ATTENTION DISCOVERY OWNERS! - 4WD Trip | Your 4WD Trip Companion

27 Nov 2018

Gday All,

So today I was informed that my father in law due to some recent health issues can no longer drive. As such, he is very kindly giving me his 1999 Discovery V8 petrol - stock as they come, free of charge.

Now, a few things I want to ask you Discovery owners on here.

-He has owned the car since 2004 and is adamant there is no mechanical issues I need to be aware of. It’s fully log booked. Are there some gremlins that start to pop up in this model Discovery that I should know of around this this age?

-If all goes well and as I suspect (touch wood) I don’t have to completely break the bank to get a RWC during the rego transfer process - how much would I be looking at to get a 2” lift installed and what are your brand recommendations? Bear in mind, it is NOT my daily drive and don’t want to cough up $3k on top of the line stuff, more just gear that will get me additional clearance for a reasonable cost. I’d love to cap it at $2k for suspension lift installed if possible.

-what size tyres can I fit on it, after a 2” lift? I would also be removing the stock wheels in favour of black steel rims. What offset rims and tyre combo works for you? I’m after a 33” or slightly larger tyre - width isn’t a concern but I DONT want to cut guards to fit bigger rubber

-I was planning on buying an xrox bull bar for the front and fit it myself. I’m quite handy on the tools and have put two on my hilux’s in the past. Has anyone installed one of these before? They look absolutely awesome!

-I also want to know, as I have never had a petrol 4x4, what precautions do I need to take if I do a river crossing? For example, a water dispersant spray to the engine bay? I’d obviously fit a snorkel.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

Wayne (Defender130)

28 Nov 2018

Les Richmond website has good info on mods for all Land Rover models.

http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/d149.html

Greg (94_200TDi)

28 Nov 2018

Second one to say it. Les Richmond in Thomastown. Will be about a grand for the lift. By the wat 32 inch will fit under a stock D2. So going a 2 inch lift will be plenty.

Dan (Disco_Dan)

28 Nov 2018

If he has looked after it like he says he has, then it'll be a good one without a doubt. I'd suggest finding a good independent Landie guy though, Range Heaven in Cranbourne is my go-to guy when something massively bad happens to my Defender (he's never seen my Disco though, it's never broken enough that I couldn't fix it myself). I've heard good things about Toorak Tractor and a few others as well, though never tried them. Ritters is great too, but probably not worth the extra $40 an hour and extra time (I guess care as well??) that someone like Range Heaven would do.

Might also be worth talking with the Landie Specialists about options. Rangie Heaven have a D2 they've modded up as a test vehicle. There's a guy in Moorabbin or Bayswater called Danny who lives and breathes Discovery 2s, though I forget his company name. Toorak Tractor seem to do the same by the looks of it. As does Discovery Spares in Ringwood. Gosh, there's too many to list really. Shoutout to Rovacraft for mods and parts though, but I haven't dropped in and said hi to them for about a year now though. I swapped jobs and moved out of the area.

Mod-wise? 1999 V8? Long Range fuel tank and CDL Linkage to start off. The Traction Control was great for me when I was starting off, but have me the shits when I started getting into 4wding more. I got my CDL linkage from Triumph Rover Spares in SA, posted was around $280? back a few years ago. Installed it myself. Factory linkage off a '03 or '04 car too, so I never noticed any noise increase. Instillation is as per a YouTube video about it online.

Otherwise they're a very good base to start from. Ladderframe chassis, solid axles, pretty decent construction. The electronics should be pretty good in water too. They ditched the distributer for coil packs and then hid them on the back of the engine. The ECUs are a bit of a concern, like they are in any car I suppose.

TFLaneuTube bought one as a company car and despite constantly picking on it, they seem to love it. As much as I like my old Defender, I would have been better off doing my Disco 2 up instead. LPG mostly killed that idea off though, as range was garbage and LPG blew one of my manifolds off the engine when out bush once. Fun times.

Anyway, I've said enough. I'm sure you'll work it out. You'll meet plenty of Land Rover guys out there who will give you tips and tricks with them as you go along.

Jono (Varangian)

28 Nov 2018

Hi Tom,

Do you mean he has owned it since 1994 and not 2004? The 1999 V8 D1 was the last of the D1 range prior to the emergence of the D2, and the best of them as well. Many of the mechanical and electrical gremlins had been ironed out by this stage. The V8 while slightly underpowered for the weight of the D1 is sufficient and reliable. And they sound maco when tweaked. There are many options on the 2 inch lift for the D1 starting around the $800 mark on eBay unfitted. If its just getting used on weekends offroad and you're on a budget it won't matter too much between $1000-$2000. Up to you which way you go. While 32 inch tyres will fit theoretically you will get rub on the guards over bumps and at full articulation. A combo is a 2 inch and 31s. A 2 inch lift and 32s will work but you will still get some rub. A common mod is camel cut to the rear guard to eliminate this. If you don't want to cut guards or install body lifts as well I'd consider giving up the idea of 33s. If you do want to push to 32/33inch you'll really need to start considering a body lift and a 2inch lift. Then you've got other requirements like extending brake lines etc.

Jump on the aurlo website for more info. The guys on there are crazy passionate and uber informed on all things Land Rover. Cheers, John.

Dave (disco)

28 Nov 2018

Hi Tom,

I have a Disco 2003 TD5 wil a heap of mods.

You will not get 33s on a standard Disco (even with a 2 inch lift) without cutting the guards.

33s will also bugger up your diff ratios and make the engine seem like a slug.

I had mine lifted 4 inches and gaurds cut and diffs replaced with a engineers cert. Plus added new flexi gaurds from Les Richmond Auto in Resivior they specialise in kits/lifts for Discos.

You would be far better off just getting the 2 inch lift and go up to whatever tire size fits without hitting gaurds.

You can not go offset either as it will hit the gaurds.

I would advise you give Les Richmond a call on Phone: (03) 9464 4094 just to get the right info before you rush off getting products. Discos are different to most 4x4s and if done right they are amazing offroad. Even stock they are great too.

Dave

Tom (roll_tide)

28 Nov 2018

Jono (Varangian) wrote:

Hi Tom,

Nah he bought it second hand off a then retiring colleague in Woodend which was the original owner. So it’s been in my father in laws hands for the past 15 years.

im not sure if it’s a D1 or D2.

thanks for the info on the forum. They’re usually goldmines for information once you wade through the jargon.

Tom (roll_tide)

28 Nov 2018

Dave (disco) wrote:

Hi Tom,

I have a Disco 2003 TD5 wil a heap of mods.

You will not get 33s on a standard Disco (even with a 2 inch lift) without cutting the guards.

33s will also bugger up your diff ratios and m......

Cheers Dave,

my goal is to have it up and running by this time next year. So I plan to do it right and once only. Your suggestion is spot on.

I will talk to this bloke Les Richmond and get his thoughts. He works on my side of town which is beneficial.

I appreciate your help everyone!

Dave (disco)

28 Nov 2018

Tom (roll_tide) wrote:

Cheers Dave,

my goal is to have it up and running by this time next year. So I plan to do it right and once only. Your suggestion is spot on.

I will talk to this bloke Les Richmond and get his thoug......

Hi Tom,

I thought it was a Disco 2, if it is a Disco 1 you can get away with a little more but still watch the clearance..

Dave

Alex (TEQ-80)

28 Nov 2018

I'm sure Discomatt will chime in, he's got 2 of the damn things lol

Matthew (discomatt)

28 Nov 2018

Have had 4 of them, 2x Disco 1 , 1 x Disco 2 and a Disco 4, I must need therapy...

Are the tail lights half way up the rear panel or down by the bumper bar, that will determine whethers its D1 or D2, could be either being 99 model.

That will decide what mods are needed, as stated stay to 32's 235/85 are sweet on the D1 with no real mods other than camel cut and 2 inch lift.

Get onto AULRO and do all the research there as its LR dedicated forum with some great advice.

Great cars that have a bad rap and if you look after it and drive it properly not like a P plate GU it will serve you well

Tom (roll_tide)

03 Dec 2018

Matthew (discomatt) wrote:

Have had 4 of them, 2x Disco 1 , 1 x Disco 2 and a Disco 4, I must need therapy...

Are the tail lights half way up the rear panel or down by the bumper bar, that will determine whethers its D1 or D2, could be either being 99 model.

OK - So can confirm it is a series 1 Discovery.

So far, drives reasonbly well. It's a little sluggish, but perhaps being a 19 year old car, it could be forgiven - especially given that it has barely been driven for 18 months. A service could be on the cards.

In terms of defects, it has a fair amount of grease/oil underneath the engine bay and looks like the front diff housing is leaking. I am sending it in for a quote for a RWC this week. Fingers crossed it isn't overly expensive to repair!

Reply

Alex (TEQ-80)
03 Dec 2018

Tom (roll_tide) wrote:
OK - So can confirm it is a series 1 Discovery.

So far, drives reasonbly well. It's a little sluggish, but perhaps being a 19 year old car, it could be forgiven - especially given that it has barely been driven for 18 months. A s......
You know what they say - when it stops leaking its out of oil.

Reply

Matthew (discomatt)
03 Dec 2018

They don't leak, they mark their territory Its also a great rust proofing system and also provides clean oils, it can't get to dirty when it constantly needs topping up...

I suggest you give it a really good degrease before doing to much and you will be able to find where its leaking, my guess is sump and rear main seal, a decent mechanic can change the rear main seal when they do the sump, swivel hubs will also be leaking and the rest will just be seeping that wont be a road worthy issue. Worst case the rocker covers and transfer case will also need doing.

Down the track the engine oil cooler lines will need to be done if not now, do NOT just remove them and block off the extra cooling.

As far as gutless goes yep they are but give it a good service, if on LPG iridium plugs gapped at .7 and advance the timing to 10 degrees.

If the clutch fan does not work properly you will have over heating issues , the whole cooling system works very well and it will never overheat as long as its all in good nic, any dodgy bits and it will cook on hot days.

Good luck and have fun

Reply

Trav (dungarover)
12 Dec 2018

Just bought another Disco myself, same as yours a 99 Series 1 for $2k with a bit of change, low kms at 190k from new, stock standard which is how I like them as it gives me a blank canvas. Hope to get it regoed in ther next month or so, bloody work gets in the way as per usual!! Budget build this time so always on the hunt for cheap Disco stuff on e-bay, etc.. best way to build up a old 4WD.

Owned about 5 Discos over the journey, last one was a early-ish 93 3.5 V8 (think the 3.9 is a tad slow) with twin lockers, 4.375 diff gears and HD axles and 33's, the damn thing used to climb a wall if you point it at one!! Sadly had to sell it about 18 months ago as I had a few debts to sort out (long story) now a bit more financially sound I can build this one up (not as full on as the 93, it's more of an all-rounder but we'll wait and see!!).

V8- Ok in water, good spray with WD40 etc.. does the job. If you're still unsure, put a tarp on the front.

Re- Oil leaks. Unless it the Exon Valedez don't worry too much. A few drips here and there are okay, just clean it off before the RWC and most 'sensible' testers will pass it

Electrical stuff- Unpredicable at times but the later D1's had there shit sorted out by then, the early ones were random and quite amusing (my 93 would tun the wipers on for one wipe when I put the heater ana on low, go figure!)

Suspension- Plenty of kits out there to suit your budget, anything around the $1k mark is decent quality. 2 inch is plenty

Tyres- 235/85's or 265/75's will fit with a 2 inch lift. The rear guards near the mud flap will need to be trimmed as the tyre will catch the panel and bend it plus it' damage your tyres ovr time. if you do it as neat as possible you won't notice it!!

RWC- It can be a pain for a Land Rover owner as I have found that a lot of mechanics have a piss poor attitude towards Land Rovers, if it's not A Toyota, Nissan etc.. they are not interersted and will go hard on your vehicle. If you run into one of these ignorant turds, go elsewhere because having to pay extra for another one would be cheaper.

In reality being typically British vehicles they do require a bit more attention than most Japanese 4WD's but once you know the issues and sort through them they reletivley trouble free.

Have fun with it.

Trav

Reply