The perfect D2?

Hi folks

Can anyone help with this, after a Disco 2 preferably face lift but not essential, I 100% want the centre diff lock though. Have looked at loads of threads on here, is the only way to be sure it's fully there that it has the markings on the lever? I don't really want to fit it after buying tbh.

Thought that all the face lift ones had it but not so sure now, can see me having to ask sellers if it's on the lever before travelling to look at anything.

Also not so keen on the ace system is that going to be another go look see if it's fitted?

Have loads of great advice on buying from other threads just can't nail these two down.

Want to stop looking start playing after a keeper so trying to list in order of importance things to service /replace/upgrade before failure also.
Opinions on better options welcomed

Thanks in advance for any help

Early Facelift didn't have it fitted, nor did they have the internals in the transfer box to allow retrofitting. Later facelifts had it as an option, and so if it says it on the lever, it has it. Pre facelifts had the internals, but I don't think you could get the right lever factory fitted.

That said, many people have already done the retro fit, and will have the correct lever with the markings, so as you say, ask the seller for a photo of the lever - if it doesn't have the markings, it won't be there.

I'd think again about your aversion to ACE. It's a brilliant system that helps the car enormously at speed, and because it doesn't activate below 10mph it increases articulation when off-roading. In both situations, it's better than a solid anti-roll bar. A car that has ACE fitted and working will have a twin reservoir for power steering and ACE. The only to check however that it has been removed is to look in the RH wheel well: if there is a hydraulic ram, it's still fitted.

So what's to stop the seller from changing the knob to one showing the diff-lock markings? My RRC didn't have any markings
Better to have a photo showing the diff lock light illuminated.

A bit like in the Ford Sierra days, when cars with four speed boxes but with a gear knob showing five so to increase the sale price in an auction.

Thank you lots for the replies

It's a bloody mine field lol will certainly have another look at the ace just thought it something else to go wrong that I didn't really need, but I do like a progressive drive on the road.

I don't mind travelling to the other end of the country for the right one, lol at the Sierra gear knobs there are some naughty tricks out there.

think ask to see both and still check it engages properly, mind you my 300tdi had it apparently but the leaver/linkage was jammed :-/ ito not easy to spot from underneath is it?

So far I haven't seen any trader or ebay advertised as having it, guess not everyone would be bothered so don't see it as a selling point.


Can I just confirm if any knows did the later face lift models that could have it as an option have the internals not just the lever/linkage ?
Seen a couple of 03/04 models that really look the part would be a pain if everything else was perfect just this one point :-/

DnLegacy said:

So far I haven't seen any trader or ebay advertised as having it, guess not everyone would be bothered so don't see it as a selling point.

Can I just confirm if any knows did the later face lift models that could have it as an option have the internals not just the lever/linkage ?
Seen a couple of 03/04 models that really look the part would be a pain if everything else was perfect just this one point :-/

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The 2002MY diff lock was an option on all models, 2003MY ES had it as standard all other models it was an option and on the 2004MY definitive editions (Landmark, Pursuit etc) only the ES Premuim had it as standard all the others it was an option.

D2 diff lock was a factory fit option, never a dealer fit one

Ive never had a D2 but always amused that some D2 owners don't know the correct spec of the vehicle.

Ive just bought a D2 and like you wanted one without ACE but ended up with it. I am very impressed with it as it makes a tremendous difference and keeps the car impressively flat. I bought pre facelift to avoid having the headlamps pinched as its rife around Yorkshire. As above I would think again on the ACE.

Thanks again folk's will definitely reconsider the ace then, especially as I like the extra articulation idea, even if never used I can just tell people about it lol ��

Did read about the headlight theft issues, really ****es me off that, as im sure it does everyone! might wire the screws up to 240 volts. Only found out the other day just how easy the lights in my work defender are to remove.

Guess as plan on keeping it long term a Clifford alarm with the proxy sensors might be a wise investment.

Now the biggest question that there seems to be no 100% answer to its how best to protect the chassis but that can wait until I have one to work that out huge thanks again

I have a late 2003 D2 ES and mine has SLS, ACE, and centre diff lock.

I did fit cruise as well

Cruise didn't think of that I am lazy will even use it in a 30, is that on an auto though?
Has to be harder to retrofit to a manual, I'm thinking manual for less likely to give me issues way down the line.

DnLegacy said:

Cruise didn't think of that I am lazy will even use it in a 30, is that on an auto though?
Has to be harder to retrofit to a manual, I'm thinking manual for less likely to give me issues way down the line.

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manuals tend to go through more boxes and flywheels

Cruise is literally two switches and a hole in the steering wheel.

jamesmartin said:

manuals tend to go through more boxes and flywheels

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Oh :-/ is that common? I think I would prefer an auto was just thinking of potential big bills in the future if the auto failed.

Very good news about the cruise years ago I had a car that someone had converted from auto to manual :-/ the cruise would still work but if I forgot and dipped the clutch all hell broke loose lol old battered 525tds

DnLegacy said:

Oh :-/ is that common? I think I would prefer an auto was just thinking of potential big bills in the future if the auto failed.

Very good news about the cruise years ago I had a car that someone had converted from auto to manual :-/ the cruise would still work but if I forgot and dipped the clutch all hell broke loose lol old battered 525tds

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autos arent that dearer to fix ,especially when you add in cost of dmf

Ref the headlight issues if the screws had the centre drilled out so they couldn't be undone could you get a dremel into them to cut a slot if you wanted to remove them for any reason? Just a thought..

ere James - whats the effect of removing the rear gearbox damper?

The Mad Hat Man said:

ere James - whats the effect of removing the rear gearbox damper?

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from the back of the t/box ,usually you can feel some vibration

Cool again thank you for the heads up will have a drive in an auto see if I get on with it.

jamesmartin said:

from the back of the t/box ,usually you can feel some vibration

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how critical is it - coz i know someone where the bolts have sheared and the damper is about to fall off .

drilling out the bolts will be a bugger . easier to leave it off if it aint that important

its not important ,but worth refitting sometime