This is a bit of a resurrection, but for anyone else coming along wondering, I've rebuilt a couple D2's and have had 4 project cruisers, including a FJ62.
The D2 and the 1FZ-FE were block up rebuilds, and I'm currently knocking out the water pump/radiator/belts/odds and ends on the FJ62.
The FJ62 is a cool, iconic vehicle, but it's hands down the *least* enjoyable vehicle I've ever wrenched on. The 1FZ-FE is a PITA, but the 3FE puts it to shame in terms of cussing and frustration.
In another thread, SKniper said:
"The front of that 3FE is a baptism of f-bomb, knuckle busted fire."
I couldn't agree more.
The D2 is a platform people love to hate.
Generally, they're people who've never owned one, or they bought someone else's problem and relied on a dealership to do the work.
LR dealerships are among the most predatory out there, but the good news is the D2 is one of the easiest engines to work on that I've ever cracked open. As mentioned, the big killer of the D2 is heat (aluminum block and heads), and the major annoyance is electrical.
The heating issues are generally because people don't like replacing worn out parts, and the D2 has some design flaws that make it hard to purge the system.
If you do a D2 build, you'll want to replace the hoses, fan and clutch, the upper T-fitting (with a brass nut, so it's less prone to failure), and swap in a 180 degree thermostat. Afterwards, install an Ultragauge and you'll be able to monitor your temps in real time, which is huge. The stock temp gauge on the D2 is an idiot light. By the time it starts reading hot, you're in trouble. By the time you've hit read, you've probably puked a head gasket.
The first D2 we picked up for a build we got for $200. It had been in a wreck so it needed some cosmetic work (which was fine, we wanted to replace a lot of the front end anyway). The second, which was in amazingly good condition, we got for $1370, out the door, and it needed a head gasket. It still made a 700 mile drive without overheating with a HG that looked like Swiss cheese. All in, I'm under $6500 with the D2... I'm in that in parts on the FZJ (with a blown HG it cost me $3500, and it took probably another $1200 in parts), and let's not even talk about the Diesel.
The LR was built at the end of an era, and there were a lot of corners cut. They suffer from cheap parts and mechanics who don't bother cracking open the RAVE (shop manual), and think they're working on a Ford. It has quirks, and you need to "learn" how to work on a Disco II, or your results will suck. If you do, your results will be enjoyable. Not too different than a Toyota.
Atlantic British puts out dozens of videos on almost anything you can imagine. I did the HGs in a weekend, and the "Option B", which bypasses the ABS's notoriously unreliable shuttle valve took about an hour and Traction Control, Hill Descent, and ABS all function fine and haven't had the 3 Amigos show up since in +/- a year.
As for wheeling, I do most of mine in an HDJ81/FZJ80 or the D2. This is probably not going to make people happy, but I prefer the D2.
The '04 came with the differential lock linkage hooked up (for some stupid reason, 99-2003 did not, though they all have a locking diff - more evidence of that weird LR quirkiness), and between the CDL and the traction control, the D2 is a total goat, and it's comfortable, offers great visibility, and is a generally lower risk vehicle to crawl in. Granted a lot of that is that I don't want to risk damaging the Cruisers now that their value has skyrocketed, but in general, you can tell there's a 9-14 year difference between them.
The Land Cruisers, by comparison, are a bit more Spartan, and once rebuilt, I don't think you'll need to worry for another 20 years.
The D2 doesn't let you relax quite that much, but the gap in capability and longevity isn't nearly as drastic as people say. Note: there are still a lot of Disco I and II's out there on the road.
A lot of it will come down to budget and whether or not you want to drive it daily. If anyone out there IS considering a D2 - buy it with the intention of rebuilding it immediately.
New water pump, head machining, new (good quality) Has, and do it to spec as per the RAVE. It's not nearly as tedious as it sounds and like wrenching on a Yota, it'll reward you with a really cool, iconic vehicle that will take you nearly anywhere.
...but that's getting to be a common story with Cruisers as well.
In any case, hope this helps anyone coming along after, considering the OP probably made a decision already.
Cheers,
Aaron
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. So in your situation I would go with the kitted out FJ60.
