Hi Everyone.

I just picked up a 01 Disco 2 with under 100k miles. So far I love it. Manufacture date 11/2000

I live in the desert southwest and will mostly use the Disco to access hiking trails via forest roads and other un-maintained roads. I won't be doing any rock crawling or 4-wheeling as a hobby.

There are two things that I would like to add that I was hoping I could get opinions on:

1.) I would like to add a snorkel and at the same time re-route the breather hoses. I really like the look of the Mantec. So those of you with a Mantec snorkel like it? Can anyone comment on its performance compared to the Safari Snorkel? Also, is there a breather kit for routing the hoses through the snorkel that anyone recommends?

2.) I would like to give it a 2 inch lift. I am new to truck suspension/lift kits so bear with me Since I won't be doing any major off-roading or crawling would a body lift help me get a little more travel, or would that only make sense if I was going to put a larger tires on? The current tires are almost new, so I won't be adding larger tires until these wear down a bit.

I looked at the OME kit and they seem to get great reviews, but with the price tag, and my intended use for the truck would they be over-kill?

Any suggestions for a more budget friendly option?

I am not necessarily wanting to go the cheap route, but I also don't have the cash to go full blown. Right now $800-1k is too much to spend on suspension.

Thanks for all your help, I am looking forward to learning more about my Discovery and the hobby it comes with!

Thanks again.

 

Regarding #2, Terafirma 2" lift kit from Lucky 8. Can't comment on #1.

 

Skip the suspension and look to see if you have the center diff lock components on your factory transfer case. You can do a search on "discovery center diff lock" or similar, on this board and Google to learn all about that. If your truck doesn't have it, you can easily score another used transfer case with the center diff lock for under $300 shipped to your dock or scavenged from your nearest junk yard/recycler. Then you will have to locate a shifter but having center diff lock is everything in the world. You can skip the overpriced Mantec snorkel and get one of the cheapos from EBay for much less. It's all plastic with no obvious differences except the name and costs. do yourself a favor and read the sticky for updating the maintenance items on your new to you Disco. It will keep it running reliably, which is a major chore. If you plan on doing water crossings, you better water proof all of the electricals. People have big problems once water gets up to the doors as the computers are mounted pretty low. Use dielectric grease on all of your connections/harness packs that could come into contact with water. Get a 180 degree thermostat to keep the engine running cool. Do a search on this too.

 

Thanks for the info. I was reading about the differential and appreciate you mentioning it. Seems like a must.

For the 180 degree thermostat, the Motorad 439-180 will work, correct?

Thanks again for all the info. I am looking forward to getting my truck set up.

 

Disclaimer: I have a Mantec snorkel and really like it.

The Mantec works well if your primary concern is dust/sand clogging your air filter.

As mentioned previously, the D2 requires a lot of work to relocate and water proof electronics in order to prepare for wading.

In stock form, the D2 performs very well both on and off road. Especially if you have, or add the center dif lock. If you don't plan on changing your tires, a lift makes little practical sense unless you need to upgrade shocks and springs anyway.

A body lift doesnt buy you buy you anything other than the ability to run a larger tire. Height under the dif is still your limiting factor. In addition, raising the vehicles center of gravity, compromises on road handling. I know this because I screwed up mine

if if you're going to do a thermostat, either get the "tropical" genuine gray td5 stat or do the inline mod. Reports on the motorad thermostat are that they can be inconsistent.

 

I have a 2003 deleted diff lock so I found a case at my local junk yard and removed only the front output section of the case to swap into my original case, rather than replacing the entire thing. This is another route that you can take, plus I may have an extra that I can ship to you. It's not a hard job, just nuts and bolts, whereas swapping a whole case is more involved and you don't know how hard the replacement was ridden til you buy it, crack it open and see what surprise you get. But the diff lock supercedes any and all mods. Diff lock and good tires will get you where you want to go and then some.

Skip the Motorad. I got one and my truck ran at no where near 180. It actually opened at 194 so then my temps were climbing to 204. The quality control is minimal on this product so you have to get the LR stat. I actually scrapped everything and did the inline housing mod so I'm running at 180f now, which is what everyone should shoot for. These engines can not tolerate heat at all, especially as more miles get put on it I'd be scared that a cyl liner would shift at any moment. Much less concerned now that temps are low and stable.
But those cheap chinese snorkel kits are selling. Several people have said kits are fine and have no regrets and hold up just the same as name brand raised intakes.

 

Thanks for the offer! I am still trying to figure out if I have the differential that only needs the lever attached. I will report back.

Thanks again!

 

My differential is set up to receive a lever. Very glad I won't have to replace the entire differential. If I can find a lever off of an 04' Disco is it "plug and play" or will I have to modify it at all? Are there any other years that I can pull the lever off of? Thanks!

 

I always tell people to go with the 3" RTE. Well respected brand without the OME price tag. And go with 3", you won't regret it and it opens up many more tire sizes. I started with a 2" and when I saw it I knew I should have gone with 3". Put the 3" on a couple years later. And there is no need for new brake line etc. with the 3".

 

Thanks for the info, great food for thought!

Does anyone know if the D1 Diff Lever will work with my 01 DII? I found a 97 in a salvage yard in town. My DII is set up to receive the lever already.

Thanks.