Hello everyone. I just picked up my first Land Rover, it is a 2003 Disco II with 60k miles on it. Got a VERY good deal on it, I traded my wife's Jeep Liberty for it. I hated that Liberty.

I called a dealer to check the maintenance history and it looks like the previous owner missed a couple maintenance items or at least did not do them at the dealer. The maintenance that requires the tranny filter replacement and the maintenance that required the serpentine belt replacement were both missed. So, better safe than sorry, I am going to do a maintenance that includes everything up to and including the 60k mile maintenance. That way I know exactly where I am.

I like to consider myself an almost competent shade tree mechanic, but there are many things I have yet to try. I have a lot planned for the Disco, and want to do as many of them as possible myself. My Disco will be a daily driver (it gets the best milesage out of anything I own) and 95% of the time will be on the road. But, I have a 3 mile dirt driveway with over a 1000' elevation gain that will be VERY muddy and have ultra-deep snow in the winter. I split my time between CA and ID. Many people would consider my driveway and decent offroad trail when the weather is not so nice. So, I will not be modding for hard core offroad use, but it will need some improvements from stock. I have a Hummer H1 that is a dedicated trail rig, but will take the Disco out from time to time, for a change of pace.

Now, for the first project. The service.

Do most of you use a OEM air filter or is an aftermarket a better option for it?

Same question but for the serpentine belt.

Same question for the tranny filter.

Where is the best place to order all the parts and lubricants I will need to complete the service? Is www.roverparts.com a good place to shop? I do not need the lowest pricing, as service and attitude are more important, but I would at least like competitive pricing. The closest dealer is an hour and a half south, so I will not be using them much.

How much of a PIA are the fender flares to replace? Mine are very faded and need to be replaced. I am probably going to paint the entire vehicle if the clay bar and buffing I am planning don't get out the serious swirl marks and numerous scratches.

I have four VERY large dogs that go with my everywhere. Is there a consensus on what rear cargo area liner is best and is there one that goes all the way up front with the rear seats folded down?

Is there a consensus on the best rubber floor mat option?

Last question. Do the jump seats come out easily? I need the extra room for the dogs, but want to be able to put them back in when I need the people room.

TIA for all the help and I look forward to being an active member of the forum and hope to contribute as soon as my knowledge of the Disco gets to that point. If you are ever in my area and want to head out on the Oceano (Pismo) Dunes, I love to take out the H1 and romp around all day. I end up pulling out a lot of stuck trucks along the way, and love the look when everyone see's how effortlessly I can pull out a big F350 or the like. Looking forward to getting the Disco stuck from time to time.[/align]

 

Well, first off welcome to Rover ownership. If you have an H1, I'm sure the maintenance needs of the Rover won't put you off one bit. I also own an '03. You should check out Atlantic British for all of your parts needs as they have probably the widest selection of any website. One of the more experienced gurus can probably give you a better answer as far as your specific parts questions, but from what I've heard, OEM, or reputable aftermarket suppliers are best. Definitely don't scrimp as you are driving a vehicle that if a cheap part fails it will probably take out a more expensive part as it dies. One thing, make absolutely sure that you replace the u-joints in the front driveshaft with greaseables if it hasn't been done already. If you don't, one of the 2 joints in the double cardon will fail and bitch slap your $7000 transmission. Ask Disco2Guy.

 

Yeah, the H1 is a maintenance intensive beast.I expect the Land Rover will be much easier to own in that regard.

Thanks for the tip on the u-joints. I will check those out when I do the 60k maintenance. I also have a fairly loud brake squeal once they warm up that I need to dig into. Braking is still very responsive and I don't feel anything wrong, but it needs to be looked at. One more item to add to the list.

 

avking...via Disco Mike

1 Oil filter, K&N 3001 or Mobil 1- 301
1 Air filter
6 Qts of engine oil
12 Qts of ATF
7 Qts of 80/90W synthetic gear oil, 85W/140 for HD use
3 Pints of synthetic Brake fluid
2 Qts of synthetic Power steering fluid
2 Gallons of OAT, orange coolant
1 Bottle of Lucas Power Steering additive
1 Bottle of Lucas Transmission additive
1 Can of Spray Carb. Spray
1 Can Of Brake cleaner
8 Spark Plugs, I use Bosch Platium Plus 4's
1 Set of Magnacor 8mm plug wires
1 Serpentine belt
2 Bottles of SeaFoam gas additive
1 T/Stat
Hoses and belts, as necessary

60,000 Mile Service or Major Service for High Mileage Used Vehicle just purchased

Bleed the brakes
Flush and change the power steering fluid adding one bottle of additive
Service the tranny adding one bottle of additive
Change the coolant and t/stat
Do an engine flush before changing the oil
Do an induction cleaning
Clean the throttle body
Add fuel additive to full gas tank
Change both of the diffs fluid
Change the t/case oil
Replace the plugs and wires
Replace the air filter
Lube all the drive shaft grease fitting including the 2 slip shafts
Do full inspection of brakes, hoses, bushings etc.

You will also need to replace your front u-joint to a grease-able one or it will fail...Precision part #344 (u-joint) and #617 (centering ball kit). Best prices here: www.rockauto.com

Welcome aboard and tread lightly!

 

I see the K&N HP-3001 filter. Before I ordered, wanted to make sure it is correct. Does the HP make a difference? I can not imagine it does, but thought I would ask first.

 

Personally I wont spend $12 on a oil filter, not when a $5 filter from NAPA will do the same thing.
The truck requires premium gas.
DO NOT use a K&N airfilter, you will be buying a new MAF if you do.
The stock Disco will give your H1 a run for its money. It is lighter, more nimble and will fit places that the Hummer wishes it could go.
Ant name brand serp belt will work, same with the filters.
As mentioned www.atlanticbritish.com has everything that you will need or want for your Rover, very friendly and knowledgable, not always the cheapest...but the best by far.
I also like their choice's for shippers. Check out their tech tips page too.
Have a friend drive your H1 in the dunes, follow him with the Rover, let us know how it turns out.
I am betting you go everywhere he does without getting stuck.

 

Thanks for the tip on the air filter, I was considering the K&N. Now I know better. I will go with the larger K&N oil filter Mike posted and the OEM air filter. I am also going to order the OEM serpentine belt.

I have no doubt the Disco is very capable off-road, I would not have purchased it if I had concerns. But, the H1 is a dedicated trail rig, so I don't mind banging it up. I have yet to find a place I can not fit it. Sure, I have dinged up some panels trying to fit through some narrow gaps and I often have to take a different and more agressive line than the narower vehicles, but that just makes it more fun. I am running 38.5" tires with beadlocks and run it as low as 5 to 8 PSI when I need to. And the central tire inflation is the best off-road tool I have ever seen. Since the Disco is going to be a daily driver, I need to be a little more cautious. It has to get me to work every Monday and Thursday. I will be taking the Disco to the Dunes from time to time for ****s and giggles, but don't see it taking on the Rubicon or Moab trails anytime soon.

When I need a really small off-road rig, I have a CJ7, but I don't use it that often. Just not comfortable after the H1. Maybe when I am done with the Disco, I will turn it into a trail rig and sell the CJ7 to pay for the modifications.

 

dont listen to spike,

he farts in little kids pudding cups.

 

And the problem with that is?

avking-that central air inflation is awesome, wish the Disco had that.
Is your H1 a diesel?
How do you plow snow in your 3 mile driveway? Or do you not get any snow?

 

Yes, the H1 has a 6.5 N/A Diesel. Wish I had the turbo diesel from the next year, but oh well.

Ohhhh, boy do we get a LOT of snow. Last year, we had four and a half feet on Super Bowl weekend. We have gotten about three to four feet in the last two weeks. We have a dozer, hoe and graderfor most snow removal and road maintenance. I also have an old Duece with a plow on it. Sometimes I park at the bottom and run thesnow sled up and down, whenI don't have time for maintenance. Next year I am going to look into a Rhino with a closed cab and heater then stick some tracks on it.