Buying a 2005 D3td for towing

[Glynhouse]

Morning gentlemen, (buying favours here )

New on this site, I have an 80series petrol with 300k fault free on it, mainly towing an off road van that comes in between 25-3000kgs. But it is starting to give a few problems electrically, time to change.

Need a couple more years with the van then a major reconsideration of how we live and travel.

Pretty stuck with a used one due to the GFC, another L/C (to expensive at present) or a good Disco or Jeep ??? because of the weight towed.

Main use will be up and down the Kuranda range behind Cairns not towing, or long trips with the van on, we do go to remote areas.

Looking at a 2005 D3td with near enough to 100k on it only problem he has had is one compressor replaced. It certainly drives nicely.
I will have to change the towbar to get the height to tow my van with but that I can do. (Mitchell Bros)

Anything in particular that I should look at or for ? Have done quite a bit of reading on here in the last couple of days.

Would any of you not look at this Disco to do the above with ?


regards

DD (Dennis)

[~Rich~]

Welcome Dennis,
The vehicle having had a compressor replaced is not a concern.
What is important is to check the service history and if it was a L/R dealer or L/R Specialist who looked after it.

It is especially worth buying and Extended Warranty from someone like Allianz. It will cost you $2000 - $2500 but you have the piece of mind that most thing will be covered. Mine has paid for itself.

If it is an Auto and you do buy it get the transmission fluid changed ASAP if it has not been done. L/R says "Sealed for Life" which really means "Sealed for warranty period!"

Have you taken it for a drive? It's a big step from a 80s Cruiser. I thought the 100s was a big step from the 80s. ( Until I drove a D3) ;)

[Glynhouse]

Thanks for the answer Rich,
I think all the small services e.g. Oil changes (every 6k) he has done himself he has a large service shop specializing in hydraulics, but does heavy truck maintanance as well. Major stuff it has gone back to the selling agent in Brisbane.
Just talking to the local LR service center and they said the 6 year service that it is due for is the big one (all flexible brake pressure hoses etc changed) and they would do the transmission oils the first time they get it - at great expense I might add.
One question I forgot to ask was how do the transmissions go ? My cruiser has had 3 oil changes only in 300k of faultless use 140klms with the van on the back.
DD

[Disco4SE]

Morning gentlemen, (buying favours here )

New on this site, I have an 80series petrol with 300k fault free on it

Hi Dennis,
I also had a 80 Series Petrol Cruiser. Then a TD D3, now the 3.0 D4.
The biggest thing you will notice coming from the cruiser, is the torque. I found that the 80 lacked torque in a big way.

Good luck in your venture.

Cheers, Craig

[Graeme]

they would do the transmission oils the first time they get it - at great expense I might add.It seems the way to go is to fit a steel pan kit in place of the LR plastic one so that future oil changes are considerably cheaper, although that doesn't make the oil any cheaper.

[Glynhouse]

Thanks for the replies.
More questions, do most fit a transmission oil cooler for heavy towing ? can only find one post on here about same. My van can get to 3000kgs.
Compressors ? seems to be a lot of talk about them going out, dealer tells me to allow for a new one every couple of years, but the D3's that I am looking at (4 all under 100k) only one has had the compressor replaced, that is if the owners know !
I have been told from 2 sources that the early D3's had air bags that tended to perish after a few years, anyone know when they changed them to the current version that don't perish ?

Still looking, have decided just have to find the right one !
Thanks
DD

[~Rich~]

Hi DD,

Thanks for the replies.
More questions, do most fit a transmission oil cooler for heavy towing ? can only find one post on here about same. My van can get to 3000kgs.
Others can answer this one, I don't tow!

Compressors ? seems to be a lot of talk about them going out, dealer tells me to allow for a new one every couple of years, but the D3's that I am looking at (4 all under 100k) only one has had the compressor replaced, that is if the owners know !
I have an 05 model for nearly 3 years without an compressor issue, I don't know if it had been changed before I bought it.

I have been told from 2 sources that the early D3's had air bags that tended to perish after a few years, anyone know when they changed them to the current version that don't perish ?
Never heard of this one!

Still looking, have decided just have to find the right one !
Thanks
DD

Cheers Rich

[Glynhouse]

Thanks for the reply Rich.
Not much on here on transmission cooling it normally starts a good discussion.
It does appear that the compressor issue is a bit overblown.

On the air bags perishing subject, I had not heard of it till I looked at a D3 early model with 170+K on it, that was having new shockers and bushes done, and he (the owner) was told that he had the early bags that were showing signs of it and that L/R would change them for him ??? Sorry not at liberty to name him, but a very public figure.
DD

[Peter]

Is there a chance the D2 airbags are getting confused with the D3?

I have had both and the D2 lasted for just less than seven years and were a different construction.

Comparing them with my D3 air bags would from first glance be a little unfair. Simply the design and duty cycle are IMHO completely different.

My D3 is a 2005. Issues I would suggest you have a look into are lower control arms, hand break actuator and rear door actuator.

The 80 series was a tractor with city seats. If you want an exact replacement then send it in for a full recondition as there is nothing like it these days. When you buy into a Disco 3 or L/C 200 series you are buying into a modern car. Modern cars cost more to fix as components are more high tech and there are less 3rd party suppliers. Get advice on an alternative repairer and you are half way there.

Keep in mind things like tyres which are ~$400 each and you don't have as many options.


I have many friends with Toyotas... Well all of them actually. Three of them are seriously considering a D4 over the 200 series. Their words not mine include that 100series are all way over priced and Toyota is not addressing design issues in oil usage and reliability..

They see the few D3 maintenance issues mentioned here as minor.

If you go off road - Get some Replacement Height Exstansion Rods approx $140 and a good set of tyres and you will go places the 80 series took you, but without the crush vertebrae and loose fillings.

Good luck with your decision and you will be more than impressed with your decision.

Cheers PK

[stewmair]

With MY07 there were changes in the suspension making the compressors more reliable and changing the ride from waterbed to firm. Perhaps these were not retrofitted if the previous owner did his own servicing. Check other updates have been done.
I pull about 3t of van and had no transmission heating pulling the van. I have had transmission warning with reduced ratios available due to heating when serious climbing in the high country which cleared with 10 minutes rest.