I found a decent 2003 black on black D2 HSE with low miles (under 100k) and rebuilt engine, new ECU and some good mods installed. Needs 2 doors and a 02 sensor but otherwise a very nice looking D2. I know the 2003 has a horrible reputation and Ive always leaned away from them but this one has had the following work done and parts replaced:
"2" Old Man Emu heavy duty lift, rear ladder, 5 32" mud terrain tires, custom front winch bumper with fog lights & hella lights, upgraded heavy duty front drive shaft from great basin rovers. Mobil 1 synthetic always, replaced oil pump, water pump, timing belt and serpentine belt in spring of '11 and just did head gaskets, plugs/wires, exhaust manifold gaskets Jan '13. In 2009 the engine was completely rewired and an ecu replaced".

Ive always wanted a black on black D2 and they appear to be most rare. Thought about painting my D2 black but that alone would cost me nearly $5k just for a clean paint job. Factor in that im still using the original engine and original head gaskets so it seems like getting the 03 would be a very practical money saving solution. What are your thoughts?

The drawbacks to the 2003 is that it probably does not have the CDL and it has the thin roof rails. So I would want to upgrade to the thick rood rails and throw in a very clean 04 CDL unit. I dont know anything about replacing doors but i imagine I can get a great deal from Paul Grant and have a local LR mechanic slap them on for me. It also needs an 02 sensor which is a easy job. The chassis probably has some rusting to be patched up and the front HD bumper looks like **** and will have to be sold and replaced with a better design. But all in all it would be cheaper in the long run to own the 2003 and plus its the HSE so its got most all the bells and whistles I like.

Dont know if I will be getting this truck, i would have to sell my D2 before the 03 finds another buyer so my fingers are crossed but im curious what you all think.

 

It is my understanding that the 2003 DII does not have the internal components in the Center Differential to just be able to install a shift linkage and have it function... I think you would have to replace the entire CDL with a model year that has the internal components.

Be sure to do your homework on this before you commit or you could be looking at a major expense to get a CDL that will lock...

 

Thanks for the valid point. I wonder though if the cost of installing a CDL would be significantly lower than the total cost of a new paint job, and eventually a engine overhaul/replacement on my 04 when the time comes? Those two jobs alone will bring the cost to around $12,000+ and I wonder if I can get a good deal on a complete CDL unit from a 04 from Paul Grant or else? Would be a pain in the *** but I imagine it would still be alot cheaper than the above mentioned projects on my 04. Dont get me wrong, so far my engine is running fine but the fear in the back of my mind never strays to far. One day I will have to deal with the engine and that inspires me to find a 03/04 with the engine work already done so I can cross that off the list.

Ive been looking around for a 04 with a rebuilt engine in my area and the only thing I found was that 03. I searched CL for Maine, NH, VT, Rhode Island, and New York and found nothing with engine work.

 

I am perfectly happy with my 2003 Discovery. I get off of the pavement about once a month and while I don't do a lot of heavy duty off roading I haven't gotten stuck yet due to a lack of a CDL. In the past year I only used my winch once and that was to drag a large fallen tree off of the trail.

I think it really depends on what you plan to do with it.

 

I wouldn't swap your 04 for an 03 just because you're worried that your engine might start having problems. The engine on the 03 might start having problems too. You don't know what was done to it in the "rebuild" that the current owner talks about. I've seen some listed as rebuilt because it had new head gaskets and in the PO mind it cost so much it must be like new now.

Also even if it WAS rebuilt in the normal sense of replacing or re-machining everything... Why did it need rebuilt? Did it over heat? It it did and they didn't install new sleeves or at least pin the existing sleeves you might end up with an engines that starts knocking.

 

All of that said, I was perfectly happy with my 2003. But I would have traded UP to the 2004. No way would I trade down.

 

Spring for an LR3.
Price for the 2005 LR3 is about what you will pay for labor and work fitting up the 2003.

I would keep the 2004 or sell the 2004 and get an LR3.

 

Good idea. I love my lr3 for daily driving.