Buy a Used Disco Series 1?

[Corvid]

Hi all,

Im in the market for a truck...
I do like the disco's but ive heard some horror stories on costs to keep runnin etc..
Im also looking at the isuzu Mu's? Can someone please let me know in there HONEST opinion which is the best way to go?
Im good with a wrench if this has any bearing..

Thanks.

Lyle

[lowbox]

If you're good with a wrench then a disco is pretty simple to keep going - just find a local wrecker so you get the parts cheap. Read up on them so you know what to avoid when you buy - wear on the manual gearboxes, rust on the alpine windows etc. A V8 Auto with a good service history won't put you far wrong, but you'll probably find a leaky power steer pump, tired coils and suspension bushes in most.
A V8 and coils is hard to beat, a MU is pretty limited in articulation and grunt by comparison. There are lots of upgrade options for Discos available too.

[Corvid]

Thanks heaps mate, yeh my heart has been telling me to go the Disco.
I have read that the auto's are a little better.. But i couldnt take an auto.. It would have to be the manual.. I know about listening for the clunk etc.. apparently its normal for these things to have small oil drips?

[lowbox]

The original (manual) gearbox mainshaft is poorly designed and does not get oil to the far end of the splines, which accelerates the wear. This shows as a clunk - but if you are new to Discos you may not be able to tell the difference between that clunk and the clunk on the rest of the drivetrain... get a specialist to check it out and tell you if the mainshaft has been replaced with the later crossdrilled variety - otherwise they wear badly from about 80ks.
Also, there are enough Discos out there that you can just simply avoid one that has underbody damage from offroad - or a well used towbar.

[Goblin]

I've got one for sale down in Melbourne if you're interested. 300Tdi, 5sp man, BBar, snorkel, cargo barrier, alarm & keyless remote, suspension upgrade with Poly-air bags, towbar, rear ladder & roof rack. 190kkm's. Just had fromt diff reco'd. I'm after around $20k. Awesome car, just not enough cargo area for family of 5 spending more than a long weekend in the bush.

Going to get a new Xtreme soon.