Hello everyone,

I am completely new to being obsessed with modifying 4x4s--I seem to have been bit with the "disco fever" and want to learn everything I can about becoming a DIY garage mechanic. I am a total newbie to Land Rovers and most engine bays in general. However, I do have a lot of experience running makerspaces (fixing laser cutters, robotics/coding projects, building custom electronics, etc.) and now can't get it out of my mind that I want to build out my dream camping rig.

I think the Disco I and IIs are some of the most gorgeous SUVs ever designed (interior and exterior). Disco is also one of my favorite genres of music so...I am so glad these models came with cassette players!

A little about me:
I'm a musician, artist and tinkerer that also teaches on the side. I love public libraries and going on outdoor adventures. I currently live in Arizona, USA and am so excited to explore the greater southwest in my Rover (yes, planning on using that traction control & getting a good lift to take her offroading).

A little about the Disco:
I bought her June 2021 at just under 102k for 4k cash. She's super, super clean mechanically (passed emissions in a breeze today) but will definitely need some of the usual 'first musts' for DIIs to make sure she stays cool and dependable as possible. Gonna get better rims and tires once I lift the DII too...gonna broswe this forum for suggestions! Previous owner plasti dipped her and I am going to leave it like this for a while because I both love and hate it. Maybe eventually I'll plasti dip to another color or save up and get a paint job (this is not a priority over getting her rigged out mechanically)...came with some cool bumper stickers but I added on one I made--my Nebraska lady.






I've never been in love with a vehicle before but I am already attached after only 3 days of ownership. Glad to be here and look forward to learning from you all. Thank you!

 

Welcome to the forum mate.

 

Enjoy your D2. Having lived in Las Vegas, NV with my 04, I can tell you that you need to watch your coolant temperatures. If nothing else, you'll need a real 180 degree thermostat. Maybe even consider an in-line thermostat. Lots of great resources and people on this forum so enjoy your new Disco!

 

Love the enthusiasm! 9 years with my D2 and still love it. (Also have 3 parts trucks -yes i have a problem -why this is a good support group) You're in the right place for advice. Make sure you post some of the fun you have too! Hope you have a good set of tools; Land Rover: turning owners into mechanics since 1948!

 

Yes, thank you so much. Currently have a list of to-buy tools (and hopefully some day getting parts trucks too! already been scouting the salvage yards in my area).

Getting the ultragauge in the mail soon and will be putting in Extinct's inline thermostat kit ASAP. It's very hot out where I live rn and I am trying not to drive her until I can see an accurate temp reading. I took it to a look independent Land Rover tech to have an overall diagnosis of what needs to be address and the guy told me that these don't tend to overheat! Now I am not sure I can trust him because I can feel the heat of my engine through the dashboard when I drive it...going to be sticking with my gut & trying to take care of most issues myself. Been reading through stickies on this forum to get a head start.

Cheers!

 

These actually don't tend to "just overheat" randomly. They overheat due to lack of maintenance, yes. So the mechanic is not incorrect.

 

Right!

That's good news. I plan to learn all that I can from this forum so by this time next year I am not a totally newbie to being my disco's primary mechanic. I didn't buy this dii with a well documented maintenance history so I want to basically overhaul her so she can last me well over another 100k miles! Cheers.

 

I see there's supposed to be a cover over those driver-side pulleys. Mine's long gone and I'm going to have to find one.