Thread: D2 or D2a

D2a has better headlights but more importantly has the centre diff lock (CDL), brakes were improved and a number of other things fixed up. ES in D2a is an HSE (there's another thread about this).

They are also no problems to own up here in the NT. Where abouts are you?

My 02 D2 has been much more reliable than my mates 03 D2a - both Manual V8 base models. Both purchased new fromthe same dealer and both well serviced. Mine has 50k more on the clock, heavy towing and a lot of off road compared to his. Who knows mate. The D2a was meant to have hundreds of changes, but in the real world that may not amount to much. The main thing though is the centre diff lock. I retrofitted mine. Its worth having, but if you make sure you get one with the internals in the D2 is a good truck if well serviced and looked after and no reason to go D2a unless you really like the lights...

Cheers

Originally Posted by dmdigital

D2a has better headlights but more importantly has the centre diff lock (CDL), brakes were improved and a number of other things fixed up. ES in D2a is an HSE (there's another thread about this).

They are also no problems to own up here in the NT. Where abouts are you?

In Darwin

I would be happy to buy a D2 with CDL internals and to fit new lever.

Biggest trip I would do is up to coburg which is probably once a year, the road around oenpelli is pretty bad but after that usually well graded. Everything else would be mostly bitumen, I drive up and down to Katherine a lot too.

Bit worried about getting it repaired/serviced locally as well?

Originally Posted by ozscott

My 02 D2 has been much more reliable than my mates 03 D2a - both Manual V8 base models. Both purchased new fromthe same dealer and both well serviced. Mine has 50k more on the clock, heavy towing and a lot of off road compared to his. Who knows mate. The D2a was meant to have hundreds of changes, but in the real world that may not amount to much. The main thing though is the centre diff lock. I retrofitted mine. Its worth having, but if you make sure you get one with the internals in the D2 is a good truck if well serviced and looked after and no reason to go D2a unless you really like the lights...

Cheers

Thanks mate, that's what I was hoping somebody would say

For a far away place with viewer specialized service centres, I would go as simple as possible.
Go base model with leather if possible as leather is way easier to keep clean.

I would even suggest a base model Disco 1 tdi and spend some coin on extras and a holiday instead. That's just me though.
Getting a car full of bulldust on every drive I like to go simple, little electrics and fewer solder joints to break over corrugations.
Toyos are up there because of reputation and Yes, they are tough as nails.
Leaf springs will do that.

Drive a few and see what you think!

Originally Posted by simpin68

Hi D2 crew

I have been reading your articles on this site for the last few months for research before purchasing a D2 and I keep getting a little message saying if I don't post my account may be closed so I thought I would take the opportunity to ask a question. (turned out to be a few questions)

I have read all the excellent advice on what to look for and the issues to expect with these models but I found that my budget puts me in the range of a reallygood nick d2 or an average d2a, all with similar Ks.

I have wanted a Disco for ages, I like their character. I want 7 seats and I want leather and am looking at the 150km to 200km range and would prefer 16s or 17s but 18s do look really good don't they?

I live in the NT and when going on trips you can quite often find yourself on a dirt road 3 or 4 hours away from the nearest anything! Also,these dirt roads can often be heavily corrogated which shakes the hell out of everything, everybody uses Tojos up here as they are as tough as nails, is the Disco going to be ok off the bitumen? If I wanted to hit the corragation in my ES with all the nice trimmings (ACE etc) will they fail? (Within reason)

Is a D2a always going to be the better buy because of it's fixes is really what I need to know?

If it's a Disco you really want, then you have to be able to put up with their nuances. It's logical that a D2a would be better than a D2, being an upgrade.
Pedro, can you jump in here with your comparisons?

Originally Posted by Nicky

If it's a Disco you really want, then you have to be able to put up with their nuances. It's logical that a D2a would be better than a D2, being an upgrade.

You would think...but LR works in mysterious ways! I dont think there is much in it. From my own perspective I think it depends on what day it was built and whether Manchester was playing away or not.

Cheers

Originally Posted by big guy

For a far away place with viewer specialized service centres, I would go as simple as possible.
Go base model with leather if possible as leather is way easier to keep clean.

I would even suggest a base model Disco 1 tdi and spend some coin on extras and a holiday instead. That's just me though.
Getting a car full of bulldust on every drive I like to go simple, little electrics and fewer solder joints to break over corrugations.
Toyos are up there because of reputation and Yes, they are tough as nails.
Leaf springs will do that.

Drive a few and see what you think!

I hear ya, I guess i should've mentioned that 99% of the time it will be driven by the wife with 3 kids in it to the supermarket. All the more reason why the disco stacks up as when we had a landcruiser 80 series she kept scrapping the paint of the guards when parking near concrete poles.

Landcruisers are too big and prados are two small (inside) plus both are more $$