I'm in the market for a new 4x4 and a '95-'96 Disco is high on the list. My question comes from lurking here and Discoweb for a few weeks now so here it goes...

How reliable is the LR drivetrain? Particulary the V-8's and auto trannies.

I'm coming from a Jeep background, where 200,000+ miles is common place with regular maintenance, yet I've read many times here that "Rovers break down even new".

My next 4x4 will wear 35"-37" rubber, 5.38ish gears, lockers, D44/8.8"/9" axles, and armor. Its got to be able to withstand the AZ rocks.

Opinions?

FWIW - the engine is about as reliable as the 4.0 straight six you may be used to. Cannot compare auto transmissions - the ZF4HP22 is better than 999 or 904 in early XJs, don't know about later. The LT230 t-case is better by far and large than NP231, or even 242 - but noisier, being gear-driven.

The axles - you should know the story by now; but I still prefer working on Rover axles. Build your very own 9" :)

they suck - don't buy one :rolleyes:

they suck - don't buy one :rolleyes:

Yeah, what he said! My truck has only lasted 210K miles (insert Ron's obligatory "hour of wrenching per one hundred miles driven" comment).

They will drive you nuts wiht minor issues like leaking sunroofs and breaking window regulators. The electrics could only have been built by someone who denied the existence of electrons. Coachwork only a draftsman or cubist could love. Supposeldy flimsy axles (I have yet to break one). Expensive and sometimes hard to find parts. Servicing by independents is only available from very quirky individuals, some of whom will run you off, others will invite you into their families.

Lastly, if you don't wish to become a member of a cult, don't buy a Rover!

Nope, doesn't sound like a vehicle I'd like to own.

Peace,
PT

ps-Search Newbie! :flipoff2:

My next 4x4 will wear 35"-37" rubber, 5.38ish gears, lockers, D44/8.8"/9" axles, and armor. Its got to be able to withstand the AZ rocks.

Opinions?

If you have this in mind for a Disco, you will have removed pretty much the only thing that makes them iffy as a serious offroader - the stock axle guts. Search the board for Rover/9" conversion and fire up the welder !

You won't hurt the transfer case. If the auto box has been mantained well, it'll last a good long time - if not, :eek:

Yes, Rovers break down when they're new - and less so, the older they get and the more OEM electrical crap you tear off. PT knows the modern Rovers weakness - Brit sourced electrics, even from non-Brit companies. The horror !

If you go bigger them 35's, you're talking about a MAJOR body cut job - hell, I had to move my axle back to keep 33's out of the sheet metal...

If you have a "go-for-it" attiitude off road, you WILL smash/dent/destroy all sheet metal from the rear wheel arch back if you frequent tight, tough trails. it's kinda big back there :p

Make a mod list and go for it - and don't forget to post pix.

Oh yeah - after all those mods, a Disco is still an ass-dragging, low ground clearance pig - buy a Mog.... :grinpimp:

Well my last rig was an "ass draggin' low ground clearance pig" as well....it was a Cherokee XJ. Granted it had 33's, 6" lift, and armor :jeep:


I like unusual rigs, that was the reason I bought my XJ 5 years ago. No one was wheeling them and there was very little support for them. Now look, there are 25+ different companies making lifts for them now. Not to mention the scaggs of manufactures out there making everthing under the sun for them (actually I think its great the the rest of world finally caught on to the XJ platform).


Thats kinda the reason i'm looking at a Disco, its not something you see 4 or 5 of in any given parking lot.

If I were to build one, it would be an auto, with Waggy 44's, 3 links front and rear, and lifted/trimmed enough for at least 35's. So now I have another question...

Its been mentioned here before that its not a good idea to lift a Disco more than 4" as the center of gravity gets too high. Yet to achieve my goal I'll need at least 5.5" of lift. How adviseable is this?

I should note that I've never driven a Disco, so would any one in the Phoenix area be willing to give me test drive?




ps-Search Newbie!

I DO! Often! Why do think I have a low post count? 'Cause 99% of my questions are aswered by SEARCHING.

Its been mentioned here before that its not a good idea to lift a Disco more than 4" as the center of gravity gets too high. Yet to achieve my goal I'll need at least 5.5" of lift. How adviseable is this?

I'm not sure that issue is raised on this board as much as some "other places".

Disco bodies are alloy with steel roofs - that's where most of the high CG comments come from. Plus, if you look at all the crap some people pile on roof racks, it's a wonder they don't tip over on the street.

Many people here are running 4+ inches of suspension lift along with body lift. I wheel with one and never noticed him having any problems (well, once :D ). I have ~3.5" of suspension lift, have pegged my inclinometer at 45 degrees a number of time and never felt too concerned in the tip-over department.

As long as you don't run drop-out springs along with a big lift, I think you'll be fine (if you keep the crap IN the truck and not on TOP of it). IMO, uncaptivated springs can cause uncontrolled roll on tippy stuff, with resulting bad consequences.

i've never seen a ford 9" on a Disco... anyone have any pics?

"Blatant" on the board here lives in Phoenix (Scottsdale, IIRC), and he has my old Disco.. he's done a few things to it as well. i don't think he wheels it, and i'm not going to speak for him about giving you a ride, but he's a pretty chill dude.

oh, and as far as my experience with reliability...

if you understand what you're getting into, and don't expect it to run lika a honda, it really isn't a big deal.

my current Rangie is a fucking BUCKET, but it's easy to wrench on, parts aren't hard to come by (YMMV), and if you keep on top of it it'll wheel and wheel and wheel.

i'd look into a 4.6 shortblock... lotta guys on here say the performance isn't that much of a difference, but it was night and day over the 3.9 for me. you can get pretty good deals on them as well.

there's a full 4.6 longblock on ebay right now for $2500. consider that i bought my rangie as a runner for considerably less than that.

i like Discos too, but if you're on a budget RRCs are a blast to slap together.