Which one....Disco I or II to build up

What Series Disco is best to build up?

  • Disco I

    Votes: 39 60.0%

  • Disco II

    Votes: 26 40.0%
  • Total voters
    65
Z

Zdenko

Member
Dec 20, 2004
13
0
Hello all,

I was wondering if I can pool your resources and experiences regarding which Disco series would be best to build up for weekend journeys and also function as a daily driver.

I have been blessed with the arrival of my baby girl and which has me thinking that my 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited isn't the most family friendly vehicle. I have always loved Land Rovers and now I have the opportunity to pick one up.

I understand that they can be temperamental and need TLC every now and then and the fuel economy isn't the best but I would like to build one. Now is just a matter of which one, Series I or II.

I took an '03 for a test drive yesterday and I have to say I am impressed at the way it handles and especially how roomy it is.

So I guess, in your opinions what would be a good platform to start with?

Thank you in advance for you help!!

Zdenko
 
Last edited:
Blue

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,081
886
AZ
which Disco series would be best to build up for weekend journeys and also function as a daily driver

Low mileage 2004 DII. Leave it as close to stock as possible....maybe more aggressive tire tread and a rear locker, maybe a slight lift with HD suspension.
 
E

Epsom_D2

Well-known member
Dec 27, 2004
261
0
Boca Raton & Gainesville, FL
It's really dependent on your intended use. As you said you now have a family then the DII is likely the better choice as it has more comfort features, but you lose off-road ability, not to say that my DII isn't capable but if you want extreme flex and lift then a DI is a better choice.

A 3" lift on a DII is a relatively easy process (springs and shocks) whereas the DI requires more modification for the same lift (correct me if I'm wrong on this one owners of D1s).

If you go with a DII don't get an 03 as you will have no CDL and if you really want to offroad it you won't be happy. Also stay away from ACE as it limits your ability to disconnect the swaybars.

Just my $.02,
S-P
 
darkalian

darkalian

Well-known member
Feb 1, 2005
120
0
Centennial, CO
Depends on how far you commute etc. And also what you want to use it for like others said. If you want both I would agree on an 04 that is well maintained and do a few mods to it. Also what is your budget?

Most people wont agree with my current setup BUT...

I have a 2001 D2 that I will NEVER get rid of. I had a nasty head on collision in it last year against a Tacoma and the Tacoma lost (my air bags didnt even deploy but I totaled that $27,000 truck). It is now even more tempremental than before and Ive still got lingering issues with it (like the new tranny overheating) Ive done the radiators and the front prop shaft at 65,000 miles and all the usual stuff. But it is now mostly my trail truck - OME lift and some mudders and sliders, Rovertym bumper, SD rack etc. For my daily commute and really long road trips that dont require the LR I bought a really nice safe base model Subaru Outback that gets over 33 MPG on the highway. I can now avoid the premium gas that will be over $4 soon and I have a nice safe dependable efficient vehicle for daily driving and really long road trips. I can also now wheel without being concerned about tearing up my only vehicle...which makes wheeling a lot more fun...

If I were to do it all over again now I would buy a nice 2001 or so Discovery II for about $7000 or whatever and throw a few $1000 into it to be your trail truck and summer camping vehicle etc but also keep a family car on standby...but thats just me - most people here will drive their Rovers and only their Rovers but for me personally I like my setup better now that my Rover is old...
 
Last edited:
bleizit

bleizit

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2007
113
0
Lawrenceville, GA
sven said:
This is exactly why I have a 99 D1. :cool:
Click to expand...

X2!!
One other factor that helped me with my decision...
How many ECU's are required to make it run? D1 = 1; D2 = 4
That's just one other source of possible problems that can leave you stranded out on a 'weekend journey' . Oh, also didn't they take out the CDL in the D2's that came stock on D1's...at least it did on my '99 D1 SD.
 
antichrist

antichrist

Well-known member
Sep 7, 2004
8,208
0
68
Atlanta, GA
Seriously, my D1 is my daily driver, has been for the last 6 or 7 years. But then, my Air-portable was my daily driver for 10+ years (before that one of my 109's, and before that a '73 88) so I'm not a good judge of what someone would like as a DD.
I can say the more I read about them the more I'm glad I got a D1, rather than a DII, when I bought a coiler.
 
justinhaaga

justinhaaga

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2004
3,369
0
Syracuse, UT
garrett said:
Buy an FJ80.
Click to expand...

ditto.

I pefer the d1s because I find them a little easier to work on. the D1 has had better support in HD parts, but those gaps are filling. The DII front CVs are a little bigger than the d1s stock vs stock. On the trail though, a d1 is easier to work on IMO, therefore I choose a d1.
 
HunterAK

HunterAK

Well-known member
May 19, 2005
1,721
0
Anchorage Alaska
Blue said:
which Disco series would be best to build up for weekend journeys and also function as a daily driver

Low mileage 2004 DII. Leave it as close to stock as possible....maybe more aggressive tire tread and a rear locker, maybe a slight lift with HD suspension.
Click to expand...

X2
 
Z

Zdenko

Member
Dec 20, 2004
13
0
Thanks for all of your input.

How well does either series tow? We have a small camper trailer 16' roughly 2500lbs dry.

My budget will be what I sell the jeep for. If I am lucky I can sell it for 25k plus. I live in Alberta Canada so our markets are super inflated due to the boom and oil prices. LR up here are around 10 to 12 thousand more in price with higher mileage.

I plan on importing one from the US when I find the unit I decide upon. The savings are huge and can throw that towards the build. I looked into importing a modified one in but the Transport Canada is really sticky about modified vehicles crossing the border.

Thanks again for your help,

Zdenko
 
EJB90

EJB90

Well-known member
Feb 26, 2007
1,231
0
33
Connecticut
Both can tow- someone will have to find the numbers though.

The DII has the optional self leveling suspension so that your back end doesn't sag whilst towing. The DII is a little more refined- smoother ride, better steering, less body roll, more comfortable seats, bigger, etc. As a family vehicle I would say get a DII. Drive a D1, see how you like it, drive a DII and you'll see just how much better they ride.

They all have their issues, but I'd say the DII has less. The D1's have bad window ECU's, leaking sunroofs, leaking alpine windows (which make stuff rust), and stuff like that. The DII has the three amigos brake faults which are annoying, but they're not going to rot out your car. They share the typical rover issues of fluid leaks, bad u-jounts, etc.

Find an 04 Discovery, I think you'd be happy with it.
 
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