Talk me out of it: Disco II content

Don't know where you saw 1600 towing capacity, that's just wrong. I had one for a long time and towed all over with it. It wasn't as good as my suburban 2500, but it was pretty decent really. Axles and brakes are 3/4 ton size.

Towing capacity is 5500 in high range, 7700 in low range. The air suspension can be a bit of a pain, but it was nice for towing to have it level out.

You captured the big issues in your first post except for the front driveshaft which can break a u joint and then bitchslap the transfer case, just make sure the u joints are ok.

I was actually quite pleased with mine for 5 years and 50000 miles, sold at 180k, and it was a good truck for tr most part.

So they think a Ridgeline looks bad?

Get an old Rolls Royce with a bad engine(but straight shiny body) and drop a LS truck motor in it.

spitfirebill wrote: So they think a Ridgeline looks bad?

Probably complaining because it's not a real truck.

My neighbor across the street has like an '03 or something. In the past year, I think it has ran about 2 days, and he has maybe several hundred hours working on it. Other than knowing a former Land Rover dealer mechanic that said they used to have to fix the items that were wrong before they could sell them, I don't have any real world experience.

So all I'll say is that I've made purchases that are probably far worse!

I'd have your father's truck detailed. I drive through some very high-end neighborhoods on the way to work, and I've never seen anything but what I would consider a regular pickup and either an open or enclosed trailer. Clean and shiny looks good, I really can't imagine someone having an issue with a newer (which is what I consider an '07) Ridgeline. I don't think an older vehicle is going to solve their issue.

How will the people in these fancy neighborhoods feel about having your truck leave oil drips on the ground when you park it there?

I have a 2004 Disco II with the 4.6. Been driving it over a year as a daily, towed my boat almost a thousand miles (at very near it's capacity)and except for a dead starter (I knew it was going when I bought it) and the power steering pump.. it's been very reliable. I even get about 16mpg out of in mixed driving if I keep my foot out of it.

I personally think there are only two ways the truck could have been better.. the 5 cylinder Diesel and a 5 speed, but that was everywhere else but North America.

I have found that the best way to keep the "three amigos" at bay is to exercise both Low range -and- the hill descent on a regular basis. I did it once a week in the parking garage at work. Mine also does not have air ride, with coil springs all around the ride is stiffer than most people like, but the vehicle handles very well for something that is approaching 3 tons

A nice FSJ? Or an older classic (ish) suburban. I wouldnt even attempt to count on a disco everyday. Whatever you do, just keep it nice more than anything.

Its a double edged sword trying to look successful but not too successful. Show up in hardware that looks too expensive, and all of a sudden "your price is too high".

best bet for looking successful but not too so. Get one of those box truck conversions. If it is all clean and pretty, a GMC, Isuzu, Mitsu, Hino, or the like will look very professional, but the people have no idea if it is expensive or cheap

Something like this is very professional, expensive looking, and practical.

What about a van? Astro or fullsize will tow plenty and have lots room inside for crew and gear. Bonus for gear staying dry and secure. Plenty of space on the side for business logo too.

Vans were on my list until I added the requirement for it to be a good camp vehicle, since I seriously miss my XJ.

The Ridgeline has some body damage. The passenger mirror is held on with a zip tie, he jackknifed it to avoid someone that pulled out in front of him in a 65MPH zone, then repaired it with sheet metal screws, the bumper has the typical trailer hitch hits, but because it's plastic, it doesn't take the impacts well. The headlights are fogged up like any other 7 year old vehicle, and it's never seen a coat of wax in its life, and it hasn't seen a wash in 5 years.

At some points, I will get pictures. He beats the hell out of that truck, and it looks like it.

It does appear that I need a braked trailer to tow as much as I want, which was something I planned to purchase in short order anyway.

If you get the more modern headlight version or a nice front brush guard and it has good paint most people assume it's a fairly modern high dollar vehicle. It also gets attention and starts conversations which is good in a business with so much competition. They also have a fairly knowledgeable internet base so most of the problems and fixes are well documented. I would glady use one for a lawn service, but I might also know which local rental company has vehicles on the lot with factory tow hitches just in case.

I'm picking up a cheap XJ for right now, so it can be my secondary tow vehicle. It's a 2WD, though.

oh.. for some reason I thought your ridgeline was good looking. With the damage it has, I can see why some of the high end clients you have think it looks a bit ghetto.. because it is. Unfortunately, people are going to judge your business and your way of doing things by the work vehicle you drive. you need something nice and non-embarissing or people will assume you do not take pride in the work you do

Exactly my thoughts on the situation. I think we should wear tee shirts with our business info on them when mowing, as well. Leave the nasty ones at home, always wearing clean ones.

I just responded to the ad for the red Rover (heh), so I'll see if I can get that one. After doing some research, I really don't need the 4.6, because the 4.0 takes regular unleaded, whereas the 4.6 requires premium. I can take a hit in fuel economy to save 40 cents a gallon. They are still rated to tow up to 7,700, if the trailer has electronically controlled brakes. I consider that a necessary safety feature if I ever tow something as heavy as a car on it.

Rear coil springs, ABS light, minor oil leaks, daily driven. Sounds like I need to start scraping my pennies together, as that seems like a reasonable truck for the price.

minor oil leaks come with Rover Ownership. Mine is pretty tight, and I can still tell where I usually park at work

If a Rover don't leak, it's out of oil.

I was mostly concerned about coolant usage, since that seems to be what dictates a bad head gasket.

This is for a business, yes?

0% finance a new vehicle, write it off. If it is an actual business, (IMO), you shouldn't be buying used vehicles anyways. Even better, LEASE a new vehicle. Get a new base model Tahoe or pickup, maybe order a package with rims for good measure.

In the US, that should be under $30k. You should be able to easily afford that payment on a 84 month 0% finance.

I'd prefer to own outright and keep my taxes simple.

dj06482 wrote: I'd have your father's truck detailed. I drive through some very high-end neighborhoods on the way to work, and I've never seen anything but what I would consider a regular pickup and either an open or enclosed trailer. Clean and shiny looks good, I really can't imagine someone having an issue with a newer (which is what I consider an '07) Ridgeline. I don't think an older vehicle is going to solve their issue.

A disco as a lawn service vehicle will probably make them think your living above your means, and have to use your personal vehicle as your work vehicle. I live in a small pretty wealthy town and some of the people are shiny happy people and always judging people but thats how it is.

If you want to look good for your customers, id buy the newest/cleanest, white chevy truck, with a nicely painted trailer attached to it. Then it just looks like a well cared for vehicle. Maybe even get some nice simple magnet details made for it.

Then it may not be fancy but its professional.

If you have an expanded metal trailer, make sure its not all rusty and ugly looking.

As much as I love discos, I dont think they will give the image your looking for. plus you want your work truck to be reliable.

I Want DISS SO BAD.

Unfortunately, a truck and trailer setup like that is what's actually above my means. The Rover is within what I can spend, along with refurbishing the open trailer I already have.

It would be sweet to use a Land Rover Defender for a tow vehicle, though. A 110 would be nice as hell.