I'm thinking of buying a Disco 2 with the TD5 engine. The model I'm looking at is the ES auto. How does the 4 wheel drive system work? I mean can it be selected/deselected or is it locked permanently in 4 wheel drive (If so, what is the second smaller gear lever for beside the main gear stick?). I hope there is nothing like a viscous coupling as on the Freelander! Is it a good idea to aim for a disco that has had the rear suspension modified back to springs? Any advice and things to look out for when viewing a disco?
Thanks
Clive

All discoverys are permantly in 4 wheel drive, the smaller lever is for hi and low ratio gears, D1s had difllock also selectable on the small gearstick, but i think all the D2s have traction control so difflock is not needed, Yes the airbags can fail so a sprung one would be a better buy, lookout for rusty chassis and leaky sunroofs

Central different lock is a bit complicated on D2s.

Early ones had the internals to lock the central diff so all that was needed was the linkages so some have been converted.

The locking internals were left out in later D2s but then later fully functioning CDL was offered as a option.

A D2 may or may not have CDL but as said the small lever selects high or low ratio.

If your going for a 2002MY (Face Lift) then diff lock was an option for the ES along with all the other models. For the 2003MY & 2004MY ES models had diff lock is standard, it was an option on all other models.

As the others have said, the Disco 2 has the permanent 4 wheel drive system, and it doesn't involve a VCU. As also said the small lever selects between the high and low ratio gear ranges.

If the Centre Diff Lock system is fitted, that lever is also used to select or deselect it. The workings might be in the transfer box but the external linkage might be missing, only a physical examination will confirm that.

As far as the rear suspension goes, there are some who will cry out that air suspension is the work of the devil and should be removed as soon as possible, then there are others who will say that the system is well worthwhile and in fact quite easy to use and maintain, I'm in that camp, mine has only played up once, so I didn't argue, I just changed both airbags and I've had no trouble since.

If the vehicle has ACE (Active Cornering Enhancement) check that there are no oil leaks from the active anti-roll bar rams or the pipework, and while you're under there check around for rust.

Advice for viewing a Disco:-

Check for rust, especially around the rear cross member

Check that all the electrics work as they should, it can be expensive to fix some things.

Check for rust, especially around the rear cross member

Check for water ingress, damp carpets, water stains on the headlining.

Check for rust, especially around the rear cross member

On the engine, check for major oil leaks, traces of water in the oil, check the coolant for traces of exhaust fumes.

Check for rust, especially around the rear cross member

Oh, yes, check for rust!

I would head straight for the chassis rails where they rise up over the rear axle, they rust from the inside and the seams burst.. and study the service history..

Check the oil for smell of diesel which may indicate leaking injector seals.
Check for rough idle which may mean that oil has got into the ECU by capillary action along the injector harness.