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New member here with my first LR Disco. I've always loved these trucks and they are very rare here on the right coast of Canada. I found this one from an older Brit car collector while looking for parts for my MGB. It is a Rioja Red 98 LE with 158K Km that had been sitting for four years.
The good stuff:
The interior and body look great with all original paint, and it is bone stock.
The engine starts easily and runs great with no CEL's.
The tranny seems to be fine.
Both sunroofs work and don't leak.
All windows and doors work.
The AC works!
The bad stuff:
It has rust in the usual places, but particularly in the rear frame and inner fenders. The front shock towers are also scary rusty, and the gas tank skid plate has rotted into two pieces.
The brakes do not work, except the parking brake. All four calipers are seized. I have ordered new calipers, rotors, and pads all around from Rovers North.
It needs tires. It has a silly looking set of 215/65's on it right now that would be useless off-road.
The headliner is sagging and is covered in mold and mildew. I managed to get it out without breaking it or anything else. I will re-cover it eventually.
It has some electrical issues, including a current draw from the side marker light circuit. I pulled the fuse for now. The harness has been hacked in a couple of places including for trailer lights.
It leaks PS fluid and engine oil. A LOT.
There is a fuel leak at the in tank pump. Hopefully this is just the retaining ring and seal.
The ABS fuse was pulled for some reason.
I'm sure that I will find lots more as I progress.
My short term plan is to fix the brakes so it is at least drive-able and start working on the rust issues over the winter.
Long term I plan to use it mostly as a tow vehicle for a car trailer, plus likely a camper. It will probably do some wheeling too, as I've had a few 4X4's before including a modded Suzuki Samurai that was almost unstoppable.
I will probably do a 2" lift of some description, and run 245/75 ATs.
I would love to use it as a winter vehicle, but by the time I fix all the rust, I'm sure I will be hesitant to drive it in salt ever again.
I'm pretty handy at mechanical, electrical, and bodywork (I'm a retired Mech. Eng.) but the welding I have to farm out.
I'm also excited that this is the first non runner that I've dragged home that my wife actually likes. In fact, she says she LOVES it.
Luckily it was cheap enough that I shouldn't be too far underwater by the time I've fixed everything.
I guess my first question is are there any special things to keep in mind when bringing a Disco 1 back from the dead? I will do the usual fluid flushes, brake flex lines, axle ball seals, etc.
This forum looks like a great resource. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions over the next few months. I'm really looking forward to getting this thing back on the road!
Stillruns that is exactly what my first ever 97 D1 looked like minus the running boards! I absolutely loved that D1, but sadly I only had it 6 months before it gave it's life for mine.
Barnfind Disco 1 Project
