Hi everyone! I bought a 2002 Disco 2 just after thanksgiving. I found the truck on craigslist and after test driving it and looking at the past 3 years of service records I ended up purchasing it. The disco 2 has had about 14k worth of work done in the last 3 years. I will list the repairs below. I bought it of 5k and the truck is my daily driver but I would like to do some light to moderate 4x4 driving which I am new too ( tips appreciated). I bought the truck because I am in northern Michigan fly fishing most weekends and was sick of my Volkswagen Passat not being able to access some areas I would like to fish, and also getting stuck on gravel roads. Because I am using it as my daily driver I would not like to lift it, however, I am planning on getting the steel bumper from Atlantic British that has the slot for a winch (https://www.roverparts.com/body-chassis/bumpers/DA5645/) as well as a winch. I have also purchased a light bar for the top with specific disco 2 brackets (https://www.ebay.com/itm/52inch-1125...72.m2749.l2649) (https://www.ebay.com/itm/52-Curved-L...72.m2749.l2649). I currently have the stock 18' rims and 255/55/R18 Toyo open country AT II tires, they have plenty of treads left. I was thinking about getting 16" rims and 29' tires so I could air down for better off-road performance. When I purchased the truck I was unaware that the 2002 model did not have the transfer case that can have a CDL shifter attachment. My questions are as followed. I do not have much experience working on cars, however, I do feel confidant putting the bumper and light bar on, is installing a new transfer case and CDL linkage beyond the skill of a beginner? also, is the standard traction control more than capable for what I am planning on doing with the truck? any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

REPAIRS
serp belt
Exhaust system
Sway bar
AC hose
Air Filter
Spark plugs
Ceramic pads front and rear
Break disc high carbon x4
Caliper Lr
Break fluid wash
New ball joint upper and lower left
Wiper blades
Battery
Engine coolant
Cylinder head gasket set with valve stem seals
Cylinder head bolts
Thermostat
Front Driveshaft
Axel fluid
Synthetic transmission switch
Trim repair
Purge valve
coil packs and wire set
License plate cover
Blower motor cleaning
Mass airflow sensor and air filter
Transmission switch
REPAIRS SINCE IVE OWNED IT
Wheel bearing (pass)
Rear sway bars


Thanks
Mark

 

Buy yourself a ultraguage and monitor the coolant temperature
If it’s running 210-225 get a 180 thermostat
i found the 78 c stamped bearmach brand a very good quality. The Atlantic British 180 warm weather thermostat a good choice too
and change to green coolant
that should be number 1, on your list

cdl well I had a shop install a transfer case from a 99 to my 03. It’s heavy and you need a tranny jack It cost me $4 or 500 cdn for them to install it
after it was installed I bought a 2004 linkage and installed it myself. It’s very easy to install the linkage.

But the traction control alone is very capable and if you get a winch you prob won’t need the cdl

 

Thanks for the response. I did not mention that I installed an Xgauge from amazon on it. It plugs into the ODM II port. During winter up here is rarely went above 204 on the highway, I think once it went to like 207. can you expand on the green coolant? I'm not sure what the difference is. Thanks

 

the orange dexcool has a bad name around here.it tends to gummm up stuff as it gets older I would flush that out good with a garden hose and put in some fresh green coolant

 

If you are just two-tracking it around northern Michigan...odds are...TC, good A/T tires and a winch will get you through most places...or into enough trouble where they won't...lol.

CDL is a game changer, if you go into areas you probably shouldn't alone. Added it to my 01 (just linkage, had CDL on transfer case) and it was a beast.



Brian.

 

Thanks. Any thoughts on 16" rims vs 18" rims?

 

18" handles better on the street, and tires are easier to find as very few cars still come with 16's. The 16's ride softer, will generally do better off road with expert users who will air down. Casual users may find the 18's wider tread to perform better off road.

 

Yeah, 16's offer a better sidewall...for off road. And, as far as sellection goes...l'm going to disagree a bit with Extinct and say there's still a pretty good variety out there. I mean, enough to find a decent application for whatever your desire...M/T, A/T, etc.

Have 18's on both of our Dll's at the moment, and will probably stay that way. These two are primarily road machines. Might bump up to a slightly larger size on the 04 someday, but who knows...maybe not? Both Dll's handle really well on the road, as mentioned, and have great road manners considering the vehicle (both have standard tire size).

What l've found while off roading on forest service roads here in MI, and since that's where you're from, sand seems to be the most commonly encountered surface. So, airing down is important...but...l'd assume airing down a 18 wouldn't be an issue in this type of soil. Sure, there are rocky areas...but they are few and far between in comparison. Even mud, as far as the lower goes...you better be right out after a good rain...or you'll miss it for the most part...the sandy soil stuff absorbs it like a bounty paper towel. Sure, if you get off the beaten path (two track), you'll find mud in swampy areas, such as around Oil city and Gladwin...but...if the DNR finds you doing so...shame on ya. Most two tracks are maintained by the logging companies anymore and they improve them to the point of being "no fun". Had an awesome two track that climbed a decent grade over by South Branch, last time there...it had been turned into a road. Talk about depressing.

Anyhow, post up some pictures of your Dll when you get a chance.

Brian.

 

Thanks for the response!