Oh Boy Here We Go Again. Update..

"Birddog" (maintmgt) 01/07/2015 at 18:03 • Filed to: None

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I may have the chance to trade my 95 F-150 "Dutch" straight-up for a 1996 Disco (that I'm sure looks nothing like that pic).

The owner tells me the Disco is mechanically sound but has some cosmetic issues, only 150,xxx on the clock and a "like new" interior. He told me he bought it as a flip but now "I need a work truck, I don't have time for it".

I've been craving a Disco for years but I've grown attached to "Dutch" in the short time I've had it as have my Dogs. So I'm trying to be cautious.

If it's not -90*F tomorrow after work I'm going to check it out.

Opinions? Warnings?

UPDATE: It's too bloody cold right now to check this thing out. I'm still curious so we're going to try again Sunday. It's supposed to be a balmy 24*f outside.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 19:48

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Is it US-spec with the 4.0 V8?

Steve in Manhattan > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 19:52

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It's near as makes no difference 20 years old. It's British. It's from before Ford taught them how to make a wiring harness.

If you're not a mechanic, have one look at it. What could possibly go wrong?

44444444444 > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 19:52

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It's a '96 Disco. They have monetary value. It's a Range Rover Classic with a pseudo safari shell. Gonna cost you a fortune in repairs. Watch out for the 'Three Amigos' the brake light, traction control light, and ABS light.

Tohru > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 19:53

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So you're looking to trade a vehicle that is a) one of the more reliable vehicles out there and b) the last good looking truck Ford ever made... for a Discovery?

Do you even read DeMuro's non-Ferrari articles?

Birddog > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/05/2015 at 20:07

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It is. I don't think we were sent anything other than the V8 rigs.

Birddog > Steve in Manhattan 01/05/2015 at 20:10

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I can swing a wrench but I'm a better Plumber than an Electrician.

Birddog > 44444444444 01/05/2015 at 20:16

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I only paid $950 for Dutch, that's why I told the guy I'd give it a look. Admission price is everything.

I'm still talking myself out of it.

44444444444 > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 20:19

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Located in the Southwestern USA I'm assuming from the fact you said 90F?

Make sure the A/C works... And if you buy it get a copy of RAVE.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 20:21

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You weren't, but it could have been an import :) I'm not good with the Rover V8, I've never had one, so just look for the standard Disco issues; the usual stuff + chassis corrosion, footwell corrosion, earthing faults, ABS/TCS faults, clutch slave/master cylinders, and make sure the clutch has some bite left!

Birddog > Tohru 01/05/2015 at 20:22

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That's the voice of reason right there. I don't typically listen to that voice.

This time I may have to though.

Birddog > 44444444444 01/05/2015 at 20:26

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Minus 90, I was fudging a bit. I'm in the upper Midwest.

Birddog > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/05/2015 at 20:29

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I'll have a full checklist when I go. It's an Automatic, I don't think we got manuals here but could be wrong.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 20:32

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I didn't think about that. Best of luck then.

Steve in Manhattan > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 20:33

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And don't look at what you paid, look at what the truck is worth.

And hey - you might just do a series of DeMuro-style pieces for us about your adventures. Suddenly I like this idea!

44444444444 > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 20:35

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Did not see minus sign lol. I mean in all honesty they're not the worst cars if you know what you're doing they can be rather nice. They're just really derpy. Feel lucky that Landy has OBDII. Remember, it's a bored, stroked, fuel injected, pushrod V8 from 1955 that runs hot to meet emissions targets.

And we'll get amazing ownership updates about what broke and how much duct tape and bailing twine was needed to fix it!

Make sure the heat works...

Birddog > Steve in Manhattan 01/05/2015 at 21:13

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I like the idea as well. Though, without a CarMax warranty it would just be a series of failures and sketchy fixes.

I have limped a Chevy Suburban out of the woods with a log ratchet strapped to the rear axle and another stuck in the windshield. So, I have the Bio part down.

Tohru > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 21:24

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Then you need to be at http://uppermidwest.kinja.com

Tohru > Birddog 01/05/2015 at 21:26

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If it was a later Ford, maybe something with the 5.3 Triton and the factory spark plugs still in it, by all means I'd be telling you to make the trade. This isn't the case here. You'd be trading an arguably good vehicle for an arguably troublesome one.

Birddog > Tohru 01/05/2015 at 21:37

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I did not know about that. Thanks!

Birddog > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/05/2015 at 21:40

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I really want my Xterra back to be honest. Except, I'd like more power and some luxury.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > 44444444444 01/06/2015 at 02:45

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I see these for around $1000 frequently, rarely more than $3k. Three amigos is more of a D2 problem, shuttle valve switches and wheel speed sensors.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Birddog 01/06/2015 at 03:01

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These don't have many electrical issues, and when they do they're usually not too difficult. They leak from everywhere. Head gaskets, front cover gaskets, oil pans, swivel housings, oil cooler lines. They're pretty easy to work on. Panhard rod bushings and radius arm bushings like to fail and make the truck scary to drive, but they'reThey're not too hard to replace and poly bushings are available. Tons of aftermarket support, tons of community support, tons of used parts readily available. Biggest downside for me would be that the engine blocks sometimes crack or drop lines without warning causing misfired, overheating, and potentially catastrophic failure. Used engines are constantly getting harder to find and are going up in price. But engine failures are far less common on these (GEMS) than P38's or D2's with the Thor/Bosch iteration of the Rover/Buick V8, don't ask me why.

44444444444 > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/06/2015 at 07:35

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Yeah, I wouldn't pay more than $1k for a Disco... Meant to say 'no monetary value'

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > 44444444444 01/06/2015 at 10:32

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That makes way more sense.

Textured Soy Protein > Birddog 01/07/2015 at 18:09

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Before I got into Grand Cherokees, I took an '04 Discovery for a spin. Honestly the worst vehicle I've ever driven. I know some people like them, but I am not one of those people. It sucked.

Textured Soy Protein > Birddog 01/07/2015 at 18:10

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Newer Xterra? Pathfinder? The '02-'04 Pathfinder LE with the VQ35 and full-time 4wd is pretty dang nice. I almost bought one. Got an '05 Grand Cherokee Hemi instead.

crowmolly > Birddog 01/07/2015 at 18:20

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Stick with the evil you know ...

Unless the F150 is not your daily ride/a toy. Then do what makes you happiest.

Birddog > crowmolly 01/07/2015 at 19:35

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I have a company van for most daily duties. My personal vehicles are usually for weekend duties and treking back to Chicago to visit family.

Birddog > Textured Soy Protein 01/07/2015 at 19:39

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I thought about another Xterra. I still miss my old one. I really only like the first gen and Supercharged ones are a bit out of my price range.