Thread: D2 Advice Please

What I tell everyone that thinks to buy a D2 is to have another 10k for repairs, this should be enough to make it bullet proof

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[FONT=""][COLOR=""][SIZE=""]Thanks for the ballpark number.

Are there specific things that should be replaced or modified?

$10K seems a reasonable sum for piece of mind and to be honest the same amount needs to be spent on most fourbies before they head bush.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]

So you spend 12K ... and budget for another 10K ... when I was shopping I took one look at that equation, and spend $22K on the latest model D2a I could find, with the lowest k's (Td5 Auto).

So far in the last 2.5yrs+ NOTHING has gone wrong (nothing that was a leave me stranded show stopper!). It gets used offroad, for the purpose for which it was built, it's our daily drive, and it's well maintained .... and that's the clincher ... "well maintained" . It's a 4WD not a car, and it will require more maintenance than a car.

The late D2a (facelift) models are a lot less prone to have issues ... yes, some still do, but the previous life/history/maintenance is a big decider.

.... then, an earlier model D2, with most of the issues sorted by a previous owner should be a pretty reliable vehicle .... should being the operative word.

Hi Michael,

You could spend 12k on a D2 and budget for 10k on repairs for a solid reliable vehicle or for the same price you could get this:-

http://www.aulro.com/apc/showproduct...uct/6201/cat/4

Which is my D2 that's currently for sale. It has a new 4.6/V8 motor that is just 12mths old and cost 12k itself to put in Plus the 30K+ worth of mods to make it an awesome and extremely capable touring / off road beast that has been my daily driver. This means it's super comfy and handles on road daily grind driving with ease then just comes into it's own when it hits the dirt. All the specs are listed and i challenge you or anyone to build such a car for the same money (22K). Anyway it's worth considering..
Good luck with your choice they are a great vehicle to have.
I'm only selling because i want to build a Jeep JK for more serious off road duties. Much to my wifes dissapproval...

Cheers

George.

I do not think that there are any more show stoppers in a D2 than other 4x4. There are a fair few little niggles with any aged 4x4 ($12 000) but perhaps a little more so in the D2. Things like TD5 fuel cooler and pressure regulator leaks. Issues with rear air suspension if you have one, need to do the oil pump bolt, lots of oil & water leaks. Front prop shaft universals but most of this stuff will not leave you stranded (just unbolt the shaft, lock centre diff and off you go in 2wd). The basic car is rock solid. The electrics in my opinion are good, again if they play up they are unlikely to leave you stranded as there is a limp home mode with many problems. They do need close watching and a lot of massage. If you keep up the maintenance you should be good without spending $10 000 up front to get it on the road. You get a lot more for you money than others like Toyo or Nissan.

Get one with centre diff lock or put one in
Then it is the routine basics of any car.

I had a D2 and now have a D2a, both Td5 auto's and frankly, they are a great vehicle. If I were you I'd spend the extra up front and get a D2a as per one of the previous posts. Mine now has 280k on it albeit the transmission was replaced at about 260k by the previous owner. The engine runs like a swiss clock.
I've put front and rear lockers in mine but that was really because we tow an off road camper ito some 'interesting' places and with the lockers I can approach things slower and hence, make it easier on the car.
Even when I totally drowned my original D2 it still got us home, with the camper, yes it was a long drive back in 'limp home' mode (locked in 3rd gear) but hey, it still got us home.
Other than the lockers, which are just a personal choice, I'd be putting on a bullbar and a snorkel if it's not already fitted. A winch is also a good option if you travel solo (it's the main reason I have one) so you can recover yourself.
Thats my 2 bobs worth. Good luck and enjoy your D2

Originally Posted by georgesadlik

Hi Michael,

You could spend 12k on a D2 and budget for 10k on repairs for a solid reliable vehicle or for the same price you could get this:-

http://www.aulro.com/apc/showproduct...uct/6201/cat/4

Cheers

George.

...and where was this when I was parting with my 22k 2.5yrs ago George ?

IMHO that is excellent value for money .... and good-to-go.

.... just a pity it's not an oiler

Another vote for a D2a.

A lot, not all, of the issues of the first D2's were sorted in the update model. You also get CDL fitted.

If you can find a TD5 with a good service history, you are most of the way there. Check out the threads in The Good Oil, and you will know what to look for, and what questions to ask, especially if you are buying privately.

The short list of the top of my head:

Oil pump bolt
Exhaust manifold
Fuel Pressure Regulator
EGR Removed

Even if NONE of these have been done, you could do them yourself with a few basic tools over a long weekend.

Oh, and depending on which way you swing, dont discount an auto. I always swore that I would never have an auto, but I am a convert.