Discovery vs Cherokee vs other

[skez]

I always love these threads and how people want to defend their brand of car.

Some disco's do have electrical problems. I had an electrical problem in my disco the other week. I was driving along and then all of a sudden



nothing



I bounced over the rocks too hard and a wire fell off the coil. Damm that cost me nearly $30008.52 in repairs at the local mechanics. If I had of known that I think I would have just bought a ......

any car can do that evan my sierra hit a bump on the beach coil wire came off so was stopped in its tracks but it was piss easy to find the problem

[TRobbo]

exactly my point.

Cars leak oil from time to time, alternators and starter motors die from too much mud and any vehicle that is 15 plus years old (which is what we are shopping for here) will have it's share of problems. Bits wear out!

What ever it is get it checked out properly by a mechanic that specialises in the brand you are looking at..


But afaik all jeeps still catch on fire and all surfs will sink on fraser island

[skez]

and my last 2 sierras have had the most electrical problems i have ever had in a car (alternators, weird problems etc) but u dont hear people saying anything about sierras and there shit electrics

[Highway-Star]

and my last 2 sierras have had the most electrical problems i have ever had in a car (alternators, weird problems etc) but u dont hear people saying anything about sierras and there shit electrics

I will vouch for my Sierra having shithouse electrics. I think the wiring was done by a circus clown who really liked rainbows, and also liked seeing the occasional bit of wire bared.

There, happy .


I think allot of the issues associated with so many cars (not just ones mentioned in this thread), is that people really neglect there cars. Some dungerheads think filling it up with fuel, washing it once a year and taking it to a mechanics when it breaks down is quite adequate. NEWS FLASH FOOLS! cars require servicing, maintenance, and allot more care and attention than the vast majority of people give them. I'm not having ago at anybody on here, just making a broad statement that follows up on some of the last few made.

[chpd80]

Everything can leak or have elec. problems simple as that, just some are more prone to it in their design.

For me (with an older verhicle) it is about how easy it is to get parts when something breaks. I blew a high pressure power steering hose on my old 60 series in a remote town with one wrecker and suprise suprise yes they had one to fit a 2f with p/steer. It would have been a long drive home with the p/s belt disconected.

2nd hand accessories is another thing to think about, ebay/trading post etc has heaps of stuff for nissan/toyotas.
As long as your happy with what you get thats all that matters.
I mean if no one drove rovers who would we hang sh1t on just kidding

[Dexter]

Yeah the accessories part I get, but I guess I dont plan on doing any serious modifications as I dont have mates who are into 4wding and its no fun alone

[jeep97tj]

The best thing about jeep is there are thousands of bolt on parts out there for them, your wallet is the limit. They do chew the juice though.

[Barno111]

Mate as a mechanic we do not touch jeep or rovers. Parts are way to expensive and are a pain to work on. I would keep with your jap makes. lots of after market parts that are as of the same quality as orginals and plenty of oppions out there for them!

[shakes]

Mate as a mechanic we do not touch jeep or rovers. Parts are way to expensive and are a pain to work on. I would keep with your jap makes. lots of after market parts that are as of the same quality as orginals and plenty of oppions out there for them!

Some more contradictions. I find my rover and a couple of mate's disco's heaps easier to work on than I did with my old GQ, the couple of GU's I've worked on and the couple of 60serie's that I've had dealings with.

I find it more come's down to what car's you know. My old daily pulsar was an absolute prick to work on until I learnt which way to bend my arm to reach that certain bolt etc etc.

I was passing through moe in my GQ around 18months ago...I blew a power steer hose while turning into a servo. I couldnt find a spare one at the wreckers there, morwell or taralgon at any of the dozen wrecker's. these day's with so many different car's it's more luck of the draw than anything else when it comes to finding parts.

Take a few for a drive, preferably back to back... hopefully one model will "speak" to you more than another and everything will just feel right as far as seating postition, steering feedback and your general taste in styling.

Too many people here have their blinkers on and can only see one brand without it's faults, and are very quick to jump on the bandwagon of brand hating because their mate jonno the mechanic said over 10 beers one night he had a shit day working on a car he's not familiar with.
Cheers

Simon

[jeep97tj]

Mate as a mechanic we do not touch jeep or rovers.

As a mechanic iv owned 2 of them.

[RRV839]

As a mechanic ic'e owned 5 LR's and prefer working on them and jeeps (even though im not a huge fan of jeep's) than a pajero or jackaroo thats for sure, even some patrols are a pita to work on.

[Yom]

Gonzo - Any particular reason for you claim?

Yep, plenty.

Most have to do with the Jeep having 5-link live axle suspension front and rear

XJ's have leaf rear suspension, unlike the ZJ.

lol @ nooby jeep drivers who cant get them into 4wd. Read the manual...they're jeeps everything is opposite to the japanese. You've gotta be moving very slightly to engage low range!

[Dexter]

Yeah was pretty sure the XJs had leafs in the rear. But there are some very flexy ones around.

[KiwiBacon]

The two stock as a the day the left the production line disco's my mum owned were worked on alot by competant mechanics (was not the same issue twice) Alternators, oli leaks, minor (but annoying) electrical gremilins. The worlds most uncomfortable front seats .. (opinion) and was forever replacing light globes in them, every few months another one would blow

So we've got competent mechanics changing alternators and the result being continually blowing light globes?

OMG, call the X-files.

[Gonzo]

Arh of course. I was blinded by my ZJ's coily-awesomeness!

[Dexter]

What are the thoughts in the early Range Rovers? As they are pretty cheap also.

[stuee]

What are the thoughts in the early Range Rovers? As they are pretty cheap also.

[Dexter]

The best thing about jeep is there are thousands of bolt on parts out there for them, your wallet is the limit. They do chew the juice though.

I was pretty sure the V8 rovers would be up there with the fuel use aswell, I doubt a tired old GQ is going to be any kind of economiser either, but I wouldent be driving it daily so its not too much of a concern.

[b_mac]

You've gotta be moving very slightly to engage low range!

or if the vehicle is stationary, get the transfer input shaft spinning slowly, as the transfer case is non-synchromesh.


Bruce.

[RRV839]

My 3.9V8 is more economical than a mates 4.2 carby and anothers 4.2 efi patrol, i dont know about the earlier ones as the fuel injection is not quite as advanced on the 3.5i's look around there are quite a fewrange rovers with LPG fitted, they're the ones to go for.

A 1988 Range Rover Vogue SE 3.5i auto with LPG will probably be the best of them becasue they have a better transfer case (LT230) compared to the later ones (i've swapped out the crappy borg warner in my 94 in favour of an LT230.
The range rovers are just that little more classy and comfortablt imho, but the exterior of a disco is quite more modern.

I have big tyres on mine (32", standard is 29") i have a 2.5" exhaust and a K&N air filter and i drive foot flat everywhere and i get about 400km out of 80L just to give you an idea, however i do need my injectors done as they leak so i'll prob get more out of it after that.

[jeep97tj]

400km out of 80L just to give you an idea,

Ok jeeps arnt quite that bad i use to get 18L/100 with 37s and the engine doing 3k at 110km/h

[Dexter]

My 3.9V8 is more economical than a mates 4.2 carby and anothers 4.2 efi patrol, i dont know about the earlier ones as the fuel injection is not quite as advanced on the 3.5i's look around there are quite a fewrange rovers with LPG fitted, they're the ones to go for.

A 1988 Range Rover Vogue SE 3.5i auto with LPG will probably be the best of them becasue they have a better transfer case (LT230) compared to the later ones (i've swapped out the crappy borg warner in my 94 in favour of an LT230.
The range rovers are just that little more classy and comfortablt imho, but the exterior of a disco is quite more modern.

I have big tyres on mine (32", standard is 29") i have a 2.5" exhaust and a K&N air filter and i drive foot flat everywhere and i get about 400km out of 80L just to give you an idea, however i do need my injectors done as they leak so i'll prob get more out of it after that.

That is very interesting info... from what I have read there aren't a lot of differences between the Disco (Gen 1) and the 80's Range Rovers, I understand there were a few different transfer cases and autos use but by the late 80s it kinda settled down. This correct?

[RRV839]

There is a topic in the rover section "What year", its a sticky up the top, have a look throught that.

But they brought in the Borg warner in i think 1990 which i would steer clear off, the classic range rovers and disco S1's have the same chassis, suspension etc as each other and engine/gearbox/diffs so most parts except for panels anre interchangeable, even alot of defender parts fit.

Thes 4sp auto is the one to go for and came in about 1986 they couldnt make up their mind before 1986 as to what auto etc that they wanted to use.

[Wooders]

I can't speak for the discos or jap stuff - but I'll chuck my 2cents out there from the Jeep perspective.

Mate as a mechanic we do not touch jeep or rovers. Parts are way to expensive and are a pain to work on. I would keep with your jap makes. lots of after market parts that are as of the same quality as orginals and plenty of oppions out there for them!

At the moment its boiling down to the GQ, Disco, going off the Jeep due to the parts prices that you have all been mentioning.

Most Jeep parts are very comparable in price to other brands (especially the petrol). Shop around a little and you might be surprised.
And I have disagree with the difficult to work on comment - The XJ's are generally very simple to work on and generally have loads of room for fat aussie hands.

Just had some more of a read, the rear diffs of the Jeeps seem to have a very bad rep.
That said I am not a hard core 4wd'er so I think it might suffice.

If planning to run 33" tyres (or larger) the rear diff IS a weakness. but there are LOADS of upgrades to make them more reliable (although some of those ugrades are not cheap). If building for larger tyres we'd suggest swapping in a wrangler rear diff.

We have 2 XJ's, the second I only paid $2k for with 160,000km on the dial......being a cheapo unit I drive this rig mercillesly and it like our other one has proven to be a relaible rig......although I must kick out those panels that I mashed the other week

[Guy]

The two stock as a the day the left the production line disco's my mum owned were worked on alot by competant mechanics (was not the same issue twice) Alternators, oli leaks, minor (but annoying) electrical gremilins. The worlds most uncomfortable front seats .. (opinion) and was forever replacing light globes in them, every few months another one would blow

So we've got competent mechanics changing alternators and the result being continually blowing light globes?

OMG, call the X-files.

Two differnet vehicles, bulbs went in both of them regualary, before and after one of them had the alt replaced.
They were both very close to factory stock vehicles, no electrical mods had been done to either (In fact the only mods were factory fitted side steps and ARB bull bar).
The only electrical mods I can think of with one was a new stero was fitted due to the factory offering dieing.

[TRobbo]

Two differnet vehicles, bulbs went in both of them regualary, before and after one of them had the alt replaced.

Was it the front indicator bulbs that kept on gowing?

I sometimes have an issue with the connection in the plug on the front indicators of my disco. I also had a similiar problem with the plugs in the tails lights of an old rangie.
The contacts over time get compressed and the connection becomes a bit dodgy. A bit of a play and all is good again.

[Dexter]

I can't speak for the discos or jap stuff - but I'll chuck my 2cents out there from the Jeep perspective.

Snip!

Thanks for a different point of view there, had only really heard from people who's relatives had owned them as daily's, good to hear about them used for offroad. Was very tempted to buy a Rangie, but the Jeep is winning me back, ah will have to take them both for a drive and see whats what.

[ISUZUROVER]

An early Paj is probably best suited to your requirements.

You have to be kidding!!!

I test drove a 1990 Paj TD for a mate the other day. It was in great nick mechanically with a new engine. But OMG was it an underpowered slug with no ergonomics whatsoever.

I was vary glad to get back into my 1987 TD landie. It felt like a merc limo in comparison. Much better levels or power and comfort - AND Much better offroad ability stock.

No way I would ever reccomend a Paj over a disco/rangie. They are worlds apart in terms of performance and comfort.

[Guy]

Two differnet vehicles, bulbs went in both of them regualary, before and after one of them had the alt replaced.

Was it the front indicator bulbs that kept on gowing?

I sometimes have an issue with the connection in the plug on the front indicators of my disco. I also had a similiar problem with the plugs in the tails lights of an old rangie.
The contacts over time get compressed and the connection becomes a bit dodgy. A bit of a play and all is good again.

Yep indicators and always seemed that the brake\tail light on the same side as the rear door handle.

Not that big of an issue for someone like myself, but for my mu who gets onto strife plugging in a toaster, it was royal PITA.

The one other issue she had was a ball joint in the draglink seperating (more of a maintainence issue that one or my youngest brother .. mistreating it in the last few months she had it and he had his P's .. He ended up rolling it)

[Jeeps]

Here's a toyota that was on fire:





Here's a nissan on fire:





Here's a Jeep on fire:






and here's a vid of a landrover/rangerover on fire:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=TXXDsoqHr7k




They all burn quite nicely, take your pick