Thread: Disco V's Rangie

FWIW, FMPOV, RR for looks, D1 for value,

if you get an RR, make sure you get one earlier than the viscous coupling jobs (abt "89 I think - the experts will know

I went looking for an RR to convert to diesel and ended up buying a D1 300tdi auto with low ks for not much more $ than an RR 10 years older

Shop around, shop carefully, don't rush in & good luck

regards - Laurie

Thanks for that Laurie , yeah i have learnt my lesson with rushing in . might even get another member with the same rig to come and look with me .

I guess I am biassed to rangies, but just remember that the Disco was introduced as a "cost reduced", Range Rover.
The Chassis started of just about identical, but discos never had a Load leveller, so had to have much stiffer springs in back, giving a much inferior ride.
Cost is taken out everywhere, including the diff gears much to my surprise. Early Discos had sintered and Rangies had machined sun gears.

I do not understand the comment re the Viscous transfer . IMHO, it is one of the best things about a 3.9 Range Rover( and 38 and L322), and because of its expense was not used in the Disco. The difference in smoothness and noise between a viscous and LT230 is enormous, and I am afraid I do not agree with the opinions that they are inferior off road.(just a LOT smoother). A colleague at work bought a high comp 2002?, and had at least 3 transfers in it, and was still unhappy with the backlash. Most 4WDs now have chain drive transfer cases.
The electrics of 89 onwards RRCs are excellent.The wiring and connectors are completely different to earlier models. Mine has NEVER had an electrical wiring problem ( except alternator and clock). Land Rover had to lift their game for the US market as JD Power was crucifying them.
The RRC has a smaller frontal area than a Disco, so in my experience tends to get slightly better fuel economy than a Disco, on the highway.

I also think that the interior fitout of a Range Rover is far superior.
One of the things that I like about my RRC is that it is probablty the last "coachbuilt" bolt together mass produced car . Everything bolts together. You can replace every exterior panel without welding.

Of course you can get a much newer Disco than RRC for the money.

Remember that for less than 10 K you are getting a geriatric, old , had it, tired, fooled about with , aged, high mileage car so you ARE going to have problems. So do not expect a costless ownership.
Regards Philip A

I love the shape of the Rangie, but the Disco wins hands down, mine a TDi auto 7 seat.

All the stuff about spring rates and load levelers The car will be over 15 years old and all of that will be stuffed and most likely it will have King springs (or a King spring rebadge) and different shocks in it. Anyhow considering you can put springs and shocks in for under $600 this is not a reason to consider not buying.

When I went from the Rangie to Disco one of the things I thought was how light and airey the car was (top windows) then how modern the interia was, and most important the Air-con WORKED.

Don't need an arm rest as the centre consel is the correct height The diffs break in both models but the 10 spline axles are more pron to breaking than the fine spline, and once you break a diff fit a locker, easier to convince wife at this stage

If you do get a Rangie you can make it better by fitting Disco gear

Danny

Originally Posted by PhilipA

I do not understand the comment re the Viscous transfer . IMHO, it is one of the best things about a 3.9 Range Rover( and 38 and L322), and because of its expense was not used in the Disco. The difference in smoothness and noise between a viscous and LT230 is enormous, and I am afraid I do not agree with the opinions that they are inferior off road.(just a LOT smoother).

Just quietly I too never had a prob with my viscous tcase (i got three of em )

Originally Posted by DiscoDan

most important the Air-con WORKED.

Thanks to Ladas help the aircon in my 85 rangie works great.
But yes my rangie is getting disco axles, back on is in. Front will be in the next free weekend.

The wife wouldn't let me buy a disco anyway, too ugly she says.

Originally Posted by Dougal

...................


The wife wouldn't let me buy a disco anyway, too ugly she says.

right on - can be seen as an advantage - less likely to get pinched

as I wrote earlier - RR for looks, disco for value

we takes our choices

Laurie

and most important the Air-con WORKED.

Again, 90? onwards RRC have a greatly upgraded aircon with 2 blower fans. Mine is excellent. I just had to regas it after 16 years , as a hose end started to leak!
Just another thing . For an old car, a 91-92 RRC Vogue is the last of the "cheap keepers".
No ABS, no air suspension, no seat electrics, no factory alarm Spider,No servo blend motors for the air. In eight years I have spent about 4K on mine including adding a Thor manifold . ( I am not counting the Maxi, the Quaife, the Long Ranger, the second alternator.)
Really only head gaskets and a leaking rear main seal the only major jobs.
It would be hard to find one as good as mine now, but I have seen a few low K ones around at low prices.
Regards Philip A