I just bought a really nice 2003 Discovery with 150,000 on it. It was well cared for but they never had to do any major maintenance. I recently just replaced the head gasket. Car runs smooth and sounds good.
However, I'm looking for suggestions on what other preventative maintenance items should be a priority so that I don't have any major issues down the road.
I have read that doing the u joints is important. Do they just fail with no warning? How many of them are there to replace?
Thanks

 

Do a search for Disco Mike's 60K service. It's all you need to know for prevention.

 

^^

Do that service and you'll learn a ton about your vehicle, and will give it the best chance of trouble free motoring for a while.
If you've got SAI have a good go over the vacuum system. Replace connectors and tubing if it looks any way worn. Seems to me lots of newish owners come through with issues related to that.

 

RH or LH? Turn and own tools?
https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...service-29020/
......

 

Thanks for the guidance.
Replaced both head gaskets and yes I have my own tools.

 

Number9 posted the link to the Major Service, which is also in the sticky section.

One thing that confused me the first time I read it was this line:
6 Qts. of engine oil, Shell Rotella T-6

T-6 is full synthetic. T-5 is synthetic blend. Then there is plain old Rotella 15W-40 dinosaur oil. That's what I went with. It is HIGHLY recommended. I live in Texas so 15W-40 works year round. Cold weather folks switch to Rotella 5W-40 in the winter.

I found this Rotella 15W-40 is sweet glorious honey for my engine. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Most folks go to the store, look for it, find it, see "Diesel engine" on the bottle, come home and ask, then go back to buy it when we say ignore the diesel engine label. It's for gas and diesel alike.

High capacity oil filter too like NAPA 1515 or WIX 51515 (extra 5 in number)

 

Like Jamie said, get a heavy oil for it. If you live in an area that doesn't get too hot, use 10w-40. It is recommended by LR for "average" climates. I use Castrol GTX 10w-40 in mine because I live in San Fransisco (it is usually 60F-80F). If you live in a hot area, like Texas, 15w-40 is a brilliant choice. With 15w-40, your engine is good to something ridiculous like 140F ambient temperature. I was using Rotella 15w-40 when I used to live in Dallas.

Also, X2 on the high capacity filters. I use the Mobil 1 M1-301.

And like you said, the front U-joints are a problem on this truck. The easiest thing to do is to just replace the front drive shaft. They often go without warning.

 

Everybody is definitely pointing you in the right direction. I just wanted to add one more oil filter option to the mix. The Wix 51515XP. Same size as the other three, but it's Wix's synthetic filter. Not just for synthetic oil, but the filtering material is synthetic.

That said, the Mobil 1 is my personal choice. It filters better than the rest and doesn't cost that much more.

And the driveshaft issue has already been stated. Be sure to grease all the u-joints at every oil change.