Just acquired 97 Disco with around 120,000 on OD(the guys that work on my Porsche had it and thought I might want it).It appeared at first to have been abused but after general check up it was just dirty(cleaned up pretty good inside and out).Some things that stand out on the get fixed first list.It is leaking something(semi-clear) from under(my mechanic said at first glance could be steering box)(steering also has more play than I would like).-would aftermarket steering stabilizer help?).Also passenger side front sits a little lower than drivers(already have set of Bilsteins coming) but could be something else.The front sunroof not operational(must have leaked because headliner was loose around it).I sealed the sunroof shut and reattached the hdlnr so that is fixed.After that just little things(I didn't say inexpensive).More things work(surprising)(AC,cruise,fogs,ect) than not.Even had manual with some maintenance records so it started out right.Actual plan is to restore into heavy duty trail/off road toy(not a daily driver).Any "must" check out or maintain scenarios that I ought know about?Looking forward to learning from the veteran LR crowd and interacting as I go.Thanks.

 

Do a search for the 60K service on here. It is a must if you don't know what has been done to the truck.

If you are going to offroad it, get an OME lift. It will give you about 2" and improve the ride drastically. Go to lrrforums.com and check out the store link. Tony has the complete spring/shock/steering stab package. should cover all of your woes.

Your power steering box should have ATF in it, not power steering fluid.Double check that one.. Also, the hose clamps tend to wear out if they aren't the worm style clamps. Cut the old ones off and replace them. It is a common place to leak.

Check all of you ball joints (tie rod ends) for play on the steering as well. Oh, and if you are doing a tune up, Tony also has Magnacor 8MM plug wires, best way to go.....

 

One other scenario is it appears to run cold(temp.gauge)(takes quite a while to get to bottom of C)(heater blows hot though and it runs fine).I guess this is better than running hot but could it be the thermo. stuck open(common?).Thanks.

 

it happens. Easy to change.

I would get a rave CD from Ebay, it is only $10. It has the entire workshop manual in it.... helps when bleeding the coolant system. It is a little tricky..Also, make sure she doesn't overheat. You can drop a liner easy, and then it is toast...

 

Thanks for the feedback!I am going to get more familiar with all of the little idios and nuances that this unit has and then take it back in and have my mechanic fix and do the (scheduled)checkups that it is probably due.(I feel pretty good about who I got it from because it would not do them any good to f#$* me on this because they have worked on all my cars for the last 15 yrs).(plus I am not into this(Disco) for very much-knowing from experience that there will be costs involved.It's just money,can't take it with me when I am gone so I am going have as much fun as I can while I'm here.Later.

 

I would start by changing the t-stat and hoses. Then change all the fluids, plugs and wires and she will be fine. Then make your mods as money and time permit.
I dont have any experiance with the Magnacor wires but I use Denso Iridium plugs.

 

Funny you should mention plug wires because I was bored and went out(5 degree temp.-idiot!) and started messing with the Disco.I popped the hood and started checking things and the plug wires caught my eye(they were red)(not usual OEM color for most vehicles but how about LR's?).All fluids looked good(at a glance).Wish I had room in garage to work on it(Porsche,Audi,and golf cart have seniority) so the Disco sleeps outside(just as well now since it is leaking something.)

 

BTW, shocks do absolutely zero when it comes to ride height. That's the coil dept. So I'd get an Old Man Emu mild lift. If all you are looking for right now, is to level it out, you can get coil spacers that you can install where needed. But that's definitely not what I'd do.

 

One more question.This unit is shod with 255/70R16's (Goodyear wrangler RT/S's)all around.Is this a standard size(or larger or smaller) for this vehicle?

 

Standard tire size is 235/70-16. That is the factory size. Because tire choice is limited in that size most of us run 245/75-16.