Defender 200/300 conversion - where?

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and was a big consideration when doing my conversion.

Lets be honest lots of shabby conversions out there plenty of home builds that are quite frankly bodged. I'm glad with my result and would do it to others and be happy with it knowing they wouldn't be stuck for parts in a couple of years down the line maybe 2 or 3 owners time..
Totally agreed. The last thing I want is a bodge. It has to look correct and be reliable. Thanks
 
sounds great! Unless your stuck in the midde of nowhere i.e africa or middle east and you need a bespoke hose or part. I'd rarther use std items that I know I can get shipped anywhere in the world next day. All very nice having no joins maybe have a nice set made up but knowing i can use std parts is a BIG plus.

I aggree true to a point, but with hoses you can always carry a spare,though the sillicon is reliable and how do you order a hose made from td, tdi and disco!
I would definately aggree with only using standard mechanical items that can be bought anywhere.
 
All my hoses are marked on them in paint. I have got some silicone hoese and one professional aliminium joiner. this wan not because it was bling but because it was from the very very local hose manufacturer and they threw it in when he let me look through their department looking for 45's 90's straight hose and propper joiners

To be honest at the time I wanted to get a pattern to get hoses made up bespoke but it worked out that all my hoses are std items cut down and only a couple of adaptions.

More important to me is that nothing rubbed fouled or was fitted in a way that it would cause me problems in the future. Hose clips were fitted in this same careful manner as it should with all conversions.

Countless times I have seen V8's thrown into series motors or Defenders and some look good until you get to th details. Anyone can throw a tdi in a motor in a morning getting the bits nice and resulting in a nice conversion takes more time than most people have to give. People with the wrong temp guage is another its only £12 from steve parkers it not worth messing about.
 
We have just fitted a Defender 200Tdi engine to an ex Withams 90. Took 2 days also fitted an Allard intercooler and modified fuel pump. It goes like stink!

Bolted in directly. Even the exhaust fitted, although I a going to the 200 exhaust so I can eliminate the centre box to improve turbo spin up in further.
 
i did my conversion in about 3 days, made up all the parts myself andf used old hoses and pipes from the donor vehicle and 90, works fine, not the tidest conversion in the world, but it isnt the tidiest 90 in the world. . for now . .
 
Did mine in 2 days, no garage and limited tools. Only non standard item was the exhaust turbo elbow and the intercooler pipes. Just done another one in exactly the same way..

I'd do it for you but I'm working on a project for someone already at the mo. A mate also has a rotten 300tdi disco which he is breaking!
 
Keep it as factory standard as possible for the sanity of you and subsequent owners !

You have 2 options for that. A Defender 200 which will just bolt in and have a standard exhaust, or a 300 with the Defender R380. That will need the engine mounts changing but everything else fits as per factory.
I did my 300/380 outside in November last year on my own, it took a week to do.

I do know a guy in the Bristol area. He does an excellent job, but takes his time :confused2:
 
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Seems like everyone is a pro until you look at there motor!

My 19J to 300tdi is rubbish and always breaks down nothing works all pipes are ****, do you want a quote lol
 
If you wish you can come and look at mine I'm happy for anyone to see the conversion.

My interior is somthing else!

I've never had an issue with the conversion or broken down with engine problems. Only issue was a water pump due to general wear and tear after 5 years £13 for a new one is fine! I've ALWAYS got home since fitting my 200tdi.
 
Plus my mota gets used and abused every time it goes out. It has competed in many national comps and offroad events over the last few years. I've driven to and from all of them without any real issues.

My mota is not a shiny by any means its dented and has rough body work this is because its used as it was intended to be used. All the mechanicals are Sound stripped cleaned and rebuilt after any serious water or terrain.

It will be retiring from comps except a few punch events early next year and will go back to being a Hard Top and get tified up and leafe the serious stuff for the comp motor.

Details make conversions right and cutting corners or time will cost you in the long run.

You won't see me polishing my mota but its gets cleaned down and sorted after a serious event.
 
I`m also in Herts.
I would try, in no particular order :
Harris Mayes in Rickmansworth - 01923 711800 - look after my TD5 110 and used to look after my LSE as well till I sold it, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and will lend you a courtesy car. Peter Harris Mayes is the guy to speak to
Kings Langley Land Rover - re-chassis`d my ex military 109, always used to be a bit pricier than Harris Mayes on workshop rates but very good as well. Might get it done cheaper if you let them do it at Thame Land Rover, which they also own and isn`t as busy. Both ultimately owned by the same guy who owns Chipperfield Land Rover - the main dealer for SW Herts.
Oak Tree Garage in Wheathampstead - looks like a bit of a shambles but is a real Aladdins cave for bits and also did service /repairs when I used to go there, nothing fancy but don`t cut corners either.
My vote would be Harris Mayes but ring them all and see what they say.
And no I`m not on commission
I should also say that if geography isn`t an issue and at the risk of embarrassing him I`d see if James Martin was interested in doing it (via a PM in the first instance) - I`ve been impressed by almost everything he has to say on here so far
 
It's all about planning. I made sure I had everything I needed and tried to cover anything that could go wrong. I made sure I had the tools I needed to hand and made sure I had a mate arround. I researched the conversion fully so I knew what to expect. Because of that I had everything I needed, everything was changed that was needed, and it went well and nothing was bodged!
 
The guy who did mine did a very good job. He's based in Shropshire. He didn't charge a massive amount either and that included taking the engine out the RRC!

I'll have a word with him if you want and get his contact details etc for you. :)
 
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