Thread: D2 v D1

Wongdai,
I'll give you my 2c worth.
I have never owned a D1 but have an 02 D2 Diesel.
The 03 / 04 models are the D2a, and the last of the solid axles before the D3. They also have the CDL reinstated (do a search on CDL for all the info on this).
Do not worry about the "electronic wizardy" they are great. The traction control is good and is very capable in its own right. You can still fit your bigger tyres and suspension lift as with the D1. One thing to take note is that the later models have air bags and can not fit a body lift legally, also need a air bag compliant bull bar. The D2 also has a longer overhang than the D1, and can scrape its tail on very steep angles where the D1 would be fine.
Getting over a really big sandhill in the diesel - well probably, but that is a very open question with too many variables.
My choice would be a 03 or 04 model over the earlier D2's.

I've owned a D1 Tdi and now a D2 Td5. The D2 is a much better car than the D1.
The reasons I upgraded include:

• I wanted to go to bigger tyres on the D1 which meant cutting the guards. I was quite happy to do that but the D2 can take 32" tyres without modification and 33" with minor mods.
• Larger load space in the D2
• More power and torque for towing. I've remapped mine so it is even better than a standard Td5. The remap cost less than $500 and is done in 10mins.

I didn't upgrade for the electronics. Like you (and others) I was worried about the complexity of the electronics. I've found that the electronic systems on the D2 are only complicated if you don't take the time to understand how they work. Carburettors seem just complex if you don't take the time to understand how they work!

With respect to the D1 being better off-road, I can say without doubt that the standard D2 is much better off-road than the standard D1. The traction control is awesome with a CDL. The HDC is good but mine is a manual so I find that low 1st gives a slower, more controlled descent than the HDC allows.

The D2 can be modified just as easily as the D1, you just have a few more elements to consider when modifying. An example is when doing a big lift, you'd have to consider longer ABS sensor leads and if you have SLS maybe converting to coils. If you understand how the car works, you can understand how to make modifications.

I sold my D1 for a good price and bought D2 for only several thousand dollars more. If I had spent the difference on the D1 it still wouldn't have been anywhere near as good as the D2 for my purposes.

For me, the upgrade from a D1 to a D2 was definitely a positive move. I have never found myself in a situation where I'd rather be in the D1. I've never owned a V8 Landy but the Td5 has me hooked on diesels. It is an awesome engine: not just from a performance point of view but very well engineered also.

Id be saving the money and dropping a different donk (turbodiesel) into the D1 as its already capable of doing the whole of austrailia.

ignoring that option...

since you have the v8 upgrading to a td5 d2 would be a good move as you'll get the v8 power with the tdi effeciency(more space, more comfort, more gizmos and so on)

theres 2 things that make a stock d1 better than a stock d2 offroad and thats the kerb weight and the overhang. other than that all things equal the D2 is going to eat a D1 every time.

dont panic about the electronics, IF you know how to drive properly you dont need them and if you treat them as a warning system to let you know that you are approaching the limits of the vehicle and it is now time to stop or adjust your approach to the obstacle you simply cannot go wrong. If you take this approach and the electronic assists stop you are no worse of as you will be used to driving the vehicle in "native mode"

Hi Wongdai,

You can have a drive of my D2 and do a comparison. Mine is a 7 seat V8 model with the air bags (SLS) and ACE. I might even be able to talk you into keeping yours.

I'm located in Bayswater, just a short stroll from Lifestyle 4x4.

PM me if your interested.

Cheers
Ron

That sounds like a plan,,


and what exactly are you trying to say Ron?

I had 10 years in my D1,, and loved waking up the neighbours at two am with a quick downchange .

Electronically, the differences between 1 and 2 is like night and day. but nothing happens untill you actually need it.
The 2's have no inherit rust problems.
Anything you could bolt to a 1 you can (now) bolt to a 2.
Some things still carry over,, nobody steals them, roof linings still sag, power steer pumps/transfer cases still leak, golfball elbow still happens,
I am always quite happy to pay extra for a low kay example,, even 150k scares me,, I'd pay another 5K for half that,, if you can find one,,

Wow, great feedback all and exactly what I was looking for. To be clear 150k is the upper limit re mileage. 100k would be better, but they are a bit harder to find.

Us WA Aulrioans are having a family fun 4wd day in Sept, so I might see if I can get to drive someone's diesel whilst I am out there. I just can't see the diesel being as powerful as the v8, but then again, as usual, I am probalby wrong.

the Td5 isn't as powerful in kilowatts as the V8 but eats the V8 in torque. They are different animals, drive one to find out. By the way, from what I've seen and experienced in my Td5, they will climb dunes just as well as a V8 as long as you drive properly.

On carsales (Perth location) there is a 2004 V8 78,000km asking $25,500 at the moment.

Not really trying to talk you out of a D2, far from it, but it would probably be more economical to address any maintenance issues with the D1. Mind you, I grew up with a family that owned a S2A for over 40 years...

I love my D2 but I have spent over $6,000 in the last twelve months on "maintenance" items and now I'm looking at a new cam shaft and or recon heads. The way I approach engine rebuilds is if I find something wrong I Fix it, so I expect this pending rebuild to end up with new pistons, rings, sleeves, bearings etc... When I purchased the D2 I did factor in the price of a new engine and gear box into the equation as it had done 240,000km. I have since put another 25,000km on it in the last twelve months. I still think I'm in front (dollars spent on purchase and maintenance) when I look at what you get in terms of creature comforts and off road ability when compared to its contemporaries.

I'm always happy to discuss the pros of a D2 as well. I'll best leave the TD5 / V8 debate up to others but the V8 puts a smile on my face every day.

Cheers
Ron