Im going to start listing everything that I do to my discovery here. I promise to include many photos. Ill take many pictures starting tomorrow of everything I have done.

Heres my story.

First of all I was always fascinated by european vehicles. From the first time I drove one I knew I would never drive an american vehicle. Theres just something about them. One day I met a guy a work, who's now a good friend, who had a 97 range rover. He took bad care of it, and it always talked about the issued but how much he loved it. I rode in it a few times and just liked it. I liked the way the windows were so low and how everything felt solid there was just something special about it.

At the time I had a lifted 1998 4runner with 285/75/16s. I really liked the offroad look not to mention I loved offroading [barely consider it that in louisiana] however I hated how with a 6" lift and 33"s the frame would bottom out on a little hole. I decided to sell it and get a land rover. Everything I read said not to, with all the issues they had and such. My 4runner had 200,000 miles and no issues ever. But there is truly something romantic about a land rover, I had to have it.

I searched craigslist nationally day and night. I saw a bunch of really good deals but they all needed fixing, which I was VERY afraid to do, because, well you know its a land rover! I dont regret getting my truck but it would have been nice to save a few thousand and fix one up.

Anyways I found one in South Carolina. 95K on, looked good, looked clean. I talked the guy down to 4,000 and flew out to pick it up.

Twin Turbo Prop Baby



Drove it home 800 miles and it gave me no issues!

 

First thing I did was some offroading. I was blown away by the things it could do totally stock. [Not Shown]



I liked having fog lights but hated how much of an approach angle I lost. [Like I needed more.] And hated the ugly plastic. So I removed it all.



And threw on my high lift jack. Why not?

 

I then went on my second road trip with it. 200 miles north to a BEAUTIFUL [for louisiana] National Forest..

When I was going to camp for about 2 days and when I got into the national forest I took a little side trail. Nothing hard at all, and I still dont see how this happened but...

I heard hissing thought I had a flat. Figured whatever Ill just swap tires. [no clue that I totally forgot the lug wrench.]

Got out and there was fluid all over the ground..

Coming from WHERE?

Transmission coolant line.

[stupidly I drove the truck as far as it would go TWICE till it was so low on transmission fluid it wouldn't go anymore. Because I had a stupid friend who was throwing a hissy fit.]

Walked a couple of hours and found an old guy who actually drove me into town to orilys 20miles. I knew they wouldn't have the hose. I had to fabricate something. Heres what I came up with. The guy behind the counter SWORE it wouldn't work. I got some 1" or was it 3/4" radiator hose and two clamps.





Did a little magic and bam.. From now on I ALWAYS carry this hose and clamps. It will work on transmission lines and power steering lines.

 

Speaking of the transmission, it got us home but acted funny afterwards. I was afraid it was toasted/ but in one last ditch effort I changed the fluid and filter [PAIN] and added a bottle of Lucas Transmission Slip Stop. Back to 100% and has been ever since. But I know where to get another one just incase.

The story on changing the filter..

Well its pretty normal. Removed the muffler Y, removed the chassy crossmember, went to remove the dipstick tube [still not sure if its supposed to come off] and I COULD NOT get it to budge. It was beding the whole fitting and pan. So. I decided I would have to removed the pan with the tube. I couldn't get the bolt off where it mounts to the engine.. A little sawsall took care of that..

 

Fast forward a little bit.

I do a few cheap mods such as turning the turn signals into running lights.




And my INFAMOUS CAI/RAM AIR




Everyone hated on it, but hey it works and it slides right off. Lowers air intake temperatures drastically.

 

Well I cant leave anything well enough alone so I painted the rims [TONS OF EXPERIENCE DOING THIS] Really digging the storm trooper look. Ill get some better cleaner shots soon.

 

So far its been real fun owning this truck. I can't imagine owning anything else ever.

Future Plans:
Cb Radio
Roof Rail Lights
2-3" Lift
235/85/16 M/T
Paint rear bumper endcaps [to hold me over till I build a new rear bumper.
Head gasket - plan to do next week.
Replace Radius Arm Bushings
Get ECU reset agian
Clean Truck

 

Previous Vehicle History:

What originally got me into offroading was, when I bought my truck. I was young and dumb and had money to burn. I was looking for a truck I really wanted a trd toyota but they were just too much so I settled on a 1 year old 07 nissan frontier. I had the option of 2wd or 4wd, so I said what the heck and got the 4wd.

18,999$- was a great truck, got great gas mileage 18-24mpg and had POWER. [Only thing I miss] It had a LSD and was pretty good offroad thought I didn't really know what made it good or bad back then.

I decided I really wanted a SUV I hated having a bed I never used. So I sold my frontier and thankfully got exactly what I wanted, I then went looking for a FJ cruiser or a 4runner. I found a great 07 4runner in NJ [I always travel] and went to the bank to get it. Well "my lady" was on vacation and I didn't know, otherwise I would have gotten the loan. [THANK GOD I DIDN'T] The bank turned me down because I was 18 or 19 and already had 2 vehicle loans in my name even though I paid them both off. So I went looking for ANYTHING I could buy for 2-4k. I mean ANYTHING bmw-vw vanagon. I found this sweet 1997 4runner that was already lifted even though it had 200k on it I drove up to north alabama to pick it up.

I bought it for 4,500 and put a 3" body lift the guy gave me with it on it. I also got 285/75/16 MT, painted the rims black and hurculined the floor. Loved spraying the truck out with a hose and even with the tires I averaged 17mpg.













I hated however that I had 6" of lift and big tires and would bottom out the frame on a stupid small hole offroad.

 

Heres the "saudi" mod by tweak



Heres where I mount my axe, shovel, recovery strap and ratchet strap.



Flashlight mount


Here is where I mounted my scangauge



Here is where I mount my pistol. Right under the drivers seat. Awesome location. Impossible to see from outside of vehicle VERY easy to reach

 

I like your stories , I love when somebody tell how they enjoy their truck . I was wandering how will you fix the truck with the gun , but then I realized it is actually flash light.I have flash light in my truck too.