buy a '03 for at least $2500 less than what you would pay for a simular '04 for and spend $750 putting in a CDL. Make sure your not in the bad oil pump vin range and you'll be as good as an '04 with no more potential problem than the "04.

I have a 105,000 mile '03 and have had no problem other than the head gasket issue and normal maintance. I put in a CDL as soon as the wife relenquished it in favor of a Expedition and have a great truck for off road and all at a reasonable $$$.

Just make sure you buy a truck with COMPLETE maintance history. My folder is full of everything since new and there are a lot of reciepts.

 

There's no "if" about it...unless you do all the work yourself, you should assume that you'll get a visit from the 3 Amigo's eventually and Murphy's Law dictates that it will happen just when you need the TC the most.

Thus, the smart bet is to make sure that whichever year you choose, it has a transfer case that can be locked if necessary.

 

I hear you... but if I start to worry about ALL the what-if situations I will surely never purchase one of these. The way I figure, a 2004 that is 5 years newer than a 1999 will have far less issues overall due to less wear and tear. And again, the amount of serious off roading should be very small. I do see the advantages of a locking diff though

 

Truer words were never spoken

If...*ahem*...WHEN the 3 Amigos come to visit, fix it, or take it to someone to fix it and be done with it, then your TC will work every time like mine does and you won't have to worry about locking your diffs.

 

I thought the question was 02 or 03. If you are in the market for an 04 go for it. It has the diff lock standard. They brought it back that year. If i had the money, i would have gotten an 04.

 

I thought it was the question of 02 vs 03, but I guess not! I didn't know the 03/04 had that difference. I was thinking pre/post facelift as being the same. So, the 04 has the CDL... the only year that did not was the 03?

 

1999-2000 and very early 2001 had the CDL on the transfer case but no linkage. Mid-Late 2001-2003 do not have the CDL on the transfer case at all. 2004 it was brought back including the linkage. Lots of us try to find a 2004 linkage, but it is very difficult. Ashcroft makes a very good aftermarket, but it's expensive. That's why most get a D1 linkage and fit that in a 1999 or 2000. Its all about low $ high capability.

 

I would rather have two Discovery Ones than one Dicovery Two. Much simpler electronics to deal with as well as all of them have a locking CDL IF the linkages are not frozen.

 

I personally would stay away from the 03's due to the oil pump problems. Some early 04's have oil pump problems as well. Also the 4.6 is a stroked out 4.0, the fuel pump and injectors might be different, and I am sure the ECU is different, but other then that the engines are identical. If you can turn a wrench on a 2000 disco, you can turn a wrench on a 2004 disco. As was said earlier no matter what year you buy you will need headgaskets and a front driveshaft rebuild at the least. I did everything on Mike's 60k service and I didn't spend close to a $1000. And finally, if you don't like turning wrenches you better have a fat bank account. There is no vehicle as capable as a Land Rover straight from the factory, so, to me, turning a wrench now and again more then makes up for it. Besides, I dig turning wrenches. If you want to get the full enjoyment out of a Rover, I suggest you dig turning wrenches too.

 

I do enjoy it, although would need some pointers with this model.