By Charlie on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 02:15 am: Edit

I was just about to purchase a used D1 when a freind mentioned a RR Classic. Anyone have any opinions as to either. The vehicle will be used for light offroading and daily driving.

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 02:49 am: Edit

Mechanically, they're VERY similar. Even more so, when you compare the pre-US Discos (89-93) to a classic Rangie. (No, in the US you're not ging to find the early Discos. )

But, if you get in one, they 'feel' different. The Disco is a bit taller, and I think it is more comfortable. I also prefer the layout in the Disco. I found that everything in a classic Rangie was inconvenienty placed... I'd hit the rear wiper switch all the time, bump-n-hold the seat controls while driving (Scary when your seat's moving, and you weren't expecting it!), the radio is tucked down where crap settles on the console. Several of us around the shop think that the Disco seat is more comfortable than a classic Rangie seat (but, some people don't like Disco seats, so this is a personal preference call). One strike against the Series I Disco, though, is the low overhead visability, where the roof comes down a bit lower, making it difficult to see overhead traffic lights if you get too close.

Some think that the Rangies had a bit better quality control, since they were designated to be more upscale than the Disco. Maybe, maybe not. I've found that most Rangies have more rust issues than Discos. Also, a classic Rangie that is selling for less than a Disco is going to be a high-mile truck, and will be needing LOTS of attention. I'm not saying that a high-mileage Disco wouldn't, but... it's a given that a classic Rangie will be older than a Disco (well, there was a year of overlap, but for the most part, the Disco took over the classic Rangie's place and let the newer RR go further upscale).

My suggestion: go drive them both. See if you really prefer one over the other. Also, it'd be better to get one that has a better known history than a questionable truck. Shop around.

Best o' luck...

-L

By Ron on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 03:24 am: Edit

They are basically the same. What it boils down to is style, would you rather drive a RR or a disco?

95 RR have a disco interior (airbags etc.) so thats not really an issue.

93-95 you can get an LWB RR.

The swap from air suspension to coils is cake so no issue there.

Ron

By charlie on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 03:32 am: Edit

Does anybody know how long the air suspension lasts on a RR? Which one has more aftermarket "stuff" available? Thank You

By Ali on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 03:38 am: Edit

Since I have a '91RR, there're some points that should be mentioned.

Leslie is right about the stereo thing. It does seem to collect crap over time. Visibility maybe better than the Disco but the damn rear view mirror is not high enough. Sometime it can block out important stuff on the road. The switches (headlights, wipers, seat) are like anything else that takes getting used to. The rear load leveler is nice for those occasional heavy loads. But sometimes I do wish I had more room in the cargo area so I can stuff it to the gills! I think the RR have alum roof vs steel roof on the Disco. The seats in the older Classics aren't really that supportive, especially on a long trip. The dashboard is simpler than the Disco which is nice when it comes to troubleshoot something. In '95 they both shared the same dashboard.

But most important feature of all: Disco's have cup holders and Classics don't!

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 03:41 am: Edit

Air-suspension longevity varies. It's a easy, relatively cheap swap to put springs under there.

What 'kind' of 'aftermarket "stuff"' are you wanting? Diff guards, skid plates, rock sliders, snorkels, roofracks, lights... for the most part, what works for one will work for the other, and things that are vehicle-specific are available for each. i.e., a full-length Disco roofrack will be different than a RR rack, but the diff guards are the same, etc....

Like Ron said, you're looking at the same truck, just different styling. The Disco could be newer, the Rangie could be older, but same frame, axles, Lucas bugs, British leaks, etc...

If you can, come to the Mid-Atlantic Rally this weekend and check 'em both out...

-L

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 10:44 am: Edit

The most major difference I see are as follows:

Viscous Coupling center diff on the Rangie vs. a lockable center diff on the Disco. Does this matter? I don't know.

Axles - 10 spline on the Range vs. 24 spline on the Disco. Ali has wheeled superbly so that his axles are in tact. Others have not. Either way, if upgrading to lockers, you want better axles. Maybe it takes more to upgrade axles on the Rangie? Again, this is unless you are Ali, who has done the dual ARB thing w/out axle breakage.

Engine - You can get a 4.0 in the Disco, and I think you are limited to a 3.9 for the SWB Rangie, all depending on the years in question. You also have an option of a 4.2 for the Rangie depending on year/model.

Tom

By Ron on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 11:03 am: Edit

Tom,

87-88 RR have the disco style dif lock (and a 3.5 V8) but yes VCU on the rest, difference is mininimal

"Axles - 10 spline on the Range vs. 24 spline on the Disco."

87-89 RR have actually the best as you get a bigger CV and can swap in 24 spline fronts cheaply (ashcroft 155UKP) but the rears are a pain as they are not interchangeable with disco rear axles.

90-93.5RR have 10 splines with the smaller cv, but you can swap in stock Disco/93.5-95RR/D90 24spline stuff no problem

93.5-95RR are THE SAME as 94-99 discos 24 spline and small cv so no strength difference there.

One more thing 93-95 RR have ETC (traction control) on the rear axle.

By Charlie on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 01:57 am: Edit

Traction control good or bad?

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 03:05 am: Edit

If you don't have a locker, it's a plus. Once you upgrade to a locker, it's a bit moot...

-L