Defender 1st timer - advice sought
Discussion
300bhp/ton said:
Parts are cheap and plentiful.
Depends which parts you’re talking about.Engine, drive train and the chunky bits underneath are relatively inexpensive.
It’s the random bits that make no sense.
Doors are the prime example. The later ones that rot out at the bottom are so hard to find in good nick and so expensive (£500+) that even buckled doors from written-off rollovers are fetching hundreds on eBay. Same goes for door cards, dashboards....decent seats are like rocking horse poo, unless you want to throw wads of cash at Exmoor Trim.
Red9zero said:
I've just got a pair of immaculate sun visors for a tenner, so you are right. Quite why mine was missing them, I don't know. Most of my spending has been on replacing odd missing bits, but as I'm in no rush I can search out the bargains.
I know it's a 90
in fact it was badged as a Defender when I bought it, so I put the proper 90 badge on the front and took the Defender sticker off the back. It has electric wipers too. I know as I had to replace the relay and park switch 
I believe it has an electric heater too, but I'm still not convinced about that 
This is a Ninety too. Having a replacement engine and a re-chassis. It isn't mine, it is my brothers, although they are my wheels and tyres.I know it's a 90
in fact it was badged as a Defender when I bought it, so I put the proper 90 badge on the front and took the Defender sticker off the back. It has electric wipers too. I know as I had to replace the relay and park switch I believe it has an electric heater too, but I'm still not convinced about that 
What you can see however. Behind me are 3 more 90's (a 12 plate full tilt, 65 plate hard top and F reg 300Tdi pickup). In the other corner of the barn is an 88 coiler. In the barn behind me is a 3.9 EFI pickup 90 on a C plate. And a B reg 2.5TD pickup. On the other side of wall in front is an E plate hard top 90 and a little way to the right in the yard is an E-reg 2.5 TD CSW 90 and another 88 coiler. This isn't even mentioning the RR's and Disco's also present.
As others have already noted, 90s aren't very roomy; a couple of hay bales or a sheep and the back's full up. If you're moving pianos you'll need a hi-cap. If you've never driven one get an extended test drive or rent one for a day or two; it's more like a slightly civilised tractor to drive than a modern car or even modern vans.
hidetheelephants said:
As others have already noted, 90s aren't very roomy; a couple of hay bales or a sheep and the back's full up. If you're moving pianos you'll need a hi-cap. If you've never driven one get an extended test drive or rent one for a day or two; it's more like a slightly civilised tractor to drive than a modern car or even modern vans.
My brother in law says my series 2a is like a tractor only not quite as fast or comfortable 300bhp/ton said:
This is a Ninety too. Having a replacement engine and a re-chassis. It isn't mine, it is my brothers, although they are my wheels and tyres.
What you can see however. Behind me are 3 more 90's (a 12 plate full tilt, 65 plate hard top and F reg 300Tdi pickup). In the other corner of the barn is an 88 coiler. In the barn behind me is a 3.9 EFI pickup 90 on a C plate. And a B reg 2.5TD pickup. On the other side of wall in front is an E plate hard top 90 and a little way to the right in the yard is an E-reg 2.5 TD CSW 90 and another 88 coiler. This isn't even mentioning the RR's and Disco's also present.
Nice collection What you can see however. Behind me are 3 more 90's (a 12 plate full tilt, 65 plate hard top and F reg 300Tdi pickup). In the other corner of the barn is an 88 coiler. In the barn behind me is a 3.9 EFI pickup 90 on a C plate. And a B reg 2.5TD pickup. On the other side of wall in front is an E plate hard top 90 and a little way to the right in the yard is an E-reg 2.5 TD CSW 90 and another 88 coiler. This isn't even mentioning the RR's and Disco's also present.
Crossflow Kid said:
Depends which parts you’re talking about.
Engine, drive train and the chunky bits underneath are relatively inexpensive.
It’s the random bits that make no sense.
Doors are the prime example. The later ones that rot out at the bottom are so hard to find in good nick and so expensive (£500+) that even buckled doors from written-off rollovers are fetching hundreds on eBay. Same goes for door cards, dashboards....decent seats are like rocking horse poo, unless you want to throw wads of cash at Exmoor Trim.
My doors are from a later model and have just started to go on the bottom. I have stuck chequer plate (I know ...) over them for now as the long term plan is series doors, assuming I can get some without selling a kidney. Same with the seats, although I have got some nice fitted waterproof covers on them until some come up at the right price.Engine, drive train and the chunky bits underneath are relatively inexpensive.
It’s the random bits that make no sense.
Doors are the prime example. The later ones that rot out at the bottom are so hard to find in good nick and so expensive (£500+) that even buckled doors from written-off rollovers are fetching hundreds on eBay. Same goes for door cards, dashboards....decent seats are like rocking horse poo, unless you want to throw wads of cash at Exmoor Trim.
Red9zero said:
My doors are from a later model and have just started to go on the bottom. I have stuck chequer plate (I know ...) over them for now as the long term plan is series doors, assuming I can get some without selling a kidney. Same with the seats, although I have got some nice fitted waterproof covers on them until some come up at the right price.
Series doors are cheap to buy new. Although I'd recommend spending out on some better after market door tops like the rocky Mountain ones.Crossflow Kid said:
Depends which parts you’re talking about.
Engine, drive train and the chunky bits underneath are relatively inexpensive.
It’s the random bits that make no sense.
Doors are the prime example. The later ones that rot out at the bottom are so hard to find in good nick and so expensive (£500+) that even buckled doors from written-off rollovers are fetching hundreds on eBay. Same goes for door cards, dashboards....decent seats are like rocking horse poo, unless you want to throw wads of cash at Exmoor Trim.
Doors are a bit pricey, but I suspect not really any more so than for any other car.Engine, drive train and the chunky bits underneath are relatively inexpensive.
It’s the random bits that make no sense.
Doors are the prime example. The later ones that rot out at the bottom are so hard to find in good nick and so expensive (£500+) that even buckled doors from written-off rollovers are fetching hundreds on eBay. Same goes for door cards, dashboards....decent seats are like rocking horse poo, unless you want to throw wads of cash at Exmoor Trim.
Seats you can get retrim kits for about £70/seat
But yes, very sadly the "fashion" tax is pricing some items higher than they should be.
300bhp/ton said:
Doors are a bit pricey, but I suspect not really any more so than for any other car.
Seats you can get retrim kits for about £70/seat
But yes, very sadly the "fashion" tax is pricing some items higher than they should be.
I was looking at retrim kits the other day but even the Exmoor Trim ones seem to have some bad reviews. My problem is I have no trim on the seat box, or even carpets actually, so if the seats are coming out, I may as well do the lot and then it starts getting expensive and also, I don't want another show queen, been there-done that !Seats you can get retrim kits for about £70/seat
But yes, very sadly the "fashion" tax is pricing some items higher than they should be.
It will all get done eventually, but it's a rolling resto to take me into retirement hopefully.
For the seat box it’s easy enough to just cover it with standard automotive carpet/headlining material.
This is another plus for Defenders - no unusual shapes. It’s all just flat, square surfaces and ninety degree right angles.
Try something from www.megavanmats.com in conjunction with some aerosol Evostik.
Regards replacement doors, true...they’re probably not that much different in price to doors for any other vehicle, the difference being other vehicles have a bit more than just box section frames and flat sheet skins.
This is another plus for Defenders - no unusual shapes. It’s all just flat, square surfaces and ninety degree right angles.
Try something from www.megavanmats.com in conjunction with some aerosol Evostik.
Regards replacement doors, true...they’re probably not that much different in price to doors for any other vehicle, the difference being other vehicles have a bit more than just box section frames and flat sheet skins.
CAPP0 said:
Or something rubberised if you still want to be able to hose the cab out 
. Truck Bed spray is an alternative in that respect and does cut noise a little.
That's what I'm thinking at the moment. Raptor paint or something similar. I like the look of carpet but I want the option to play in the mud occasionally.. Truck Bed spray is an alternative in that respect and does cut noise a little.
Thanks for the feedback all, it's been really helpful so is much appreciated!
I'll see if I can sort an extended test drive after lockdown in a 90 & a 110 to compare them. I've driven 90's before off road but not for any real length of time, so I'll see if I can hire one to get the proper experience and also check the space out too. It looks like there are a lot of choices on the market of both models, some nice & standard and lots of pimped ones too which it sounds like need avoiding!
Thanks again
I'll see if I can sort an extended test drive after lockdown in a 90 & a 110 to compare them. I've driven 90's before off road but not for any real length of time, so I'll see if I can hire one to get the proper experience and also check the space out too. It looks like there are a lot of choices on the market of both models, some nice & standard and lots of pimped ones too which it sounds like need avoiding!
Thanks again
m911rks said:
I've driven 90's before off road but not for any real length of time, so I'll see if I can hire one to get the proper experience and also check the space out too.
It's worth noting the 90 & 110 pickups have bugger-all space in the cab. The regular 90 & 110s are bad for seat adjustment but the pickups are even worse.M
Red9zero said:
That's what I'm thinking at the moment. Raptor paint or something similar. I like the look of carpet but I want the option to play in the mud occasionally.
The only issue with bed liner, is due to the textured surface. It is hard to clean. If you get mud on it, you can't wipe it down and even dust tends to cling onto it.I used it in one of mine on the seat box and it looked great initially, but I wished I hadn't after a while.
camel_landy said:
m911rks said:
I've driven 90's before off road but not for any real length of time, so I'll see if I can hire one to get the proper experience and also check the space out too.
It's worth noting the 90 & 110 pickups have bugger-all space in the cab. The regular 90 & 110s are bad for seat adjustment but the pickups are even worse.M
130 Double cab hi-cap pick-up
300bhp/ton said:
The only issue with bed liner, is due to the textured surface. It is hard to clean. If you get mud on it, you can't wipe it down and even dust tends to cling onto it.
I used it in one of mine on the seat box and it looked great initially, but I wished I hadn't after a while.
Good point !I used it in one of mine on the seat box and it looked great initially, but I wished I hadn't after a while.
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff