Obec AburtoI’ve read that when you commit to transforming goals into actions, dreams will reach fruition. With this adage in mind, let me introduce you to Pearl, my ’01 Discovery II.
Travel back with me to my childhood, split between growing up in Nicaragua and the Czech Republic. I remember wearing dirty shorts and no shoes, playing with my slingshot. Trucks such as the East German-built IFA and occasional pickups rumbled through my town. One afternoon, I heard a rolling rumble and saw clouds of dust on the unmaintained dirt roads in the village. Missionaries in their Land Rovers had arrived, handing out pop tarts and pamphlets.
I could care less about the snacks and printed words but relished playing with their long-range radios and climbing onto their roofs. From my child eyes’ point of view, riding on or inside the Land Rovers from one church to another was epic – the most memorable moments of my life to date. What are these things and how can I make a wooden version and coast down a hill in it? Just like that, I became an enthusiast.
As I approached my 40s, I sought to recreate that childhood magic. After moving to Vermont, I explored hiking trails and passed a shop in Warren, VT, where I saw a couple of Defenders in the distance. Just like that, my dormant childhood memories resurfaced; throughout the rest of the hike, my inner voice told me to find a Land Rover.
Reality hit hard when I learned the budget required to purchase and refurbish a Defender L316, but the sighting of a Discovery II eased my disappointment. I loved the visual balance between square lines, round modern edges, and interior and drivetrain features. Overconfident in my yet-to-be proven skills and just eager to get a project of my own going through Covid times, I rushed into purchasing the sketchy Discovery. Long story short, I took a hit on motivation as well as direction – but I had my first parts car.
The presence of the Land Rover enthusiast community, in person or virtual, saved me. I love being a part of this community, sharing our ingenuity through forums and social media groups. Their comments made me focus on defining the purpose behind my Land Rover ownership; as the architect Louis Sullivan wrote, “form follows function.” I envisioned a clean, modest build that would avoid the “just in case” accessories that would jack up the budget. With a full-time job that kept me busy throughout the New England states, I didn’t have the luxury of time or a feasible place to work outside during Vermont’s cold winters. (Feasible is just a word, isn’t it? -ed.) Three jackets, double gloves and a tarp to keep the snow away allowed me to tackle most things.
Mind you, I thought I was just going to get a Rover and drive it to cool places. Maybe I’d add some tires and that would be it. Pearl had other ideas. After a week of ownership and only 145,000 miles on the odometer, I found the engine smoking with blow by and a major cylinder head coolant leak. This is where my misfortune started to turn into a “while I’m in there I might as well…” attitude. A vision came alive; my inner child rejoiced. My wallet dieting program had just begun.
I wound up with three Discovery II’s, two of which sacrificed themselves to help build “Pearl,” a rumbling ’01 that struggles with a gas addiction. I had hoped to create a Rover 5.0 from the 4.0 block, but the time and money required did not add up. Instead, I refurbished the crankshaft with new bearings and piston rings, and installed a Kent 180 mild camshaft with its new bearings. A bigger MAF (Mass Airflow Filter) out of a Range Rover and an ECM (Engine Control Module) from the UK’s Tornado Engine Systems rounded out the engine work – but I won’t forget the countless hours of prep, research and frustration that would later lead to an acceptance of time well spent. By Spring, I enjoyed Pearl’s first start-up with her refreshed motor. I followed that up with tackling the electrical gremlins and have been rewarded by the absence of illuminated warning lamps on the fascia!
Vehicles that go must also stop, so I installed new slotted rotors, new calipers and fresh brake fluid. I decided on a modest 2-inch Terrafirma lift along with new towers, a steering damper, new steering arms and track rods. I chose Falken WildPeak AT3W 285/75-16 tires.
While driving around for a couple of years with a sagging headliner and no radio, sealing the sunroofs took care of the former. An Alpine Halo9 iLX-F509 with Kicker speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer now provides all the music needed for long drives.
By this time, my depleted budget could not include a proper roof rack, so I fabricated one from 40mm extruded aluminum and used the same mounting points as the factory one. For a couple hundred bucks, I now have a sturdy, 20lb roof that won’t rust, and is easy to repair or modify with a low profile. With the money I saved by not buying a used roof rack, I invested in added lighting.
With Pearl running reliably, and with her external needs met, I turned my attention to the interior. I replaced the headliner and sealed up both sunroofs. I also added extra sound-deadening under the carpets and the headliner. While I removed the interior, I ran new wiring for a second battery and solar panel charging. Using an MPPT solar charger (50 amps and a 200-watt solar panel), I can charge the running battery while on the trails and charge the system with a Bosch alternator. I chose a lithium ion phosphate battery (LiFe PO4); at 100 amps, fully isolated from the vehicular electrics, I find that even with a refrigerator, campsite lights, USB charging and a marine water pump, I can live for a week out of Pearl without the need for additional charging.
Pearl has taken me on treks to New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington, throughout Vermont, south to Rhode Island and west to New York’s Catskill Mountains. I’ve added 5,000 miles since the engine overhaul for a total of 151,000 miles. This build will continue to require my attention (frame welding and maybe a future frame swap) as well as adding many smiles to my daily life. Pearl has forever made an unseen impact on my life. I’m sharing my story to convey gratitude. Through thick and thin, it profoundly shaped and continues to shape my character. I now have a better understanding of the Land Rover community and the bond that binds us together. Building a vehicle with a heritage pedigree has extended my sense of family.
Wrenching has become a way of meditation, of finding peace and keeping my mind/body in check. I understood the fruits of devotion, commitment and discipline prior to this build, but I now know them better. As Jim Rohn would say, “The ultimate reason for setting goals is to entice you to become the person it takes to achieve them.” There are far better builds out there that inspired me. But I now can say, “This is mine, my Rover, my Pearl, the rescue that saved me.