What a change to watch someone drive a Discovery 2 the way they are meant to be driven! I will be buying a 2003 D2 in a few weeks myself so I can go exploring the Canadian Rockies here in Alberta, awesome vehicle and very hard to beat these days for the price
i love the fact that there was no stupid loud rock music just pure V#8 Burble also no tittwanker behind the wheel with a heavy right foot fantastic video and i love the D2 standard with the only exception of propper offroad tyres for UK Mud all year round. very capable and with a CDL and that TC there is no need for lockers ..when it works. like my P38 in stock condition very hard to beat off road. even defenders like my old 300TDI have a hard time against them off road.
You're becoming one of the bright lights for those of us who appreciate restrained, technically sound driving and footage. If only more people could put together this combination. Again, well done.
Thank you Tom, I am glad you enjoyed the video. I always do my best to drive the vehicle as it was intended. As I am sure you know, these vehicles have their own unique driving style and technique that needs to be adopted in order to get the most capability out of them. I am working on a new project, an 04 V8 D2 with factory CDL. In the next few months I will upload some new footage of it. Cheers.
@@VanIsleDisco Very glad you'll be doing some new work. I used to help guide a bit for the Solihull Society here in Colorado for the LR National Rallies. Land Rovers are astoundingly good in the right hands/feet. :-) Your videos show that. So many people build up their rigs, and all we're seeing is the capability of the tires, lockers, and the driver's strengths or weaknesses. Your videos demonstrate, through your driving skill, the strengths of the Disco II. That's what makes your videos unique; that and the fact that you don't require us listen to annoying music to hear what's going on. You let me hear the notes of the exhaust and the situation you're in. Thank you.
I work at Land Rover Solihull, as a mechanical engineer and I’ve just got my first discovery 2. My father worked at land rover, as does my wife and her father too. I’m actually huge American car/hotrod guy but recently seen the light on old landrovers! Even though we are surrounded by them! really enjoyed the video! We have a test track that goes around the factory and your video brought back memories of being talking round it as a child at one of the factory open days.
yip love my p38 no issues with the centre VC and as it is 2001 full TC front and back unstoppable and no matter what is said the air suspension is better than any spring conversion as it keeps the tyres planted where they should be and under full load. however not for fainthearted people afraid of electric gremlins.... they suck bigtime. :)
I have a Disco 2 V8, 1999, and I would stake my life on it! All the four problems which they suffer have been repaired, so now she will last forever! What an amazing, reliable vehicle! Little bit thirsty, but what a ride!
@homer1033 Hmmm Sounded like a V8, had a V8 sticker on the rear door and yet you saw a TD5... were we watching the same video?? I think you need to go see an optician and a hearing specialist....
Thank you for your wonderful video well done to cut a little bit the front dampers ,this car is fantastic ,I have the same since 15 years with some light modifications 2 inch lift CDL and protections ,but you don’t really need all of this stuff
You are right my friend I installed also a winch in my new front bumper who is helping me out from time to time and the cdl cable from Ashcroft, otherwise this car is fantastic
Had the exact same Discovery Great SUV nice smooth ride on the highway and fantastic off road. They lack horsepower as a down side and had many mechanical and electrical issues with it. But that said no regrets
When people fit heavy duty lift springs and wider offset wheels with big tyres they may gain diff clearance but loose out on articulation. The tyres don't fit into the arch and spring strength fight's against the weight of the car. Stock is a good set up, maybe lift blocks and decent 32" tyres is a good compromise for hobby off roading without taking it to the extreme
I agree. When I lifted my previous disco (the black one in my other videos) I lifted it two inches. It was equipped with air suspension, which I lifted with blocks. The front shocks had been heavy duty ones and I lost some articulation. After switching to medium duty lift springs, I has much better articulation. I used the stock wheels and offset. 33” tires fit very happily in the wheel arches
@@VanIsleDisco sounds good! I went for medium duty +40mm springs and +2" shocks all round with stock offset, it's a lot firmer on the road and with the HD steering and whatnot but can loose half the tyre in the arches. Got to keep these wheels on the ground to get traction ✊🏻
The worst thing about early D2s was the traction control. Not that it didn't work, 'cos it did, but that LR chose to rely on it solely. They still came with the CDL but no lever to operate it! Mine has the lever retrofitted and it is better that just the TC alone.
The traction control is one of the main reasons I was interested in the D2. It’s a very neat system. I retrofitted an electronic CDL mechanism to the black disco seen in other videos. My newest edition came with the CDL lever, and is a nice touch
I have an 02 haven't had a single problem without the cdl. Pending on the month built, it may have the hardware already for a cdl just needs the shifter from one that has cdl.
Traction control, if used correctly is very affective. Driving the lifted disco on 33’s with a cdl for so long, I almost forgot how good these are from the factory. I will have a look underneath, but I’m quite certain only 99 to early 01’s had the diff lock equipment available. Then, only 04’s brought it out with the lever (speaking for North American models) there are other markets which seem to have offered the diff lock at various years. Nonetheless, the disco does great with and without 👏🏼
@@VanIsleDisco yea I was under the same impression lone be hold I look under mine have a feel around turns out i have the bolt I look at the build date it was first month of the year. I spoke with a few people and some that where built up until I belive may have a high chance of having it. Someth8ng to do with how they use left over parts tou build the first run of them.
@@ryanhenry21 yes but apparently its only ones built before a certain month otherwise it need the whole unit. Or so I have read and heard. But we all know how wishy washy information can be o these things lol.
@@ryanhenry21 only 1999 to early model 2001’s had the mechanical component’s installed without the lever. 2001.5 to 2003 do not have any CDL capability without replacing the entire transfer case or at least swapping the front “nose portion” This is not the case in all worldwide markets, but limited to North America
I'll never understand why they all didn't come with a center lock. It's a Disco not a Freelander. I am impressed with how little wheelspin is needed for the TC to math everything out. Definitely a hallmark Rover thing.
Yes I agree! Especially considering the traction control system can throw a fault relatively easily sometimes which isn't just not fun but could probably get you stranded basically one wheel drive. They had too much faith in that system and then realized they should go back to CDL. It's not as if CDL is something so special it's just regular 4x4 but for the all wheel drive vehicle. Like if a 4x2 truck goes into 4x4 high or low it's front and rear shafts are locked together too. Same as CDL. So thinking like that you would figure CDL was just standard as it's just basic four-wheel-drive setting. Traction control can help but shouldn't be the only thing hahaha. But yeah it works good especially if your brakes are in good condition. Only problem compared to lockers is that if the other wheel immediately spins when it is engaged then you're not going anywhere. That's where lockers help maintain slow momentum instead of stopping spinning and trying to grab. The traction control affect is actually very dangerous if you're on something extremely Steep and Rocky. Not gravel but big rocks where you are stopped spinning and he grabs and wants to flip you back with the sudden jerk of torque from it grabbing whereas lockers would have not allowed for slipping and this sudden grabbing to even need to occur. I guess that's why must the newer Rovers have electric rear Locker option. And the Rubicon front and rear Factory Locker option. Deep inside I get the feeling that Landover never intended the Disco to do such technical things but more just general off-roading. Otherwise the rear departure angle would not have been so terrible. Even when you lift yours it is still pretty bad hangover on the back. But the system works well so we get these old second-hand ones really cheap and take them through crazy stuff!
Land Rover wanted it to be as effortless to drive off road as I could be with the vehicle doing the magic! The early ones still had the centre lock fitted in the transfer box and was taken out around mid 2001.. Land Rover then put it back as a factory option around 2004 to 2004. Silly move really but that’s Land Rover for you!
The 02 does have the center lock. Land Rover thought with the traction control system, no one would need it, so the deleted the option to lock it, BUT the lever is there on the diff, if you get under the truck. It’s a common mod for people to cut a hole in the floor and attach a rod to lock it. In 2004 they added it back. The diff never changed, just the drivers ability to use it.
@@NCRover the diff lock was completely removed around the end of 2001 and was reinstalled as an option around 2003 until the end (2004) of production. My 2001 which I’ve had from new has it installed but our other late 2001 which we now don’t own doesn’t have it.. if you slide underneath and pop your fingers onto the transfer you can feel to see if you have it installed or not.
My understanding is that it was when Ford took over ownership from BMW. They decided the CDL wasn't needed or maybe they didn't want the Disco to outclass the Explorer. I have a 2001 and hooked it up by installing a shifter from a D1.
Soooo pretty good then!! I just bought a 2000 td5 and was interested how good it was stock. Really impressive!!! I think the dry rocky terrain helps, be interested to see how road tyres hold up to Yorkshire mud🤷♂️
2000 model comes with center diff lock, but no levers. Find a disco 1 lever kit or buy an aftermarket one and with the cdl engaged the car improves a lot working along with the traction control..cheers
I personally picked the d2 for its traction control system and the advantages it provides. However, both vehicles would be great off road and plenty fun to own, provided you are mechanically inclined.
Great video in the uk the first is lift the hell out of it put the most aggressive tyres they can find on it an exhaust so loud it can wake the dead then head off to the local pay and play site and drive like a complete tit then moan like hell that it’s broke .
Great video. The mode button on mine only selects "S" and no "M" if pressed again. I understand the S is for sport but the m is for manual yes? But what does it do differently if i can select gears 1 2 and 3 with the shifter? Be great if someone could help
Hello there, thank you for viewing. The mode button has dual functions based off of the transfer case. In high range, during regular road or highway usage, the mode button will enable S or “sport mode”. In low range, the mode button enables M or manual mode. This is particularly useful for a variety of offroad scenarios where setting off in 2nd gear or even 3rd gear is necessary.
I usually air down, but with these tires, I was worried about the vulnerability of the side walls. They are only street tires. A lift and tires are in the works. Cheers
@@johnsmith-oh2xo I drove it that way for a few months. It had 270,000 km on it. I didn’t keep this disco for long, as I found the green one I have now, but as far as I know, it’s still going!
This is a difficult topic, as it really depends on a lot of external factors. However, mine has been pretty well reliable provided that I maintain it well
What a change to watch someone drive a Discovery 2 the way they are meant to be driven!
I will be buying a 2003 D2 in a few weeks myself so I can go exploring the Canadian Rockies here in Alberta, awesome vehicle and very hard to beat these days for the price
i love the fact that there was no stupid loud rock music just pure V#8 Burble also no tittwanker behind the wheel with a heavy right foot fantastic video and i love the D2 standard with the only exception of propper offroad tyres for UK Mud all year round. very capable and with a CDL and that TC there is no need for lockers ..when it works. like my P38 in stock condition very hard to beat off road. even defenders like my old 300TDI have a hard time against them off road.
You're becoming one of the bright lights for those of us who appreciate restrained, technically sound driving and footage. If only more people could put together this combination. Again, well done.
Thank you Tom, I am glad you enjoyed the video. I always do my best to drive the vehicle as it was intended. As I am sure you know, these vehicles have their own unique driving style and technique that needs to be adopted in order to get the most capability out of them. I am working on a new project, an 04 V8 D2 with factory CDL. In the next few months I will upload some new footage of it. Cheers.
@@VanIsleDisco Very glad you'll be doing some new work. I used to help guide a bit for the Solihull Society here in Colorado for the LR National Rallies. Land Rovers are astoundingly good in the right hands/feet. :-) Your videos show that. So many people build up their rigs, and all we're seeing is the capability of the tires, lockers, and the driver's strengths or weaknesses. Your videos demonstrate, through your driving skill, the strengths of the Disco II. That's what makes your videos unique; that and the fact that you don't require us listen to annoying music to hear what's going on. You let me hear the notes of the exhaust and the situation you're in. Thank you.
I work at Land Rover Solihull, as a mechanical engineer and I’ve just got my first discovery 2. My father worked at land rover, as does my wife and her father too. I’m actually huge American car/hotrod guy but recently seen the light on old landrovers! Even though we are surrounded by them! really enjoyed the video! We have a test track that goes around the factory and your video brought back memories of being talking round it as a child at one of the factory open days.
Nice job. I got this truck in black in 2002 and it was an insanely capable vehicle. Off road, snow drifts, water nothing could stop this thing.
Nice driving. Proof that it’s not all about the vehicle, and mods.
Thanks for watching. The stock setup is very good! I feel confident in its ability.
My TD% was stock when I took it offroad , It kicked ass, it did everything the lifted new cars would do, awesome cars when they work well
Probably one of the most capable vehicles ever in stock form. Right after the P38.
I like the p38, but I think it’s viscous centre differential is a setback, especially if it’s an early p38 with only rear axle traction control.
@VanIsleDisco The VC is pretty robust. There is so much more to go wrong, though. But when it all works, it's hard to beat.
yip love my p38 no issues with the centre VC and as it is 2001 full TC front and back unstoppable and no matter what is said the air suspension is better than any spring conversion as it keeps the tyres planted where they should be and under full load. however not for fainthearted people afraid of electric gremlins.... they suck bigtime. :)
This is a very nice video - reasonable terrain, traction control doing its job, nice work 👍
Thank you. The disco felt right at home here.
I have a Disco 2 V8, 1999, and I would stake my life on it! All the four problems which they suffer have been repaired, so now she will last forever! What an amazing, reliable vehicle! Little bit thirsty, but what a ride!
Cuales son los 4 problemas que sufren?
Which four problems? Considering one myself
great video showing a stock td5, I've just bought a standard stock td5 and this video just goes to show how great they can be
Brilliant !!
It's v8. But still totally capable
Same here.
@homer1033 Hmmm Sounded like a V8, had a V8 sticker on the rear door and yet you saw a TD5... were we watching the same video?? I think you need to go see an optician and a hearing specialist....
It's not a diesel they never made them with diesels in north America....
I'm not a big fan of off-roading, but I enjoyed watching it. Very impressive😊
Very nice video. It shows us that the Disco can manage everything for normal off road driving.
Really glad I stumbled across your channel. I have an 01 D2 that I bought new in 2000. 95k on it and still love to drive it.
Thanks for watching. I’m glad you found the channel. Keep your eyes open for my new video tonight. Cheers!
I have a Discovery 2, with Center Lock and it still improves off-road capability.
My newest D2a has CDL. It certainly works well, but not needed in all situations
Thank you for your wonderful video well done to cut a little bit the front dampers ,this car is fantastic ,I have the same since 15 years with some light modifications 2 inch lift CDL and protections ,but you don’t really need all of this stuff
Thank you for watching. I am planning on upgraded bumpers, rock guards and a 2” lift in the near future.
You are right my friend I installed also a winch in my new front bumper who is helping me out from time to time and the cdl cable from Ashcroft, otherwise this car is fantastic
Had the exact same Discovery Great SUV nice smooth ride on the highway and fantastic off road. They lack horsepower as a down side and had many mechanical and electrical issues with it. But that said no regrets
That's why we utilize an ACE kit and install a GM 5.3 in them. Solved everything.
When people fit heavy duty lift springs and wider offset wheels with big tyres they may gain diff clearance but loose out on articulation. The tyres don't fit into the arch and spring strength fight's against the weight of the car. Stock is a good set up, maybe lift blocks and decent 32" tyres is a good compromise for hobby off roading without taking it to the extreme
I agree. When I lifted my previous disco (the black one in my other videos) I lifted it two inches. It was equipped with air suspension, which I lifted with blocks. The front shocks had been heavy duty ones and I lost some articulation. After switching to medium duty lift springs, I has much better articulation. I used the stock wheels and offset. 33” tires fit very happily in the wheel arches
@@VanIsleDisco sounds good! I went for medium duty +40mm springs and +2" shocks all round with stock offset, it's a lot firmer on the road and with the HD steering and whatnot but can loose half the tyre in the arches. Got to keep these wheels on the ground to get traction ✊🏻
Incredible!
The worst thing about early D2s was the traction control. Not that it didn't work, 'cos it did, but that LR chose to rely on it solely. They still came with the CDL but no lever to operate it! Mine has the lever retrofitted and it is better that just the TC alone.
The traction control is one of the main reasons I was interested in the D2. It’s a very neat system. I retrofitted an electronic CDL mechanism to the black disco seen in other videos. My newest edition came with the CDL lever, and is a nice touch
I have an 02 haven't had a single problem without the cdl. Pending on the month built, it may have the hardware already for a cdl just needs the shifter from one that has cdl.
Traction control, if used correctly is very affective. Driving the lifted disco on 33’s with a cdl for so long, I almost forgot how good these are from the factory. I will have a look underneath, but I’m quite certain only 99 to early 01’s had the diff lock equipment available. Then, only 04’s brought it out with the lever (speaking for North American models) there are other markets which seem to have offered the diff lock at various years. Nonetheless, the disco does great with and without 👏🏼
@@VanIsleDisco yea I was under the same impression lone be hold I look under mine have a feel around turns out i have the bolt I look at the build date it was first month of the year. I spoke with a few people and some that where built up until I belive may have a high chance of having it. Someth8ng to do with how they use left over parts tou build the first run of them.
They all have cdl on the transfer case but some were not fitted with the linkage to the lever so it couldn’t be used.
@@ryanhenry21 yes but apparently its only ones built before a certain month otherwise it need the whole unit. Or so I have read and heard. But we all know how wishy washy information can be o these things lol.
@@ryanhenry21 only 1999 to early model 2001’s had the mechanical component’s installed without the lever. 2001.5 to 2003 do not have any CDL capability without replacing the entire transfer case or at least swapping the front “nose portion” This is not the case in all worldwide markets, but limited to North America
I'll never understand why they all didn't come with a center lock. It's a Disco not a Freelander. I am impressed with how little wheelspin is needed for the TC to math everything out. Definitely a hallmark Rover thing.
Yes I agree! Especially considering the traction control system can throw a fault relatively easily sometimes which isn't just not fun but could probably get you stranded basically one wheel drive. They had too much faith in that system and then realized they should go back to CDL. It's not as if CDL is something so special it's just regular 4x4 but for the all wheel drive vehicle. Like if a 4x2 truck goes into 4x4 high or low it's front and rear shafts are locked together too. Same as CDL. So thinking like that you would figure CDL was just standard as it's just basic four-wheel-drive setting. Traction control can help but shouldn't be the only thing hahaha. But yeah it works good especially if your brakes are in good condition. Only problem compared to lockers is that if the other wheel immediately spins when it is engaged then you're not going anywhere. That's where lockers help maintain slow momentum instead of stopping spinning and trying to grab. The traction control affect is actually very dangerous if you're on something extremely Steep and Rocky. Not gravel but big rocks where you are stopped spinning and he grabs and wants to flip you back with the sudden jerk of torque from it grabbing whereas lockers would have not allowed for slipping and this sudden grabbing to even need to occur. I guess that's why must the newer Rovers have electric rear Locker option. And the Rubicon front and rear Factory Locker option. Deep inside I get the feeling that Landover never intended the Disco to do such technical things but more just general off-roading. Otherwise the rear departure angle would not have been so terrible. Even when you lift yours it is still pretty bad hangover on the back. But the system works well so we get these old second-hand ones really cheap and take them through crazy stuff!
Land Rover wanted it to be as effortless to drive off road as I could be with the vehicle doing the magic! The early ones still had the centre lock fitted in the transfer box and was taken out around mid 2001.. Land Rover then put it back as a factory option around 2004 to 2004. Silly move really but that’s Land Rover for you!
The 02 does have the center lock. Land Rover thought with the traction control system, no one would need it, so the deleted the option to lock it, BUT the lever is there on the diff, if you get under the truck. It’s a common mod for people to cut a hole in the floor and attach a rod to lock it. In 2004 they added it back. The diff never changed, just the drivers ability to use it.
@@NCRover the diff lock was completely removed around the end of 2001 and was reinstalled as an option around 2003 until the end (2004) of production.
My 2001 which I’ve had from new has it installed but our other late 2001 which we now don’t own doesn’t have it.. if you slide underneath and pop your fingers onto the transfer you can feel to see if you have it installed or not.
My understanding is that it was when Ford took over ownership from BMW. They decided the CDL wasn't needed or maybe they didn't want the Disco to outclass the Explorer. I have a 2001 and hooked it up by installing a shifter from a D1.
I have an 2003 with CDL and it is great
He’s back. Haha. Shocked you didn’t scrape hitch once. Glad to see you back in the game man. Just in time for the fun season.
Back indeed! I drove pretty carefully, as this one isn’t modified. But it sure works well! I am looking forward to the fun season for sure.
Soooo pretty good then!! I just bought a 2000 td5 and was interested how good it was stock. Really impressive!!! I think the dry rocky terrain helps, be interested to see how road tyres hold up to Yorkshire mud🤷♂️
2000 model comes with center diff lock, but no levers. Find a disco 1 lever kit or buy an aftermarket one and with the cdl engaged the car improves a lot working along with the traction control..cheers
Great vid. Im trying to decide between a d1 or d2.
I personally picked the d2 for its traction control system and the advantages it provides. However, both vehicles would be great off road and plenty fun to own, provided you are mechanically inclined.
Great video in the uk the first is lift the hell out of it put the most aggressive tyres they can find on it an exhaust so loud it can wake the dead then head off to the local pay and play site and drive like a complete tit then moan like hell that it’s broke .
Great video. The mode button on mine only selects "S" and no "M" if pressed again. I understand the S is for sport but the m is for manual yes? But what does it do differently if i can select gears 1 2 and 3 with the shifter? Be great if someone could help
Hello there, thank you for viewing. The mode button has dual functions based off of the transfer case. In high range, during regular road or highway usage, the mode button will enable S or “sport mode”. In low range, the mode button enables M or manual mode. This is particularly useful for a variety of offroad scenarios where setting off in 2nd gear or even 3rd gear is necessary.
But….. you didn’t air down, install a lift, lockers or $2000 for tires!😝😝😝😝
Good job!!
I usually air down, but with these tires, I was worried about the vulnerability of the side walls. They are only street tires. A lift and tires are in the works. Cheers
Hey how long have you been driving it with the ticking going on I'm curious to hear how many mile I have one that is ticking too....
@@johnsmith-oh2xo I drove it that way for a few months. It had 270,000 km on it. I didn’t keep this disco for long, as I found the green one I have now, but as far as I know, it’s still going!
nice vid ;D
Drive off the dealer's lot, across the mall parking lot and straight up the hill.
Is it reliable on Stock?
I heard a lot about a negative reliability
This is a difficult topic, as it really depends on a lot of external factors. However, mine has been pretty well reliable provided that I maintain it well
ACE installed?
Not on this one. It has the traditional sway bars
Where was this?chilliwack?
Vancouver island. South Nanaimo
Go
Excellent video!
Thanks for watching!