| Author | Message | ||
     David Morin (Sporin) Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 82 Registered: 02-2003 |
I'm looking at purchasing a 94 Disco that I know needs a new steering box plus a few other updates. The truck would be getting towed directly to DAP for the S-box replacement. Is there anything specific to the 94's that I should be looking for or asking about? I've read all the stuff here, just didn't know fi there was any 94centric booboos to watch out for. This is a cheap truck, so I am expecting to have to catch up on some maintenance and fix a few things. Just want to try to cover as many bases as I can. Thanks.  | ||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Senior Member Username: Ron Post Number: 589 Registered: 04-2001 |
94s are pretty good. The early ones had issues with cam walk, but probably not an issue now, other than that just standard 94-95 3.9 things, inop vacuum advance, distributor wear, leaky injectors, O2 sensors don't last as long. Mainshaft wear. Why tow it to DAP? DIY, the steering box is cheap ~250 at the dealer, $275ish from Meridian (better rebuild) Ron | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 679 Registered: 07-2002 |
I have a '94 with a some mods for off-roading, I take it on minor trips once a month, I put about 15k on it a year, tow with it, and I have put about $1000 of maintenence (including oil changes etc...) in it in 2.5 years, and about $100 of actually fixing stuff that breaks. (Cruise Control is still out though) It's not perfect, but a pretty good record for a truck that is almost 10 years old, used the way it is supposed to be used, has over 117k miles on it, and was not recommended by Consumer Reports. | ||
| Ray Gerber (Raygerber) Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 166 Registered: 09-2002 |
I've owned my 94 for over a year now, she's got 143K on her, and while its had some mods done to her I still think its doing pretty good for the age, mileage, and usage of the truck. The worst thing that happened to me so far was a self-inflicted clutch casualty on a trail, which was costly but in retrospect it was dumb of me to not think it was going to happen. She's got her quirks but its very easy to work on, the 3.9 doesn't have the valve issues the 4.0 GEMs has (assumption there on my part-I don't have a 4.0 but I read about that a lot), and I think its safe to say its early on in the Disco's importation so its the least electronic of the lineage we can get-if you value that. Of course the other side is the teething problems from bringing her to North America, but the Disco was built for years prior so that's not necessarily true in like it would be for the first few years of a car (like, say, the coil pack problems my VW had with its 1.8T engine) r- Ray | ||
| Todd Phenneger (Toddp) Member Username: Toddp Post Number: 152 Registered: 10-2002 |
I agree, I have a 94' that I purchased almost 2 years ago. It had 88k miles, it now has 128k miles. Damn thats a lot of miles I've put on it. Didn't even occur to me till now. :-) I had a head gasket replaced under my 1yr warranty. Other than that only small stuff. Starter failed last month. Rear locking mechanisim stopped working properly, fixed it with a .39cent spring. Currently my cruise,abs,and SRS dont work. The SRS light is my own fault. Dont know about the ABS and dont care, but I wish that the Cruise Control worked. Seems if the ABS light is on the cruise wont work. I run synthetic fluid throught the entire car, Amsoil in the Transmission and Transfer Case, diffs, and steering knuckles. Mobil 1 in the engine. Currently has a big oil leak at the rear (rear main???) and a leaky box. Also DRASTICALLY needs suspension bushigns. The new Bilstiens help but the bushings are needed badly. I tow a 4500lb boat/trailer combo. I did replace my front brakes with the DBA Gold rotors and their recomended pad. "Bendix" pad. I LOVE the brakes combo. I also put 245/75-16 Dunlop RT's on the rig. Lost a little on road dry handling but its SO much better off road, wet, and Especially in the Snow. I get about 12-13mpg but I have NOT replaced the OXS sensors so that could be why. I LOVE the rig. I just wish I had more cash to put into it. Hmm, RAY, yoru have an Audi. want an Audi 4000 Turbo Quattro? Mine is for sale. :-) Anyhow, to answer the question, all my problems have been pretty simple. I like the simpler OBD-1 wiring and the ability to dumb codes from the unit under the passenger seat. If its a good buy, BUY IT> l8r Todd | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 431 Registered: 11-2002 |
my 94 has 110k on it 60k in the last 2 years. it hauls what ever I ask of it and with just simply PM it has no issues what so ever other then 1 wheel bearing and the classic intermitant cruise control. i have retarded the spark and I run it on 87 octane all the time it gets 13MPG and shows no signs of quiting any time soon. If I have one bit of advice it is to drive it like you stold it every day of its life. the people that pussy them around end up with bad O2 sensors and carbon problems that contribute to all kinds of shit like warped heads and blown head gaskets. Disco's need and love to be driven hard and often and they will rarely fail you, MM | ||
| David Morin (Sporin) Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 83 Registered: 02-2003 |
That one turned out to be a bit more of a basket-case then advertised, though nothing surprising given the asking price. I've found a really well maintained 88 RRC that has had just about everything replaced on it for within my budget... and I'm pretty much settled on that. But I'm still keeping my eyes open. Thanks for giving me the scoop. |
