Looking at a couple discos this week after lurking and learning here.

1999 with 130k has a decent service history but the second and current owner bought it for a quick flip after it sat for a year. Body and interior rough but frame looks great. Has 3 amigos

2004 in great condition supposedly had head gasket done 10k ago. Also has 3 amigos.

No rust on either but the cheaper 99 needs every piece of plastic trim replaced including around the windshield and drip edge.

I'm getting the autel al619 to bring with me. Are there any codes that are catastrophic and should be avoided at all costs?

 

The gutter trim is a hard to find bit if memory serves.

By the best one you can and good luck

 

Get the 04, you will be happier. It is easier to keep them nice than to bring them back to nice condition. Extra money well spent. After you become a seasoned owner then you can buy a junker and have fun with it.

 

Thanks all for the replies. I'll direct my attention to towards starting with the best platform. Any engine or abs codes that are absolute no go ?

 

ABS problems are an easy fix, like most everything on these trucks.
Time and money is all you need.
All 04's have a cdl too, you want that if you off road any.
Some of the earlier D2's have them, and sometimes people have added them.
Rusted frames are the only real deal breakers on these.

 

Can oil pressure be read through the obdii and what should it be

 

No, you need to install a gage.
A new front cover and oil pump is always a good idea on these engines.

 

Engine codes to look out for:

One cylinder misfire without obvious misfire ie bad coil or plug wire. I had one that would give a missfire code but ran fine - turned out to be low compression on that cylinder. Never figured out why.

Oil pressure is a good thing to check - Advance mechanical gauge can be installed easily from the top by removing one screw. I buy the Advance aluminum plug, drill and tap for the oil pressure hose fitting. I don't remember the correct aluminum plug thread size, but someone on here might remember. You can look at photos of the front cover/oil filter mount and see the plug that needs to come out. Looking at it from the top you can see it.

Run the VIN and if it has spent any time north of Tenn. check the frame next to the cats for rust.

02 sensor codes can be an early sign of leaking head gaskets (antifreeze kills them) even before they overheat.

Post up the CL ads or pics and we can help more.

 

99 should have the CDL nipple 02's are the grey area and for sure 03's didn't. I prefer the 99-02's myself for the glass headlights, 4.0L is more reliable vs the 4.6L IMHO, but rust is the #1 thing to check. ABS as mentioned above is easy. Option B mod and some new sensors should take care of the 3 amigo's.

You can find the plastic trim you just gotta look around.