Test drove '04; ? about CDL

[SilverJ]

While I figure out whether or not to part with my '96 D1 5-speed, I decided to test drive an '04 DII. The first thing I did was try to engage into 4WD. It is my understanding that the '04 CDL linkage is supposed to be pretty smooth. My only point of reference is from using mine in the '96, which is very smooth.

I could not get it to go in to 4-low-locked. I was able to get it locked in 4-high, although it took a bit of force. Then, it did not want to go back to the unlocked position. I had to turn the vehicle downhill to let it roll so that I could get it back. After a bit of struggle, I was also able to get it to 4-low-unlocked, but only after a few tries. From there I tried, unsuccessfully, to get it in to 4-low-locked. It just would not go over.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there something different I need to do for an automatic disco? I use my CDL in my '96 on a weekly basis; I've never had that problem.

It made me suspect of the particular vehicle I looked at, which was modded and used offroad. 55K miles, fully loaded. It had OME coils all around, OME shocks and steering damper in the front; Rancho shocks (!) in the rear, rear quarter panels trimmed/custom rear bumper installed. 255/85/16 brand new Interco Trxus (?) tires.

Here's a pic.



Thank you!

 

[gil stevens]

there shouldnt be any resistance when locking it.. were you rolling when you dropped it into low? you have to be rolling.. 2-3 mph.. basically drive, foot off the brake, no throttle..

 

[SilverJ]

there shouldnt be any resistance when locking it.. were you rolling when you dropped it into low? you have to be rolling.. 2-3 mph.. basically drive, foot off the brake, no throttle..

So I just keep it in drive then? I had it in neutral as I tried to engage, which didn't work. When I was rolling, it worked fine in getting into 4-low-unlocked. I still couldn't get it to go in 4-low-locked. I know they had just had it serviced at Denver East LR; do techs usually check to CDL/linkage when a rover is brought in for inspection?

Thanks, Gil.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

no

rolling ...shift to n

push it forward into low

back into drive with the trans

then left to lock CDL

 

[gil stevens]

neutral.. has to be neutral, i meant drive to get it slow rolling.. and then back to N..

my fault..

 

[DiscoNomad]

There are quite a bit of Disco's out there that were driven previously by people who never touched the lever once. It needs to be worked from time to time to keep it from building up resistance.

 

[SilverJ]

There are quite a bit of Disco's out there that were driven previously by people who never touched the lever once. It needs to be worked from time to time to keep it from building up resistance.

Thanks. I know this one was used offroad due to the mods, scrapes under the rear bumper, lift, wheel condition, etc. I just didn't expect it to be so clunky and tight.

 

[Mudquest]

Thanks. I know this one was used offroad due to the mods, scrapes under the rear bumper, lift, wheel condition, etc. I just didn't expect it to be so clunky and tight.

....sort of makes you wonder why it's for sale, doesn't it? I have a 2000 where the linkage for the low gear is tough, likely because the previous owner never used it. It works well if I'm rolling a few mph's. I'm guessing that cat who's selling this rig either has used it quite a bit, or is tired of it not working properly.

It's a smart thing you tried that feature out ahead of time. Not saying that there's definately something wrong there, just saying it's something you may want to discuss with the previous owner to know the history on - assuming the owner is available for comment.

 

[JamesWyatt]

Thanks. I know this one was used offroad due to the mods, scrapes under the rear bumper, lift, wheel condition, etc. I just didn't expect it to be so clunky and tight.

Don't assume they knew to use the diff lock - or even the low range for that matter.

 

[scottjal]

There are quite a bit of Disco's out there that were driven previously by people who never touched the lever once. It needs to be worked from time to time to keep it from building up resistance.

Mine was really damn hard to go into low range when I first bought it. Bought it off a retired couple and she drove it so it probably had never been used. Still rather clunky to get into and out of low and rolling a bit in neutral 1 or 2 mph is the best bet to shift it.

I put in a DI shifter for CDL and you shouldn't feel the thing doing anything when going left and right. Eventually when locked you will get the indicator on the dash. I bet the 04 shifter is really slick when going in and out of lock. The light on the dash follows the gear engagement for CDL so there is almost always some driving involved to get that lit or extinguished.

Finally the transfer shifter is not an H pattern shifter it is a BOX pattern. You do not need to go to neutral to go in and out of CDL. CDL is shift on the fly too, but not during wheel spin.

 

[SilverJ]

....sort of makes you wonder why it's for sale, doesn't it? I have a 2000 where the linkage for the low gear is tough, likely because the previous owner never used it. It works well if I'm rolling a few mph's. I'm guessing that cat who's selling this rig either has used it quite a bit, or is tired of it not working properly.

It's a smart thing you tried that feature out ahead of time. Not saying that there's definately something wrong there, just saying it's something you may want to discuss with the previous owner to know the history on - assuming the owner is available for comment.

Yeah, my similar thoughts. I'm going to go back to give it another drive and to look at in in daylight hours. I want to try the CDL again though because it really could have been user error. I don't think I was doing the sequence right to get it locked. (Heck, I was still pushing my foot down looking for the clutch).

Here's another question. Is there anyway to test for issues with 3 amigos? The truck does come with warranty. I've just been reading about them as of late. It's not a rover dealership, so just testing in a lot with snow mounds...kind of lame.

I know where the truck came from. He used it for wheeling. He traded it in for a G-Wagon; that makes three G-wagons to his collection. I would like to know why he put Interco tires on though. How many miles could I expect to get out of those before I put MT's on?

 

[gil stevens]

i cant tell from the pic.. but id ditch them sooner then later. ive never been an interco fan.. even if you are having issue with the CDL, thats no reason not to buy it, it can be worked out. the only sequence to lock it is push to the left.. its the low range that requires some thought. really it should be no different then your 96..

 

[Mudquest]

Looks like he blacked-out the rims too. Maybe a second coat - or powdercoating would clean them up. Nice looking truck. I personally haven't had bad experiences with Interco tires, but I can't speak for thier durability though...



I would definately give it another look to check out all her functions. Anything 'can' be fixed. It's just a matter of whether or not the sell price is relflective of needed repairs.

Good luck. Nice color too.

 

[Macker]

It's obviously been off-roaded a lot if the owner went as far as trimming the front bumper/rear quarter panels. I would be careful and inspect thoroughly.

 

[Ho]

It's obviously been off-roaded a lot if the owner went as far as trimming the front bumper/rear quarter panels. I would be careful and inspect thoroughly.

sure, plastic sills still intact.


J, keep your silver disco. LOL

 

[built2crawl]

I see you are located in CO. Is the truck also in CO? You might want to check the solihullsociety site and see if anyone knows that rig.

 

[SilverJ]

sure, plastic sills still intact.


J, keep your silver disco. LOL

I came to the conclusion that I am keeping the Silver Disco. But, I am still looking at '04 DII as well.

From my point of view, I wouldn't mind purchasing a DII that is already lifted. The custom bumper on the back of the '04 I test drove is ok- it makes sense to me to have it on there since the DII has a bigger butt anyway. I think I would take it off to get it powdercoated, since it appears to have some surface rust. The look of it is OK like I said. The interior is mint. No scratches or anything abnormal underneath. The door sills are mint and the 2 minor mall dents on drivers door- I can rub those out myself. There is a K&N cone air filter upgrade. The engine compartment looks good, but they clean those things so well anymore sometimes it's only the first impression. Again, my only concern may be the Rancho shocks in the rear. I would be using this truck while I restore my D1 to proper condition. I'll dump a bunch of miles on it for work and otherwise use it for camping, moderate trails, ski trips, etc...

From the looks of the truck, I suspect the guy skiis Volants on blue groomers. I'll post some pics and let you decide. There is a silly orange oval badge on the back that says "TRAIL". Also, the spare wheel has the stock tire on it, and it doesn't match with the rest of the wheels.

 

[SilverJ]

I see you are located in CO. Is the truck also in CO? You might want to check the solihullsociety site and see if anyone knows that rig.

Already did. I also spoke with Denver East as they inspected the truck. No major issues.

 

[fs_discoII]

he actually probably put rancho shocks in the rear for better flex. I say get the truck it has the tundra colored interior which is nice and also very rare.

 

[Jimmy]

I would like to know why he put Interco tires on though.

Maybe because the TrXus has a pretty good off-road and on-road reputation... as opposed to most of their other lines of tires. :smilelol: I used to drive 3+ hours on the highway with 37" Boggers on my old Heep... still kicking myself for the torture I put myself through. :ack:

If you don't like them, I would imagine selling them wouldn't be difficult around here (plenty of Heep owners). May not get a ton of money for them, but then you could put on there whatever you wanted.