Advice on a circa-10k Rangie or Disco

[DionM]

I am in a quandary.

We are going on increasingly more 4WD trips where we are backing out with the Freelander as we come across obstacles that are too high, water crossings that are too deep, and worried about the flash paintwork (yeah I know, vanity is a curse 8) ).

The Freeo is great for exploring National Parks tracks and light offroading. It'll go further than its competitors, but its no heavy duty offroader obviously.

Now those of you that know me know I have a 81 Rangie sitting in my backyard - a long, very overdue project. This of course would do all these tracks with ease.

But often to get to these places around Brisbane there are long distance commutes - and I really wonder about my wife and I's sanity on doing these long trips in the old Rangie. The old Rangie would be great as an 'extreme' truck ... but hmmm.

So now I am - for better or worse - wondering if I should grab 10k out of our bank account and buy something else, and sell the old Rangie.

This means a mid 90s Disco or an earlier Rangie.

Am I silly?

[101RRS]

Know what you mean - I sold my 100,000k disco last week for $9.5K and would have like to have bought a series 1 last week as well as a project.

But the Freelander even with 2 ton tow capacity was unlikely to be able to tow the series 1 on a heavy car trailer all the way from Qld to the ACT.

The Frelander is capable of getting around the local national parks but what if I get down a hill and cannot get back up. The Freelander is always on the margins.

Why not sell the freelander and put the $10k you have for another car together and get a 100,000 - 140,000km TD5 - nice to drive and will keep mum happy. There are cheap (and expensive) TD5s out there to be had if you are patient.

Garry

[DionM]

Originally posted by garrycol
Know what you mean - I sold my 100,000k disco last week for $9.5K and would have like to have bought a series 1 last week as well as a project.

But the Freelander even with 2 ton tow capacity was unlikely to be able to tow the series 1 on a heavy car trailer all the way from Qld to the ACT.

The Frelander is capable of getting around the local national parks but what if I get down a hill and cannot get back up. The Freelander is always on the margins.

Why not sell the freelander and put the $10k you have for another car together and get a 100,000 - 140,000km TD5 - nice to drive and will keep mum happy. There are cheap (and expensive) TD5s out there to be had if you are patient.


Garry,

The Freelander must stay - we need two vehicles so we'll be keeping it regardless of what we buy (I use it to get to work and back). The Project Rangie was originally to be our third car (weekend play thing) but the second car we were going to buy has not materialised due to a change in our personal situation. So the Rangie was suddenly our second car and things looked grim.

I'm also looking at the V8 models. Turbo Diesels don't interest me, I just love that V8 burble 8)

[Steinzy]

Buy a 95 to 97 Range Rover I have seen some around for under $16000 and that kills the 2 birds with one very comfortable and capable stone.

[DionM]

Originally posted by Steinzy
Buy a 95 to 97 Range Rover I have seen some around for under $16000 and that kills the 2 birds with one very comfortable and capable stone.

Yeah I have seen a few P38As around for very cheap ... but a bit wary of the early P38s ... thought they had a few 'issues' early on?

[Steinzy]

Firstly here are a few things to look out for in 95 onward Rangies:

Check to see if it has had the heads off, these will blow headgaskets with one cooking, try the old drinking glass over the oil filler see if it mists up also check water in oil and vice versa. At this stage it should have probably had a radiator - check to make sure.

See what tyres it has on it, it should have come with Michelin XPCs - they run at $350 each. I have just upgraded to a set ofg coopers and are very happy.

Make sure the air suspension goes up and comes down, you shouldn't be able to hear the pump operating inside the car with the car running, if you can it needs its mounts replacing ($69 plus fitting). Make sure the air suspension will run up to operating height and stay there - it should cycle in and out by should stop and only come on every now and again - not run all the time - if it runs all the time it has leaks in it that need repairing either the push lock connectors or the air bags themselves - bags and lines are cheap - air bag man in brisbane can supply for less than $200 each and they must be replaced in pairs if you buy them from him.

The ABS/Brake acculumator should operate correctly - start the car and wait till all the pumps stop running, pump the brake pedal until you hear the abs pump come on, you should be able to pump the pedal 5 times before it cuts in - if it is more like 3 the main sphere needs replacing - cheap ish - $300 last time I bought one - don't buy a secondhand unit.

Check the HVAC (heating ventialtion and Air Conditioning) make sure it changes to recirculate without putting up the test book symbol - it should sit on auto and set it at 20 degrees and it should cool the car brilliantly. If it doesn't there is a problem.

Check the display in the middle of the dash for faults - tell us what is there, how many Ks ? at about 250,000 they tend to burn out the low range/high range selector motor, $400 bit of gear that looks like a $40 windscreen wiper motor, normally the gbox ecu is at fault - it will more than likely have dry joints - tv repair man can fix that .

Check all electric windows, check high range and low range, when you select low range it will beap at you until it engages you have to leave it in neutral on the low side till it stops beaping.

Check it has two keys - if the little buttons on the key are stuffed you can buy the replacement buttons and plastic cover for $5 from landrover or $7 on ebay.

Make sure it has the stacker and the sub in it (HSE) and that it has a mag for a spare - make sure the load cover is there for the tail gate - Personally I wouldn't buy one that is missing any original gear - there are too many others out there in good nick.

That is all I can think of now

Two things to keep in mind, this was a $100,000 car - it is going to still cost money to run it - I do nearly everything myself and parts still can cost a bit

The other thing is economy depends heavily on what driving you do, my 4.0 over the last 20,000k has averaged 16L/100K half of all my driving is highway. The 4.6 should be as good as that if not better.

Find a good one of these and they are fantastic car to drive

check out www.rangerovers.net (http://www.rangerovers.net) for a heap of usefull info

[DionM]

Thanks Anthony.

I think a 'good one' is still going to be a bit pricey for me. I'd love a P38A but I'm leaning towards the Disco and old Rangies for the simpler servicing.

Shall keep it in mind if a good one pops up for around $15-18k. Could stretch to that, maybe.

[disco95]

G'day steinzy, I'm interested to hear what they're like to drive off road. I push the disco pretty hard, the P38's a pretty large vehicle, what's it like on tracks and over rocks etc.
I realise they're quite capable (it's a RR after all) it's more the durability of the vehicle.

[Steinzy]

Mate I've taken it everywhere!!!

the only poroblem that I have ever had was getting up a rock shelf where the front wheels just started to bounc e and I couldn't get up. After speaking to Glen from Brothers Offroad (builds competition landrovers) he said it was due to the shocks needing replacement. Other than that I take everywhere that any other vehicle goes and generally walk away with less damage.

[harry]

Originally posted by Steinzy
Mate I've taken it everywhere!!!

the only poroblem that I have ever had was getting up a rock shelf where the front wheels just started to bounc e and I couldn't get up. After speaking to Glen from Brothers Offroad (builds competition landrovers) he said it was due to the shocks needing replacement. Other than that I take everywhere that any other vehicle goes and generally walk away with less damage.

8) the rock shelf wasn't a normal thing that anything would get.
but the rangie is very capable.

[DionM]

Well went for a drive today ...

Cousins had two Discos. One had had some repairs around the alpine roof - non-standard glass and rust forming. Looked a little tired too - lots of paint crazing in the gutters and faded on the doors just under the window strip. The other was a manual so no good (must be auto).

It also reminded me that my legs are too long to fit in a Disco comfortably.

Rover City had a Disco for 10k that looked to be in worse shape than my 2k Rangie. Not good.

Other yards that had Discos listed turned out to be barren. Hate that.

Waiting on some info on some private sale Rangies.

Should I be wary of high km (250,000+) Discos or Rangies with the V8 Auto? When does the Auto tend to go bang?

[p38arover]

Originally posted by Steinzy+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Steinzy)</div><div class='quotemain'>at about 250,000 they tend to burn out the low range/high range selector motor, $400 bit of gear that looks like a $40 windscreen wiper motor, normally the gbox ecu is at fault - it will more than likely have dry joints - tv repair man can fix that . [/b]

I didn't know about that one. Maybe I had better pull the ECU out and run over it with soldering iron (I'm an electronics tech by trade). Having said that, a bloke did give me his old faulty transfer case EC that had burned out. I shall have to look into that.


Originally posted by Steinzy@
Make sure it has the stacker and the sub in it (HSE) and that it has a mag for a spare - make sure the load cover is there for the tail gate

Mine had the original steel spare, not an alloy. From what year did they fit an alloy spare - just interested, that's all. Mine was also missing the load space cover (I now have one) as it seems owners take them out and lose them.

<!--QuoteBegin-Steinzy
check out www.rangerovers.net (http://www.rangerovers.net) for a heap of usefull info[/quote]

I agree (after all, I wrote some of the pages and provided a number of photos for that site. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ )

Ron

[loanrangie]

There are plenty of sub $10 disco's down here, i recently saw a 96 ES disco V8 auto, 220k's, leather , alloys for $7800 ! Some even dual fuel for around $10k. The ZF auto tends to let go around the 300k mark more or less.

Also if you are mechanically minded you can pickup a mid 80's rangie for anywhere from $2k up, there are some good ones about if you look.

[dungarover]

Dion,

I just bought an 87 Hi-Line for $4K, plus an engine (unexpected) for $1K, so for $5K I've got a good Rangie. Fiot it's age it's in goiod order.

I personally think Rangies are the better vehicle. Discos are okay as well and much better than your Paj/Prado and can match the 'big guns' off-road (Patrol/'Cruiser). But Discos are plentiful and they're a wider selection in better condition and also have the later 24 spline axle design (94 onwards that is, earlier Discos still have 10 splines).

As far as Rangies go, best models IMO are the 87-89 Rangie pre-viscous coupling. The 3.9's are also good, the EFi system is a hell of a lot more reliable. Tghe sour note is that the viscous coupling tranfers are fitted to all 3.9 Rangies and at 250K they're prretty much stuffed, the viscous unit starts to seize or they're already done so (mine seized at 260K on Aquarangie)

With the older EFI Rangie (L-Ject 'flapper' type), make sure threy runs smooth and don't 'surge' at idle or anything. This EFI system is a bugger if you have issues and they're not overly easy to find.

Your 2 door Rangie you''ll get next to nothing fo unfortunatley, especially if it needs work but is a good base for a off-road 'flog' vehicle and would suti that sort of buyer.

Anyway. good luck with the purchase. Rangie or Disco, whatever you buy they're both bloody great vehicles, plus they're Land Rovers and that's what matters.

Trav

[DionM]

Originally posted by aquarangie
Dion,

I just bought an 87 Hi-Line for $4K, plus an engine (unexpected) for $1K, so for $5K I've got a good Rangie. Fiot it's age it's in goiod order.

I personally think Rangies are the better vehicle. Discos are okay as well and much better than your Paj/Prado and can match the 'big guns' off-road (Patrol/'Cruiser). But Discos are plentiful and they're a wider selection in better condition and also have the later 24 spline axle design (94 onwards that is, earlier Discos still have 10 splines).



One thing is that the mid-90s Discos have ABS etc, and are also a few years newer than most of the Rangies. So for their age hopefully they are not so tatty. I've seen some really tatty vehicles. I'm a bit of a stickler for how a vehicle looks (my Freelander looks just like it did when it left the factory floor, even though its 3.5 years old).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>
As far as Rangies go, best models IMO are the 87-89 Rangie pre-viscous coupling. The 3.9's are also good, the EFi system is a hell of a lot more reliable. Tghe sour note is that the viscous coupling tranfers are fitted to all 3.9 Rangies and at 250K they're prretty much stuffed, the viscous unit starts to seize or they're already done so (mine seized at 260K on Aquarangie)
[/b][/quote]

Thanks for that. Most seem to have 200+ on the odometer that I am looking at (Rangies) and even a Disco at 280k ...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>
With the older EFI Rangie (L-Ject 'flapper' type), make sure threy runs smooth and don't 'surge' at idle or anything. This EFI system is a bugger if you have issues and they're not overly easy to find.
[/b][/quote]

So that's the pre-87 EFI models? Hmm ... two I looked at are 86 ones. Think I'll pass on them.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>
Your 2 door Rangie you''ll get next to nothing fo unfortunatley, especially if it needs work but is a good base for a off-road 'flog' vehicle and would suti that sort of buyer.
[/b][/quote]

The amount of work it needs is pretty minimal. I've just been a shocker. It starts and runs and goes in Hi/Lo/CDL etc ... I run it every few weeks (to move it to mow my yard :oops: ). I think it needs a brake bleed, a few small leaks, and that's about it. I was hoping to get maybe $2k for it ... maybe.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>
Anyway. good luck with the purchase. Rangie or Disco, whatever you buy they're both bloody great vehicles, plus they're Land Rovers and that's what matters.[/b][/quote]

Yeah I know. It's all come about due to some recent family events; instead of me having the Freebie, my wife having a runabout and then the Rangie for serious off-road; my wife won't have a runabout and we'll tame down the offroading and combine those two (hence a Disco or Rangie instead). Plans change and so do vehicle requirements.

On your comment about the viscous dying, does the Disco have the same viscous coupling as the Rangie?

What's a rebuild of a 3.9 and a ZF auto run to? If I see the right high km vehicle, and factor in a rebuilt of the engine and auto, I could be tempted ... that way I get a later body shape and a known engine/trans.

[dungarover]

The Discos all have LT230 transfer cases, another advantage over the Rangie.

Regards to older Rangies, what I meant as far as the EFI goes, all 86-89 3.5's have the older 'flapper' style injection (known as Lucas l-jection EFI), the 3.9's have a hotwire EFi system which is more sophisticated but much more reliable as I mentioned. I had my 93 Rangie with the 3.9 for 4 years and it started first time every time. The EFI was teriffic and never let me down.

My ZF auto died at 260K, I've heard of many pasing the 300K mark, but the cheaper the Disco/Rangie the more likely you''ll be up fitr a rebuild. I paid $2700 for mine about 3 years ago, I have heard of them being done cheaper so it's good policy to buy one with high 100/low 200K on the dial.

The 3.9 could set you back $3-4K for a total rebuild pending on whyere you get it done (parts alone are almost $2K 8O ). The 3.9's will keep going into ther 300K mark if the service history is spot on.

Rangies especially older ones are a bit of a lottery to find in good nick. Good late 80's Rangie can fetch up to $10K with many thousands spent on them. The trick is to be patient, have a good though look and I find if the's something not right, walk away. There's plenty of crap amongst the gems as far as older Rangies go which is unfortunate. Any 15 plus year old Rangie will need some sort of mechanical work but the trick is to find one with the lot or some iof it done for the right price.

If you plan on spending a few $$$ on repairs, cheaper ones are okay or if you don't mind a bit of DIY work to save you a few dollars in the long term.

$2K is a bit steep for your ol' dunga, especially with no reg I'm sorry. But who am I to say that you won't get that for it. A mate had an 80 2 door Rangie with a dodgo auto bocx but in immaculate condition and got $3K for it (that was about 4 years ago now). He would of been happy with $1500 to $2K but the extra was a bonus https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Anyway that's really it. Once again, good luck with it.

Trav

[101RRS]

Discos don't have viscous couplings - standard center diff

[DionM]

Thanks guys. I'm feeling stupid, of course Discos have a locking centre diff and therefore not viscous :roll:

Trav - you're probably right. Anyway, its much of a muchness; if it doesn't sell complete, I'll just part it out. But that's another story https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I'm going to look at an 89 Rangie tomorrow or the day after hopefully, seems fairly promising but only seen 1 exterior photo. And then maybe a Disco with fairly high kms too.

[dungarover]

Originally posted by DionM
I'm going to look at an 89 Rangie tomorrow or the day after hopefully, seems fairly promising but only seen 1 exterior photo. And then maybe a Disco with fairly high kms too.

The 89 Rangie, that woudn't be the one at Nothgate would it? The pics it looks okay but beig a 17 year old rangie it's hard to tell.

There's also a 93 in your price range for $9K. The obnly drawback it';s go ABS and possible air suispension unless it's already been converted to coils. see link below-

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/addisplay.as...arch&origpage=1 (http://www.tradingpost.com.au/addisplay.asp?State=QLD&sMsg=keywordsearch&origpage=1)

Something to keep in mind.

Trav

[DionM]

Originally posted by aquarangie

The 89 Rangie, that woudn't be the one at Nothgate would it? The pics it looks okay but beig a 17 year old rangie it's hard to tell.


That's it. Its near my work.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>
There's also a 93 in your price range for $9K. The obnly drawback it';s go ABS and possible air suispension unless it's already been converted to coils. see link below-

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/addisplay.as...arch&origpage=1 (http://www.tradingpost.com.au/addisplay.asp?State=QLD&sMsg=keywordsearch&origpage=1)

Something to keep in mind.
[/b][/quote]

Yeah, going to ring up about that one too. I don't mind - I want ABS, and the EAS wouldn't be so bad (I'm electronically minded).

[51jay]

"But often to get to these places around Brisbane there are long distance commutes - and I really wonder about my wife and I's sanity on doing these long trips in the old Rangie. The old Rangie would be great as an 'extreme' truck ... but hmmm."

nothing wrong with the ride in the early Rangies I'v done a couple of Sydney trips in my 80 2 door...very comfy.

There's something about the looks of the old 2 door that I really like'

I am seriously considering putting the TDi300 into the 80 instead of the 93 Vogue and selling the 93

The TDi300 I've aquired is actually in an early Rangie at the moment and I'm keen to see what shape the car is in...it's claimed to be very good.

[Steinzy]

Originally posted by p38arover+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(p38arover)</div><div class='quotemain'>
Mine had the original steel spare, not an alloy. From what year did they fit an alloy spare - just interested, that's all. Mine was also missing the load space cover (I now have one) as it seems owners take them out and lose them.

<!--QuoteBegin-Steinzy
check out www.rangerovers.net (http://www.rangerovers.net) for a heap of usefull info

I agree (after all, I wrote some of the pages and provided a number of photos for that site. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ )

Ron[/b][/quote]

I think that the alloy mag as a spare was from 97 onwards.

And Ron I am very impressed with your input on the Rangerovers.net site.

I need to change the o-rings on the aircon to stop the coolant leak on the floor. I saw your guide on how to do it - is it a very hard job to to???? and about how long should I allow to complete?

[dungarover]

Originally posted by DionM+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DionM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-aquarangie

The 89 Rangie, that woudn't be the one at Nothgate would it? The pics it looks okay but beig a 17 year old rangie it's hard to tell.


That's it. Its near my work.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>
There's also a 93 in your price range for $9K. The obnly drawback it';s go ABS and possible air suispension unless it's already been converted to coils. see link below-

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/addisplay.as...arch&origpage=1 (http://www.tradingpost.com.au/addisplay.asp?State=QLD&sMsg=keywordsearch&origpage=1)

Something to keep in mind.
[/b][/quote]

Yeah, going to ring up about that one too. I don't mind - I want ABS, and the EAS wouldn't be so bad (I'm electronically minded).[/b][/quote]

The EAS is a good system but for any sort of 'hardcore' off-road work I stil perfer the reliability of coils.

A bloke in our club (Hardy with the 99 P38A) seems to do well, with his air suspended Rangie and does most of my trips as well without incident.

The ABS parts are now cheaper, plus if you buy a 93 and the module decides to die, I have one of those going cheap,.

But the 93's are great Rangies, like I said I had one for 4 years and it's still the best Rangie I've owned.

Trav

[Ace]

Grab the January edition of the Just 4x4's i was reading it at work on the weekend and there was a 94tdi in there for about the 12k mark with pretty low Km's. Failing that V8 discos are as cheap as at the moment, you could get one, put it on gas and still have a couple of thou to spend on accessories with a 10k-12k budget. Matt

[DionM]

Well went and had a look.

The 93 was already sold :cry:

The other one wasn't in their yard, but in a different yard. So I'll look at it tomorrow. He did tell me it needed some tidying up ... so shall see.

And in other news, I confirmed I definately cannot fit in a Series I Disco :cry: My left knee touches the dash and my right knee is pinned by the door. So no Disco for me.

Saw a great RR Vogue in one yard, lovely condition ... and they wanted 19k for it :!:

The way I'm going I should just buy another cheap Freelander (since I know enough about them) and put in a lift kit and snorkel ...

[Ace]

Originally posted by DionM
Well went and had a look.

The 93 was already sold :cry:

The other one wasn't in their yard, but in a different yard. So I'll look at it tomorrow. He did tell me it needed some tidying up ... so shall see.

And in other news, I confirmed I definately cannot fit in a Series I Disco :cry: My left knee touches the dash and my right knee is pinned by the door. So no Disco for me.

Saw a great RR Vogue in one yard, lovely condition ... and they wanted 19k for it :!:

The way I'm going I should just buy another cheap Freelander (since I know enough about them) and put in a lift kit and snorkel ...

Or you could have yours turned into one of hose Freerangers that Hiline posted a while ago. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[DionM]

Originally posted by Ace

Or you could have yours turned into one of hose Freerangers that Hiline
posted a while ago. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I saw that post https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Naturally I was joking :wink:

[Ace]

Originally posted by DionM+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DionM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Ace

Or you could have yours turned into one of hose Freerangers that Hiline
posted a while ago. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I saw that post https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Naturally I was joking :wink:[/b][/quote]

Ah, but it would be cool to turn up off road and give the Overlander boys a hiding in a freelander. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Andrewpv01]

I remember seeing somewhere on here :?: that you can turn the runners for the Disco seat around and you end up with extra leg room. Who has done it and how much difference did it make?
This mike make it viable to go for the Disco https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Andrew

[one_iota]

Dion,

I'm the MOTBO (master of the bleeding obvious): did you check the steering wheel adjustment in the disco to make sure it wasn't set in the low position.

I have long legs and manage quite well with the wheel up and the seat set 1 or 2 notches from the rear setting. But with the steering set in the low position I can't use the clutch.

I can't sit comfortably in an 84 Rangie or a Defender but the Disco is grand.

[DionM]

Originally posted by one_iota
Dion,

I'm the MOTBO (master of the bleeding obvious): did you check the steering wheel adjustment in the disco to make sure it wasn't set in the low position.

I have long legs and manage quite well with the wheel up and the seat set 1 or 2 notches from the rear setting. But with the steering set in the low position I can't use the clutch.

I can't sit comfortably in an 84 Rangie or a Defender but the Disco is grand.

Yeah I did mate - standard procedure for me. I have VERY long legs (am and 6'7" tall). Have no dramas in the Rangie or Freeo, but Disco and 'Fender are out.

[one_iota]

Originally posted by DionM


Yeah I did mate - standard procedure for me. I have VERY long legs (am and 6'7" tall). Have no dramas in the Rangie or Freeo, but Disco and 'Fender are out.

A surgical procedure is the only hope then :wink:

[MacMan]

Well at 6'6" I am the opposite! Rangies? Just say no. The last one I drove I could barely get into and had to drive with my head cocked over so my ear was nearly on my shoulder.

The S1 Disco we have is a wriggle to get into (have to depress the clutch with left foot while standing OUTSIDE the car to get my leg under the steering wheel, but once in I am very comfy. I do adopt the "bloke's" driving position of knees about 60cm apart though.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

Originally posted by MacMan
I do adopt the "bloke's" driving position of knees about 60cm apart though.



<span style="color:blue">testicular elephantosis.....?</span>

[Steinzy]

[quote=MacMan] I do adopt the "bloke's" driving position of knees about 60cm apart though.



<span style="color:blue">testicular elephantosis.....?</span>

8O https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/