Just realized I've had my Rover for over 3 years now. I have put 23,000 miles on it during that time. I wanted to try and remember from day 1, everything that I've done to it, maintenance and otherwise. Also, I thought it could maybe help others looking into buying one of these, what work is really required. I have 2000 Land Rover Discovery II SE7.

Caveat: my headgaskets were replaced right before I bought it.

- replaced battery (march 2012) ~ $100 from walmart, 15 minutes labor
- replaced passenger side rear door actuator (march 2012) ~ $100 for the part, 2 hours labor
- replaced aftermarket stereo with bluetooth aftermarket stereo and added steering wheel controls and a sub (april 2012) ~ $150, 2 hours labor
- added the ultragauge (april 2012) ~ $100, 10 minutes labor
- replaced OE thermostat; it literally melted and was spewing coolant (may 2012) ~ $125 changed by my indie land rover mechanic
- duct taped the air intake hose (may 2012) ~ Free, 5 minutes
- replaced the e-brake boot and hi-lo shifter boot with new leather (may 2012) ~ $30, 30 minutes labor
- replaced all coolant hoses/lines; all hoses were getting spongy and leaking (july 2012) ~ $400 hose kit from AB, 2.5 hours labor
- replaced all rotors and put on new pads, akebono ceramics, flushed the brake fluid (august 2012) ~ $450, 8 hours labor
- flushed and changed power steering and ACE fluid (september 2012) ~ $40, 1.5 hours labor
- transmission fluid flushed by indie land rover mechanic (september 2012) ~ $80
- changed at all interior roof lights with LEDs (september 2012) ~ $10, 10 minutes labor
- installed an 04 CDL linkage (october 2012) ~ $250, 4 hours labor
- transfer case re-seal and differentials oil change (october 2012) ~ $40, 3 hours labor
- replaced front drive shaft (december 2012) ~ $350, 2 hours labor
- replaced my instrument cluster and re-synched; previous owner or someone ripped out the 3 amigo lights (december 2012) ~ $60, 1.5 hours labor
- had cigarette lighter wiring replaced by indie land rover mechanic; didn't work and wiring had melted (december 2012) ~ $50
- 2 inch OME HD lift; replaced sagging SLS air springs (january 2013) ~ $1,000 installed by my indie land rover mechanic
- 4 new 275/65/18 goodyear duractrac tires installed (january 2013) ~ $900 from Discount Tire
- removed factory running boards and sold to a forum member (january 2013) ~ +$100
- new alternator (february 2013) ~ $250, 1.5 hours labor
- installed a new CDL detection switch; mine just stopped working for some reason (february 2013) ~ $35, 2 hours labor
- re-sealed my t-case X 3; i couldn't get it to seal right, then i broke off one of the bolts in the t-case, had to use a bolt extractor, finally got it out and finally got it to re-seal properly; probably the most frustrating thing i have dealt with since ownership (february 2013) ~ $100, 16 hours labor
- all 4 02 sensors replaced by indie land rover mechanic (march 2013) ~ $150
- evap purge valve replaced by my indie land rover mechanic (may 2013) ~ $80
- rear cargo door hinges replaced by my indie land rover mechanic; someone didn't shut the door tight and it swung open while driving and bent the hinges (june 2013) ~ $200
- replaced cruise control vacuum pump (october 2013) ~ $35, 1 hour labor
- catalytic converter (driver's side only) installed by cat specialty shop (february 2014) ~ $300
- replaced front bumper with tactical rovers front bumper (february 2015) ~ $1000, 2 hours labor
- installed harbor freight 12k winch; trimmed grill (march 2015) ~ $200, 2 hours labor
- installed and wired hella 700ff lights; used factory fog wiring and bought OE fog plugs to wire to the hellas to be plug and play (march 2015) ~ $90, 2 hours labor

All this is obviously on top of regular oil changes, etc. Looking at it, i feel like a lot of the work was frontloaded and it honestly has been a great vehicle since all the initial stuff has gotten fixed. it definitely still has it quirks, and a few small issues, but nothing major!

Cost of truck to date: $6000 purchase price (i probably overpaid, but live and learn) + $6,675 in maintenance/add-ons outlined above = $12,675

 

Also, a major thanks to everyone on this forum. Honestly, if it wasn't for this forum, I would have sold the truck probably 6 months after ownership and not ever learned anything about wrenching. It's satisfying to see how much work I myself have put into this truck.

 

Ohh, I've kept a notebook and written everything down since I bought mine. I'll throw all that up tomorrow.

 

Sounds like you've done some good work! I'm glad you kept your rover and fixed up.

How do you like the Tactical rovers bumper? I have their rear and it's very good quality. I ask because spending 3 days winch through mud in northern Alabama with an ARB is miserable.

 

I'm interested in what led bulbs you used and how well you think they work?

Also would like your thoughts about the harbor freight wench. Have you had to use it? Any features you wish you had? Overall quality?

 

Thanks Disco deuce, I love the Tactical Rover bumper so far. It has a great approach angle and is definitely good quality. Recovery points are really nice and solid. Couldn't be happier.

Would the TR bumper be better for winching through mud? Is it just because the ARB winch mount is a bit lower than the TR?

 

So I bought some on ebay that are just like these:


They are awesome. Much brighter. If I remember correctly though, you'll need to get a few sizes between 36mm and 42mm and mix and match for all three dome lights to see which size fits where. I've seen a number of people having issues getting the right size. I think I bought two 36mm and a couple 42mm and was fine.

I'll keep you updated on the winch. I haven't actually used it yet, only rolled out the entire cable to re-spool it back in more orderly than what it was when i bought it. It seems pretty decent quality though for the money. And I bought mine on craigslist for pretty cheap, so if I have to replace it later on, no biggie. I'm going to try and get out the next couple weekends and test it out. I'll be posting the winch review here:

https://landroverforums.com/forum/mo...-review-61513/

 

I'd be curious to see what that winch does also...

Harbor Freight Chinese/American math fun=

12,000# Chinese is actually 6,000# American

Another example, If you buy a 3hp grinder or something from HF, it's more like 1.5hp American standards....

These are not facts. Just junk talk

 

Yup, it's kinda hard to see what the winch is doing as well as engaging the clutch.

As far as the harbor freight winches go they're actually pretty good. My only complaint is how slow it is.

 

Bought running driving 2000 discovery with blown head gaskets for 300 bucks.
Removed engine and sold for 1500 Bucks.
Sold transmission for 400 bucks.
Bought 300TD wagon for 500.
Scrapped 300td sans engine for 300.
Hockey pucks for body lift. 50.
Springs for front. 75 shipped.
Ford lift blocks for rear. Free.
Material for engine swap. 3 to 400.
35" tires. 600.

Total cost of ownership? -275 bucks.