This is how I first got it in early October 2025. $1400 and non running, but overall in decent shape with no rust

This is how it sits now a few weeks later. New crankshaft position sensor, new ECU and BCU, and new upper windshield finisher and it runs and should hopefully leak a bit less.

New BFG KO3 tires in 265/75/r16. There's a tiny bit of rubbing, but the planned lift will fix that.

 

Very nice! My first Dll was a SD 2001. Which was nice, had locking CDL...just needed to add the mechanism to engage. Loved the no sunroof, too...no leaks. Still have a soft spot in my heart for that 01. Now, the two 03's and one 04 we had...was more of a soft spot in my head from beating it against the wall sometimes...lol. No, actually...only one gave me grief.

My 01 build. She was a beast...with the M/T's, CDL and Traction Control.






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Looking forward to following along on your build.

 

Looks cool! What are the plans?

 

That's a solid build and actually pretty close to what I'm wanting to do though I still need one rear seat for my kid who is loving the Disco so far. A CDL lever is on the list, but I'm not sure if I want to buy the whole mechanism as they're pretty expensive these days or just rig something up

 

In the short term I'm thinking of switching to an electric fan, inline thermostat, and aluminum coolant reservoir along with a 2 or 3 inch lift. I'd like to eventually rig up solar to run a fridge and charge tools and electronics and build a platform for the rear with a drawer system to help keep stuff organized. For now I just have a Milwaukee pack out box I put some tools and spares in, which actually works pretty well. That's all aside from the extensive maintenance I need to catch up on since this thing came with no receipts for work done, but was too cheap and clean to pass up on.

 

I wouldn’t do either the electric fan or in line t stat until you find good OEM stuff isn’t sufficient. On every D2 I’ve owned, a new (and perhaps a bit more aggressive) fan clutch, soft spring 180F OEM t stat, new radiator, flowkooler water pump, and then 50/50 green stuff with some Water Wetter has allowed me to drive all through the mountains at freeway speeds- a good number of times towing- and rarely if ever go over 200F. I run both AC units as well. I’d make sure your condenser fan is working too.

If you are hooked, splurge for a Nanocom as they are invaluable in diagnosing.

I’m sure you know, but the Ultragauge or other means of monitoring temps are critical and will kinda prove what I was saying about temps. I’ve said once you catch up on the needed service, and address some OEM flaws, a D2 can be just as reliable as anything else on the road.

 

Going stock might save me some money so that's not a bad idea. I just need to make sure it can function in high temperatures since summers are often above 100F for long stretches. For radiators do you stick to OEM? A NanoCom and ultragauge are on the list for sure.

 

I’ve always used Nissens and had good results, but I’ve read a few reports of them not being so great recently. The key is a new one and a well flushed system.

We see triple digits a good bit over the summer and I’m at elevation if that helps at all. Commuting over the summer I’d hit just over 200F going uphill at around 7k feet and 75+ mph. The Ultragauge is a hard requirement before you drive it at all as they overheat very quickly if everything isn’t sorted in the cooling system.

Also, assuming you run AC a lot, making sure the condenser fan works is key. This is where the Nanocom can help verify and such.

You downloaded the Rave too, yes?

 

I'll have to do some research on those radiators, the one in there seems to be okay, but I might as well swap everything for piece of mind. I do have to do some work on the AC. The fan makes a loud buzzing sound when I turn the AC on so I haven't been running it, luckily it's been really nice outside so I can keep the windows open and I also have a daily driver so I'm not relying on the Disco. I'm going to work on fixing that though or it'll be undrivable in the summer. As far as the temperature goes I've been using my code reader for now which gives me some good info, but is not as easily readable as an ultragauge so that'll be a nice quality of life upgrades.

 

Got some new stuff in today. The boss head unit is pretty nice though the screen is a lot bigger than I expected. It's good to be able to ditch the cassette adapter and this is something I've been wanting to do to both my other discos, but never had a chance to. I'll have to figure out a better way to organize the cables, but I'm a bit under the weather and wasn't feeling up to it.

I also put in a new air filter, pollen filter, and intake tube to replace the crumbling garbage that was previously there. I also got in some brakes and filters for the engine and transmission which I'll be replacing once I'm feeling up to it.