Once rusted twice shy?

Hello all from dull grey North Yorks. Just nibbling my toast and contemplating the departure last week of my old 1996 Disco and I began to wonder just how many of you would buy another Disco II given it's chassis tendency to crumble to rusty dust. I've been there earlier this year and now as I look out on the empty space where Disco 1 lived I feel an urge to fill the gap - but having SWORN LOUDLY never to buy another Disco 2, I confess to looking - briefly - at one last night. As usual, immaculate interior, mechanics seem fine and a brief bend down (in my best trousers) seemed to show a very solid if dry chassis and an MoT check didn't indicate any sign of corrosion. SOooo..........would any of you brave band of Landy warriors put out hard cash for a motor that might disappear in twelve months or so? Or is there a Disco Anonymous where I can go and confess my cravings and get treated?

I like the Disco 2 and would consider it if chassis was ok. Currently run a RRC and they have issues with the body.

Mick Guilbert said:

I like the Disco 2 and would consider it if chassis was ok. Currently run a RRC and they have issues with the body.

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Is it reasonable to ask the seller if I can have the chassis checked by a local indy LR mechanic? I suppose it is.....

If he has nothing to hide I don’t see why he wouldn’t agree.

Replacement chassis are available.

Beneagles said:

Replacement chassis are available.

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I asked my local Indy specialist some months ago about a replacement chassis and he indicated that he could no longer get one and that all I should do was scrap the Disco II. So on his advice I sold it for a few pounds and the experience left me quite unhappy as you might expect. I'm no way a mechanic but I can do some DIY on a car: however a chassis is just way beyond my comprehension. When I looked underneath the rear of the one that I'm currently interested in, the chassis looked dry and carrying road dirt not mud, and to my untrained eye looked OK. But I did have the missus standing over me and shouting at me to get up as 'no we're not getting another one' and 'those are your best trousers' so I was a little distracted. It probably needs to go on a ramp and I guess any serious rust would jump out at me.

Frenchdame said:

I asked my local Indy specialist some months ago about a replacement chassis and he indicated that he could no longer get one and that all I should do was scrap the Disco II. So on his advice I sold it for a few pounds and the experience left me quite unhappy as you might expect. I'm no way a mechanic but I can do some DIY on a car: however a chassis is just way beyond my comprehension. When I looked underneath the rear of the one that I'm currently interested in, the chassis looked dry and carrying road dirt not mud, and to my untrained eye looked OK. But I did have the missus standing over me and shouting at me to get up as 'no we're not getting another one' and 'those are your best trousers' so I was a little distracted. It probably needs to go on a ramp and I guess any serious rust would jump out at me.

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If you do get it on a ramp, make sure to look at the rear suspension mounts , behind the springs and the dirt trap where they are. They can look good until "tapped".

Cheers

neilly said:

If you do get it on a ramp, make sure to look at the rear suspension mounts , behind the springs and the dirt trap where they are. They can look good until "tapped".

Cheers

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Thank you. I would not have known. If the chassis is sound is there anything that can be done at this stage other than Waxoyl?

@bankz5152 Iirc, recommends a company that has Dinitroled his 110, he might have a thought or two.

Personally, i normally pressure wash internally as much as possible and outside a couple of times, wire brush,make sure is dry and then give it a good does of waxoyl inside and out.

But check the chassis, check it again, all over, the above is just a good place for the rust worm to hide, and then check everything else.

I wrote this a while ago, may be of benefit if you are looking again as an aide memoire.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/handy-buying-alarm-info.311291/


Cheers

neilly said:

@bankz5152 Iirc, recommends a company that has Dinitroled his 110, he might have a thought or two.

Personally, i normally pressure wash internally as much as possible and outside a couple of times, wire brush,make sure is dry and then give it a good does of waxoyl inside and out.

But check the chassis, check it again, all over, the above is just a good place for the rust worm to hide, and then check everything else.

I wrote this a while ago, may be of benefit if you are looking again as an aide memoire.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/handy-buying-alarm-info.311291/


Cheers

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Thanks Neilly - wow, that is a comprehensive guide to a D2 buyers check. I'd like to print it off if that's ok and take it with me. Cheers

I managed a whole year without a land rover as a daily driver in of all things a Nissan Micra, great commuting tool and er thats the only good thing I can say about it!
Now Ive got three Land Rovers.
If you dont need it as a daily a series will make a good buy as its one of the few cars you can own that will go up in value.

lynall said:

I managed a whole year without a land rover as a daily driver in of all things a Nissan Micra, great commuting tool and er thats the only good thing I can say about it!
Now Ive got three Land Rovers.
If you dont need it as a daily a series will make a good buy as its one of the few cars you can own that will go up in value.

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So simple too none of this electrickery like newer ones. I was thinking of getting a series when I've finish the fender, only thing that puts me off is they look super uncomfy. And slow. But if you rebuilt it with a tdi problem solved I suppose. Minus still uncomfy

Frenchdame said:

I asked my local Indy specialist some months ago about a replacement chassis and he indicated that he could no longer get one and that all I should do was scrap the Disco II.

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I feel for you, especially as I did a quick search and found :-

http://www.ribblevalley4x4.com/category-30/ML.html

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330807348860

I know it says limited availability, and the price is steep, but there are other less expensive options like half chassis, and proper laser cut repair panels....

Disco1BFG said:

I feel for you, especially as I did a quick search and found :-

http://www.ribblevalley4x4.com/category-30/ML.html

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330807348860

I know it says limited availability, and the price is steep, but there are other less expensive options like half chassis, and proper laser cut repair panels....

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No wonder you rarely see galvanised chassis discos compared to defenders way more expensive! Bet more work to swap too

alexc2701 said:

So simple too none of this electrickery like newer ones. I was thinking of getting a series when I've finish the fender, only thing that puts me off is they look super uncomfy. And slow. But if you rebuilt it with a tdi problem solved I suppose. Minus still uncomfy

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Well I bought the series when we had two mercs and it snowed a lot and rwd mercs are utter ****e in the snow/wet etc, so I then bought a defender as well and tbh theres not much in it comfort wise, the tdi has a radio and er thats about it oh yeh and seat belts! the series has a heated screen and thats more beneficial than the defenders radio.
Defender is also more cramped in the drivers seat compared to the series.
The defender is still worth at least what I paid for it 6 yrs ago, the series is now worth at least 3 maybe 4 times what I paid for it 7 yrs ago.
My series has a 200 fitted, transforms the car.