Interesting JE Robinson blog on DII frame rust
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Interesting JE Robinson blog on DII frame rust
I think there has been a debate going around the forum about the Disco 2 chassis rot. Some argue that early model DII frames are less likely to rust, but this blog suggests that all DII's were fitted with the same light weight non-galvanized frame (when compared to older Rovers) complete with faulty welds which contribute to serious frame deterioration. The blog also highlights the second biggest problem our trucks have behind the engine issues..... weak frames. The price to replace the engine and frame on these trucks is certainly more than most owners are willing to pay to keep these trucks on the road. Its sad really because the Discovery 2 is my all time favorite model.
JE Robison Service — the blog: Frame Rust in Land Rover Discovery II models - an Achilles' heel?
JE Robison Service — the blog: Frame Rust in Land Rover Discovery II models - an Achilles' heel?
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I've been mentioning this issue with the frames for awhile now. Last summer was the first time I actually started selling rolling DII frames. On DI's the body rusts off the frame. On DII's the frame rusts out from under the body. I'm surprised Land Rover hasn't been hit with a class action suit. For a frame to have a lifespan exceeding tens years is not an unrealistic expectation.
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I've seen some really bad early DII frames as well. The only framed I've replaced have been from late ' 02-'04.
I remember a guy drive up to my shop from Staten Island, NYC. He was buying a rear axle assembly from me and we were going to install it for him. He said the casing was so rusted that it wouldn't hold oil. I drive him to the train station and when I got back to the shop put the truck on a lift.
Within a second, I was pulling the truck off the lift . The frame had holes in it that were several inches long. Some of the worst were on the back rails but I was horrified to see holes just back from the motor mounts. The truck looked like it was one pothole away from breaking into pieces.
I called the customer and told him that in good conscience I wouldn't be able to do the work for him. He told me he had recently bought the truck from a used car dealer in NY. I told him to contact the dealer and the DMV. He picked up the truck and drove it (against my advice ) back to NYC!
So, while I've seen bad frames in all of the DII model years, the ones that were most consistent were those I saw in the later models .
I remember a guy drive up to my shop from Staten Island, NYC. He was buying a rear axle assembly from me and we were going to install it for him. He said the casing was so rusted that it wouldn't hold oil. I drive him to the train station and when I got back to the shop put the truck on a lift.
Within a second, I was pulling the truck off the lift . The frame had holes in it that were several inches long. Some of the worst were on the back rails but I was horrified to see holes just back from the motor mounts. The truck looked like it was one pothole away from breaking into pieces.
I called the customer and told him that in good conscience I wouldn't be able to do the work for him. He told me he had recently bought the truck from a used car dealer in NY. I told him to contact the dealer and the DMV. He picked up the truck and drove it (against my advice ) back to NYC!
So, while I've seen bad frames in all of the DII model years, the ones that were most consistent were those I saw in the later models .
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