Thanks much! Hey I noticed in your signature you mention dynamic drive line! Are you selling them? I will be in need of one in November!

 

I do not but Justin is a good friend of mine, and he would be glad to build what ever you need. You will get a balanced high quality drive shaft, i feel they are the same quality as GBR if not better for a heck of alot cheaper.

 

Just got back home, here is how everything went down:

The service engine light is on, and a ticking noise is clearly heard in the engine bay. Upon turning the ignition and starting the rig, all the dashboard lights show up, then disappear as they should. So no 3 amigos and the dash has not been tampered with. The rear door latch is loose and is missing a nut. Brakes are a little squishy (more so than the 2003 S). The A-frame push bar has some chipped paint and surface rust, and the same can be found on the rear cargo door where the ladder attaches. The ladder and rear lamp guards were removed and need a new coating of paint. Maybe sandblasted to. I forgot to check out the front wheels in connection to the position of the steering wheel.... vehicle needs a good bath and detailing. I recorded a short film which I will post once I figure out how to transfer it from my digital camera.

All in all its a nice truck, and it comes complete with documentation of ownership all the way back to day one with the first owner. Also comes with all manuals including a documented maintenance service record! All routine maintenance service intervals from 7,500-90,000 are recorded and have a land rover stamp. All maintience performed since is also documented but not in the record book, I'm waiting for the seller to get the print out of all the work performed by the local mechanic. I'm amazed out how well documented the history of this truck is, and I have a dam good idea where to resume the needed maintence. But I will need to work on that ticking in the engine bay, I'm hoping its not to serious seeing how the rig has had all service intervals performed.I made a down payment of $500.00 and it will be paid off around November - I have EVERY intention of keeping this Disco no matter what.



I have the original Gas Mileage/Vehicle features guide which comes with every vehicle when they come off the sales floor. It lists all the features included in the Cold Climate and Trail 1 Edition package, for which this specific truck is badged:

Cold Climate Package:
Heated Front Windscreen & Front Seats

Trail 1 Edition:
Satin Black A-Frame Brush Bar
Driving Lamps with Lamp Covers
Rear Ladder and Upper Lamp Guards

 

 

Might want to check the rear door section more closely. Why is it missing a nut, why was the ladder removed, and why were the lamp guards removed? Maybe it was involved in a rear-end collision? Other than the obvious (looking to buy a newer vehicle), why is the current owner selling? It looks like you're buying this truck regardless, but if you can learn more about it before taking title, you'll feel better about the deal later (and maybe you ask for a discount if it has been in a fender-bender).

It's nice to have the window sticker and all that stuff. Frame it and put it in your garage

RedAustinIX (Ed)

 

Some of my thoughts exactly. Apparently the disco was purchased around 2 years ago for their daughter. She made routine trips to and from college in the upper New Hampshire area where the roads get pretty bad, so the parents wanted her to have a solid 4x4. Now she's out of college and her parents gave her a choice between keeping the disco or getting a brand new car - she picked a new Honda accord with better fuel economy. Both parents have newer cars, and both kids have a car plus visitors so they just decided to sell the disco since the daughter isn't using it anymore.

The seller said that they removed both the ladder and rear upper lamp guards because they had chipped paint and were rusting, they intended on getting them sandblasted and re-painted, but never got around to it. I noticed that the area where the ladder mounts, the paint is discolored and is bubbled up - which seems to confirm their story about the chipped paint and rust. I found no other evidence on the rear end that would suggest any kind of collision - unless they replaced the entire rear bumper, rear door and lights, but I doubt that. The rear bumper has no cracks or scrap marks on it. And I did examine underneath the rear bumper, but nothing seemed to suggest damage. They also showed me the title and it did not appear to be a salvaged titled.

All in all they were very nice people and I did get good vibes from them. They own their own house, have two full grown kids who are in college, 4 newer cars, so they just seem like wealthy people who don't really need $9,000 for the disco. They were kind to let me take all the ,manuals and records home .

 

Whats up with the ticking sound??

 

That's the big gamble.... on one hand the vehicle has had all its service intervals completed by authorized land rover dealer, but on the other hand the truck now has 130k and a engine tick. I did not notice the tick until after we got back from a 4 mile long test drive, we let it idle then I noticed the ticking...
Worst case scenario I'll have to have the engine rebuilt. I will start by bring the truck to DAP enterprise and have them use their land rover expertise to pin point the problem then I'll go from there. Anyone know on average how much a engine rebuilt goes for?

 

I see engines for $2000 often but then three more to put it in somewhere around there.

 

Well, at this point it looks like you've found one of those good, solid deals that most people are looking for: Documented history, no monkey business, and owners who had the cash necessary to do all of the servicing.

The surface rust/bubbling gives me a bit of pause, but given where you live it sounds like that will always be an issue.

As for the engine issue -- I've kind-of always had the attitude that those of us with '03-'04 (esp. '03) are always at risk for an engine replacement. So, enjoy the truck while you have it, do due diligence on engine service, build up an engine emergency replacement fund, and enjoy the truck in the meantime.

Nice job on doing your research and finding a great truck!

RedAustinIX (Ed)