Reply With QuoteGood luck mate .Will look forward to the updates.
September 1st sees the 1st year of business and for the majority of that time weve been on the look out for an early Land Rover that we can bring in to the 21st century. Weve always felt a bit fake specialising in Land Rovers but driving round in Fords and Citroens!
The old boy who had this wanted us to replace the clutch but was worried that he was spending good money after bad, so he asked us if we were interested and without looking to enthusiastic eventually we done the deal.
So its an Turbo diesel which apart from a new engine a few years back is virtually untouched. The guy was an ex mechanic and he has wax oiled the chassis religiously every few years in his ownership of roughly 20 years. Due to that the chassis is mint which is one of the most important things on these earlier models.
It has fantastic worn paintwork, i guess youd call patina which adds to the charm of the car. We're not touching this and will modernise via new trims, dash, bumpers, led lights etc. The insides need some tlc head linings and dash on the list to be done.
Cant wait to get her on the road and will update with pics as we go.
FFF
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Good luck mate .Will look forward to the updates.
Good luck and look forwards to updates
Its about time you had one to call your own. I was waiting for a Range Rover svr mind.
That will double as a tow vehicle too to drag your work in when it won't come under its own steam.
Pre-Defender 90s/110s in good order are quite rare now and arguably acquiring classic status, not quite the character of a Series model but far nicer to drive. Will look forward to coming back to this thread.
Originally Posted by R0bertb00th
Cheers and will do
Yeh we thought about an SVR but we were a few grand off so went for this instead.
It'll make a great tow vehicle which will, without doubt, come in very handy very quickly!
Yes far nicer to drive is an understatement, especially if you've got no servo or PAS they are a huge step up!
Great ...Cant wait to see the progress
I look at that photo and think:
envy.
Then I think:
LS3 engine and powertrain (automatic, obviously)
2" lift
Air suspension
Power steering and much better brakes
Wider tyres and track with bodykit flares.
All done in a subtle blue sparkle with black accents.
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/overview
Yes, that would do nicely...
Last edited by Glamdring; 30th August 2017 at 11:28.
That looks awesome and with a little gentle restoration will be good for years yet. Look forward to hearing about progress.September 1st sees the 1st year of business and for the majority of that time weve been on the look out for an early Land Rover that we can bring in to the 21st century. Weve always felt a bit fake specialising in Land Rovers but driving round in Fords and Citroens!
The old boy who had this wanted us to replace the clutch but was worried that he was spending good money after bad, so he asked us if we were interested and without looking to enthusiastic eventually we done the deal.
So its an Turbo diesel which apart from a new engine a few years back is virtually untouched. The guy was an ex mechanic and he has wax oiled the chassis religiously every few years in his ownership of roughly 20 years. Due to that the chassis is mint which is one of the most important things on these earlier models.
It has fantastic worn paintwork, i guess youd call patina which adds to the charm of the car. We're not touching this and will modernise via new trims, dash, bumpers, led lights etc. The insides need some tlc head linings and dash on the list to be done.
Cant wait to get her on the road and will update with pics as we go.
FFF
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
It's your marketing tool! Every upgrade needs to be first class and with a reason. And when you keep certain parts 'old' there should be a reason for that too. Show to customers what you can do with their car!
I wouldn't go all the way with wider tracks and fat tyres. Perhaps only a little. Keep it original, perhaps painted/powder coated black for the 'no frills, no thrills' attitude. No fancy wheels, you're not a rapper or a drugs dealer.
Proper PAS and PA brakes is something you'll be able to sell as well. Including a good heater (Clayton, T7 Design), an auto 'box can be a nice feature as well. It makes driving the old LR a lot easier.
Keep the paint 'as is' but put your company name on the door!
Menno
Absolutely.
The paintwork is fantastic and apart from some loose paint on the panel around the rear window and some very old moss removal it will be untouched. We're replacing all of the window, screen and weather seals as they are badly perished. The non gen rear load top is going to be covered with steel tread strips along with the load space. New mirrors, wiper arms, front grill and headlamp surrounds will be replaced.
We're going for a full LED lamp upgrade kit. Seats are going to retrimmed, new dash top, surrounds , headlining a pillar trims replaced. Standard tyres and we will repaint the original wheels with a cream enamel based paint. New front bumper, rear cross member rub down and respray.
So although there's going to be a considerable amount of new parts fitted it'll be done sympathetically and in keeping with the original car.
Cracking! Love to see plenty of pictures with Land Rovers in them. I had a 1986 90, then sold that for a 1996 Defender 90 which I still have. If I had the space, I'd have a Series 2 as well. It's great to see these old vehicles still earning their keep 🚚
Spot on - no aftermaket bits - just as you describe it a great testiment to Land Rovers longevity
My LRs are on FB under Land Rover XD Rebuild Project Phoenix
Done lots of work on the military Wolfs, ambulances and FFR Defenders.
Land Rover did a deal with the military and so some had 5 year warranties.....we saw them for a while!!
Yes my first XD was written off within the 5 year warranty period. I always wanted to call Andover phone number from the yellow sticker on the dashboard - but of course never did.
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I'm afraid these get a hold of you or brainwash you.
About 30 years ago I went out to buy my wife a mini and came back with a series lll .
Around 8 Landrovers later I have just got one of the last .
Enjoy her and all her foibles..... of which there maybe many , but that's the character and endearing charm
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Well, if we're sharing...I'm afraid these get a hold of you or brainwash you.
About 30 years ago I went out to buy my wife a mini and came back with a series lll .
Around 8 Landrovers later I have just got one of the last .
Enjoy her and all her foibles..... of which there maybe many , but that's the character and endearing charm
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Here's a few of the last we sold.....preordered months in advance and now probably wrapped up in a temperature controlled barn somewhere!
I've never driven a 'proper' Land Rover...I suspect if / when I do I'll also get the bug - I love the look of them!
I know a 19 (or 20 y/o) kid who has a crush on Defender since he could walk and talk. He always promised himself and everybody he knows that he would buy a Defender as soon as he had enough money. Then... LR announced the termination of the production... with the help of his dad he was able to buy a car from the final run: an orange 110 complete with all sorts of racks etc.
My first ever car was a Series IIa 88" with truck cab and 3/4 tilt. Have seen the price of them rocket.
Looked at a late 200Tdi today (not as a potential daily, I might add) and I'm severely tempted. He said he hadn't set it up but the first thing I got to do was pull an old Disco on road tyres out of a field where it had bogged down in a foot of mud. I could see me having plenty of fun in one. Will keep an eye on this thread with interest.
I know a chap that has done exactly that.....it has 10 miles on the clock.... and despite this lack of use, it's marked it's territory with a small oil leak, and the chassis is going rusty..... and yes it's in a centrally heated showroom at his house...
Here's a few of the last we sold.....preordered months in advance and now probably wrapped up in a temperature controlled barn somewhere!
Is there a height restriction with the proper land rovers, ie leg length? I have a FL2 but looking at this thread............
mike
Mike
Assuming you mean how much leg room you have?
If so, not a lot!
I'm 6:3 and struggle with my knees hitting the lower dash and that's with the seat as far back as it goes.
90s are the worst, 110s and 130s slightly better.
Last edited by Franky Four Fingers; 8th November 2017 at 19:39.
6ft exactly (and shrinking due to age...). I think that the LR is cramped indeed. Too much trips to the gym are not wise as well: the room from your body to the door is something to get used to as well. The seats are positioned to the L and R of the cabin, leaving a lot of room for a box between the seats. You can never have too much storage space - even when it takes up room for the driver.
Personally I love the pedals. The rubber on the pedals have the size of a paving stone!
Menno
Aha we can start a discussion about the difference between the 200Tdi and the 300Tdi. My choice (fwiw): the 200Tdi. Simple, tractor-like engine. No electrickery (dixit Catweazle) like intricate management systems.
Menno
I run an original fitment tdi200 Rand Rover Classic and my XD´s are all tdi 300.
I also think that Land Rover marketing dept. did a good job in telling us how much they imroved the tdi300 over the tdi200, but at the end of the day it was just the silly EGR emission stuff that they added.
tdi200 vs tdi300. You can already see from the picture, the tdi200 is much more refinded ;-)
Of course I have all of the original army XD rollcage plus HT plus softtop, but only with the civvy Pick Up roof does the LR 90 fit my into my little city garage.
So I said to myself, sod originality, and do something a bit more fun until I find a larger place...
Due to a very busy period recently we've not had a huge amount of time to make a start on the refurb, however with a few spare hours this afternoon we've removed not 1 but 3 CB radios!
20 years of detritus including moss inside and out and put together a list of parts for everything we want to do.
First things first is the clutch so fingers cross this time next week it should be back on the road.
The 1st car I actually bought for myself was a Series IIa SWB with truck cab. This thread has me wanting to buy another.
Just don’t buy a freelancer,disco,sport,Range Rover if over 3 years old you will regret. Only buy new!
Having just done the Land Rover experience half-day near Skipton today I have an enhanced appreciation of these vehicles!
Apparently the Defender is the least capable of the LR vehicles off road...the Disco (5) being the most capable; according to the Lead Instructor there
Bol***cks!!
He seemed to know his stuff. And he had a moustache.
Yeah LR new car sales guy wisdom. LR once did a FreeDiscoRangeWhatever vehicle presentation in a quarry and they invited LR owners to come along and drive the track too. I took my old Series lll Ambulance and drove down ( so no issues with the gutless engine 🤓 the steepest hills where the new vehicles struggled. They told me to stop as I was making too deep ruts, the guy said.
Ah a muuustache, he must be right.
Let's face it- JLR have lots of them to sell!
I've just read they've recorded their worst year since 2008, wether people are worrying about the new deiesel regs or it's an accumulative effect of taking the Defender of of production I don't know, however I think Land Rover may have a few tough years ahead of them.
That's interesting! Sales overhere are up since 2008 (only 429 cars that year) to 1731 in 2017 - up until today that is. LR was never easy to sell here, but now it's under the wings of a large company that sells KIA overhere as well. So both brands are sold under one roof; much like Mini and BMW.
The LR dealer has nothing to do with agricultural, 'go anywhere' attitude of the Defender. At the moment it's represented by young sales persons with a tailored shirt, no tie, dark trousers and (oh horror!) coffee-coloured pointy shoes... According to the sales figures, people don't mind.
Menno
Sorry yes, I was meaning UK sales, which I'm sure tbh they won't be too concerned about yet as the sales in China have increased year to year.
It was very clear where Land Rover were going several years ago, their agi days are over and clearly they've forgotten their roots.
Like you say, as long as the sales stay strong they don't give a rats arse....why should they?
Despite the fact that their overall sales will be high good, the company should be worried about the fact that they're losing customers in their homeland. Question is, do these customers 'go over to the dark side'? In so many words: Land Cruiser or are sales down, like you say, because of 'diesel' et all.
Business-wise, I think that a good, solid, 'no thrills, no frills' workshop like yours is the way forward. When LR dealers are moving away from the original Defender/Disco in favour of cars for the high streets, the attitude in the workshop will change as well: no repair skills, only replacement of expensive parts.
Menno
Several of our customers who need the towing capacity of the Defender are faced with what to buy in a few years. Many have the Defender because it can carry 5 plus people and tow 3500kg, unfortunately there's not much out there that does the job. One customer is contemplating a large van and towing a small trailer behind.
A lot oif the utility companies over here used to run the Defender, Southern Electric being probably one of the biggest, they're now all going over to 4X4 mercs, Fords and Nissans.
I don't think I've actually spoken to one person who actually likes the new D5, my business is in quite an affluent part of the country being not that far from the edge of the Cotswolds and tbh I haven't seen many D5s out and about. All the later D4s seemed to get snapped up quickly and they're holding their price well.
Last edited by Franky Four Fingers; 11th November 2017 at 21:41.
Same here: Isuzu has re-entered the stage after an absence of 10yrs. And they're selling their cars like hot buns to the utility companies and councils. That used to be Toyota's territory. VW is the government's preferred supplier and the Amorak is doing great - even in the Army as their 'on road shopping trolley' (dixit a high ranking officer who lives a few blocks down the road). Still, they don''t carry a lot of people.
I think that only Land Cruiser's Trooper can match that. But that's talking about a diesel powered car that's certainly not future proof. Due to the bad figures of the Trooper, this car is not allowed on Dutch roads. Which is rather funny because Dutch companies ship tons of these cars (and other LC's) for the United Nations!
WRT towing weights I was led to believe that the "foreign" trucks, such as Landcruisers, Shoguns etc. were given artificially low limits to give the Land Rover a boost - not sure if that is true.
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Both cars (LC and LR) are restricted to 3500 kg overhere. Not only the new models, old ones as well.
M.
I'm sure in the UK, most of the Japanese models are around 2800kg...... hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will confirm.
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Last edited by vagabond; 12th November 2017 at 14:15.
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