Hey all,

Looks like I sold the jeep, so I'm moving over to LRs for a change of pace and much needed security / space for my cameras.

Anyway, did a search and found this list for a Range Rover, will most of it hold true for a '96ish Disco?



When you go to look at the truck:
1. Take it in and out of low range, should beep at you 2-3 times max. before changing range.
2. Ensure the windows and sunroofs work- window and S/R ecu's are EXPENSIVE
3. Check out the footwell on the passenger side for coolant (heater cores and the heater core o-rings can fall apart)
4. feel the air coming out of all vents; change the temperature and feel for different temps. Blend door motors are a bear to get to.... unless you cut the duct and cover it with duct tape. Both of these will trigger a "BOOK-EXPLANATION MARK" message on the HVAC display
5. bring a maglight and check the radiator for leaks, good way to look is through the blades of the fan.
6. Check around the heads and below the intake plenum for oil and coolant leaks.
7. The front cover, oil pan, and rear crucifix (cross seals) seals are known to seep.
8. The steering box (on the left frame rail) has high pressure hoses that pour ATF (yes, ATF) all over the front axle and left side of the frame... think corrosion protection.
9. Air suspension.... wow
raise the vehicle to the off road height, turn the car off, and leave one of the doors ajar (if you close the door the vehicle will auto level and if you have a leak, the car will keep auto leveling, and it won't be clear which bag is leaking) if the left rear sags... you know.....
a noisy EAS valve block under the hood driver's side, is usually fixed by flipping the bushing upside down.
10. Plus the other normal stuff when you look at a truck. Make sure the tires are worn evenly, service records are good, noises, vibrations, warning lights, smells, cats that are rattling, leaky diffs.


Thanks

Justin

1) differs somewhat, the disco has the LT 230 transfer case whereas the Rangie has a cháin driven Borg Warner unit.

9) No EAS on Disco. It may have the active cornering stuff though, and I guess that can fail as well in an expensive way.

The rest should be pretty similar.

don't trust the guy that wrote that
rumor has it he's not trusting his own advice and getting another rangie!


Seriously though, on a '96 Disco you're looking at a truck that has no distributor, only a coil pack on the back end of the engine compartment. Kind of unfamiliar territory for those that are used to older tech stuff.
Discos of that vintage are pretty simple tho'... test drive it and listen for noise like you would with any other truck, look for coolant seeping from between the block and the head on the left bank near the back of the engine.
steering box and lines should leak. this will ensure proper rust prevention for generations to come.

speaking of which, check for corrosion in the rear doors where the al-uuuu-min-e-um meets the steel. The rear door hinges are prolly shot and the top of the rear door is prolly not making contact with the rubber moulding.... check for rust under the carpets.... ask brooksy how bad the floorboards on these bitches can rust.

Thanks,

I'm looking at 2 rovers, one from SOCAL and the other from Nevada. I assumed that rust wasn't an issue because both are fairly dry states.

Justin


Originally posted by 10spline
don't trust the guy that wrote that
rumor has it he's not trusting his own advice and getting another rangie!


Seriously though, on a '96 Disco you're looking at a truck that has no distributor, only a coil pack on the back end of the engine compartment. Kind of unfamiliar territory for those that are used to older tech stuff.
Discos of that vintage are pretty simple tho'... test drive it and listen for noise like you would with any other truck, look for coolant seeping from between the block and the head on the left bank near the back of the engine.
steering box and lines should leak. this will ensure proper rust prevention for generations to come.

speaking of which, check for corrosion in the rear doors where the al-uuuu-min-e-um meets the steel. The rear door hinges are prolly shot and the top of the rear door is prolly not making contact with the rubber moulding.... check for rust under the carpets.... ask brooksy how bad the floorboards on these bitches can rust.

Two things to remember about buying a Range Rover.

1. Pre-ABS for sure. You will get the good t-case and won't have to worry about ABS failures. Late '89's had the 3.9l motor, as well as some '91 Hunter models.

2. Buy one as close to stock condition as you can. Don't buy from a used car lot, buy out of the paper from someone who has a garage full of other expensive cars (Benz, BMW, Porsche, etc...). This will ensure low mileage and dealer maintenance.

Welcome to the dark side!

:flipoff2:

Three words:

rust
rust
rust

Everything else is dead easy, to work on and parts are cheap (you'd be surprised how many parts you can get at autozone and Napa). That said, replacement body panels are pricey ($500 or so for an upper tailgate, floorboard sets will run you $300 a side unless you use a metal filing cabinet that was in the garage when you bought the house and you don't need). For a truck that you shouldn't pay more than $2K for, typical rust repairs can quickly double your initial investment

'89s had the BW and no ABS . . .

Originally posted by Serious One
Two things to remember about buying a Range Rover.

1. Pre-ABS for sure. You will get the good t-case and won't have to worry about ABS failures. Late '89's had the 3.9l motor, as well as some '91 Hunter models.

2. Buy one as close to stock condition as you can. Don't buy from a used car lot, buy out of the paper from someone who has a garage full of other expensive cars (Benz, BMW, Porsche, etc...). This will ensure low mileage and dealer maintenance.

Welcome to the dark side!

:flipoff2:


shhhhh....shut up, Mike! I'm trying to close the deal... :laughing:

I'm staying out of this one, I know both of you guys.

:D

I'm staying out of this one, I know both of you guys.
You think that makes you special?
HA!
Serious one = not special!

Originally posted by 10spline

You think that makes you special?
HA!
Serious one = not special!

oooooooo!!!...you can't sit next to 10Spline on the short bus!!!

Originally posted by DieLucas!


oooooooo!!!...you can't sit next to 10Spline on the short bus!!!

lol :D

Dude, I *drive* the short bus...remember?

:D

I thought you drove the Ice Cream Truck?


Originally posted by Serious One
Dude, I *drive* the short bus...remember?

:D

Some serious advice here on Pirate! :flipoff2:

Originally posted by wilsby
Some serious advice here on Pirate! :flipoff2:

[teenager_in_a_daze]

Huh...:confused:

[/9Volt]