...the transmission has 144,000 miles on it. Were DII transmissions known for their problems once they get this old? I don't really care that it's got so many miles, but i'll be damned if I put a tranny in the disco just to have it go out in 10,000 miles.

 

as long as they were serviced properly and regularly, no, they really didnt have any real problems, at least with the inner workings. just make sure that if its out of 03 or 04, you swap the spacer plate on your flywheel, there was a post about this a week or so ago

 

Thanks for the tip. This is actually out of a 2000. I emailed them to see if, by chance, they had any information on it's condition. Haven't received a response yet.

 

I would change the filter after you get it and then you should be good to go.
ZF transmissions are bullet proof.
They last forever unless you put a hole in the side or run it low on fluid.