I'm making a big move come April 2015 and I need to make some big decisions about my Disco. Love it very much and I take pride in all the hard work and money I have invested in this truck to make it what it is today. Not even going to consider leaving the Land Rover community which is why I'm thinking about shipping my Disco up with me to Alaska when I go. She has 144,999 and so far she has been good for the most part with no major issues. A crankshaft position here, brakes shot there, and bad brake light switch, several pleas for help with routine maintenance and most recently a failing power steering pump which I will be replacing momentarily. But on the bright side I have not had any engine or drivetrain issues. All my electronics work and Ive never had a problem with my sunroofs. Good enough reason to bring her to Alaska. I anticipate a quality paint job and a top hat lined engine in the next few years if money is good BUT the real ball breaker is 2 holes in my chassis - thanks all to much to the people who apply salt on the roads in New England. (Alaska gets more snow and ice and they dont seem to use salt). Alas I now have to consider buying a used rust free chassis and swapping things over, or buying a new galvanized chassis or just calling it quits with this truck, try selling her and seek out a completely rust free truck out west or somewhere down south where rust is not an issue.

I like spending money on my truck as much as the rest of you but I would not mind saving a couple grand if I could. I paid $5,500 for my truck with 131,000k on it and Ive invested a couple thousand more into her in parts I wanted to replace. I know alot of these trucks are selling for under that now and I also know that most rust free Black on Black D2's are still selling in the $12,000 range (more than I really want to pay). So what should I do? How much do you guys think my truck is worth? For what its worth a trusted mechanic friend of mine (Mr. Don Trudeau) said he would repair my chassis for several hundred bucks (not to bad in the grand scheme of things) via a box weld procedure. But Ive talked to some of my British mates about it and they are convinced the best way to go is a new galvanized chassis and be done with the rust problem once and for all.....

As it is Im about to sink in another $800 in new power steering parts for my truck in a couple weeks (new pump, new hoes, new reservoir and LR PS fluid) and I'm currently making payments on a new costume RTE HD rear bumper. I have no intentions of cancelling that deal and weather I keep this truck or switch it for another one I will be using the bumper. But what are my options. How much should I sell her for?

In a best case scenario I could find a 2004 Black on Black D2 with a rust free chassis and save $$$$ on the amount it would cost me to get my current truck painted black and in chassis replacement costs.... and continue on my marry way. But it sucks having to start all over with all the work and parts Ive already replaced. I literally have a large pile of receipts for parts and service (mostly parts) Ive ordered for my truck. It sadnes me to just give up on a project.

By the way the price it will cost me to ship my Disco from New Hampshire to Anchorage Alaska will be around $4,000.

Craigslist: http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/4638859582.html

 

Seems like a lot of $$ to ship to Alaska! I shipped an LR 3 a few years ago from Michigan to Edmonton AB by rail for $1200. I would be tempted to drive it myself, what an adventure! I guess it depends how attached to your truck you are as to which way you go. You could look for an 03 with a blown motor, like the black one I have in my shop. 😉. I've been slowly stripping it for parts. Up here in Alberta you can buy the older disco 2's with small to major problems from $500 to $2000. Tough decision to make, at least you have some time!!

 

A galvanized chassis?!! They cost $4,300 plus you need to pay for the swap. You'll be at $10k before you know it. That's nuts! Seriously, only someone who is very bad at math would go that route. Fix the holes for a few hundred bucks, chip off the flakes elsewhere and coat the frame with some of this stuff Frame Paint Kit - Frame Coater Kit - Stop Chassis Rust with KBS Coatings and be done with it. You have most of the other stuff fixed already and you will probably get further with the current engine than you think.

 

Shipping is not to expensive if the start and ending location are in the lower 48 states but most shipping companies now will not drive through Canada so consequently my truck would be shipped from New Hampshire to Seattle Washington then barged to Anchorage. From NH to Washington would cost just under $2,000 BUT the dam barge companies charge $2,500 just to barge from Seattle to AK!

I do have time, thank god for that lol

 

I think you could drive it for less than $4k. I mean I get 17 on the highway, divided by the amount of miles you are from anchorage...

 

At 144k Im still using the original headgaskets, original radiator and cooling hoses, original bushings so I would not dare push my luck and do a drive that long. Grant it would be cheaper but thats assuming nothing breaks down and i would not have mearly enough money to get the truck towed the rest of the way... one day down the road when I have a new top hat engine installed, all new bushings and the entire cooling system has been updated then I will do treks like that but i dont believe my truck is ready for that yet.

 

I'm taking my 99 with 198km on it to the Yukon next summer. I would just upgrade your rad, hoses, water pump and thermostat and go. Take a head gasket kit with you and roll the dice? Start collecting some parts. The money you save driving it up you could most likely do the head gaskets before you leave? It's about a 4500 mile trip, and you have to come thru my town. Gladly have you over night here and and help you with any repairs and some fresh oil on your way thru. Anything for the rover community!!

 

$5k for a frame, $6k for and engine & $3k for paint just doesn't add up.
box the frame to make it safe, put in a used power steering pump & sell the truck.
then you can add the $2k you saved on shipping to the purchase price on the west coast.

you want black on black here you go:
all have less mileage than yours and are for sale for considerably less,
so if you are going to ship one, ship the right one.

2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SE
2003 Land Rover Discovery II SE, Black on Black (new engine)
2003 Land Rover Discovery - Black on Black Leather - Just Serviced

 

High miles, rust, no head gaskets done.

Just repeating what your post states. I wouldn't pay more than 4k, tops. Lifts and fancy rims don't help when it breaks.

You asked, I'm just being honest.

 

If you get a D2, you will just be starting over. Take a safari and drive it up.