the 3.9 and the 4.0 is that one is a distributor and the other is GEMS. General Engine Management System I think.
Advice on the Disco
If u find one in great shape good.
just do all or have done all the basic prevenitive repairs.oil ,gear,trans changes and the Discovery will give many years of excellent service fail to that and the Disco will make u very mad. She can be a big baby bitch.
Brian. So might tell u the Discovery isn't a good vehicle but I say F%%K them
GOOD LUCK PAL.
one more thing the best years is 94-04 only years of the Discovery

 

[k12]

I would add that if you are into a D1, go for a low milage 99 with CDL (centre diff. lock--little lever in front of the gear selector).

If you are into the D2, get an 04, as it has the CDL tranfer case, which you can add linkage to).

Common electrical issues to look for:-sunroofs inoperable, windows inoperable.
Common electrical/mechanical things to look out for: shitty spongy brakes on a good day, and useless premature anti lock engagement rendering no braking on a bad day. many D1 owners simply disable the anti lock system.

Of course, pull codes and ensure the three amigos are not awake.

 

[horizondesire]

For information: they made the change in '99 from the DI to the DII, but you can find both in model year '99.

Easy ways to tell the difference:
DII taillights are larger and mounted higher than DI
DII Rear side windows and alpine windows dont have rubber surround
DII Door handles stick out; DI has recessed handles
DII has pretty different headlights for '03 and '04, but '99 to '02 look like DI

Other than that, it can be very difficult to tell the difference, especially if you are driving by one.

If you want it specifically to go offroad, a DI might be a better choice, but the electronics in the DI are problematic. Supposedly the DII improved on the electronics.

I have a pretty much stock DII and am amazed at what it will do.

 

[scottjal]

I would add that if you are into a D1, go for a low milage 99 with CDL (centre diff. lock--little lever in front of the gear selector).

If you are into the D2, get an 04, as it has the CDL tranfer case, which you can add linkage to).

Little clarification and correction: The 2004 DII had the whole CDL complete with the (cable operated) shifter. The 99 and 00 DII (along with very early 01's) had a transfer case with the guts for a CDL, but no shifter to operate it. You can easily add all sorts of things to operate it, the best is probablly just to get the (lever operated) shifter from a DI. ALL DI's had this shifter. If you get something in the unlucky years and don't have a transfer case with CDL you can add components or swap the transfer to get it.

At any rate the 2004 has a bigger 4.6l engine and CDL which makes it probablly the best year DII to get.


Ordered my DI CDL shifter yesterday!

 

[scottjal]

More clarification: All Discoveries (DI and DII) have a shift lever in front of the transmission selector which you can move back and forth for high and low range. What we are quibling about here is the ability to move the lever sideways (left/right) to lock the center differential.

All DII's have 4 wheel traction controll which works fairly well and was LR's reasoning to delete the CDL shifter in a lot of the DII years.

 

[benlittle]

7. The D1 has alloy doors the D2 has steel doors.

Um, I believe all DII's have alum doors too. Could be wrong...

 

[marc olivares]

If you want it specifically to go offroad, a DI might be a better choice, but the electronics in the DI are problematic. Supposedly the DII improved on the electronics.

this is backwards

 

[discovery12]

Um, I believe all DII's have alum doors too. Could be wrong...

I'm sorry I meant the passenger doors on the D2 are steel. all the tailgates DI & DII are alloy.

 

[mgreenspan]

Another few things that people didn't mention are how the rear jump seats are set up. THe back end of the DII is bigger so I guess the back seats have more leg room I could be completely wrong on that one. The back seats of my DI are always cramped as I am 6'2" and the other tall passengers usually take the front seat. I think the interior of the DII is nicer, but I love my DI way more and will not separate from it. The front windshield line is higher in the DII and ppl complain about not being able to see out of the front of the DI, but again, I am 6'2" and don't have a problem with it.

I think the steering wheels in DIs are cooler looking along with the shifter lever for auto. More steel wheel options for DI it seems. Wiper blades on DI are cheaper to replace. DIs are closer to being antique cars. I think alloy wheels for DIs are cooler looking.

 

[horizondesire]

this is backwards

depends on who you ask; this was told to me by an employee at RoverTym...

 

[Rocky]

94-95 D1s are as simple as they get.

 

[Barnstormer]

Thanks for all the good info.
I am shooting for a 94-95 5spd, white , preferably.....
I drove one today, a 96, auto, and it had pretty sloppy steering. lots of back and forth play. Any common causes for that?
B

 

[discovery12]

maybe it needs an alignment
or the Steering Stabilizer is faulty.

That's my 2 cents

 

[mgreenspan]

I don't think I'd want a stick for offroading. Although i'm sure it has a better ratio or whatever the fuck that means every guy that I see offroad w/ a stick except for the really experienced ones stalls out a shit ton.

 

[edthediscoman]

LMAO...I have a 94 D1 in white, that I am not planning on parting with......EVER. So, with that said, the damn car is easy to work on, but requires that easy maintenance always. e.g. I am off to buy a hub, bearings and axle today, as I blew them last weekend. The electronics are fairly simple - unless you bury the car in water like I do. I wheel pretty hard and enjoy working on the rig, so its a love love situation. The D1's of those years can now be had for 2K to 5K depending on all sorts of stuff. Look for one already partially modded if thats what you are going for, otherwise a well cared for grocery getter might work too. The mods get expensive, even if you only spend 3K on the car, lifts, bumpers winches etc will run you more than the car itself (ask me how I know!!).
Welcome to the club.
Ed

 

[edthediscoman]

Sloppy steering.....well, I got used to that from driving a Ford Conversion van....this D1 is easy compared to that!!

 

[edthediscoman]

Go with auto...easy to find in the states....every soccer mom in the OC is trading hers in right now for an LR3 or a RR Sport. There are going to be a ton on the market!

 

[discovery12]

I agree with ED just give it some time the D1 might become a must have like for the Yota guys with the 85 pickup. With the prices of D1 and early D2's expect to see alot of them on the trail for those who wheel.

 

[RichardS]

I drove one today, a 96, auto, and it had pretty sloppy steering. lots of back and forth play. Any common causes for that?

Some thoughts, in increasing order of expense:

1) steering box needs adjustment to close up the gear mesh (free, but could be precursor to last item)
2) one or more bad ball joints in steering system ($)
3) worn u-joints or splines on steering shaft ($$, and potentially dangerous if they let loose while driving)
4) steering box is worn out ($$$)