I don't get why you'd sell a partially sorted D2 (yours) to get another D2 which you have to assume is completely unsorted no matter what the seller tells you. It is like starting all over again and not in a good way.

If you are committed to D2's I'd keep fixing up yours. At least you know what is wrong and still needs to be done on your car.

 

Are you moving to AK permanently or is this a seasonal gig and you'll be returning to NH afterward or what?

You'll be working long hours on an ISLAND...

I'd say save the money you would spend on taking the Disco there and use it on the truck when you get back.

And what happened to the really cool job you got who loaned you the money to get your rig out of hock?

I vote to keep it simple and pocket the expenses of taking a 4x4 to a flat island. I get that Its a cool notion but it's also very impractical. You've had enough money issues in the past few years, no need to go deeper at this time.

 

I agree! My vote: Get the frame repaired. Stick with a known quantity. Or if you've got the space, and REALLY want a black Disco you could keep your eyes out for a good western vehicle (our frames don't rust in the dry climates), in the color you want, with a blown engine. And transplant your drivetrain and mods. I think I just saw one (not black though) for $1300.

Of course, ultimately, do what you want. But I have a black one (really wanted blue or grey) and it ain't all it's cracked up to be. It shows every nick and scratch...

 

Mainland Alaska is not an island, despite the several islands off the tip of AK. I will be living year round in Seward which is roughly 20 miles inland (Resurrection Bay) and I will be living on company property so I wont even have to drive to work. Sadly though not many Rovers are up there so finding a replacement up there just is not an option. The money I would save but not driving much both in terms of gas, car insurance and even wear and tear would be enough to allow me to think about a new better engine and other things ive always wanted to get for the truck. Right now I have a good job here in NH and I drive roughly 15 miles one way 6 days a week. Rent is expensive here to. Im looking to live the adventure lifestyle that is Alaska.

Thank you for the advice guys. Any more thoughts still greatly appreciated.

 

Asking random people on a forum about life advice is probably a bad idea. Here's my suggestion: Sell the car for whatever you can get for it, (around 3k) tell the guy your not going to Alaska, (Alaska sucks, Russia didn't sell it for pennies cause they needed the money) Hitch hike to texas, buy a jet ski and start running mexicans across the border for 100 bucks a pop.

 

Better yet, come to Alberta and you will be driving a new Range Rover in no time.

 

Thats the point of this forum and the reason you are here responding to my post Im not asking if I should move to AK, Ive made up my mind. The truck is the question.

I've never seen a stock 04 sell for under $5,500, say nothing about a highly invested 04 D2. The prices you guys are throwing out there do seem well under the actual value of the truck but maybe you guys are right. With that said there must be a nice rust free black on black HSE 2004 D2 for sale on here for under $5000? If so I would gladly like to talk with the owner about the possibility of buying it, exactly what Im looking for!

 

here you go an 03 100k miles, full service history & a manufactured engine $4200.
throw a cdl in it and your fancy wheels its ready to go

2003 Land Rover Discovery II SE, Black on Black

 

lol After looking under 2 different New England D2's and seeing how completely shot Don T's frame was I dare not go after another New England truck. I have looked at that truck as well as many others in New England though. I know very well that the 2004 model generally has a higher sale value vs the 2003 and not just because of the lack of CDL and thinner roof rails.... Unrelated I know to different people who both own a early 2000's Dodge Ram 1500 and both fell victim to a rusting wheel wells. One of the 2 trucks in in otherwise pristine condition with a beautiful light blue paint job. But that dam rust just does so much damage to most all vehicles around here. The guy with the blue truck got a quote to have a couple small rust spots fixed and guess what 2 different body shops quoted him? ....... ........ "$5,000"! And his rust spots dont even go through the body yet. Its just some surface rust.

Also I read a blog a while back about how D2's have a thinner lighter chassis vs the D1 and most other Rovers so no matter what they are just weaker and more prone to rusting. Least LR could have done was galvanized them in the factory.

 

I'm not sure any manufacturer has ever galvanized a frame from the factory....would cost too much and is not good for the environment.