From Somerset and thinking of a disco 1 rather than my 1959 Series 2

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RustHater

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Location
Yeovil, Somerset
Hi, Joined this forum as I think I'm getting too old to keep on with my Series 2 but still want a competent (and comfortable) vehicle to join my Series friends on trips to Wales where the lanes are a challenge to anything much less than a standard Series/Defender. Often I'm on side slopes too, which is one reason why I'd rather not put a lift kit on a Disco. Past ownership includes RRC both V8 and 300tdi, Series 88 and 109, and Santana tipper. All pretty standard.

Disco appeals as I want live axles, auto, aircon and reasonable fuel efficiency. Questions to the wise then...
1. How little can I do to a Disco 1 to keep up with a Defender? Will Landy size tyres (7.50 x 16 or 235 x 85) fit without mods?
2. Are the Japanese import Disco 1s a good bet?
3. Was the 2 litre petrol MPI engine any good, or is the fuel economy little better than a diesel?

Thanks in anticipation!
 
Hi and welcome!

Firstly, keep the Series 2. You’ll regret it if you get rid of it.

Secondly, yes you can fit 7.50’s or 235/85R16 tyres to a disco 1. You will need to trim the back of the rear wheel arches. Google “camel cut” and it’ll show you what is needed. A jap import disco should be in much better condition underneath, although even the newest disco 1’s are 24 years old so there may not be many being imported now. These were also mostly automatic so you’ll need to be aware of this.

The Mpi engine was sold in limited numbers in the UK. It’s a rare beast here but was designed for foreign markets as a tax saving measure. Best avoided in my opinion unless you want one as a museum piece.
 
Hi and welcome!

Firstly, keep the Series 2. You’ll regret it if you get rid of it.

Secondly, yes you can fit 7.50’s or 235/85R16 tyres to a disco 1. You will need to trim the back of the rear wheel arches. Google “camel cut” and it’ll show you what is needed. A jap import disco should be in much better condition underneath, although even the newest disco 1’s are 24 years old so there may not be many being imported now. These were also mostly automatic so you’ll need to be aware of this.

The Mpi engine was sold in limited numbers in the UK. It’s a rare beast here but was designed for foreign markets as a tax saving measure. Best avoided in my opinion unless you want one as a museum piece.
Thanks Knapster, very helpful
 
Hi, Joined this forum as I think I'm getting too old to keep on with my Series 2 but still want a competent (and comfortable) vehicle to join my Series friends on trips to Wales where the lanes are a challenge to anything much less than a standard Series/Defender. Often I'm on side slopes too, which is one reason why I'd rather not put a lift kit on a Disco. Past ownership includes RRC both V8 and 300tdi, Series 88 and 109, and Santana tipper. All pretty standard.

Disco appeals as I want live axles, auto, aircon and reasonable fuel efficiency. Questions to the wise then...
1. How little can I do to a Disco 1 to keep up with a Defender? Will Landy size tyres (7.50 x 16 or 235 x 85) fit without mods?
2. Are the Japanese import Disco 1s a good bet?
3. Was the 2 litre petrol MPI engine any good, or is the fuel economy little better than a diesel?

Thanks in anticipation!
16
 
You would do better off in the word association fred or the joke fred or even 1 of the general chit chat 1s:).

Oh and Welcome:).
As an owner of a 2.0mpi defender, give the disco version a miss. Its just about lively enough to move a defender;) they should have fitted the turbo version:D.

J
 
You would do better off in the word association fred or the joke fred or even 1 of the general chit chat 1s:).

Oh and Welcome:).
As an owner of a 2.0mpi defender, give the disco version a miss. Its just about lively enough to move a defender;) they should have fitted the turbo version:D.

J
Thanks J, that helps.
 
The Mpi was a car engine and totally underpowered for a Landy. Get a Tdi or if you can afford the fuel, a V8.

And with a bit of discussion as opposed to consecutive numbering, your posts will soon be up!
 
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