Hey all!

So we're selling one of the Discos but not 100% certain which one. They each have pros/cons. They're both extremely clean and run like tops, both have 100% new cooling systems, both have 10/10 interiors, both have factory brush guards and safari racks, and both have CDLs. Here are the main differences...

The 2004:

1. Perfect Giverny Green paint. PO always had it garaged.
2. No rear A/C.
3. Air suspension works perfectly, even has factory remote to raise and lower from outside the truck. Also have a spare set of OEM air bags.
4. Headliner is sort of saggy but not the worst I've seen.
5. 99,000 miles.
6. Rusty back half of frame. Also not the worst I've seen, mostly just surface rust.
7. Less emotionally attached to this one.
8. Faster.
9. Not a fan of the plastic headlights always needing maintenance to stay clear.
10. Seven seater.

The 2002:

1. Paint is 10/10 except the roof which has a clear coat peeling issue. It's Chawton White though, so not noticeable at all.
2. Has rear A/C.
3. Coil rear springs from factory.
4. Fixed headliner, looks great.
5. 180,000 miles.
6. Zero rust on frame.
7. More emotionally attached to this one. Had it the longest, brought our daughter home from the hospital in it, always the one we take camping, etc.
8. Slower.
9. Prefer the look of the glass headlights and like that they don’t fog up like the plastic ones do.
10. Five seater.

I might be missing a few bullets, but overall that’s where we’re at. Thoughts? Advice?

My hot take is to keep the 2002 on the emotional merits and the rust-free frame alone, even though it has fewer miles and, in my opinion, Giverny looks way cooler.

 

rear ac and zero rust make the 2002 my choice. Cash out on the 04 now while prices are still pretty high (just incase they plummet in the future)..

 

We way underestimated how valuable rear A/C would be. It’s like night and day comfort levels for kids in the back seat anytime the temps are over 70.

 

The 2002s do not have CDL. Does the white one have CDL now? If it does, I would sell the 2004 to get more cash out of it, assuming you may need CDL when going camping and off-roading.

Assuming the interiors are the same color... take out the 3rd row seats and install on the white Disco? It was very useful for us when hauling my kids (and their friends) when they were young.

 

I installed a CDL from a 2004.

The interior in the 2002 is Bahama Beige, which I actually like more than the Alpaca in the 2004, but yeah, though the third row is fun/handy, right now our daughter is only 1. In the fullness of time I might source the third row parts for Bahama Beige and make the conversion, but for now we're good. I will say, the lack of rear A/C basically nullifies the benefit of the third row in the 2004. Also fun fact, the 2002 was originally a seven seater (it's an SE7) but the prior owner long ago converted it to a five seater and installed the cubby in place of the seat (very handy). It has the hard points though and wiring (radio controls) for third row use, so the conversion back to a seven seater won't be much of a task.

 

I would sell the low mile one. You have advanced to D2 expert, so the 180k is only a number. You can easily get high dollar for the low mile one and turn the proceeds over to another one. I always sell the low mile ones and keep the very high mile ones because people do not value them. Keepers are 260,230, and 215k. I am confident they will go to 300-350, and since I only do about 3000 a year at this point that is a very long time.

 

sell the 04. clean the frame up first. give it a nice detail and list it. she's a beaut.

 

Big question - should I do a big swap around and move newer/better versions of parts and bits from the 2004 to the 2002 beforehand? Things I had in mind... I *just* installed a brand new OEM windshield cowling on the 2004. The 2002's isn't in bad shape, but it's original. Same with brand new a-pillar covers.

But the biggie is SLS... I know I'm in the minority here but I REALLY love SLS. The ability to use the Nanocom to adjust the normal driving height too is just so cool. Thoughts on swapping that over to the 2002?

 

I don't know if I'd swap for the SLS vs just trying to source parts and do it from scratch to leave the 04 alone. Toss up on the cowl and pillars, worth the risk to damage them by swapping them is the question, having not done either I have no real input there other than you're just creating work for yourself..

 

I'd keep the 02'
We brought home our daughter in my 01' Chawton white rover. lol I don't think I can part with it for the same reasons you listed, it's been my daily and #1 road tripper for 8 years.

My Blue 01' with 238k on the clock no one wants to buy, and it's sexy as hell.