Curious - IYHO how do you think the D1 stands up to similar era Cruisers/Patrols?

I dont think you can honestly compare a disco to either a patrol or a cruiser, i love my D1 and wont ever drive a jap 4wd but each has its own limitations and quirks. As a 4wd the disco makes a nice car as its easy to drive around the burbs in and easy to park in a shopping center carpark, has enough space for the average 4 person family.
Cruiser we all know how tough they are and the loading capacity makes it a popular choice for families but it is big and imho no where near as nice to drive as a disco but lots more power.
Patrol would be my choice for a heavy hauler although the steering shimmy byuilt into the gq/gu drives me nuts and would be enough to prevent me fom buying one, my dad is on his 3rd patrol and they have all had this shimmy from new and these are stock road going vehicles.
I hate the generic soul less plastic interior of these japs and will never buy or drive one by choice, my disco suits me and the missus and 2 kids and my next vehicle hopefully will be a defender for the extra space or maybe a D3.

I cant speak for the newer patrols but before my D1 i had an 85 patrol shorty. I can only see myself buying a Defer 90 as a replacement for my D1 even though the rest of my family drive jeeps (just empty every pocket).
My D1 is the most comfortable 4X4 i have ever been in and i've been in a lot just never owned many.. Question... Is there any real comparison possible as all 4X4's have so many subtle differences which is what seperates them from buyers in the first place.. Joe likes Nissans Fred likes toyotas so they buy that brand... Real 4X4ers who want a serious offroader buy a LANDROVER because they have and always will have the reputation of being able to go just about anywhere in stock form.. modify them and the world is your oyster....

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Originally Posted by chazza

I know bugger-all about the opposition except for driving Land Losers; however; my Disco seems to have these features, which the Toyota doesn't and all for a much cheaper price:
* Constant 4WD
* Lightweight V8 instead of a heavy 6 cyl plodder.
* A ride which is comfortable.
* Greater towing capacity.
* A smaller, lighter car with better mobility, especially off road.
* Centre diff-lock.
* Alloy wheels as standard.
* ABS brakes.
* Seats which don't torture the driver and passengers.
* Coil springs as opposed to cart springs.
* Something which is fun to drive, instead of inducing the most intense boredom.
* A CD player - something the base model 100 Series was not fitted with in about 2005!

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Huh - are we comparing apples with apples

My brother had a 80 series when I had my D1.

Both had constant 4wd.
Disco had the asthmatic V8 - but the 80 had a great turbo diesel of decent capacity.
Both were as comfortable as each other
Disco has better towing capacity on paper but the 80 felt safer when actually towing.
Not much in the driving when in the bush - Disco has better vis.
Both have a centre diff lock.
Alloy wheels were not standard on either.
Neither had ABS (or airbags as standard)
Seats on both are OK.
Both have coil springs
An 80 was just as much fun to drive as the Disco - strengths and weaknesses are in both.
Neither had a CD as standard.

There is nothing wrong with Toyotas - Patrols are a bit truck like - the main problem with Toyotas are the drivers - often tend to be mouthy rednecks.

Garry

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Originally Posted by trobbo

...They all ran coils front and rear ...

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I thought the GQ had the option of 4 wheel leafs, coil/leaf and coil/coil??? Though I am talking about the utes here, and I guess you are talking about the wagon only...

The disco 1 is really in the same size and performance class as the prado and pajero.

For many on here the blinkers appear the moment you mention nissotas...

The 80 series and 105 series petrols (and NA diesels) were underpowered, but apart from that they were quite nice - especially the TDs. The nissan TD42 is about as close as you can get to isuzu (4BD1T) reliability in a 4x4.

Would this be an appropriate time to mention that I quite like the look of the 76 series wagon. However the rear leaf suspension, horrible V8 diesel and crazy price tage turn me off.

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Originally Posted by trobbo

please people stop embarrasing yourselves.

The D1 ran from 92/3 to 98/9.

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the D1 was actually introduced in 1990

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Originally Posted by jazzaD1

the D1 was actually introduced in 1990

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Correct - and 1989 in the UK! However the GQ patrol was released in 1988, so it still beat the patrol to market and was around at the same time. The 80 series arrived in 1989 - so the same goes for it.

Isuzurover yep i was talking specifically the wagons and not the commercial cars.

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Originally Posted by jazzaD1

the D1 was actually introduced in 1990

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Thanks I didn't think they came in that early and happy to be proven wrong. Overall though I dont think it makes any real change to my observations

and as an actual tow vehicle (as in real life vs handbook specs) the GQ Patrol would run rings around a D1 as far as stability is concerned thanks to the much longer wheelbase.

The brakes on the Patrol and Cruiser are also pretty damned strong and a lot more fade resistant than a corresponding Disco.

As Isuzurover said the Nissan TD42 is absolutely indestructible, one of the great 4WD diesel engines but a Tdi is more economical (and more fragile :D )
The TB42 petrol engine is sturdy and torquey but thirsty, but then so is a Rover V8.
The 'Cruiser diesels are bloody good too, understressed and relatively basic.

Full time 4WD makes the Disco (and higher spec 80 Series) nicer to drive for the average punter on dirt/loose/wet surfaces than the Patrol, and the first two ride better in stock form too.

The 3F Petrol engine in the early 80 Series TLC was a thirsty, underpowered dog and I hated the g/box, and the early turbo diesels did bottom ends but Toyota sorted that out fairly quickly.

As already pointed out, the GQ driveline was almost bulletproof with probably the best OE LSD ever fitted to a vehicle, and accessories such as diff locks and rear anti-roll bar disconnect to increase articulation as a factory option.
The rear anti-roll bar disconnect was a lever under the dash and worked a treat, I'm not sure why it isn't still fitted ?

Prior to buying the Disco 1 I have limited the choice to either GQ or Disco 1 or 2. I was willing to pay up to $10.000.

As mentioned, the td42 GQ engine and driveline are bullet proof.

It proved hard to find a good, well looked after GQ. Guessing the looked after ones, are never sold. I must have looked at a dozen GQ's, all very abused.

I looked at 2 D1, the second was a great well looked after model and I was sold.

As a passenger, the missus hated both the GQ and Landcruiser. She loved the Disco. The biggest down size is the boot space is smaller.

I have driven Landcruisers and GQ's of the same age and found my disco a joy to drive where the Toyota and Nissan, after an hour, I wanted to stop. I drove my disco 1600km's over 2 days and would have carried on. It doesn't have cruise control either. A mate also hates driving his too far and brought a Commador to do the long journeys.

Hocks

Forgot to mention that GQ seats are flat, shapeless and bloody uncomfortable, (it's been ten years since I've driven a GQ) and for a vehicle it's size it should have more interior space, I'd be forever bashing my knees getting in.