I just completed a ~ 7000 km round trip from eastern Canada to Florida, hauling a car trailer both ways. The Disco was stellar, it made a great tow vehicle, even hauling a 2500 lb car on a 2200lb car trailer. The only issue I had was that the fan clutch was kaput, so it would start to overheat in traffic. I just put on the heat full blast, and that kept it right at 190F, although it was rather uncomfortable doing that in 90F heat.
A new fan clutch from Rock Auto cured that in 15 min. I now feel confident with this on long trips, although I should finish the stereo, install the rest of the interior, and mebbe even get the cruise and A/C to work for the next trip. Here's a pic with my SBC powered 68 Volvo 122 in the motel parking lot the last night of the trip.

Cheers!

Phil

 

Looks like you give new meaning to the word "Recycle"!!!

 

I call it Phil's home for abused automobiles. I'm up to 10 now. I've run out of space. The Volvo 122S is really cool. It was built as a 1/8 mile drag car, but never really finished, and sat for quite a while. It has a fresh Chevy 355 and TCI TH350. The interior finishing (dash, side panels, instruments, wiring, carpet) but it came with newly redone seats in tan vinyl and alcantara, and a mint headliner. I'm putting it back on the street. Oh, it also needs paint, but it's SUPER solid and pretty straight. I'm stoked!

Under the hood.

 

It is exciting to see someone boast that they are happy with the Disco. The Ovlov is pretty sweet too. Enjoy!

 

Thanks. It's been a long old slog getting the Disco to this point, but It was worth it. Mostly.

Phil

 

seems like a few times each year I toy with the idea of selling my D1... then I go for a drive, pull a trailer, or somehow use it and I just keep it parked out back again. After all the work to make it run reliably, how can I sell it???

 

I hear ya brother. It seems most of us have a love/hate relationship with these rigs.

Cheers

Phil

 

The main problem is what would you replace them with?

 

Something more reliable? You're right, though. There's not much else around with the looks and capabilities of the Disco. And once you get them sorted, they seem fairly reliable. Either that, or we are all automotive masochists. Just sayin.

 

My D2 is reasonably reliable (it’s never let me down). The P38 takes a bit more work, but what a dream to drive!