Project Defender 110- advice needed

[CSaville]

Hi there,

I have just been offered by a family member his 2004 Defender 110. A defender is my dream car, however their price tag in the condition I like is not so pleasant! So this defender would be a very big project however I would be given it for free, so its worth the hard work. I have a couple of questions about what I can modify on it though.

So it has been used as a towing vehicle and is the 3 door model. I was wondering if I legally am able to put seats in the back? Preferably I would like to put the bench ones in, I would at least put the lap seat belts in. Would this all be legal?

Also after you have made extensive modifications to them like extra seats, paint job, new stereo ect ect do you have to get somebody to inspect it and change the V5 forms?

Also does anyone else have any random advice on doing up land rovers?

I'm very new to doing up vehicles but have lots of people I know to call on but would like to have some basic knowledge of what I can do to it legally before I approach my connections and ask about pricing to do things on it. Thanks everyone

Edited by CSaville on Saturday 12th May 17:39

[bakerstreet]

CSaville said:

Hi there,

I have just been offered by a family member his 2004 Defender 110. A defender is my dream car, however their price tag in the condition I like is not so pleasant! So this defender would be a very big project however I would be given it for free, so its worth the hard work. I have a couple of questions about what I can modify on it though.

So it has been used as a towing vehicle and is the 3 door model. I was wondering if I legally am able to put seats in the back? Preferably I would like to put the bench ones in, I would at least put the lap seat belts in. Would this all be legal?

Also after you have made extensive modifications to them like extra seats, paint job, new stereo ect ect do you have to get somebody to inspect it and change the V5 forms?

Also does anyone else have any random advice on doing up land rovers?

I'm very new to doing up vehicles but have lots of people I know to call on but would like to have some basic knowledge of what I can do to it legally before I approach my connections and ask about pricing to do things on it. Thanks everyone

Edited by CSaville on Saturday 12th May 17:39

'random advice on doing up land rovers'

Yikes. How long is a piece of string!

If you change the number of seats, then yes you should inform the DVLA. Many people don't though. also if its a 110, I would put in small side windows, just so there is some daylight for any rear passengers.

ALs, being a passenger in a Defender (Especially the back) isn't exactly comfortable. Make sure the door seals are good and maybe add some decent sound deadening and carpets to make it less van like.

Lap belts are pretty lethal. Have a look at the forward facing newer style folding seats. More more comfortable and you can fit proper inertia seat belts. Add a removal bulkhead bar to give you some more space back there.

Also, even 2004 Defenders are pretty basic. You could probably do most of the work your self with basic tools. Even getting a new chassis fitted is £2.5-3k for a roll in roll out service. That the one thing I would use a garage for.

[TooMany2cvs]

CSaville said:

I was wondering if I legally am able to put seats in the back? Preferably I would like to put the bench ones in, I would at least put the lap seat belts in.

Do you mean side-facing benches? Please don't put belts on those. They'll make dangerous seats positively lethal.

[w1bbles]

First piece of advice is to check the state of the chassis. If it needs replacing do it now - with a galvanised one. Then you’ve got a sound basis on which to do everything else. I’m currently playing with two - a Ninety from 1985 and a 110 from 2001. The Ninety is on a 90’s galvanised chassis and is perfect in that regard. The 110 is not bad enough for replacement but I probably should anyway.

Second thing is to save up for new doors. Take them apart (driver, passenger, rear) and be prepared to do some serious welding or replace them. The dissimilar metal corrosion trashes the steel frame. They are very expensive to replace. I’ve just replaced one and can salvage a further two. The other three are goosed. One has been declared to be inoperable because the next time someone opens it it’s going to fall apart.

If the dashboard is all split and nastŷ try to source replacement trim kits as prices are going through the roof.

Above all, have fun,