2000 Limited v. 2003 Disco

[tkcard]

Considering trading my '03 Discovery SE on a 2000 4R Limited. My main question has to do with offroad capability--how these trucks compare? For some reason, the 4R looks like it has less ground clearance. The 4R has a locking center differential and rear locker. My Disco has neither, although it does have traction control. Would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

 

[Thai]

Didn't you ask this question already?? Please see my response in this thread that you started:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2087

Both vehicles have their plus & minus in off-roading. Overall, i think that the Disco has a SLIGHT advantage over the 3rd gen 4runner in terms of pure off-roading ability...HOWEVER, it's reliability is not nearly as good (which is important for on-road and off-road).

On a side note, my brother's '01 Disco SE transfer case has developed a leak at 55K miles (thus, past warranty). It is costing him $1600 to fix! Ouch! Anyway, he has had a slight drivetrain vibration since day one...i believe that over time, this vibration has loosened the seal around the transfer case. We have always thought that Land Rover's drivetrain was bulletproof...we were wrong.

 

[tkcard]

Thanks, yes I asked before about about a 97 SR5. The 2000 Limited seems quite bit different, with different 4-wheel drive options and the rear locker. Also, like I said, the 2000 looks lower to the groung, maybe it's just the running boards?

 

[Thai]

Thanks, yes I asked before about about a 97 SR5. The 2000 Limited seems quite bit different, with different 4-wheel drive options and the rear locker. Also, like I said, the 2000 looks lower to the groung, maybe it's just the running boards?

Ahh...sorry, my mistake.

Officially, the ground clearance has been the same for all years. There's been some talk about this...in the end, no one can officially disprove Toyota's numbers. My '02 4runner measures from the ground up to the rear differential housing at about 9.5 inches, which is consistent with more owners of 3rd gen 4runners. The rear diff housing is the lowest point of my 4runner.

2000 is a good buy.

 

[Darren]

My '02 4runner measures from the ground up to the rear differential housing at about 9.5 inches, which is consistent with more owners of 3rd gen 4runners.

Originally posted by Thai on 1/5/03
Darren,

I got around 10" from rear diff to ground with STOCK tires on my 2002 model.

I now have 10.5"...i measured this very carefully.

Interesting. So now we have come full-circle! You lowered yours somehow? :

 

[Thai]

yup, i re-measured it a few months ago. It was about 9.5-9.7". Maybe tire pressure differences??? I dunno.

 

[Thai]

Interesting. So now we have come full-circle! You lowered yours somehow? :

Darren, and i see that you are still claiming that the newer 3rd gens are lower than before?? Keep fighting the battle, Darren!:

 

[Darren]

Me and about 20 others. How many posts would you like me to link where others have also observed the 1999 and 2000 differences? Seriously. There have been a few more this past year. Again, you don't have to take my word for it! It's becoming common knowledge. You're still in doubt, though, huh?

 

[Thai]

You're still in doubt, though, huh?

Yup.