Modify or move on

chook · 21st May 2012, 06:00 PM

Hello I'm hoping for some feedback from people who have looked into either modifying their current vehicle or weighed up the pros and cons and decided to move on to another truck. I am currently driving a 2003 D2a TD5 manual and have only done a few mods to the vehicle so far, those being a steel front and rear steel bar, roof rack, winch, dual batteries and a 2inch lift. I'm more than happy with the truck as it fits my needs; it is used as my daily drive and the tow wagon for the caravan when we head off with the family. It also gets used for the odd weekend away with the lads doing some moderate to challenging off road work. To date I've had very little dramas with the setup and the vehicles reliability (touch wood) however find it a little bit under powered with the van in tow. My kids are calling it the pig when they compare it to mums JK SWB diesel Jeep’s get up and go.

I've looked at other rigs and am yet to find something that I would be happy with other that maybe the new Defender but again it seems to be lacking in power and torque when compared to other newer diesel engines.

I understand that any money thrown into my current rig would not be re-couped at a later date when sold, however am not too concerned as my thoughts are if for example 10K was spent on tweaking the disco as opposed to 50K going towards the change over and fit out of a newer truck I would still have money in the bank. That is as long as the vehicle holds up long term (currently 130,000 on the clock).

My wife is happy for me to tweak our current truck but is concerned that we may not get the benefit of any money spent as a few mates TD5 D2's have been giving them some drama now they are getting a few Km's under the belt.

If I go down the line of tweaking our current truck I am considering either chipping the ECU or fitting a D-Gas system, fitting Ashcroft air locking 4.11 diffs to improve off road ability and allow me to run bigger rubber (mainly for looks but also for larger selection of tyres) and fitting a larger more aggressive AT tyres.

Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

**simonmelb** · 21st May 2012, 06:11 PM

It's barely run in ! ECU remap and slight exhaust mods will dramatically change how it drives and tows. Keep it and dont go bigger rubber and diff change unless you;re getting bogged, which is pretty difficult in a TD5 D2a with CDL and TC !

**Disco Muppet** · 21st May 2012, 06:27 PM

You said the J word!

Keep the Disco, and give it a bit of a tweak. As simon said, do some work on the exhaust, and get the ECU remapped and you'll notice the difference!
130k kms is training wheels KMs for a Td5, and if you keep it will maintained it will last at the very least another 130

Cheers
Muppet

**justinc** · 21st May 2012, 06:43 PM

From someone who KNOWS these things, I can not believe you are comparing a J**P to a D2a

A tweeked ECU, intercooler , a pair of trutracks , some 33" tyres and some ashcroft 4.11's and it will EAT the J**P for breakfast in ALL terrains!!
To be fair, I must mention that the J**P is no slouch, BUT a D2a with a few mods will outshine it quite easily.
JC

**twr7cx** · 21st May 2012, 06:51 PM

Something I debated. I looked at the D3, but didn't feel right for a 4WD. I prefer the D2a over the equivalent Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The Cruisers and Patrols I've found too expensive in the top of the line luxury models (I have an HSE D2a and didn't want to drop).

So in the end I have modified mine - ECU tune, intercooler, boost box and VNT and it's like a completely different motor. Can't wait to get my TC installed now.

Suspension is at 4"'s with 32" tyres. I haven't run into any difficulties yet.

Next is a guard cut, diff lockers, larger tyres and gearing, but that'll probably not be until next year...

Also if you get an SE or HSE model you'll probably be a lot happier with the interior side of things - this is important to me as this is what I see and experience the most in the vehicle! Also it's important when modifying to not cut corners, get the better brands, I have found from experience that cheaper inferior products leads to disappointment, and it costs more to replace them later on with the good stuff that you should of bought in the beginning!

**robbotd5** · 21st May 2012, 07:15 PM

G Day chook.
You are in the same situation that I was in. Great truck but with our new van behind it, it was a slug. So I decided to spend the money and make it a weapon. It has a large custom made I/C, modified ECU, overboost box (21psi), silicone I/C hoses, boost and pyro gauges, de EGR'd, pro vented and has a larger transfer sump. It is now smile inducing with or without the van. Our van is 23ft and 2300kg's. Mine has just ticked over 77000km. I now drive to the boost/pyro while towing, 15psi and 250-360 deg C gives me 95-100 km/h in favourable conditions. The only problem I have is steep hill starts that require low range to move off without burning the clutch. OK Ill admit it, I have been looking at the new Ford (Mazda) Ranger XLT auto as a possable replacement for the Disco but for now I am 75% satisfied with my Disco as a tow vehicle. I dont take it off road much but when I have it has always performed to perfection. Only let me down once, search for "stuck in the snowies". Hope this helps. I would keep it.....for now! until a lotto win alows a D4 TDV6 3.0 HSE.
Regards
Robbo.
PS: What are your van's spec's?.

**twr7cx** · 21st May 2012, 07:34 PM

The only vehicle I have identified as a suitable replacement for my D2a is a Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC - these things are fantastic from factory - diff lockers, dual tanks, etc. They're still $130,000 new, but in a few years will hopefully be a great buy on the second hand market.

chook · 21st May 2012, 07:41 PM

Love the fact that it has live axel front and rear and is a great truck both on and off road out of the box, I just wasnt sure of what type of Kms I could expect from the truck. Although we are currently towing a light weight on road Caravan (1400kg) we are looking at stepping up to and dual axel semi off road van, most I've looked at sit around 2500 kg, thats why chasing extra power/torque. The opion is that the TD5 is only just run in so now happier to look at options and will take advice given on board. For those concerned about comparing my D2a to mums Jeep, dont worry we own one (play truck) and after dealing with it, the dealers after sales lack of service I can say i understand the "Jeep thing" thats why i own a rover.
Thanks again

mattg · 21st May 2012, 10:43 PM

HI Cook.

Sounds to me lick you do own a PIG, an absolute dog with fleas.

Sell it to me to get you some cash to help buy something else. Thats if its a 7 seater.

cheers

Matt

**John W** · 24th May 2012, 07:58 PM

During the K Rud cash splash I purchased a new Prado for work thinking that the added depreciation at the time would help and after a couple of years would migrate it down to the family to replace the Disco.

Just can't do it. It is just so good to have the disco, no worry about the paint work although it still looks pretty good. Just imagine pushing through an overgrown track in a newish wagon! The disco goes wherever I want it, stress free. Yes there have been a lot of "disappointing moments" over the years with reliability but I think most of those are now well sorted? I am planning a Simpson trip later this year and it is very tempting to use the Prado with its big fuel tank and 10yr younger better reliability but would break the heart of the Disco to stay home so am planning on using the disco. It has also become a bit of a hobby keeping it in good shape doing most of the maintenance and mods myself.

If spending money will increase your fun and is what you want to do then go for it. If it is just poser money then don't. Not sure what you would get for your 03 Disco but my 99 one is not worth much so it really is for a fun wagon now. I feel I have everything to gain by spending a little on the disco to keep it running as it is cheep fun. No matter how much I spent on the Prado I would still be anxious taking it where it could be scratched or bent. Not stress free 4X4. I will be disappointed if I don't get at least 300,000 out of the disco so yours has a long life line yet.

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