Hey all,

Recently I became interested in the Disco II - I found that it was the right combination of Utilitarianism and Luxury, and, to me at least, just looked ready for a Safari in Africa (which is awesome!).

Having looked at a few Discos, they do seem fairly easy to work on, so I'm not afraid of maintaining it. All the same, I don't want to make a foolish decision either - so if anyone could give me some tips or pointers - pros or cons to the vehicle, things to watch out for, things to avoid, etc. Right now I just want to gain as much knowledge as I can about the vehicle.

Thank you very much!

 

Check frame for holes (rust), especially behind rear axle.
Head gaskets leaking anti-freeze or exhaust gases.
Look for a model year that offers CDL or the possibility of adding linkage (04 have CDL equipped...some older Dll's...99/01 have the actuator on transfer case but no linkage...which can be easily added).
Electrical issues, like door locks, sunroofs, windows, etc. Just check everything that has a switch.
Hopefully, you find an honest seller...this helps immensely.

Good luck.

Brian.

 

Also, take any Dll you are serious about for a nice long test drive. Letting it come up to operating temps. Check oil, coolant and ask about driveline fluid changes. Also, check out the front driveshaft...you'd like to see a replacement/greaseable aftermarket version.

 

BEFORE you buy it, drive that thing 50 miles or more. Pay attention to the overflow bottle. If it bubbles or the level drops, run.


Park over a known clean area and look for the leaks.


You'll want to swap out the dexcool if it has it. Use the green coolant.


Look at the hoses that run to the coolers in front of the radiator. If they move in and out from the crimped metal piece, its soon time to change them as they will blow off and leave you stranded.


If you see any kind of rigged repairs its a good sign that things weren't fixed correctly.

 

The most important thing to look for in a DII is frame rust. Pictures help, but the best way to know what you're dealing with is to see the truck in person with a rubber mallet and tap the rear frame rails that run along either side of the gas tank. Your mallet will help in telling whether you're dealing with surface rust (harmless) or rotting from the inside out (augh!). Frame rust is so prevalent in any area with regular snow fall and is typically bad enough that I would take a DII that has a misfiring engine over one with rust any day.

Head gaskets are also a way to determine how involved you want to be as well as how much you want to spend. You can pick up some really nice trucks for ~$1k and replace the head gaskets yourself and you have the deal of the century. Personally, I do not have the time or the space to do much of my own work, so I have always followed the rule to get the best one you can afford.

Otherwise, drive shaft universal joints, window regulators, sagging headliners, and cracked bumpers are common issues but cheap enough fixes that they're typically not worth breaking a good deal.

Lastly, RECEIPTS RECEIPTS RECEIPTS! Service history is so essential with these trucks and I would be much more inclined to trust a well cared for, enthusiast owned, 150k mile truck than an 80k mile mall-crawler that's creeping around with 15 year old factory parts.

Looking forward to hearing more about this adventure! Good Luck!

Jake

 

After you drive it have the codes checked - some scummy sorts take out bulbs or cover them up.

Ask about water in the cabin, D2's have a few water entry points other than sun roofs - not necessarily common but it does happen - passenger foot well driver side front and rear foot wells.

If you are serious about buying one of these get this


For Android get the free Torque ODB App

For Apple you can try this Car Scanner ELM OBD2

Set it all up on a vehicle you have access to - you want to monitor temperature most critically. It should not exceed 215ish sitting at a light.

The other advantage is you can check the basic codes yourself.

Like any used vehicle

Ask about accidents and damage sustained

Check the oil - is black or fairly clear.

Open the hood check the hoses and belts are they worn, how does the battery look terminals cables etc.

Have the owner start it up listen to the engine - is there knocking, ticking, exhaust leak noises.

Check both the heat and air conditioning - does the fan work at all levels does it blow hot and cold.