first purchase of a defender

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

hello all
im moving to the uk in january and getting a defender as my daily and toy to modify.
i have found this one which looks quite well looked after but there are a few things im unsure of.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/land-rover/1991-land-rover-90-defender-turbo-/1278523092
it states its a td5 300 engine with a cummins gearbox , is this gearbox a common change? and are the td5 and 300 not 2 different engines?
also states sailisbury axles.
i will be looking to put diff locks in and from what i gather it would be a 24 spline shaft from a later model vehicle would it still be the arb rd161 locker for the rear or something different?
if anyone who knows defenders can spot anything in the pics that might warrant a closer inspection please let me know as i have never even been in one but i know the rot can set in quite badly.

Colthebrummie · Dec 11, 2017

It looks good to me, apart from those energy sapping tyres, they are gonna be noisy on the road. Just look for rust in the normal places, bulkhead, foot wells, A frame and chassis.

Col

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

thanks col
my plan would be to get some different tyres to use as a daily and then throw something more aggressive on when i go out for a play if they where quite bad.
iv had a little Suzuki on some fairly aggressive tyres and would say i know what im in for in that department.

frog hopper · Dec 11, 2017

I'm confused by the "TD5 300" engine, std engine for that age is a 200Tdi, but we know that's been changed, just what for?
If you really want it take someone with you who really knows landrovers to check it over, or pay for the services of a mechanic.

Just as an aside if you do get it take the jate rings off the rear crossmember please.

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

please excuse my ignorance "jate rings"? have no idea what they are.

Beneagles · Dec 11, 2017

One might wonder how it managed 40k miles between 2010 and 2015 without sitting an MOT test? Taken abroad possibly? Otherwise history shows the usual range of "fail and fix" problems. Rot mentioned about 10 years back but seems to have been dealt with, and probably waxoyl'd.

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

Beneagles said:
One might wonder how it managed 40k miles between 2010 and 2015 without sitting an MOT test? Taken abroad possibly? Otherwise history shows the usual range of "fail and fix" problems. Rot mentioned about 10 years back but seems to have been dealt with, and probably waxoyl'd.

thanks beneagles where did you find this info?

Beneagles · Dec 11, 2017

A useful wee service provided by the Government : https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
Just enter the reg no and all will be revealed.

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

Beneagles said:
A useful wee service provided by the Government : https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
Just enter the reg no and all will be revealed.

very nice thanks for that wish we had that in australia haha
just tried the link but wont let me in, ill try later might be my work security system

Gmacz · Dec 11, 2017

Had a fair bit of repairs to chassis and has been sprayed underneath with the brake pipes done as well. When mentioned on mot, it usually means it has been caked in the stuff and he cannot get a good view of whats under there. Front, rear suspension mounts and body mounts have all been welded. Needs a good going over and getting close to the age of new chassis needed.

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

Gmacz said:
Had a fair bit of repairs to chassis and has been sprayed underneath with the brake pipes done as well. When mentioned on mot, it usually means it has been caked in the stuff and he cannot get a good view of whats under there. Front, rear suspension mounts and body mounts have all been welded. Needs a good going over and getting close to the age of new chassis needed.

thanks Gmacz when i get there i will have a good look at the chassis at 1500 pounds to replace plus many hours to swap over thats not something i want to take on after forking out 6k+ to get it in the first place.

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

any recommendations on a land rover specialist that i could get to have a look at it near Swaffham?

Gmacz · Dec 11, 2017

Google the reviews on the company, they are not very good.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?scl...qkn8c#istate=lrl:iv&rlimm=4381249452878948725

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

No kidding half the cars didn’t make it home definitely a bit more cautious now.

raisingveg · Dec 11, 2017

there is too much landy for the price tbh , a case of a wasp ruining a picnic imho

Turktowner · Dec 11, 2017

frog hopper said:
Just as an aside if you do get it take the jate rings off the rear crossmember please.

Dave Watson said:
please excuse my ignorance "jate rings"? have no idea what they are.

Am noob, wassup with jate rings on the rear cross member then?
Ta.

Dave Watson · Dec 11, 2017

raisingveg said:
there is too much landy for the price tbh , a case of a wasp ruining a picnic imho

Never heard that saying must be an English thing. Are you trying to say for the price it’s 2 good to be true?

goonarmy · Dec 11, 2017

Turktowner said:
Am noob, wassup with jate rings on the rear cross member then?
Ta.

These are shackles on the jacking holes, not where jate rings go. And likely the shackle don't like the angle of pull on it either

neilly · Dec 11, 2017

goonarmy said:
These are shackles on the jacking holes, not where jate rings go. And likely the shackle don't like the angle of pull on it either

+1. That is an accident waiting to happen, never seen Jates used in the position, stand safely back and watch the fun...Does make you wonder about the rest of it???

@Turktowner , the jates should be through the chassis, where the tie down normally is / or your tow bar has the bars that connect it into the chassis.

Cheers

Turktowner · Dec 11, 2017

neilly said:
@Turktowner , the jates should be through the chassis, where the tie down normally is / or your tow bar has the bars that connect it into the chassis.

I see. Mine has something like these bolted just above where the rear roll bar goes.

first purchase of a defender

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