My disco build thread.

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Can I ask how do you know how to do all of this work im clueless and im trying to learn as I go along

There some members who are professionals and in the trade, you'll get to learn who they are and come to respect their knowledge and abilities, then there are some who have learned over the years, often from making mistakes and learning from them.
One way to learn is to ask questions, remember there's only one stupid question and that's the one you fail to ask. Get yourself along to LZ13 and meet some of the members and learn from them. I would say also contact a local Land Rover club, but most of them just want to go out on green lanes.
Another way might be to get in touch with your local adult education service, the local council or your local technical college might be able to help there.
When you start doing jobs for yourself, start small, get all the information you need and take your time. If you do it right it'll build your self confidence, if you do it wrong, don't worry, learn from the mistake, start again and then do it right. As your confidence builds you'll find yourself in Halfords buying a set of Pro tools (next time they're on offer) and tackling bigger jobs.
The secret is never to think you're too big to ask for help.

RAVE will help to show you how to do the various jobs on the 300tdi
http://www.green-oval.com/data/lr/rave03.iso
 
Tut. The iCrap generation!
You'll probably find that RAVE won't work on a phone or a tablet. You'll probably have trouble trying to get it to run properly on a Crapple laptop too. It works fine on a windows PC or laptop.
Wont download to phone so laptop it is then
 
Cheers, been doing more maintance, well it is a land rover so that's most day.




Mainly seals and gaskets to the water pump, and a few other bits but nothing exciting for £150

Hi Steve.

Sorry to revive an old post, but what "stuff" did you use for the air drier? Did you need any new seals after you changed it?

I´m reviving my compressor at the moment. Piston ring and air filter is done, but I might come back to it and change the material inside the air drier too.

Invaluable post this, thanks for taking the time to share it!
 
Hi Steve.

Sorry to revive an old post, but what "stuff" did you use for the air drier? Did you need any new seals after you changed it?

I´m reviving my compressor at the moment. Piston ring and air filter is done, but I might come back to it and change the material inside the air drier too.

Invaluable post this, thanks for taking the time to share it!

HI its nice to see people are still reading my thread.

I bought a kit off the good old ebay, cant remember the one now but there is some on there

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_o...13&_nkw=discovery+2+suspension+dryer&_sacat=0
 
HI its nice to see people are still reading my thread.

I bought a kit off the good old ebay, cant remember the one now but there is some on there

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=discovery+2+dryer&hash=item257e71db4d:g:WtEAAOSwo4pYmJUi&item=161035180877&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=discovery+2+suspension+dryer&_sacat=0
Thanks Steve. You´re one of those guys everyone wants be be mates with.

I´ll get one of those ordered ASAP.

Hope your Disco is still alive and well! :)
 
Well died yesterday from starter motor failure but new denso (OEM)coming tomorrow. and got a half rebuilt axle to finish and fit. Always something to do if there's a green oval on the front.
 
Well died yesterday from starter motor failure but new denso (OEM)coming tomorrow. and got a half rebuilt axle to finish and fit. Always something to do if there's a green oval on the front.
Lol. Same here.

There´s always something. And if there isn´t, I make something up, otherwise it starts to feel weird. :D
 
Well an update from summer last year. After working on a couple D2's I noticed the wiring loom isn't placed very well from the factory, So found the time to check mine.

I checked my wiring under the expansion bottle and found it had started to rub but no damage. Gave the wiring loom some extra protection where it's needed and covered the metal edge.





Then went to fit a over ride switch for the air con fan. Lifted the fuse box and found this.


Think it's brown with green trace and I'll update with the connection number, maybe ask fery what it does as didn't notice anything not working. Repaired that and added the wiring for air con fan but got confused with the wiring so left it and done my chubby box phone lid.



Cut and covered some Perspex to block the hole for the phone wires. Was going to do it black but didn't have anything but now think the grey insert ties it in with the grey interior.

 
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Well after posting the last pic of the centre console, I decided a freshen up was needed, bought ones with the base plate for the gear gator and metal frame for the hand brake so no messing around as my gear gator was broken and floating around any way.





Then took her for another little holiday.



 
I've also changed my sun visors from D1 items to D2 there is a slightly different profile to the end near the a pillar not a problem for a shorty like me but may block too much view for others.

Cleaning first



D1 vs D2

 
I hope your not getting too many emails with my updates but couldn't leave it any longer. More exciting stuff coming up lol

At the min as well as a poor cold starting issue, which I've already replaced the glow plugs but still don't seem right but not looked any more, worried the other 4 injectors need a recon. (expensive job)

I'm also chancing noises, nearside front wheel bearing seams to be moaning at me, exhaust is too loud on hills when little one is trying to sleep and also if the wind is in the wrong direction I'm still getting a little noise from the LED light bar which I thought I'd sorted when I fitted it. So I was recommended this product so thought I'd give it a go.





No instructions so I put them where I wanted lol

Then on to the next mod, as per Jordans v8 based thread

http://thed2boysclub.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=50504

This is the Td5 version lol.





After the pain of getting as much of the pipe out the box I could I think I will be cutting it off as the angle doesn't really work. but this is the idea but will be putting it with the exhaust flap going in the normal direction that BMW had it.



It turns out the bit of pipe leading in to the BMW back box is near perfect to join the parts.

Hole straight through now looks small but is 2" and you know its lined up well when the disc you've just cut out drops in and straight out the other end.







well a bit of cleaning up on the inside with the die grinder, but apart from that I'm happy.





My best bit of welding, (I'm not a welder, don't normally like it and nearly got someone else to weld this up but happy a did it)







Strange looking genuine exhaust lol



No, pic's as its dark out been cleaning and stripping down my spare axle to see what's good or bad, the ball joints seem good but find them hard to fully check without the axle bolted to the car and hopefully the bearings are good too, the Diff input shaft / pinion bearing has well gone, one cv joint seems to have a little play and a loose fitting boot.
 
Hi Steve!
Have spent the last 12 hours of my shift reading through your "journey" and I would like to congratulate you on the clarity in which it was delivered!
I am currently perusing the inter-web on the look out for my first landy and had decided it was going to be a Disco2. I am no stranger to getting my hands dirty and doing basic maintenance ect and was looking forward to approaching each problem with the obvious due care and attention you so ably demonstrate but, after reading through your comprehensive thread I find myself somewhat deflated and unsure if I am capable of proceeding in this direction :eek: I do understand yours had a punishing life before you took ownership and I would hope to purchase a more cherished model to help improve on the skills I currently posses but, i think i might buckle if my future "project" has half the issues you have discovered and subsequently dealt with :p
Thank you again and well done ;)
 
Hello Cooper, just to answer your slight anxiety about purchasing a D2 (TD5 I assume?) let me assure you that the basic design of the mechanics and structure are well done and with a thorough 'preventative maintenance' history, will provide you with an excellent vehicle. Unfortunately even when the seller claims 'full service history' that is no guarantee of the vehicle being kept in tip-top shape. So here are some of the most common faults to watch out for :
1. Rear chassis rust. Predominantly on the chassis rails, between the rear axle and the rear crossmember of the chassis. You will often find a little surface, which can be cleaned up and painted, but what I'm referring to here is the chassis actually turning to what looks a bit like lace (paper thin) with holes and no structural integrity. If it's there it's not the end of the world as there are now rear chassis repair sections which resolve the problem (cost about £600 labour and parts);
2. Oil and coolant leaks : oil leaks from engine, gearboxes, pas system, ACE system; coolant leaks from water pump, oil cooler, radiator. None of these are usually major, all easily put right without spending a fortune if you do the work yourself. For example : if the pas pump needs replacing (£150) then replace the water pump (£22) at the same time as they are all part of the same assembly. NB re the cooling system ALWAYS use the pink LR coolant it'll save you heartache in the future ! !

My preferred parts supplier is www.paddockspares.com

I offer the above comments for you as areas to check before buying/points of negotiation.

Assuming you do buy a D2 Cooper, just go through it front to back as soon as you get it, to put things right and you'll have an excellent, comfortable go-anywhere vehicle.
 
Hi Steve!
Have spent the last 12 hours of my shift reading through your "journey" and I would like to congratulate you on the clarity in which it was delivered!
I am currently perusing the inter-web on the look out for my first landy and had decided it was going to be a Disco2. I am no stranger to getting my hands dirty and doing basic maintenance ect and was looking forward to approaching each problem with the obvious due care and attention you so ably demonstrate but, after reading through your comprehensive thread I find myself somewhat deflated and unsure if I am capable of proceeding in this direction :eek: I do understand yours had a punishing life before you took ownership and I would hope to purchase a more cherished model to help improve on the skills I currently posses but, i think i might buckle if my future "project" has half the issues you have discovered and subsequently dealt with :p
Thank you again and well done ;)

Hi chaps

Don't want to hijack a very informative thread, but I have just bought a TD5 facelift. Must say I should have done it years ago, absolutely love it. Always wanted a defender, but went for a Disco and so glad I did. Apart from a small water feature which is either the front sunroof or roof bar, it is putting a permanent smile on my face. Full leather interior, loads of options and in brilliant nick with a pretty comprehensive service history (I will be going over it all myself, and check all the fluids for my own piece of mind)
I don't think there is a problem that can't be solved with a decent tool kit and some good advice on here.
So glad I bought one, just do your homework and make sure its in the best condition you can afford. But you need to be quick, the late D2`s don't stay for sale too long, I missed out on several.
Good luck

Tim
 
Hi chaps

Don't want to hijack a very informative thread, but I have just bought a TD5 facelift. Must say I should have done it years ago, absolutely love it. Always wanted a defender, but went for a Disco and so glad I did. Apart from a small water feature which is either the front sunroof or roof bar, it is putting a permanent smile on my face. Full leather interior, loads of options and in brilliant nick with a pretty comprehensive service history (I will be going over it all myself, and check all the fluids for my own piece of mind)
I don't think there is a problem that can't be solved with a decent tool kit and some good advice on here.
So glad I bought one, just do your homework and make sure its in the best condition you can afford. But you need to be quick, the late D2`s don't stay for sale too long, I missed out on several.
Good luck

Tim
Welcome to the family! So glad you bought a thinking man´s Defender :D
 
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