Changing religions Cruiser to Disco???

[mickyd24969]

Ok at the risk of asking a redundant question! ;)

The lease on my 100 Series (V8 GXL, ARB Bull Bar, warn, 2" lift, ARB roof rack and Black widow storage, extractors and chip) is up - time for a decision!!!

I don't want a 200 - obvious reasons and have narrowed down my choice to either a Landcruiser 76 wagon and a D4. Very different trucks, but both excellent at what they do!

My concerns with the D4
1. Tire size - man WTF! :mad: Can you get any decent AT for 19" rims???
2. How does the air suspension react to heavy loads? My mate's Sahara lowers when he has too much weight on board - to access height. What will happen when I put a bull bar and winch on? :angel:
3. Do the airbags perish over time? 4+ years, what effect does salt water have on them?
4. Several of the threads here highlight the Disco's quirkiness and character - should a Toyota owner read that as faults and annoyances???

I've always had a soft spot for Discos, the time just hasn't been right!

Mickyd24969

[rmp]

A 76 vs a D4. Hmm. What were the obvious reasons for discounting the 200?

Anyway:

1. No. Buy the 2.7 and run 17s instead.

2. Never any trouble for anyone, it handles any load.

3. Not that we've seen.

4. Generally, no, unless you count things such as the switchgear layout not being in the designated Japanese positions.

If you had shortlised the 76 why not also the Defender? Carries more than the 76, more space, less fuel, better handling, better offroad unless the 76 has lockers, ABS and all wheel drive, 6 speeds not 5, front and rear track the same!

[mickyd24969]

Discounting the 200 due to poor value for money!

I know the 2.7 is the option if I want the 17", but man the 3.0 is a SWEET engine :eek: I went for a test drive yesterday and am absolutely astounded by the engine and the on-road dynamics!

[nosliwedaw]

You can get a Pirelli Scorpion ATR in 19". Depends on what you consider to be decent?

[chuck]

Mickeyd

You can run Goodyear MTR's in 255 x 55 x 19.
They are a bit noisy however they will do the job.
I run them on my D3.
I find them good on civil construction sites after rain & they are good off road.
On road I find them good both wet & dry.
I have not yet locked them up on bitumen however I drive knowing that I have MTR's fitted.
They are legal & will not void warrantee.
In fact there is a landrover part number for them.

There is some talk that continental will bring out a good AT in 19" shortly.
They currently have it in 18" but I cant remember the name.

Regards

Chuck

[ADMIRAL]

mickyd

I have just been through the same decision making process, only I came from a Patrol not a Cruiser. I crossed the 200 off the list because of it's size. Great as a tow vehicle, but not ideal if getting off road. I went for the 2.7 for affordability, and a greater, or if you like easier suitability to off road. ( 18" std rims but you can retro back to 17's )

The 'quirks' are just as numerous on the 200 series. In the end, you have to accept that any of the modern 4wd's are going to be chockabloc full of electronics. The more truck like 4WD's ( and I include the 76 series ) are in a time warp. Nothing much has changed. I thought about a new Patrol, but not for long.

Early days for me, but no regrets so far. This is not the Disco of old. Take the step

[Neil P]

My mate's Sahara lowers when he has too much weight on board - to access height.
3. Do the airbags perish over time? 4+ years, what effect does salt water have on them?
4. Several of the threads here highlight the Disco's quirkiness and character - should a Toyota owner read that as faults and annoyances???



The Sahara wouldn't hold up a full complement of passengers , never mind
a load as well . I was far from impressed with that aspect of mine.

The air bag susp life is an unknown since the pressure is more that of
previous Disco rears . As for years of service , you won't own it then !

D4 has the later D3 computer hardware. The height sensors will always
remain a weak point for faults. As for salt damage , you take your own
chances ie. if you stuff it up, you wear the hassel of the consequences.

How many years lease are you arranging ? Does it include service fees ?
If you're going to belt-Hell out of the susp , maybe springs will be more
suitable.

[CaverD3]

There has been no problems with belting the hell out of the air suspension. With the springs you will need aftermarket springs anyway there is no longer a sprung version.

Someone has found a supplier to make 18 inch wheels to fit the D$ 3.0L, do a search.

[DiscoSaffa]

Someone has found a supplier to make 18 inch wheels to fit the D$ 3.0L, do a search.

This is good news!!

[p38arover]

I note that a recent 4WD of the year comparison discounted both the RRS and D4 3.0 owing to damage to rims off-road - 5 ruined rims between them.

[Graeme]

This is good news!!
Last I heard there weren't enough people interested yet to make it viable to produce a batch.

[Dingmark Jim]

For AT tyres, there is a Pirelli Scorpion ATR in the design 19" size. I've run MTRs on my late, great D3 HSE V8. I haven't had any problems with rims or with the MTRs, but can see how it happens. I can air down to 16psi for soft sand and the MTRs work much better than expected. However, if there's any rock about, the MTRs need to be inflated more than tyres with bigger sidewalls to prevent a rock from folding the tyre against the rim, at which point the wheel gets an impact from the rock and the rock wins. I run around 24-28 psi with the MTRs on rock, depending on the weight of the loaded D3.

What is more of an issue with the MTRs is the price, just below $700 each on my last purchase. Goodyear did have to make them for a specific model (the G4 D3) so the development cost is recovered over relatively few tyres, but that does nothing to remove the purchase cost pain.

The D3's used to have a widespread problem with oil in the brakes from the vacuum pump, which caused braking reduction. Alas, it seems that braking failures are now bigger problems at Toyota. I'm glad to no longer have to endlessly be retiming engines, checking valve lash, etc, but the modern computer-controlled complex systems, while capable when working have a "on-off" failure mode that can make things over-interesting!

[Steffo]

Perhaps if any D4 owners/potential owners running on 19"s and interested in 18"s, could contact GHaggis at Green Oval Experience to confirm interest- Gordon informed me that he only had 6-8 people and needs 15 for Gmax to build them

[ADMIRAL]

I would suggest a serious think about the use the vehicle is to be put to. If the vehicle is going to cop a beating look at the 2.7. If your realistic expectation is less vigorous use, the 3.0 with 19's will probably survive .
After all the 2.7 can still hold it's own with virtually anything out there. It's biggest competition is within the LR stable, the 3.0 litre and the RRsport.

[DiscoWeb]

[After all the 2.7 can still hold it's own with virtually anything out there. It's biggest competition is within the LR stable, the 3.0 litre and the RRsport.[/QUOTE]

I agree with ADMIRAL,

Whilst more power is always fun,:burnrubber: I can honestly say that in my 12 months of owning a 2.7 TDV6 SE I have never wanted for more power.

Admittedly I do not tow heavy vans/boats etc, however I have had it loaded up with extended family, associated gear, bikes on the roof etc for long trips and it simply eats it up.

If you need more, check through prior post as a number of people have gone down the after market chip option which can assist if you want or need more grunt out of the 2.7.

Have a test drive of the 2.7 and compare it to your 200, rather than the 3.0 D4 and I think you will be suitable impressed.

From a reliability and quirkiness point of view, I was new to the LR brand prior to this purchase and have had nothing but a smile on my face ever since I drove it, except when it is service time:mad: but on a lease this should be less of a pain.

Happy decision making,

George