Buying: 2004 Disco 2 TD5 Classic

[funkyfedaykin]

I'm buying a 2004 Discovery II TD5 Auto Classic with 90,000kms on the clock. Seems to be in perfect condition, always serviced by Landrover dealership/specialist.

I've had a look around at other users questions & answers about buying D2s had most of my questions answered, but i just wanted some more clarity on things.

How can you tell if SLS (or ACE) is fitted?

Is it hard/difficult/expensive to retro fit the factory SLS?

Is it possible to replace the factory CD player & retain use of the multifunction steering wheel buttons?

[Psimpson7]

How can you tell if SLS (or ACE) is fitted?



If its a 7 seater it will likely have SLS. Have a look at the rear springs. If they are air bags it has sls, is coils it doesnt.

With regard to ACE, look in the drivers side front wheel arch, Should be some rams acting on the front ARB





Is it hard/difficult/expensive to retro fit the factory SLS?



Guess that would depend on what your mechanical ability and budget is. I cant see it really being worth fitting the factory system personally. Maybe a custom one tailored to your needs?





Is it possible to replace the factory CD player & retain use of the multifunction steering wheel buttons?

yes apparently so. some useful info on this link I think.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/116901-new-head-unit-2.html

[nice1guv]

I'm buying a 2004 Discovery II TD5 Auto Classic with 90,000kms on the clock. Seems to be in perfect condition, always serviced by Landrover dealership/specialist.

I've had a look around at other users questions & answers about buying D2s had most of my questions answered, but i just wanted some more clarity on things.

How can you tell if SLS (or ACE) is fitted?

Is it hard/difficult/expensive to retro fit the factory SLS?

Is it possible to replace the factory CD player & retain use of the multifunction steering wheel buttons?

Exterior: SLS has airbags as the rear suspension, not coils.
Interior: There is a bank of 6 switches on driver's side of the climate control, the bottom left switch should have a raise rear height picture on it to raise the SLS.
But someone may have removed the airbags for coils and therefore it may still have the SLS switch, so best to look for the actuial airbags.
I believe all 7 seater D2s were SLS.

I think it is the power steering reservoir that has 2 caps on it, one for the power steering and the other for the ACE.

You can retain the steering wheel controls in other cars with the use of an aftermarket wiring control loom, so I would expect the D2 to be possible, but I can not confirm this.

[funkyfedaykin]

I didn't see the raise rear button.

I do like the idea of SLS, and am planing on adding the factory 3rd row seats in a couple of years. I don't want a lift kit but i like the idea of being able to lift the rear when off road or it self levelling when towing. Seeing the 10 min Launch sales film makes it look pretty good...
But having said this, if it were overly complicated or expensive, I might skip it.
(From what i've read, surely it would be less complicated than adding the third row?)

I know my way around a car & toolbox, but I'm not the most experienced in car repairs.

I pretty sure it doesn't have ace, but i just wanted to check if there was something I had or hadn't seen that might tip me off.

Thanks for the replies guys, you've been most helpful!

[RecMec]

G'evening all; if you replace the LR radio with after-market unit the wheel
controls will not work, unless, in the case of a Pioneer unit you are prepared to spend about $350 for the translator doover. I didn't. Cheers ... Ray. :D

[mattyg]

G'evening all; if you replace the LR radio with after-market unit the wheel
controls will not work, unless, in the case of a Pioneer unit you are prepared to spend about $350 for the translator doover. I didn't. Cheers ... Ray. :D
THIS IS FALSE

You CAN keep the factory steering wheel audio controls.
I have done it. It works with many brands of aftermarket head unit.

All you need is an adapter from a company called PAC. Cost me $65 bucks delivered.

Google it, find the one to suit your headunit and car, get it off ebay.

If you want to do it, here is a link to a little tutorial.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/116901-new-head-unit.html

Good luck with your purchase, sounds like a good buy!!

[wardy1]

Before I get shouted down here, I think SLS is a brilliant bit of kit. However, it is not the end of the world if the car you are buying doesn't have it. I have Polyairs inside my rear coils and run them at 25psi when towing my camper trailer (aprox 1100kg fully laden with water tank full plus 2 jerries). No problems keeping everything level. the car you're looking at sounds like a great buy...just do it!

[funkyfedaykin]

Thanks for the info guys.

I will probably just end up getting a mp3 player interface of some description instead of a whole new head unit, but at least I know it can be done!

I'm picking up the D2 tomorrow!! exciting!!:D

Just wondering aloud... how much would a ARB bullbar with Warn winch & driving lights set me back? approximately? (their site hasn't got prices yet)

[Pierre]

Colour coded? About $1700 bar, $300 lights, $1000 winch + installation. Satin black bar -$200, so $1500. Only approx prices!!! and from faulty memory!!!

You'll love the car.

Cheers

Pete

[RecMec]

G'morning all,
Oh dear, I've upset someone who didn't read my post very well; I did say "in the case of a Pioneer". Other head units may work with
other brands of stereo. I bought the Pioneer because they have the best
extreme-range AM/FM reception and the grunt to run a six-stacker.
Cheers from 1 BWA ... Ray.

[mattyg]

G'morning all,
Oh dear, I've upset someone who didn't read my post very well; I did say "in the case of a Pioneer". Other head units may work with
other brands of stereo. I bought the Pioneer because they have the best
extreme-range AM/FM reception and the grunt to run a six-stacker.
Cheers from 1 BWA ... Ray.

Not upset mate, just want to give correct info. BTW the PAC Adapter WILL work with pioneer headunits as well. Pretty easy to install Ray you should give it a go.

[RecMec]

G'morning Matty, I took the word of the local car stereo bods here in Cba,
they've been around for thirty years or more, outlasted Strathfield and any other johnny-come-latelies, always give top service and have top kit.

I didn't think of the web to suss a translator (or whatever the things are called) but I'll get onto the site you mention ... Ray.

[funkyfedaykin]

Sooo...

I picked up the Disco on saturday and have had a blast driving it round, towing & 4wding since.

I'm quite pleased with most of the car, especially the off road gadgets. Hill decent control is great, traction control kicks in just when needed & i'm glad they added centre locking diffs as standard for later models.

The on road manners are amazing, even without SLS or ACE! My dad had a go at driving and frightened the life out of me with the speed he approached some corners, but to my surprise the car held very well all the way through.

There were a few more questions i had though, just to find out if my issues are normal or problems with my car:

- There is a buzzing from under the bonnet when HDC is active. Is this normal?

- The engine "hesitates" when hitting 3000rpm while accelerating with cruise control. This normal?

- The car lacks power up hill, significantly so. I could not hold the speed limit for any section up hill on the Toowoomba range, nor accelerate on any significant incline. I was reading the handbook which said that catalytic converter models have rev governors or something (I haven't checked to see if i have a cat yet). Is the car limiting itself, or is it just really bad at going up hills with any decent speed?

- Lastly, is there an tidy and efficient way to stop the tow ball arm from clanging around when towing or otherwise?

Don't get me wrong, i love the car!! Just wanting to sort these things out. :D

[Ean Austral]

Well done on the D2,

The buzzing noise is the ABS system, when its used in some situations it clatters very noisily, its a good practice to find a steep hill and go down it in Low, with HDC on on a regular basis, even if the hill is a bituman rd.

The RPM issue is a hard 1, but the D2 does have a habit of the original intercooler hoses delaminating and causing problems, but dont think this will be your problem, silicon hoses seem to fix that problem, I had mine collapse on the turbo and shut the car down.

Goodluck with the car

Cheers Ean

[funkyfedaykin]

Thanks, I thought that may be the case with the ABS/HDC, but I just wanted to be sure.

As for the tow ball arm, someone suggested drilling & tapping a hole at 45 degrees on the corner of the sleeve the arm sits in, then screw in a bolt to hold the arm in one corner.

[funkyfedaykin]

Sooo...
...The car lacks power up hill, significantly so. I could not hold the speed limit for any section up hill on the Toowoomba range, nor accelerate on any significant incline. I was reading the handbook which said that catalytic converter models have rev governors or something (I haven't checked to see if i have a cat yet). Is the car limiting itself, or is it just really bad at going up hills with any decent speed?

Sorry to bump my thread here, but can anyone in the Discovery 2 forum comment on the performance of their Discovery 2?

I haven't owned one before, so I'm trying to find out what is normal.

[Rosscoe68]

modded chip will fix your power issues. they are after all a small engine for a reasonably large vehicle.
and the toowoomba range is a doozie to base a hill climb on.
pretty normal for a diesel to not be spectacular in power output :)

[funkyfedaykin]

modded chip will fix your power issues. they are after all a small engine for a reasonably large vehicle.
and the toowoomba range is a doozie to base a hill climb on.
pretty normal for a diesel to not be spectacular in power output :)

Yeah, thanks. I wasn't expecting spectacular performance, though I thought the turbo would help compensate for the lack of power in those instances. I can keep up the speed (mostly) in my 85' Rangie for the Toowoomba range, I thought a 04' TD5 Disco would at least have similar performance...

Is an inter cooler a helpful upgrade in terms of higher end power?

also, are you able to get chips that can be modified on the go? (e.g. highway cruising map to off road map to towing map etc.)

[Rosscoe68]

you will get many and varied replies to this, but imho i reckon chip first, maybe exhaust remove centre muffler and change the stupid turbo dump/flex pipe , intercooler would be towards the end of the list of upgrades.
i had my chip done by Tombie on here and he is most helpful although usually very busy and maybe not the most prompt in communications :)
i have 2 D2 TD5's 1 stock. one with mods and 235/85 tyres which are about 10% taller gearing. the modded one will easily out accelerate and maintain speed climbing hills than the stock one even with the taller gearing that should make it slower in acceleration.
if you can find someone close with a nanocom, Tombie will sell you a map that can be uploaded without taking anything out of your car. :)

[Catmatt]

If you have the $$$ and want an overall performance package - don't waste money with a local mapped 'chipped' ECU and EGR removal. If you are seeking well researched and quality equipment direct from the manufacturer.....Go the whole hog as I am doing with a 2004 'Classic' TD5 and buy an after market turbo, intercooler, over booster and exhaust.

You'll then have a great start point of torque, power and fuel economy for a range of applications - towing, mild off road or extreme off road.

Yes I acknowledge it depends on your $$ budget - and it isn't a cheap exercise but bloody worth it in the end result!!!.

Stick with the larger or more reputable commercial business - They have the investment $$, personnel and development budget to give you the best of their R&D.

I've tried Tombie but unfortunately, he is hamstrung by his remote work location, extreme difficulty in responding to emails, voice mail and freight requirements, dependancy on his limited time and $$ for R&D (It is his 2nd source of income)

I say this with no malice to Tombie as the facts speak for themselves.

The ECU re-map I got from the mob in Adelaide was a quantum leap from what I has prior.....however the new 'tunable' Map as well as the hybrid turbo and larger intercooler from another supplier (Arrived today) look the goods 100%

I'll let you know after installation ;)

[Fluids]

Hi Funky ... The very first thing you can do on a std Td5 is wind up the turbo wastegate ... that'll get you about an extra 5psi boost before it goes into overboost fuel cut-off ... and it comes on sooner.

It's not a massive improvement but it makes a definite improvement. Makes those hills a little less annoying. More boost = more HP ... and it costs no more than about 15-20min of your time.

Search the Good Oil section. It's all there.

The other way is to pull the stick back to 3rd before the hill, let the auto get locked in 3rd, and it will pull like a mutha.

It is after all, only a 2.5L donk :)

[funkyfedaykin]

modded chip will fix your power issues. they are after all a small engine for a reasonably large vehicle.
and the toowoomba range is a doozie to base a hill climb on.
pretty normal for a diesel to not be spectacular in power output :)


It is after all, only a 2.5L donk :)

I refused to believe that a 2.5L turbo diesel would have such trouble accelerating, climbing hills etc as mine was having, so I got MR Automotive in Redcliffe to have a look. The wastegate was stuck, and the ECU was cutting fuel to the engine because it couldn't regulate pressure. Thus my poor performance up hills & the like.

Turns out that there is plenty of power in my engine, and it has no trouble getting up the Toowoomba range at all now that my wategate works!!

Now that my engine is performing properly, I don't see why everyone recommends chip upgrades etc. It has plenty of power & accelerates fine, keeping in mind of course that it's no Rangerover Sport, but still more than enough IMO.

[big guy]

I am pleased its sorted.
I drove both a stock and a Tombie chipped one when I was looking and the chipped one has significantly more bottom end pull.
Driving them side by side, it showed what can be done.

But as far as performance goes stock, I also believed ithad plenty for what I was looking for at the time.

Probably will prolong engine life too.;)

[Mudguard]

When i had my 03 TD5 in Brisvegas i had it chipped by M.R. Automotive. It made a real difference. For the price outlayed it was great.


1
I refused to believe that a 2.5L turbo diesel would have such trouble accelerating, climbing hills etc as mine was having, so I got MR Automotive in Redcliffe to have a look. The wastegate was stuck, and the ECU was cutting fuel to the engine because it couldn't regulate pressure. Thus my poor performance up hills & the like.

Turns out that there is plenty of power in my engine, and it has no trouble getting up the Toowoomba range at all now that my wategate works!!

Now that my engine is performing properly, I don't see why everyone recommends chip upgrades etc. It has plenty of power & accelerates fine, keeping in mind of course that it's no Rangerover Sport, but still more than enough IMO.