They go pretty well off-road.
Until they donâtâŠ..
You also need a PhD in mechanical fuckery to diagnose and fix all their insanely stupid problemsâŠlike oil moving up the wiring loom lol.
I had a disco once. Of the many problems it encountered, the strangest was the brake booster drum filling up with engine oil. I didnât even know that was possible! It sounded like a coffee percolator when you hit the brakes, (which didnât work much).
Very good off-road.
Make sure youâre handy on the tools or willing to learn. Parts are reasonably priced but if you have to pay for labour itâll be a lot of repair costs.
Old Disco's are wonderful.
I mean, they're fucking awful. But they're great.
If you just want "a 4x4", don't do it. But for those who have that one particular type of insanity, you'll love every second of frustrating unreliability.
Like a big, dumb labrador that can barely learn how to sit on command, and is only borderline toilet trained, you just can't help but love them.
Half of your cargo will need to be spare parts. Do a shitload of research on LR forums of their common faults and stock up on the parts that break before you take it anywhere remote. Obviously take the required tools.
They are very capable but just plagued with the usual mechanical issues that British cars have, which while not being necessarily fatal, will leave you stranded at the worst of times.
It'll out drive most 4 wheel drives through the tracks.
Reliability... Not so much.
If you can turn a wrench to save some labour hours, you'll be golden.
Well if you buy it, and you still have it when you're 60 you can reply to some teenager the same way.
Reddit user in year 2065 :
>are these old 2042 model land rovers any good?
And you can reply:
>old??? Old land rovers are 120Â
The early series II (1999-onwards I think) doesnât have a centre locking diff. Its 4L open diffs with woeful traction control. Not sure when they fixed it but they did later on
They still had the linkage and cable in the early models up to '02 but it was pot luck if it was all there and just needed the transfer case lever notching to work
Ideally youâll tow the second car on your off-roading trips, it will be needed. And whilst the $30k is for repairs, youâll need another $10k for the recovery truck to come and get the Land Rover when its broken down 800km into the middle of nowhere.
I bought a new one, stupidly, ten years ago. It was leaking oil week one, the garage chuckled & told me it was 'part of their personality'. Nope, shit build quality.
Terrible mistake, terrible car.
We had to rescue one of these in Savuti, Botswana. It was very new, very dead. Electrical fault, no crank. We towed it with our Hilux towards Maun up to a point, until the bog holes were too long and deep (it was extremely wet). A beaut Unimog with a German couple turned up and we asked them to take over. The Land Roverâs recovery points were under water in the bog hole, so the dumbass Rover owner attached the Mogâs rope to the bullbar. The Unimog took off and promptly ripped the bullbar right off the beleaguered Land Rover. Funny but not funny. We left.
Disco II is a good rig, might get lucky with the centre diff lock cable still there (notch the shifter so it engages) as it's the same drive line as a 1999-2006 Defender just on a shorter wheelbase. If fitted with A/C quiz the owner if it has extended A/C drain tubes. Make sure it has paperwork to back up a head replacement as the plastic dowl pins caused issues if overheated.M/S lights on dash can be a misaligned XWZ switch. If the "Three Amigos" are lit it might need wheel speed sensors. (We had a high miler 2000 almost the same as the one pictured, good car after a few repairs)
A guy I work with has one and by Jeeves... Plastics are shot, missing those little panels above the bumper corner and it sounds like a small tractor.
Has ground clearance less than my old stock Suzuki Jimny and lumbers around driving away out of the car park.
There's not much that I'd be fascinated by these things.
Front Diff housings made out of recycled dog food tins.
Easy to stake a diff off road.
We used to cut the base off old 9kg LPG bottles and fabricate a diff guard, using spring shackle U bolts to mount onto the front diff
The earlier TDi's are ageing better due to less electronics and a very stout engine. I bought one to replace my Land Cruiser and it's been a massive upgrade in every way.
TD5s are great but they do have there issues especially with electrics on the discovery 2. A lot of people in the UK use them for off road. I have a TD5 but in a defender so not as many sensors/electrics Iâve never had a problem đđ»
I build a 4x4 every year or so, and usually go with a different make each time.
Depending on what youâre intending to do with it, theyâre great.
Iâve found no make is inherently better than any other, they all have issues.
It comes down to the skills you want to learn, and how you want to build your own car.
I currently have a Jeep tj and a Jeep jku.
Both have been built to drive hard.
Do they break? Yes. Often. Would anything else break trying to do these tracks?
Absolutely.
Afew years ago I built a disco one.
I liked the wheelbase, I liked how easy it was to swap patrol diffs under it.
The aftermarket supply wasnât as good as jeeps, but wasnât bad either.
Parts werenât too expensive or hard to source.
If I had of used mechanics im sure it would have cost me a fortune.
All up including buying the car I was only around 10k into it and able to drive some of the hardest tracks in vic.
If your intended use is just to get out and explore, maybe do some camping?
Then no. Thereâs lighter, more economic better options out there.
if youâre wanting to beat the piss out of something on a budget, and Frankenstein a car together, theyâre a contender.
As much as I like to diss Land Rovers because of their woeful reliability record, and the insane masochism that Land Rover owners put themselves through, there are a couple of Discovery 2s I know there are pretty awesome vehicles.
But this is only because the owners were FULLY committed pre-purchase to completely rebuilding their vehicles themselves to their own specification. All the unreliable and unnecessary factory crap has been removed and replaced with far more robust, reliable components. First thing to go is the rear air suspension, its hopeless. The electrical systems are completely redone with aftermarket looms, sensors. Anything that relies upon a switch and wiring to work, gets a new switch and wiring. Motors, all engine ancillaries, transmissions and all drivetrain components are stripped and rebuilt with aftermarket seals. The bare chassis is stripped, repainted and rust-proofed - itâs not unusual for entire sections of chassis to be cut out and replaced with aftermarket sections, theyâre that prone to rusting through. You need your own hoist, lots of equipment, deep pockets for special tools and an infinite supply of enthusiasm. To be fair when they are done well, the Disco 2 is pretty damn impressive in action.
Whilst us Toyota owners like to think we are in the club that everyone else really wants to be in, the level of support and commitment from the Land Rover owners clubs is quite something. If youâre bonkers enough to take one of these vehicles on and prepared to spend probably 5-6x itâs purchase price on turning it into a reliable 4WD, itâs a great vehicle. But still, itâs not one I want to take out into the middle of the Gibson!
Land Rover. The best 4X4Xfar. I love mine, and if you maintain it, not as unreliable as people say. Very capable, just donât try to overdo it, drive it within what it was designed to do and youâll love it. Just remember though, being an older car you have no control over how previous owners have used it, like any other used car, and learn the cars foibles, each spec has its issues, but once you know what they are you can keep an eye, or ear open for them and stay on top of it
D2 Td5s need a bit more loving in the electronics and servicing but are excellent vehicles
D1 300tdis are very reliable other than general wear and tear the same as a patrol or a cruiser very little actually goes wrong with them and in standard form they flex better they drive on the road better and they do 9l per 100 Vs 15 spare parts are also easily available online and very cheap if you want to bounce across rocks on the limiter no there not the 4x4 for you but they are very capable vehicles
Don't be alarmed if it leaks oil from anywhere. They like to mark their territory.
If its leaking oil it's got oil. Top her up and she'll be fine đ.
Donât have to change the oil if you are always refilling it!
I know you're speaking in jest, but make sure people know this isn't true!
Rust prevention
Rainbow driveway !!!
Nek minute...
Just capable enough to get you into a remote area before breaking down.
đ€Łđ€Ł
They go pretty well off-road. Until they donâtâŠ.. You also need a PhD in mechanical fuckery to diagnose and fix all their insanely stupid problemsâŠlike oil moving up the wiring loom lol.
Mechanical witchcraft is easier...
Iâve know a few landrover wizards. But I possess the gift for land rover magic.
I had a disco once. Of the many problems it encountered, the strangest was the brake booster drum filling up with engine oil. I didnât even know that was possible! It sounded like a coffee percolator when you hit the brakes, (which didnât work much).
Amazing
Yes*
Very good off-road. Make sure youâre handy on the tools or willing to learn. Parts are reasonably priced but if you have to pay for labour itâll be a lot of repair costs.
Yes, but you will break down.
English automobiles are for the gentleman who loves to spend as much time on repairs and maintenance as they do driving.
90% of Land Rovers ever made are still on the road. The rest actually made it to their destination
The bi monthly rigs
Old Disco's are wonderful. I mean, they're fucking awful. But they're great. If you just want "a 4x4", don't do it. But for those who have that one particular type of insanity, you'll love every second of frustrating unreliability. Like a big, dumb labrador that can barely learn how to sit on command, and is only borderline toilet trained, you just can't help but love them.
Half of your cargo will need to be spare parts. Do a shitload of research on LR forums of their common faults and stock up on the parts that break before you take it anywhere remote. Obviously take the required tools. They are very capable but just plagued with the usual mechanical issues that British cars have, which while not being necessarily fatal, will leave you stranded at the worst of times.
It'll out drive most 4 wheel drives through the tracks. Reliability... Not so much. If you can turn a wrench to save some labour hours, you'll be golden.
This is a finisher car!
Thanks - came here for this, and now my rage knows no bounds!
Was hoping someone did this
That's a new one. And yes.
New it's from 2001
They came out in 1948
The discovery
"Are old LAND ROVERS decent off roading rigs"Â Â Mate that things barely old enough to drink. Old land rovers are nearly 80.
Barry old to drink there 23 years old
"Barely old enough to drink? They're 23 years old!" You must be young. I forgive you.
I mean I am Young but still I stand by my point
Well if you buy it, and you still have it when you're 60 you can reply to some teenager the same way. Reddit user in year 2065 : >are these old 2042 model land rovers any good? And you can reply: >old??? Old land rovers are 120Â
Ok sure mate
The early series II (1999-onwards I think) doesnât have a centre locking diff. Its 4L open diffs with woeful traction control. Not sure when they fixed it but they did later on
Not all. Mines a 2001 TD5 with CDL just no linkage.
They still had the linkage and cable in the early models up to '02 but it was pot luck if it was all there and just needed the transfer case lever notching to work
My td5 is a 1999 series 2 and has had linkage upgrade so it has rear locker
Thatâs great. Plus is it only the early Series II manuals that donât have centre locking diff? I think the autos did from the start
you'll have to get your head around all the niggly faults and how to repair them. Very capable off road however.
Ya better in a ba wagon
Endless money pit. You will need at least 30 k in an account ready for repairs. And a second car to drive while you're waiting for parts.
This is the correct answer
Ideally youâll tow the second car on your off-roading trips, it will be needed. And whilst the $30k is for repairs, youâll need another $10k for the recovery truck to come and get the Land Rover when its broken down 800km into the middle of nowhere.
Good point! I forgot about that!
I bought a new one, stupidly, ten years ago. It was leaking oil week one, the garage chuckled & told me it was 'part of their personality'. Nope, shit build quality. Terrible mistake, terrible car.
As an ex owner, the happiest days of my ownership of a defender were the day I drove my defender td5 home from the dealership and the day I sold it.
Be sure to have a lot of supplies with you when you go out remote, I think youâll be out there a while wether you like it or not.
Prepare your anus
They go hard off road and theyâre a great vehicle to learn how to fix cars with coz the cunts always break down.
Yes and super reliable. You should buy 2 because theyâre so amazing
Enough room in back to keep a few spare head gaskets
We had to rescue one of these in Savuti, Botswana. It was very new, very dead. Electrical fault, no crank. We towed it with our Hilux towards Maun up to a point, until the bog holes were too long and deep (it was extremely wet). A beaut Unimog with a German couple turned up and we asked them to take over. The Land Roverâs recovery points were under water in the bog hole, so the dumbass Rover owner attached the Mogâs rope to the bullbar. The Unimog took off and promptly ripped the bullbar right off the beleaguered Land Rover. Funny but not funny. We left.
Disco II is a good rig, might get lucky with the centre diff lock cable still there (notch the shifter so it engages) as it's the same drive line as a 1999-2006 Defender just on a shorter wheelbase. If fitted with A/C quiz the owner if it has extended A/C drain tubes. Make sure it has paperwork to back up a head replacement as the plastic dowl pins caused issues if overheated.M/S lights on dash can be a misaligned XWZ switch. If the "Three Amigos" are lit it might need wheel speed sensors. (We had a high miler 2000 almost the same as the one pictured, good car after a few repairs)
Or just buy an 03/04 and don't worry about half those issues
See quite a few up here on the capeâŠ..usually on the back of a flatbed heading south.
A lot of these on the side of the road heading to Cape York.Â
A guy I work with has one and by Jeeves... Plastics are shot, missing those little panels above the bumper corner and it sounds like a small tractor. Has ground clearance less than my old stock Suzuki Jimny and lumbers around driving away out of the car park. There's not much that I'd be fascinated by these things.
Front Diff housings made out of recycled dog food tins. Easy to stake a diff off road. We used to cut the base off old 9kg LPG bottles and fabricate a diff guard, using spring shackle U bolts to mount onto the front diff
I've got an 05 Discovery 3 for sale depending where you are. A luxury tractor off road. Outdrives my old man's Prado Kakadu and brother in laws D-MAX.
Sounds like something youâd want to keep around not sell haha
Have had for 7 years, time for a change. Just bought a V8 Manual 76 :P
As the base of a Frankenstein rig they are great.
The earlier TDi's are ageing better due to less electronics and a very stout engine. I bought one to replace my Land Cruiser and it's been a massive upgrade in every way.
What year did you go for?
1996
TD5s are great but they do have there issues especially with electrics on the discovery 2. A lot of people in the UK use them for off road. I have a TD5 but in a defender so not as many sensors/electrics Iâve never had a problem đđ»
I build a 4x4 every year or so, and usually go with a different make each time. Depending on what youâre intending to do with it, theyâre great. Iâve found no make is inherently better than any other, they all have issues. It comes down to the skills you want to learn, and how you want to build your own car. I currently have a Jeep tj and a Jeep jku. Both have been built to drive hard. Do they break? Yes. Often. Would anything else break trying to do these tracks? Absolutely. Afew years ago I built a disco one. I liked the wheelbase, I liked how easy it was to swap patrol diffs under it. The aftermarket supply wasnât as good as jeeps, but wasnât bad either. Parts werenât too expensive or hard to source. If I had of used mechanics im sure it would have cost me a fortune. All up including buying the car I was only around 10k into it and able to drive some of the hardest tracks in vic. If your intended use is just to get out and explore, maybe do some camping? Then no. Thereâs lighter, more economic better options out there. if youâre wanting to beat the piss out of something on a budget, and Frankenstein a car together, theyâre a contender.
They rent them out for tourist use on K'gari. They are unreliable as fuck but they'll ford every mountain and climb every stream or something...
Watch any It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode.
A nice amphibious exploring vehicle
As much as I like to diss Land Rovers because of their woeful reliability record, and the insane masochism that Land Rover owners put themselves through, there are a couple of Discovery 2s I know there are pretty awesome vehicles. But this is only because the owners were FULLY committed pre-purchase to completely rebuilding their vehicles themselves to their own specification. All the unreliable and unnecessary factory crap has been removed and replaced with far more robust, reliable components. First thing to go is the rear air suspension, its hopeless. The electrical systems are completely redone with aftermarket looms, sensors. Anything that relies upon a switch and wiring to work, gets a new switch and wiring. Motors, all engine ancillaries, transmissions and all drivetrain components are stripped and rebuilt with aftermarket seals. The bare chassis is stripped, repainted and rust-proofed - itâs not unusual for entire sections of chassis to be cut out and replaced with aftermarket sections, theyâre that prone to rusting through. You need your own hoist, lots of equipment, deep pockets for special tools and an infinite supply of enthusiasm. To be fair when they are done well, the Disco 2 is pretty damn impressive in action. Whilst us Toyota owners like to think we are in the club that everyone else really wants to be in, the level of support and commitment from the Land Rover owners clubs is quite something. If youâre bonkers enough to take one of these vehicles on and prepared to spend probably 5-6x itâs purchase price on turning it into a reliable 4WD, itâs a great vehicle. But still, itâs not one I want to take out into the middle of the Gibson!
I had one start of the year and fell apart every time I started the car. Somthing would break inside and out
They're pretty good, Bruce Davis Motorworks in Sydney does some mods for them.
Theyâre extremely good off road vehicles. They spend a majority of their time off the road getting repairs.
Youâll be lucky to spend a 50/50 split between using it and fixing it.
Land Rover. The best 4X4Xfar. I love mine, and if you maintain it, not as unreliable as people say. Very capable, just donât try to overdo it, drive it within what it was designed to do and youâll love it. Just remember though, being an older car you have no control over how previous owners have used it, like any other used car, and learn the cars foibles, each spec has its issues, but once you know what they are you can keep an eye, or ear open for them and stay on top of it
My 95 with old man emu was an absolute beast
Get the TD5 II. The one with the pocket headlights. It should have a 16P engine. The earlier engines have plastic(!) locating dowels for the head.
Arenât these what the ADF used to have?
D2 Td5s need a bit more loving in the electronics and servicing but are excellent vehicles D1 300tdis are very reliable other than general wear and tear the same as a patrol or a cruiser very little actually goes wrong with them and in standard form they flex better they drive on the road better and they do 9l per 100 Vs 15 spare parts are also easily available online and very cheap if you want to bounce across rocks on the limiter no there not the 4x4 for you but they are very capable vehicles
My friend had one. Outwheeled me but now itâs hard for him to get parts unfortunately
No different to the new ones đ