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Here's an overview of my journey to my 1997 Disco 1. I've been a Toyota guy since forever, have owned a 100-series Land Cruiser and daily drive a 4Runner but a good friend has a 2004 Disco II and has owned RRCs and a Series truck. Last year I was searching for an 80-Series Land Cruiser as a project truck, but when my friend let me borrow his Disco II for a couple days I was hooked.
At that time, I had been passing by a stock Disco I in the neighborhood for a year, it seemed to be sitting most of the time and not being used often. Covered in leaves and snow, rarely moved. I didn't know the owner so I left a paper note on the windshield and sure enough, he called me. It has been in his extended family since 1997, maintained at various Rover dealerships but severely lacking in TLC. 134K miles. The clearcoat on hood and roof were totally shot, both sunroofs were leaking, carpets full of mold and rusted floorboards. A quick test drive and $3600 cash and the truck was mine!
In the last year I've been daily driving it and making my way through some maintenence and upgrades. Here's what's been done so far:
New sparkplugs/wires
Nissen radiator, hoses and water pump and thermostat
Pulled out trunk and front carpets, floorboards were rusted through in several places
Baja roof rack and Hella lights
Terrafirma 2" lift, caster corrected bars
Tom Woods front driveshaft
Wolf wheels and XZL Tires
Alignment
Cheap front and rear bumpers (the stock ones were both damaged)
Junkyard jump seats
Changed all fluids - transfer case and diff fluids definitely for the first time! Unclogged diff breathers
Changed brake fluid, new pads
New serpentine belt
Fuel filter
I've been changing the oil every 500 miles or so
New MAF sensor
Replaced headliner
As you can see there's still a ton of rust to be addressed. Sills are totally rotted, wheels wells are rusted through to the interior in spots, rear body mounts are rusted through (prior owner sprayed in foam around rear bumper/body mount, really increasing the pace of rusting). Rust was so bad in the wheel wells, the ECU just died because of corrosion. Will Tillery helped with a $200 replacement!
I've been working on my vehicles for 20+ years, but have learned so much on this forum. Thanks everyone for the knowledge. And now some pics of the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Michelin XZL Tires Damaged clear coat/hood decal Nissen radiator/hoses/water pump Replaced the rear door panel with a sheet of ABS, the factory panel was wet and drooping beyond repair Tom Woods front driveshaft Plugs/wires Rotted trunk floor Rotted rear body mount Rotted sill Repaired/painted floor panels $200 muffler shop cat back Damaged roof clear coat New headliner
Last edited by BernieRomanowski; Jul 10, 2024 at 08:55 PM.
1997 Discovery 1 LSE - pics and brief story
