Old 92 V8 Disco as tow vehicle

[894runa]

Hi,

I've done a search but couldn't really find what I wanted. if there's any threads or a general section you could point me to, that would be great.

Friend of mine is wanting to purchase an old V8 discovery as a tow vehicle for a boat he's bought that would weight about 2 ton he says. Wants the disco as they have high towing capacity relative to other makes and you can get into one for a fair bit less money than a Patrol or Cruiser.

I found a disco on the way home by the side of the road. It's a 4 door model, 1992 built with the V8 and manual box. $3500 with blue slip so no rego. Being a toyota owner and knowing the bagging LR owners get and why, the first thing I did was have a look underneath for oil but it was all clean. Interior looks really good but clear coat has worn thru on two spots on the roof and bonnet.

Rang the seller and he said that a bit of work's been done for the blue slip, the floor needed a bit of welding to fix a rust problem but that sounded about the worst of it. Says it fires just about first crank and runs ok for a vehicle of that age and condition.

So I was just wanting to check whether a V8 disco as a tow vehicle for this weight would be a good decision. I told my mate that fuel economy should be forgotten about but he's ok with that as he just wants it for short tow trips.

Also wanted to know the specs. The seller says the motor is the 3.5L and has EFI but i thought it would be carby. Also is the manual box and clutch ok for towing big weights or not really up to the job? What is the code of box that is in it?

Thanks for your help,

[Stue 3 doors down]

I have a 91 3.5 V8 and tow with it regularly from a empty trailer to tools to a caravan.
As a tow vehicle they are good but my turbo 2h motor 60 series was better but it had coils springs over leaves way more torque and a longer wheel base so it had advantages. That being said the or rather my disco is in it for the long haul. It pulls heavier loads easier, it will do although it may get slow when your around the 2 ton mark. The 3.5 loves to rev and thats how they pull so well for a little motor.
So if the boat is less than 2 tons then yes its great and he is aware they use fuel which is the biggest set back.
Having low range with out diff lock on, can be for on road use is also a BIG plus eg pulling the boat out of the water with out getting tranfer windup etc.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
James

[BigJon]

No Australian delivered Discos had carburettors.

The manual gearbox will be an LT77S. Reverse up next to first. They are known for being a weak box, having said that my Rangie has one and it is fine (touch wood).

You wouldn't be towing two tonnes particularly fast and the fuel use would be pretty high, but the Disco will get the job done.

I would say $3500 is top dollar for a V8 Disco of that age.

[Stue 3 doors down]

Yes Im the same as Big Jon I have a LT77 and if you keep it out of 5th when towing and dont use 5th below 80ks from what Im told it will be OK.
I have never had an issue with mine and I use my disco gently :burnrubber::whistling: in the bush as well.:thumbsup:

[d2dave]

Hi,
Being a toyota owner and knowing the bagging LR owners get and why, the first thing I did was have a look underneath for oil but it was all clean. Interior looks really good but clear coat has worn thru on two spots on the roof and bonnet.
Thanks for your help,


A bit off topic here but I know LR wrongly get bagged but don't know why.
As you know the reason could you please share it with us.
We might need to start a new thread.

Dave.

[Chops]

A bit off topic here but I know LR wrongly get bagged but don't know why.
As you know the reason could you please share it with us.
We might need to start a new thread.

Dave.

Dave, I think its impressive that 894runa has come and joined the site to ask the question,, :)

I hope he will read enough good stuff on here and be enlightened to turn the right corner into the L/R world himself,, ;) :D

:angel:

[894runa]

A bit off topic here but I know LR wrongly get bagged but don't know why.
As you know the reason could you please share it with us.

Oil leaks for one. You would have heard all the jokes?

Landrovers never need oil changes... you just keep topping them up.

Landrovers don't leak oil, it's a purpose - built rust prevention system.

What do you call a landrover club meet? An environmental disaster.


We owned LRs years ago. My first car was a Series III farm truck, good for about 75km/h but never missed a beat and would go anywhere off road even with busted wheel bearings, steered straight even though the steering wheel was at 10 o'clock and felt like a full turn on the wheel before the car would turn, had radiator full of brown water but only overheated and conked out on the hottest days. We also had a Series II, it was a bit faster than the Series III on the road, but it blew a front diff and a clutch I think. Then we had a 85 4 door Rangie, 3.5 carby V8, you could pour oil in the top of the engine and nearly watch it leak out of the busted sump gasket. Same story with the auto trans fluid. And the power steering reservoir lid never quite fitted properly so the engine bay was always kept well greased. I remember I got my P's and had been driving around in it all day only to check the dipstick at the end and find no oil on it. But top it up and away it went with no complaints.

I miss the Series III as it was dead easy to clean and had those cool air vents under the windscreen that all my mates used to think were for poking guns out of. I do a fair bit of off - roading now and get mud in everything. Even though the 4runner interior is only cloth and vinyl, it saves every bit of dust and mud that gets near it. The old series III was like a dairy, just open the door and put the hose thru it.