I know, this will start some fights, but I just want to gather info. Mainly about reliability. With all the HG and liner failures, which had the best engines?

I know on paper the 04 is the best with the big engine and CDL, but they seem to be to most prone to HG failure. My 01 has no ***** but the HG is still intact at 160k. I'd like a 4.6 for the power but i fear the engine issues.

 

I’m a 99-02 guy. You feel the difference with the 4.6L but it is NOT a night & day difference. It’s like comparing a stock D2 performance wise & then changing to larger tires & seeing less get up & go due to larger tires or added weight from an ARB & winch.

Any LR V8 can suffer from HG issues, or liner issues if it’s run hot enough! It just didn’t help the 03-04 models when they made em run warmer than previous models for better emissions. Not to mention the tooling which made the blocks was worn out & old. They didn’t fix em because the LR3 was already in the works.

99-01 D2’s for sure should have the CDL nipple as well as “some” early 02’s, so slap on an 04 CDL linkage & then the 99-02’s are far superior to any 03-04 & 99-02 had engine oil coolers vs 03-04’s which do not.

I also prefer the 99-02 tail lights as they’re made out of better plastic. I also prefer the D1 looking glass headlights that DO NOT fade from UV unlike 03-04 D2’s with plastic headlight assemblies.

 

03/04 D2 4.6(non P38, and the C grade blocks)seem to have the most problems and worst reputation.
My 04 4.6 has 3 liners leaking at 122k miles.
And had previously had head gaskets before I bought it.
ALL bearings were shot too, but maintenance has alot to do with it too.
I only put a few hundred miles on mine since I bought it and tore it down.

 

My vote 99-02

 

I may be incorrect here but I thought the 03-04 had less issues with slipped liners due to a change in cylinder design - a lip at the bottom. But I like my 04 - I wish we had better data on head gaskets and cracked blocks engine though.

 

I have my 4.6, and a 4.0 short block I just got, so I can take pictures tonight and compare.
More block data will be coming soon too.
Extinct will be removing the liners of my bad 4.6 block and looking for cracks.
The 4.6 block is scrap now anyway, so it can be cut through or tested anyway he sees fit or if there are any specific requests that he'd be willing to do.
He's an engineer too, so the info will be legit.

 

Adding an oil cooler is mandatory for these years, if you want to extend engine life and reduce wear. The earlier the better. I measured oil temperature reduction of 20 degrees F.

 

why do you say "apparently that's a thing" for the 1999? that was the first year of the d2.

 

What is a good option for adding a good oil cooler ??

 

@redwhitekat An aftermarket unit and pancake adaptor would work fine,you just need to size it correctly.