codfather79

Well-Known Member
Morning all.

There is something missing in my life.
The thing missing is a green oval.
I ditched the disco2 5 years ago as I desperately needed cash to replace the injectors on my van (van = work and earns money, disco = fun and costs money).
I went 6 months before picking up a basket case 1.8 hippo but after a year that really had to go!

After sorting my life out (Getting on top of the mortgage, working my butt off and generally being very grown up and sensible with my spending) I am back in a position to have another oil leaking monster on the driveway!

First thoughts were a 110 Defender but I like creature comforts and by the time I had added up the required modifications I was in the 20K bracket and to be honest, I dont want to spend that much, certainly not in one go!
So, I got round to another D2.

Madness? Probably!
So, where to start?
The right one to buy. I am familiar with the TD5 engine so that wins over a v8 petrol.
Ace? Is it that good? My old D2 had it and I really did not notice a difference between that and my old D1 that did not have it. Given that what I will be buying will be at least 17 years old, how costly will the ACE be to overhaul? Im guessing that it will be knackered or close to knackered by now!
The TD5 engine. At over 150,000 miles, just how much will I need to replace?
Aside from the obvious service items, I was thinking of new injectors + seals + wiring loom. New water pump, oil pump, belts, pulleys and tensioners. New hoses, up rated Manifold and bolts, Uprated Intercooler and radiator. Also, would it be a good idea to replace the turbo, maybe an uprated version?
These are things I am capable of doing myself. Are there any things inside the engine that should be done? Ill have to sub these out to people with the ability and tools to complete internal works!

Drive train.
I have had to replace 2 front props on the old D2, so up grading to HD ones seems a good idea?
Also thinking of having the clutch replaced and the gearbox (manual) overhauled. Again, not a job for me!
Are there many problems with the axel's? Is an axel refurbishment something ill have to budget for?

The chassis.
It will be rotten, I know it will be rotten. So the first job will be sending the 'new' D2 off to have a galvanised chassis fitted. Whilst its away, I may as well get it polly bushed and get the springs/air replaced and new shocks fitted.
Should I get the new chassis wax oiled? I live on the sea front!

Is there anything I have missed?

The budget is not bottomless.
I was hoping to carry out most of the work within the first two years of ownership allowing 3 to 5K a year.
Is this realistic?

Many thanks
Shirl
 
Why not buy mine.
2002 td5 gs. 119k. No rust, solid chassis. 2nd owner from new. Very well maintained. Excellent condition all round. Only every failed 1 mot and that was before i owned it.
Just bought a Freelander 2 so Disco has to go ☹️
 
I would at least double that budget for the work you describe cos you'll find other stuff to fix/replace along the way. How much does a new chassis cost? Good luck with it in any event, I admire your spirit.

Col
 
I would at least double that budget for the work you describe cos you'll find other stuff to fix/replace along the way. How much does a new chassis cost? Good luck with it in any event, I admire your spirit.

Col

Got to be looking at 3.5K for a chassis and around 2K to fit it?

Im just desperate for another Land Rover and see the D2 as my only option.
If I was sensible I would look at a F2 but they just don't do it for me.
I should never have sold my 2a SWB!
 
Got to be looking at 3.5K for a chassis and around 2K to fit it?

Im just desperate for another Land Rover and see the D2 as my only option.
If I was sensible I would look at a F2 but they just don't do it for me.
I should never have sold my 2a SWB!
Don't you fancy a series 3. They don't have the road manners or performance of a disco but they are cheap and easy to fix.

Col
 
Don't you fancy a series 3. They don't have the road manners or performance of a disco but they are cheap and easy to fix.

Col

Not really! :) If had space to keep a 'strictly for fun' vehicle I may entertain a Series Land Rover again, but I have become accustom to creature comforts!
Things like power steering, heated seats, air con etc are not accessories, they are essentials! That was one of the reasons for picking a D2 over a Defender.
I had contemplated a D3 but the horror stories put me off!
 
You forgot the sills :D
Why all the "uprated" stuff? Is it to be a daily runner or a play machine?

I did galv chassis, new shocks, new bushes, new donut, new arb etc for around the £3k mark but that was without labour charges, and took a loooong time
:)
 
You forgot the sills :D
Why all the "uprated" stuff? Is it to be a daily runner or a play machine?

I did galv chassis, new shocks, new bushes, new donut, new arb etc for around the £3k mark but that was without labour charges, and took a loooong time
:)

I have a van as my daily runner and the D2 would be a 'fun' truck but would get weekly use. Sometimes doing long (200+ mile runs, maybe even trips to Norway if other things happen!) Hence the rejection of Series Land Rovers (previous posts).
No serious off roading but needs to go off road for my fishing and shooting.
The 'uprated' stuff was an attempt at improvement and hoped for longevity! Or as usual am I wasting my money?
 
I have a van as my daily runner and the D2 would be a 'fun' truck but would get weekly use. Sometimes doing long (200+ mile runs, maybe even trips to Norway if other things happen!) Hence the rejection of Series Land Rovers (previous posts).
No serious off roading but needs to go off road for my fishing and shooting.
The 'uprated' stuff was an attempt at improvement and hoped for longevity! Or as usual am I wasting my money?
It's hard to put a price on a dream. Even if you spend more than planned and end up selling it after a few years, at least you will have lived your dream for a while. These sort of decisions depend on whether you are ruled by your head or your heart.

Col
 
Ruled by my head, but I have given up a lot of hobbies to concentrate on just 3. Of those 3, owing a Land Rover again is included.
 
I don’t think your being stupid. Sounds like you’ve prioritized the correct things and now you’ve got to a place where you can have something you enjoy. Fair play. I wouldn’t even bother second guessing what you’ll need to do. I’d just get the best I could find structurally and mechanically looked after, then keep topping up your disco kitty and just budget in to do bits as you go. So many people buy landys, spend money on lift kits, racks, silly tyres etc but don’t freshen up the tired 15+ old bits and start with a solid base before the shiny bits. Landy magpies lol.
You may find one where chassis is fine also. I use my defender for shoots, farmland and fishing too. I run standard suspension, normal grabbers etc. it doesn’t get stuck and I think is bloody good in standard form.
Point is, instead of throwing money on upgrades etc, bank the money for things like clutch or transfer box/diff/unexpected expense.
You’ll defo enjoy the project with a van for daily too. Means you can leave jobs to wait for parts, calm down etc and still have a vehicle in mean time
 
I love my D2, even though I have a small issue at the moment with the RF receiver. I chose a good vehicle with low mileage, no sunroofs and a great chassis.
I've taken the head off the TD5 motor and replaced the plastic dowels, new head gasket and flushed through with new antifreeze. I've Taken the sump off and checked and locked the oil pump bolt. All usual ABS and EGR mods, new +2" springs all round and cleaned down and waxoyl to the chassis inside and out.
Its a great car but if I were in your position of starting again and looking for a toy and some big work I'd seriously be looking for a series2a/3, probably a little 2.25 petrol and doing a new chassis up rebuild.
 
Thanks for the input so far.
Ill be back later, but now I have to go and tidy up my workshop/garage.
It will be about 2degC out there today!
 
Ruled by my head, but I have given up a lot of hobbies to concentrate on just 3. Of those 3, owing a Land Rover again is included.
Go for it. My lovely wife had been going on about going on a cruise and I saved up for it but then I spotted a series 3 I liked the look of so I used the money for that instead. Now we cruise to Sainsburies in it so a result all round.

Col
 
What about a really nice Jap import? Mainly V8 models coming over but a good supplier could source a Td5. Normally rust free and low mileage.
On the other hand, check auto trader, really nice low mileage examples turn up. I'd still want to check the chassis carefully but if not abused they should be reliable.
 

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