I'm thinking about buying a mid 90's discovery and have a few questions. The ones in my price range have around 110k-150K miles on them.

1. what are the known problems for those year models with that mileage? I do not mind doing repairs myself but would like to avoid buying a vehicle with common drivetrain problems like engine, transmission, and trasfer case.
2. do mid 90's discos have a solid front axle?
3. how strong are the axles in comparison to dana 30,35,44,etc.?
4. whats the largest size tires you can run without lifting? (will be used for moderate off-roading so needs to flex all the way to bump stops and not rub tires)
5. I've seen where the towing capacity is listed as 5,500 lbs...is this a realistic number?

Thanks.

 

How much wheeling have you done, what are you wanting the truck for?
Yes they will handle 5500 pounds.
245/75/16 tires
With the 24 spline axles they are an easy dana 44 equal
All Disco's have solid front axles.

 

Mike, thanks for the reply. I've owned several Jeeps over the years and have done a good bit of wheelin'. The disco would be for light-moderate wheelin' and for pulling my jetski(possibly boat in the future) and my '78 CJ5 (plans are for 2.5 ton rockwells and a full cage..so with the trailer I might be pushing the 5,500lbs limit)

do all mid 90's discos have the 24 spline axle shafts?
does anybody make a budget boost (coil spacers) for the disco? I would like to run 31" tires.

 

24 spline axles are not OEM for U.S. models.
You can get heavy springs for about $375 U.S.D.
I don't know anything about spacers.

The big thing is that there is nothing "Budget" about parts for Land Rovers.

Most Disco's can run 245/75/16 that are 31' tall with out any mods.

 

I agree, you can not say Rover, and Budget in the same breath.
Rover factory springs collapse so bad, that installing stacer, the are made, can only make the truck more top heavy and unstable, I wouldn't advise it.

 

here's a discovery budget boost (spacer kit) for $150..thats about average http://www.toddcosuspensions.com/2cospsuli2pi.html However after reading about people breaking their axles with stock 29" tires Im not sure the discovery is for me. Does anybody know what percentage of discos sold in US have the 24 spline axles?

 

None where sold with 24 spline axles its a up grade that you get and put in.
From what I have seen it that its a weekend warrior that breaks the most things,
not the people that go 4x4ing.
I'm sure that you have seen it in the Jeep groups also.

 

Well, heres mine when i picked up my new toy a D1 v8. that weighs 4375 lbs, the trailer weighed approx 800 lbs, so Id say its pretty realistc

 

You can get stronger axle shafts for running bigger tires.

 

Urban, from that pic it doesn't looked weighed down at all so I confident I would not have a prob pulling my jeep.

spike, yeah there are always alloy shafts. I bet I could find some if I really needed them, they're just kind of expensive.

thanks for al the replies guys. Just one more question, if I ran 2" of body lift what else would I need to modify? lower radiator, extend gear shifter, etc.