Thanks all for the great advice, I've already been employing some and have identified some things i definitely need and want to do as the last owner was a girl who definitely kept it clean but could have definitely kept it better maintained.

The transfer box was in lock position, i was worried it would be stuck and id already have to either go under or remove the center console like the rave said, but fortunately she must have known to exercise it or the dealer did as I was able to get it unstuck after a bit of work. Sounding like a noob question, but from what I understand I keep it in low unless I'm towing or off roading correct?

I also need to bleed the breaks and get them new fluid as the break pedal depresses "spongy" like it said. I also suspect ill probably need new breakpads, but ill change those myself with the guidance of a friend since jacking a disco up is apparently supposed to be done slightly differently than some other cars. Put in some new coolant and need to replace the antifreeze. I wish I had read the rave before and just waited until the engine was totally cool and did the coolant and antifreeze concurrently, but I'm learning.

Gonna start trying to do some of the 60k to dos as well. Definitely wanna check the rest of the fluids as well before I do too much more. Any other particulars for my issues?


Oh, one other issue, with the power locks, the battery to the clicker is currently dead, but when I push the drivers lock down it comes back up. Is that an electrical / fuse issue or do discos just not lock by manually pushing the locks down? Might have skimmed over this answer in the rave, sorry if so.

 

If the transfer case was in lock on the dry pavement you may have damage to the drive train. Low is for off road slow speeds and the lock should not be engaged unless you are on soft surfaces such as snow or mud.

 

That's unfortunate to hear bantam, ill start looking into that, I dont know how long it was like that but it moved with relative ease. What are some tell tale signs of damage to the drive train?

 

Was the differential lock light on in the dash? If not, it may not have actually been in lock. It would probably be damage to the gears/transfer case or axles. Vibration, noise or slop in the drive train could be a sign.

 

No it wasn't on, its in the hi position. After reading more of the rave I thought that is the position its supposed to be in. Feeling like such a newbie, I come from a family with 300zxs and cadillacs so some of this is new to me.


But from what i understand we Are permanently in 4wd correct? So there are only two positions, hi and low, and now that you've explained it I underdstand it as lo = towing, steep hills,extreme conditions, etc. and hi = highway driviing, basic off roading?, etc.

 

There are 4 positions. 5 is you count neutral. You have the "normal" Hi and Low and CDL Hi and Low. You engage the CDL (Center lock Differential) by moving the shifter to the far left and then up to either it's high or low position. (follow the instructions right above your shifter) You should only ever use the CDL in soft dirt, snow etc, like has been said before. When it's engaged, CDL will light up on the dash.

Basically, it lock all the wheels to turn at the same time, which is why it's bad on hard surfaces.

 

really, this again, do you have the owners manual, if you do read the section on the transfer gearbox and center diff lock. this will explain what the truck has and how to use it.

 

no it locks the front and rear drive shafts together

 

I cut and pasted this from the owners manual

TRANSFER GEARBOX

The two speed transfer gearbox, is used to
select either the high or low range of gears
and, in addition, also controls the centre
differential (known as the ’DIFF LOCK’).
A shift interlock safety feature is fitted which
prevents any transfer box gear selection being
made unless the ignition is switched on and
the automatic gearbox selector is in the ’N’
(Neutral) position.

High range (’H’)

Use high range for all normal road driving and
also for off-road driving across dry, level
terrain.

Low range (’L’)

Use low range gears when moving off from
rest when towing a heavy load, or in any
situation where low speed manoeuvring is
necessary, such as reversing a trailer or
negotiating a boulder strewn river bed; also
use low range for more extreme off-road
conditions where progress in high range
cannot be maintained.

WARNING

DO NOT attempt to change to LOW range
gears for normal road driving.

Neutral (’N’)

Transfer box in neutral. In this position, drive
cannot be transmitted to the road wheels
regardless of the main gear selector position.
If, for any reason, the vehicle has to be towed
on four wheels, this neutral position MUST be
used (see ’Vehicle recovery’).

Audible warning
(automatic only)

A constant, high pitched, audible warning
chime will sound whenever the vehicle starter
switch is turned on when the transfer gearbox
lever is in the ’neutral’ position. The warning
is intended to remind the driver that the
appropriate ’High’ or ’Low’ range gearing
should be engaged.

’Diff-lock’ centre differential

Use the ’unlocked’ position, for all normal
driving, and use the ’DIFF-LOCK’ position to
improve traction in extreme conditions, where
wheel grip could be lost, such as: wet grass,
mud, sand, ice or snow. Return to the
’unlocked’ position as soon as dry, firm
ground is reached.
DO NOT use the ’diff-lock’ unnecessarily!

Transfer gearbox

77

USING THE TRANSFER GEARBOX

There are two ways of operating the transfer
gearbox lever; the ’normal’ method -
recommended for inexperienced drivers - and
the ’advanced’ method for experienced
drivers.

Normal method

Manual models:

With the vehicle stationary and the engine
running, depress the clutch and then move
the transfer gearbox lever fully forward (or
backwards) in TWO distinct but positive
moves - ’high to neutral’.... ’neutral to low’ (or
vice versa).
If there is resistance to the gear engaging, do
not force the lever. Instead, with the main
lever in gear, release the clutch momentarily
and then try again.

Automatic models:

With the vehicle stationary and the engine
running, apply both foot brake and parking
brake and then move the automatic gearbox
selector to the ’N’ (neutral) position before
moving the transfer lever fully forward or
backwards to the required position.
If there is resistance to the gear engaging, do
not force the lever. Instead, with the engine
running, apply the foot brake and parking
brake, momentarily engage ’D’ on the main
gearbox then return it to the ’N’ position and
then try again.

Advanced method

Manual models:
Changing from high to low on the move:

With the vehicle slowing to a stop and
travelling NO FASTER THAN 3 mph (5 km/h),
depress the clutch and push the transfer lever
into neutral. Just before the road wheels stop
turning (and with the clutch still depressed)
push the transfer lever fully forward into ’L’
(low).

NOTE:

Use positive and confident moves, but
do not rush the gear change.

Changing from low to high on the move:

Changing from ’L’ (low) to ’H’ (high) can be
achieved without stopping the vehicle, as
follows:

1.

2.

3.

4.

NOTE:

After a little practice, this operation
can be carried out smoothly and quickly by
using firm, positive moves - but do not rush
the gear change.

Transfer gearbox

78

Automatic models:

Changing from ’H’ (high) to ’L’ (low) or vice
versa without stopping the vehicle can be
achieved as follows:
Reduce (or increase) the speed of the vehicle
to 5 mph (8 km/h) and release the accelerator.
Select ’N’ with the main gear selector and
move the transfer lever quickly to the required
’H’ or ’L’ position. Finally, reselect ’D’ with the
main gear selector and continue driving as
normal.

NOTE:

This operation applies to ’H’ to ’L’ and
’L’ to ’H’ equally.

THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCK

Unlike many four wheel drive vehicles, all
Land Rover vehicles have permanent four
wheel drive. This is achieved by the inclusion
of a lockable differential between the front and
rear drive shafts. With the differential locked,
the drive shafts to front and rear axles are (in
effect) joined together causing both axles to
rotate at the same speed. This is a normal
feature with all four wheel drive vehicles and
enhances traction on difficult off-road
surfaces. However, with the differential
unlocked, the different running requirements
of the two axles can be accommodated,
thereby enabling Land Rover vehicles to
operate permanently in four wheel drive for
both road AND off-road use.

Transfer gearbox

79

Selecting diff lock

The diff lock can be engaged or disengaged
either with the vehicle stationary, or when
driving at any road speed, and without
depressing the clutch. However, with the
vehicle in motion it is ESSENTIAL to be
travelling on firm ground, in a straight line,
and without wheel slip.

WARNING

DO NOT engage the diff lock if one or more
wheels are slipping - this could damage the
transmission. If wheels are slipping, ease
off the accelerator before engaging the diff
lock.
To lock the differential:

Move the transfer gear lever to the left - from
either ’H’ (high) or ’L’ (low) position (the
warning light on the instrument panel will
illuminate).

To unlock the differential:

Move the transfer gear lever to the right - to
either ’H’ (high) or ’L’ (low) position as
required; when the diff lock disengages the
warning light will extinguish.

When to use the diff lock

As a general rule, the differential should only
be locked in order to drive on loose and
slippery surfaces. ALWAYS unlock the
differential for normal road driving or as soon
as a hard grippy surface is reached whether
high or low gears are selected.

NOTE:

A valuable introduction to off-road
driving, which includes many useful
references to the transfer gearbox and ’diff
lock’, is included in the ’Off-road driving’
section.

WARNING

If the vehicle is driven on normal road
surfaces with the differential locked, the
steering will feel stiff, excessive tyre wear
will occur and the transmission will be
’wound up’. This places excessive strain on
the transmission.

Transfer gearbox

80

Diff lock warning light

The amber warning light on the instrument
panel illuminates when the diff lock is actually
engaged - rather than when it has been
selected. Similarly it will only extinguish when
the diff lock is actually disengaged. This
accounts for a slight delay between diff lock
deselection and the warning light
extinguishing, which is quite normal.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Transmission ’wind up’

If the warning light is obviously reluctant
to extinguish after the diff lock has been
deselected, some transmission ’wind up’
may be present.
Reversing the vehicle for a short distance
and then going forward will usually
’unwind’ the transmission and extinguish
the light and the vehicle can then be
driven as normal. However, if after two or
three attempts to ’unwind’ the
transmission the light remains on,
consult your dealer AS SOON AS

POSSIBLE.

 

Yup. sorry, I stand corrected.