Hi guys,

I am looking for some advice. I have been reading the older posts and feel that I have a better understanding of the Discoverys but I have some questions I am hoping you can help with. I am looking to buy a low mileage used Discovery 2 and have found a few good options.

I am between a 2001 and a 2003.

The 2001 is cheaper but has more mileage and is 2 years older. My question for the 2001 is how do I find out when it was made and if I can put a locker in it if I ever want to modify (VIN number range?).

The 2003 is more, has fewer miles, and is not in theVIN number danger zone for the 03 oil pump issue. Am I correct that NO 2003 can be fitted with a locker without major $$$. Also are 03s outside of the serial number range still in danger of havingmajor engineissues because I cannot afford a 3-5K repair at the outset?

Thanks

 

Just out of curiosity, why so set on lockers? Are you gonna be building a hard core trail only rig?

 

Not planning onlockers initially. For now this will be my daily driver that I take into the mountains for weekend wheeling. But I would like to keep my options open. Plus if the 01 doesn't have the option for lockers, I see that as another check in the 03 pros column.

 

Do you mean the CDL or axle lockers?
Axle lockers can be put in any truck, doesnt matter the year and because the '01 and '03 have the same axles the price cost for lockers should be the same.

 

Wrong, you can not use lockers in a vehicle that does not have the ability to lock the t/case. If you tried, you would only have a lock up if the traction control sent power to an axle, it would go on and off in milla second and destroy itsel in a couple of miles of use off road.

 

So how does that work on a Jeep that doesnt have a CDL?

 

Errrrrrr nope, yes you can use lockers in a Disco 2 whether it has a CDL or not. It does not matter.
The ETC system in a D2 can compare wheel speeds across each axle AND front to rear.

So if you have a front locker it will compare the speeds and brake upto 3 wheels, both fronts and 1 rear.

If you have 2 lockers, front and rear, it will compare front to rear axles and brake 2 wheels on same axle that are spinning the fastest. It wont care about a CDL or not.

And same for a rear locker only as the front, it will brake both rears and 1 front wheel.

The ETC system will function perfectly normal.

 

So do either the 01 or the 03 have CDL?

 

I dont know. I know that the '04 has it, and I am pretty sure that the '00 does, but there were several years that did not have it.
It is confusing, some had it on the t-case but not the linkage to the cabin, some didnt even have it on the t-case.
Its enough to make your head hurt.

 

As a "general" rule, all Disco 2's upto about April 2001 (max) have the CDL components in the transfer case, but none of these have a lever to use it, you would have to add it. From late 2003 the CDL became a customer option, so some will some wont have a CDL, those that do will have the lot, CDL in the transfer case AND the lever etc all connected up.

If you want to see if one has a CDL in the case, simply crawl underneath and reach up onto the transfer case just behind / above the rear UJ on the front propshaft and you can "feel" if the spigot is there, no spigot =no CDL

If you look at the pictures here, you will see where and what to look for.
http://www.discovery2.co.uk/diff_lock.html