Amen.

 

Amen x2. There is no vehicle that I know of that can do everything my Rover can. I plan to own one for as long as I live.

 

Spike
While I agree L/R's are cool and pretty good off-road and agree with the spirit of your message, I've seen some pretty amazing things donewith Chevy Trucks (and Fords).One thing that comes to mind is this time we loaded a full-sized 64 Ford onto a trailer that was sitting at my dad's farm. We had a bear of a time getting the trailer back to the cement area and once loaded I told my brother his truck wouldn't make it through the barnyard (muck) as it had been a rainy week and there was at least a foot or more deep of very thick mud and manure. He had to make a short 90 degree turn meaning that none of the wheels would be able to track in the same tracks. I was walking over to get the big tractor and chain and he took off anyway. It was a mid-80's heavy-half diesel, straight-axle w/limited slip. Anyway, mud was going this way and that and he went by in a crawl pulling the trailer and Galaxie loaded on top. Low and behold to both our amazementhe made it through!

I could give other examples, but point is, trucks can do some pretty amazing things. Ultimately, I agree L/R are good off-road, but wouldn't say they have the market cornered. But when you're off-road in a L/R you're definitely in a different crowd. People "talk" about Land Rovers, they don't "talk" about chevy's or fords.

Mark G

 

Most people live a very short honeymoon with their Rovers when they buy it used, and then hate them for a while. Most of us have been there. Reason for that is that most people sell their Rovers when they have a shopping list of things to fix or attend to. So when you first buy it, you have to face that harsh reality and the ecstacy becomes frustration until everything has been fixed. I know, after 10 months of ownership, I can finally say that I trust this truck enpugh to take it on a trip. It's been a long way though, intake gasket change, front gasket change,coil conversion because the SLS pump had failed, numerous exhaust leaks fixed, new rad, head gasket change, O2 sensors change....and the list goes on.......I still have a darn leak at the rear main seal !!! but at least I can live with that, since it's not dangerous. I still haven't mentionned the door lock actuators.

But you know what??? Now that I'm on top of things, after close to 5 grands, I wouldn't trade it . Nothing out there has the personality of this truck or makes me feel the way I do when behind the wheel. And I mean nothing. For close to a week , they gave me an LR3 to drive while while the Disco was in the shop . I felt like behind the whell of my friend's minivan. doesn't look like one, but drive's like one!! And that feeling was confirmed when I had my disco back. Darn I love this truck.

 

I guess thats why I'm selling mine. I couldnt afford those repairs, I'm afraid if I kept it that might happen. I love getting my hands dirty and working but not for those big major issues. More like changing the oil or brakes or doing some mod like a lift. Which I just put a 2 inch lift on the one I'm selling. Honestly the most capable off roader out there I've ever seen is a modified jeep of some sort. So many options with Jeeps. I love them all but LR isn't for just anyone.

 

I've been "muddin'" on the farm. I grew up on the farm. Always looked for thebiggest water hole to drive the Case through.
Always took the farm truck ('70's GMC) out behind the barn where it was always wet and slung alkinds of mud. It was fun. I was 14.
Now I am older and a little wiser.
True off roading was born out of neccesity. The military needed to get from point "A" to point "B" and the *****'s JEEP was the perfect fit.
Now we do it for fun.
Fun is tearing up the country side and slinging mud everywere, but that is not responsible.
My wife and Ilike to creep along and enjoy the view, see the wild critters and see the colors in the fall and the flowers in the spring. We tread lighlty. We want to preserve the trails for our kids. Here in Michigan they are closing trails due to abuse.
Anybody can modify a vehicle with super swampers and a big lift, they are over compinsating for other issues.
When my stock Discovery canfollow a modified JeepI call that a win for me.
Land Rovers are not for everyone. Nor are Jeeps, Chevys, Fords, etc...
We can all tell stories of what we did with what truck. In the end it doesnt matter what you drive or how much you modifiy it, or dont.
It is all about having fun and preserving the country side for others to enjoy.
Cheers.

 

All this makes me miss the Disco. I'd still have it if:

1. The dealer could fix the high speed vibration - I like to set the cruise on 90 and go - having to go 70 isn't okay with me - my 88 Jeep Wrangler will do 100 all day long without the vibration. It just pissed me off that it was under warranty and they wouldn't even acknoledge that it existed. I know I'll never hear the end of going that fast in one of these, but I do, and screw you if you can't handle it.

2. I had room in my garage to make in an "extra" vehicle. Then it would be okay, because I could take everything apart and find the problem myself - but today I don't have the room, that's why I bought one with warranty.

Back to the dealer - my Infiniti tech (known him for 10 yrs) was trained in Rovers...he said you either get a good one or a bad one, there are things they can't fix so they tell you it's normal, they can't admit that they can't fix it - it's just a different mindset. That was really telling for a guy who gets paid to work on them.

I could spend my time keeping the Disco up and having a fine SUV - not a bad idea. Or I could put the extra effort into getting that V8 in the Jeep - not as good off road, but way more fun. I've still got that part of me that likes to put it in 2WD and be stupid before using the 4WD to get home. I like to slide the back end out in the rain or in the dirt - couldn't do that in the Disco, and I didn't realize how much I missed it 'til I couldn't do it.

It's hard to compare the Avalanche and the Disco - but I won't have to vaccum the Avalanche after putting the dogs in the back. And I can spin the tires for fun too! But I'll have to put a four wheeler in the back if I want to go down the same trails I used to take the Disco.

 

Get a Z71 package, it has a locking rear diff. Get some mud grips and you'll be fine.

 

Z71 gives you four wheel drive and a different suspension. The Locking Diff is available as a different option. YOu can get it without the Z71 or even 4WD. I had a new Sierra in 05 that was 2WD. Actually impressed by how well it did in the snow. No 4X4, just a locking rear diff....

 

SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!