My dad and brother both live in Colorado and we've been planning another hunting trip with the 3 of us. This will probably be my dad's last hunt. I was debating on which Land Rover to drive. I really want to take the Disco, but the LR3 gets about twice the gas mileage. The disco has 265/75r/16's on it, I get roughly 10-12mpgs. I've got 259k miles on it. No leaks. I do get random misfire errors which I have not been able to figure out. I've replaced the coil packs, wires, plugs, etc... all the normal maintenance stuff. It's been that way since I bought it last year. Never had any issues with it. Any suggestions? would you drive 1600 miles in a Disco II? What items would you bring in case you have issues?

 

I'd drive 2,400 miles in my 95 D1, 97 D1, 99 D2, or 02 D2 no question about it. Just check all the fluids before you take off on your trip, and each morning you head out. Maybe take 1qt of oil, 1 gallon of water/coolant, and a small tool bag, jumper cables, and a tire plug kit/air pump.

 

@soarvet I am with @Best4x4 if you trust it drive it. Really 1600 miles should not be that big a deal.

Do a solid pre-trip add an ODB reader to your kit and go.

I you think anything might pop up in the D2, that might get you stuck somewhere take the LR. Given it might be your dad's last hunt base everything around that.

 

I did 1600 miles out to Montana in the 99 D2 this past summer. I've got a 175k on it right now, I was a little apprehensive about taking it at first and I did have an o2 sensor go out on the way there so I got terrible fuel economy, but other than that it was great! I did take a little extra oil, coolant, and a toolkit I keep in the truck anyway- but didn't have to use any of it. What you really want to consider here is:
1) Given the fuel economy, taking the D2 is going to be much more expensive, but is it going to give you any more capability than the LR3 which you are going to use? It sounds like the LR3 is a much better highway cruiser but if your plans are to get really out in the sticks I could see how you would want the extra capability of the D2.
2) The LR3 is your daily so if that is trouble free that's a strong point in its favor, especially given that it might be your Dad's last trip, a broken LR would put a damper on that and it sounds like you might not get a redo.

Good luck!

 

Take both just to be safe

 

I've done 2000+ mile road trips in our 03 D2 and those are with 4 people and a ton of stuff. We do hot weather and cold weather trips too, I've seen -2F and 110F outside temps. Biggest failure was an aftermarket mud flap melting in 100F+ degree heat.

I do carry with me

• Took kit
• Coolant
• CPS
• Recovery gear (winch, straps, shackles, gloves, traction pads...)
• Towels (I've needed to mop out my airbox before due to having the snorkel facing forward and bombing through water)

Those are my just in case items. I used to carry a spare thermostat but have gone to inline mod now.

 

Thanks guys. All excellent points. I have an ultragauge in the D2. I just wanted to get everybody's thoughts. It's been driving fine over the last year. I've taken it on 200-300 mile jaunts to the north GA mountains with no issues other than the occasional misfire codes thrown. I've done a lot of work to it taking it from its stock form to the way it is now. Fixed the oil leaks and replaced all fluids, plugs, wires, etc... I'll do a good oil change before I leave and pack it up with extra coolant, oil, and a tool bag, and rags. I'm looking forward to the road trip and the opportunity to get out with my dad and brother and roam around the Rockies.

 

Discos are not glass eggs although they often get portrayed that way. I drive the hell out of mine. I take the 600 mile trips to Colorado and climb the rainbow trail and climb 12000 feet over boulders the size of houses. Then drive home and do it again next year. I dont give it a second thought.

Like an old girlfriend once told me, if you ain't tearing **** up, you ain't having fun.

 

Yeah, I see how they can have that rap. They always have some kind of issue. I just wanted to get people's perspective. I normally just use it for fun on the weekends going up to North Georgia. Never had any issue with it. Just wondered if people take theirs on long road trips. It's a 1600 mile trip one-way with 256,000 miles. My first mind says "trust it, it's hasn't let you down." The wife says "are you sure it'll make it?" so I kinda start second guessing myself. I appreciate everybody's insight and feedback.

 

@soarvet I agree with what has been posted already. I think they have the perception of being “glass eggs” because there’s always something that needs attention -such is the nature of and older car, especially a British car!

But, they’re very very durable. If you feel you’re truck is sorted, which I would define as meaning that you’ve put enough miles on it to know what to expect from it, and dealt with the issues that came up, I wouldn’t hesitate a second.

Make sure to look over all the hoses and hose clamp under the hood - I’m sure that’s already been mentioned.