2003 disco build

[huebnerd]

I was looking for a 2004 7 seater discovery, but I found a 2003 5 seater for my price range.
After brining it home I found out that the engine was changed from a 4.6 to an older 4.0. Any warning light that was on in the dash was removed so the seller could sell it.
The seller was now unreachable... so I had some work.
The 4.0 was using antifreeze and after pulling the heads found out the block was cracked. (my top gear coffee table build...)
Anyhow I was lucky enough to find a guy wrecking a 2004 on Vancouver island. So I bought the radiator, engine and all the sensors and AIS that my truck was missing. Also bought the 2004 locking transfer case and linkage for future upgrade.
Replaced the head gaskets on the new engine and installed. fixed all engine related problems... as it should.
Still had an early disco 2 front bumper.
So I found some great Land Rover enthusiasts in Chilliwack. Bought the correct bumper and bush bar and also the jump seats that I originally wanted.
I installed the bumper and jump seats.
Since then I have done the following.
New tires
Installed the locking transfer case
painted the wheels
added roof rack lights
installed 4inch lift
recovered sagging headliner

still needs
SLABs communication restored and maybe recover or replace drivers seat.
winch install

This is my second rover and I love every model... they are in my opinion one of the most unique rides out there.

[Bill E.]

Really hate to hear about dishonest sellers but am glad to hear it hasn't scared you off from Land-Rover ownership. The truck is really looking good.

[huebnerd]

Just installed all 7 new seats. Unfortunately had to change from black to tan but the price was right. The tan actually looks great with the black. I will post a picture soon.

[huebnerd]

inside pictures of the original black interior with tan seats and some added tan parts to match the seats.

[huebnerd]

Front

[DBrands]

I have always liked the tan seats. I think it looks great.

[chrismac]

Nice job

[acg]

I got a chance to meet up with Derek (huebnerd) last month in his home in Kamloops. We took his rig for a ride in the trails behind his home. His Disco looks great indeed **thumbs up**

[huebnerd]

I removed the 2" spacer lift so now just have the 2" spring lift.
Note: anyone thinking of spacer lift. Seems to work okay on the front. But with the spring suspension on the rear it causes a strange clunk. It clunked with both the factory springs and after the new 2" higher springs.
The only thing I could figure out was that it changed the angle of the springs causing them to snap down when traveling over bumps at higher speeds. It was fine when traveling slow... but who travels slow? I was told recently as slow as possible, but as fast as it takes...
Anyhow I am going to put the spacer lift on the new air suspension disco I just bought and see how it is.

[red90]

Were longer shocks or different shock mount installed to account for the 4" lift? If not, then the shock would be hitting the extension limits all of the time.

[huebnerd]

The shocks were not hitting the end of the travel. I thought they were but after checking that was not the case. I really think is was just the angle the spacer kit put the springs which caused the snapping.

[huebnerd]

Transmission sprag clutch went... lucky a while back I bought a 2000 discovery for parts. Time for a transmission change.

[jeepingpw]

It may be the "Watts" link that is making the noise.

There was an article in the Oct 2007 Four Wheeler mag on 23 Cures for Land Rover Discos.

"During articulation, the rear Watts link can bind. This limits wheel travel & can eventually fatigue & lead to failure of the part."

"Rovertyme produces a Watts link that is constructed of heavy duty 1/2" wall tubing. The new link is curved to prevent binding against the rear axle bracket."

[huebnerd]

Obsession maybe?
Just got my new 2003 HSE7 back together. Couple things to work out like sagging headliner & maybe a lift kit. But all and all, another Disco saved from the wrecking yard.

[pragsy]

The 4ltr is a better engine. the 4.6 was machined so thin that it's generally a weaker engine.
Just trying to make you feel better.

Also if you are looking at fixing or replacing your Watts links on rear diff. I recently did a panhard bar conversion. Very easy, very cheap, way better and allows for more travel. Like under $100 Cheap. The watts system sucks when you start lifting and articulating. I burned through 3 of them before doing my conversion.

[red90]

The 4ltr is a better engine. the 4.6 was machined so thin that it's generally a weaker engine.
Just trying to make you feel better.

Both engines are the same bore. The 4.6 is a longer stroke. There are no machining differences between the two. There has always been room in the engine for the longer stroke crank. Both are cross bolted. There is basically little difference other than the crank, rods and pistons.

[swamijake]

I also don't know where the idea of the 4.0 being a better engine came from. The 4.0 is known for slipping liners, but I don't think I've heard of the 4.6 being so impacted. Other than that they are basically the same as far as reliability goes.

[huebnerd]

Could you send me some info on that link upgrade?

[red90]

Could you send me some info on that link upgrade?

Rovertym watts linkage? You might want to sit down.
http://www.rte-fab.com/products?page=sh ... gory_id=12