So I've had this 04' D2 S model for 10 years and have a 2nd blown motor.. The first was the original Bosch engine and the 2md was a rebuilt P38 Rangie engine. That one lasted 8 years and 50,000miles roughly.. so now I plan to swap out my engine with a used engine since I don't want to pay $4k for another motor rebuild..

What type and what's best way to find a replacement used engine? Stick with P38 or find lower mileage 04' engine? I've seen lots of 03' engines available for cheap and I don't trust the 03' for anything.. Especially the transfer case and stuff that doesn't mount up correctly to mine..

Thanks guys!

 

Zuke posted a craigslist link in Kansas City last week for a running P38 for a grand.
That's the cheapest way to go.
And as he recommended also, put head gaskets on that one before installing it.
Otherwise, rebuild, Turner rebuilt, or LS swap are your only real choices.

 

That dude in kc has had that motor for sale for 2 years now. Give him 500.

 

Best way for the money?
Best for time/effort involved?
Best for expected life of engine?

If you go to Pull-A-Part and take an oil sample and send it off for analysis and it comes back golden and the motor is still there for sale at that point then it is pretty cheap to have the local homeless guys there pull the motor.

These Discoveries are really old, though... so any shop selling a used motor can only guess at actual mileage. If you trust one shop, then pay for their engine oil analysis.

 

Best bet seems to try and find a good used P38 engine.

Or start saving up.

 

Check with the forum breakers, Will Tillerey, Tarheel Rover, the guy in CT (forget his handle). Or, buy a whole truck out of the NY/NJ area. They frequently have low mileage due to city driving conditions and rusted out frames that prevent them from getting annual inspection stickers.

Good luck.

 

could you send me a link.. I'm looking now on Craigslist Kansas City and not seeing anything .

 

What year P38 engines are they?? Up to 2002?

 

I'm in Va
you'll have to ask Zuke
He posted a link in one of the recent threads too, but I'm not sure which one.

 

Yes, 02 is the last year for them.
and I am not sure, but I think 98 was their first year.