Hi all,
I'm doing my homework before starting the hunt for a late model Disco 2 and I've been prowling the forums for a bit to pick up hints and tips. I noticed a thread from a couple of years back about first jobs to do when you've bought a Disco, but it was pretty much all about servicing.
I figure a good service, with all the filters, etc. and a gearbox flush is a given, so was wondering what would be the other top 3 things you'd do to a new purchase? Suspension bushes, remap, aftermarket additions/mods that improve things over stock, etc.?
Thanks,
Dave

After a full service as you've already said, engine oil, gearbox, transfer box and both axles the first thing to inspect is the condition of the chassis, particularly the rear half, then if all's well get it steam cleaned and protected with Dinitrol or Bilt-Hamber, inside and out.
The next things to get replaced to be on the safe side would be the rubber coupling on the back end of the rear prop shaft and then depending on whether they're fitted, replace both rear suspension air bags.
Depending on the age of the vehicle, especially earlier older Discos the might be a need to get the oil pump bolt checked for tightness and replaced if necessary. It might also be a reasonable idea to replace both the auxiliary drive belt and the drive belt tensioner.
Remove the red plug from the engine ECU and examine it for oil contamination. If there is an trace of oil then replacement of the injector harness will be necessary.
Other than those checks, sit back and wait a while to get used to the vehicle and you can make any decisions about what you'd like to do without the pressure.
Other jobs will pop up during normal running such as replacing the brake pads and if necessary the discs too.
There you go, that lot should keep you out of mischief for almost all of a weekend.

Replace or rebuild front prop to give grease points on all the joints not just the front one as per factory and go for the heavy duty one.
Get a proper fault code reader such as nanocom or hawkeye.
A D2 will keep you busy but a good one is easily worth the effort.

If you are going to off road or take it wading, then I would look at moving the ECU to a drier place.
But if you are thinking of getting an auto make sure any extension cable is made for use on an auto wiring loom.

There is a D2 purchasing guide, not definitive but not too bad if I do say so myself..LOL , it is a sticky on the disco page.

Cheers

As its an unknown, just service it then run it for a few months to get a feel for it, then if it turns out ot be a goodun you can spend safe in the knowledge you arent wasting your money.
If its a dog get rid and you wont be out of pocket to much.

Thanks for the feedback guys, really helping to build a picture of what it's like to own it of these. Certainly sounds like they're maintenance heavy, but that's fine as i enjoy wielding a spanner or two.
Thankfully rust shouldn't be a big issue as they don't salt the roads here. I'll still check though, obviously.
It would definitely be seeing some off-road use, including water crossings (one trip I'm keen to do has 23 river crossings each way! ), so handy to know about the ECU as the snorkel and transmission breathers seem to be the only things focused on when looking at going splashing.
Cheers