Defender 90 how easy to fix compared to disco

brettguise · Sep 9, 2013

Hi guys, I have a disco now which needs a hell of a lot doing and will probably be scrapped the end of the year when the mot runs out. A long list of welding is needed.

Ive been thinking however to buy a defender 90 without the engine etc in it and transfer my 300 tdi to it etc. I wondered how hard they are to fix in relation to a disco. Does the whole car literally bolt from the chassis? Would I be able to bolt the whole car off, sort the chassis and treat it paint it etc and then bolt the car together.

Are the floor pannels etc alluminium so dont rot or are they steel like the disco? I really dont like working in the most awkward of places, I feel the disco has lots of awkward places lol.

What should I look for if I buy a defender, I know the bulk head and chassis are particular areas anything else?

timtheenchanteruk · Sep 9, 2013

chassis is a bolt on affair, everything bolts to it, it is the structure of the motor.

after that, bulkhead rust is common.

in relation to a disco, some bits are easier, some not, most are easier though, its designed for ease of maintenance.

Pikey · Sep 9, 2013

engine swap is simple. I have a link to a step by step guide if you do decide to do it.

door skins, body, roof and floor are all ally.

Yes everything unbolts.

ebbadger · Sep 9, 2013

not totally straight forward, you will need to get a 300tdi defender to have the right chassis mounts or you need to weld new ones in, your disco gearbox sticks are the wrong way round so either a new box or conversion using defender bits or fit and modify seatbox to suit as the gearstick comes through the seatbox...

the disco crossmember bolts in to the defender chassis to mount the box and I prefer the gearstick further back, sits naturally under your hand and no leaning forward like in a fender...

as for working on one its far easier than the disco, the alloy does corrode but all bits are bolt on and off

a weekend will see one easily stripped to a chassis

cheers steve

Radioactive Man · Sep 9, 2013

Everything is easy apart from getting the reckon starter motor off...

Landyfox · Sep 9, 2013

And they get easier as you'll get a lot of practice

Seriously tho, I agree with the chaps above.

brettguise · Sep 9, 2013

So the engine will need some modified mounts and the gearbox won't go straight in is it easy enough to do though? I like the sound that the floor etc is ally so won't rot or require welding. What are the common areas that will require welding other than chassis and bulk head?

brettguise · Sep 9, 2013

See I was looking at something like this so my engine woild go straight in wouldn't it? http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251330943819

landowner · Sep 9, 2013

brettguise said:
See I was looking at something like this so my engine woild go straight in wouldn't it? http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251330943819

Looks nice that, wolf wheels an all

brettguise · Sep 9, 2013

landowner said:
Looks nice that, wolf wheels an all

Good project I'f not rotten?

MR BFG · Sep 10, 2013

I reckon it would be easier to put a 300 in using an lt77 box like I'm about to do using one of these Landrover 90 Defender 200-300 Tdi Engine Mount Conversion No Welding | eBay

Just a case of modifying the bell housing then to fit into the 90 instead of changing tranny tunnel etc for an R380.

jamesmartin · Sep 10, 2013

MR BFG said:
I reckon it would be easier to put a 300 in using an lt77 box like I'm about to do using one of these Landrover 90 Defender 200-300 Tdi Engine Mount Conversion No Welding | eBay

Just a case of modifying the bell housing then to fit into the 90 instead of changing tranny tunnel etc for an R380.

in some ways it will be ,but with 300 tdi and transmission fitted as lr did all parts like hoses ,exhaust ,air filter mounting etc are standard parts and can be bought off the shelf and not have to be modified when the time comes to change them

brettguise · Sep 10, 2013

So the r380 gearbox wouldnt fit in that defender without modification?

Bustrucket · Sep 10, 2013

I have a 300Tdi/R380 in my 90, with the Disco-spec gear levers. With a cubby box in the centre it makes it so much more comfortable - I was wary at first thinking the gear lever would be too far back, but its in just the right position.

SteNova · Sep 10, 2013

pics?

Bustrucket · Sep 10, 2013

9475E235-0033-4FA4-8BE7-1FF8741E1FD8-6699-000001C1A79DE7B3_zps709f26b9.jpg

I'm in the middle of making a console to surround the gear levers - check my build fred if yer interested

ebbadger · Sep 10, 2013

brettguise said:
I like the sound that the floor etc is ally so won't rot or require welding.

where dyou read that??? anywhere the ally n steel contact will rot like mad and the ally will turn to salt... maybe not as bad as a steel disco but don't be fooled into thinking birmabright is the answer to corrosion lol

cheers steve

ebbadger · Sep 10, 2013

Alloy n steel in perfect harmony... what a good idea that is

and that damageis very very common on fenders .....

cheers steve

ebbadger · Sep 10, 2013

Bustrucket said:
I'm in the middle of making a console to surround the gear levers - check my build fred if yer interested

lol I have similar footwells and Halfords pro spanners lol

cheers steve

Bustrucket · Sep 10, 2013

What more does a man need than tools, beer, an old ammo box, a copy of LRO and a Landie to store them all in?

Defender 90 how easy to fix compared to disco

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