Maybe this is common knowledge, but I was surprised to learn that the DII frame walls are 30% thinner than those on a DI. Robison seemed surprised to hear it. This makes me feel a bit better in light of all the people who said I was crazy to opt for a DI over a DII -- assuming Robison's information is correct.

JE Robison Service — the blog: Frame Rust in Land Rover Discovery II models - an Achilles' heel?

"It turns out Land Rover reduced the frame thickness of Discovery II models by more than 30% as compared to the Defender and earlier models . . . To add insult to injury, it turns out Land Rover decided not to galvanize these frames so there is little to prevent them from dissolving if corrosives get inside. Another unpleasant result of this weight reduction is that the thinner frame rail walls are now fracturing from metal fatigue up front where they are exposed to heat cycling from the catalytic converters. The shock towers are another weak point."

 

I believe it. Consider how many rusted frame stories you hear from DII owners vs how many you hear from the older DI owners.

 

D1 wins again.

 

That's yet another strike against LR's efforts to 'improve' upon the D1 and in the end, made it worse.
weaker frames,
lack of CDL,
complicated electronic traction control (and all it's issues),
non-servicable prop shaft ??,
simi-floating axles rather than full float,
higher running temps,
SAI pumps (worthless IMO),

what else?

 

I've said it many times, the DI body rusts off the frame while the DII frame rusts off the body. I've sold three frames to owners of '02 and '03's that had the weld points on the box frame swell and separate. I'm surprised, with the number if iffy '03's and '04's I've seen that there hasn't been a class action suit against Rover.

I've taken hundreds of these vehicles apart and all I can say is if you could figure out a way to put a DII shell on a DI body with a DI engine (preferably a good 3.9L 14CUX) you'd have one hell of a durable truck.

 

Not a bad idea. I've often thought of taking an old series body and putting it onto a Disco 1 frame. I guess in the end I'd end up with almost a Defender.

 

A Series body on a 100" coil sprung chassis (Range Rover or DI) is what's commonly called a hybrid. The wheelbase is about as ideal as you're get for off road capability.

 

Agreed, what about a series 109 on a D1 frame?

 

The 109 is called a 109 because of its 109" wheelbase. Put whatever Series body on a DI chassis and it's still a 100" hybrid.

 

Yes, OK I understand that. I guess I'm just trying to visualize what alterations need to happen to the 109 body to make the it fit the 100" wheelbase. I'm becoming more and more interested in doing this. Do you know of any good write-ups or resources for doing such a swap?