Thread: need help with disco choice

Hi Mate,
There is no lever in cab on 99-02 models, the lever was reinstated in the D2a update late 02/03, the internals in the transfer case for the CDL were not removed until about 01, so most 99 and some 00's will still have internals which will allow a lever to be installed. You can check by climbing under car and feeling for a bolt with a nut protruding from the top of transfer case near front drive shaft. With regards to engine, I think if you can get a well looked after td5 for your budget then it would be the choice, although servicing will be more expensive. A v8 on gas would be ok, but the v8's without gas are big drinkers and if you are driving daily you will feel the pinch. I myself drive a V8 but don't drive daily so it doesn't really matter, I was going to by a td5 but they were at least $5k more when I was looking, but prices have dropped since. My neighbour bought a 01 td5 with leather for only $9K, so they are around.
Cheers Matt

Originally Posted by imatt

Hi Mate,
There is no lever in cab on 99-02 models, the lever was reinstated in the D2a update late 02/03, the internals in the transfer case for the CDL were not removed until about 01, so most 99 and some 00's will still have internals which will allow a lever to be installed. You can check by climbing under car and feeling for a bolt with a nut protruding from the top of transfer case near front drive shaft. With regards to engine, I think if you can get a well looked after td5 for your budget then it would be the choice, although servicing will be more expensive. A v8 on gas would be ok, but the v8's without gas are big drinkers and if you are driving daily you will feel the pinch. I myself drive a V8 but don't drive daily so it doesn't really matter, I was going to by a td5 but they were at least $5k more when I was looking, but prices have dropped since. My neighbour bought a 01 td5 with leather for only $9K, so they are around.
Cheers Matt

thankyou........i will check out the cdl nut. hey so does that mean 3 sticks inside.

Kippakoop, there are Only 2 levers inside the car for cars with a CDL. Imatt, isn't this the same as for cars without, (high and low range - forward and back) but no left shift to lock in the diff? This is what makes it all a bit confusing for the novice (ie read me when I started looking...)

Look up some searches on converting over to a CDL to see how it all works. From recollection, a lever on top the transfer case is required, the cable between this and the four wheel drive lever in the car, and some brackets to make it all work.

Apparently you can get most (all?) of the parts from wrecked Defenders. I was looking at a 1999 model 2 years ago, before I got my 2003 (because it had lower ks, CDL, upgraded lights, was younger, better looking etc, but more expensive), and was quoted about $550 for the parts and to do the work.

Have you read the sticky at the top of the main D2 forum page?

I love my TD5 and wouldnt be conviced to go the V8 ( I had a V8 RRC)

But IMO with 9grand to spend, I would look at the V8 over the TD5 as I think you will have many more vehicles to choose from in better condition for the dollars.

cheers

When I was looking last year, I found the V8s around 5 grand cheaper and with considerably lower kms. If you do a lot of kms the TD5 is the way to go, I don't know it servicing is dearer, or if they are more reliable, but they have near double the fuel range, I considered a gas V8, but the loss of luggage space and small range compared to the TD5 didn't sway me.

Many D2s have been converted to CDL, mine has had the electric AMV one fitted, which doesn't work, but at least it has the internals so I can fit a cable later.

Look for service history, and not just stamps in the book, but receipts, if in doubt keep looking there's more out there.

Jeff

I agree - the V8 will be far cheaper to buy and often in very good to excellent condition. The $5g you save on the V8 purchase price over the diesel as previously mentioned is a major consideration. Work it out - $5G worth of price difference betwen diesel and petrol prices, the fuel used ie litres per 100 kms for both and the difference in servicing and repair costs. I'd reckon overall that with the V8 you would still be in front financially compared to the diesel over quite a number of years.

What ever you buy - try and get one with a decent service history by someone who knows Landys. The other thing that frightens me with diesels is that they are often used as shopping trolleys and school pick ups- ie lots of short runs and cold running - every day.

So perhaps how the car has been used is as important as the fuel type. The other thing with Discos [and Rangies] is that it is a buyers market which means you can bargain hard in your favour - you also have lots of time and choices when buying as there are far fewer Landy buyers than when compared to the number of Jap fouby buyers.

Hope this helps a little bit and good luck.

hey thanks everyone for all your comments, i think i have settled on the v8, will get a gas convert done.

I have a question, in regard to mods, probably need to start a new thread but here it is.

I want to run at least 33's as i do alot of offroad and want the clearance. will a 2 inch lift get them underneath. will a 33 fit on the back. also are the standard rims 16x7 or 16x8. thanks guy's

any ideas on the suspension?