My Defender 300Tdi

Hi all, new member here. Brief bit about me and then to the car. Been into cars for about 10 years - Spent a lot of time in the Japanese car scene (hondas) but i suppose i grew out of it. Had a discovery 3 for a while (loved and hated it) and always wanted a Defender. Got my 110 300 Tdi a bit by accident but have had it for a month now.

Plan at the moment is to get it all sorted mechanically and sort a few aesthetic things. I have learnt from my previous endeavours to have a plan before undertaking any car related activities! The plan with this is to keep it as standard as possible, keeping it clean, fresh and practical. At the moment it is the daily driver but hopefully soon it can be put to its intended use - an adventure bus! Whilst i know that the chances of me going on a 'proper' expedition are slim, i would like to explore the UK and Europe with it, and to have it capable and reliable for this.

Here it was on day one green laning!


First 'job' really was to take it to the mechanic and check its not a shed - mission successful! A few jobs were undertaken - it had the original stereo so that was removed so i could fit my bluetooth one, it also had a squeaky fan belt, so that was replaced and i had fluids changed (except gearbox oil - they couldn't get the nut off - that is being done this week) It was very wet inside - at the time i thought there were leaks - but that was checked and there are not that we can see. It turns out the floor panels were bolted in rather than welded in - so that lie will cost me many pennies to fix.

First job i myself have done is paint the front door hinges for fitting. They had dropped and closing the drivers door is very tough - that is being done this week.

My 'Paint shop'


Primed, painted and Lacquered


Pleased with the colour match - not bad halfords


I then had a flat - no big deal i thought - turns out that the tyres are shots, many holes, the tubes are keeping the wheels up. The steel wheels, which i quite liked are too damaged in their current state to take tubeless tyres, so i had to get some new wheels. I looked into new steel ones, but with tyres they were coming out at a fair bit. Missed out on a pair of Wolf wheels, they would have needed painting as well. Picked up a lovely set on eaby, 1200 miles only and fairly standard - boost alloys. LOVELY lady, her and her husband (who clearly have too much money) have just got into overlanding - picked up some bigger wheels with bigger tyres, not sure what. These ones had some tar on them - took 2 hours of scrubbing, but have come up like new. very pleased.





They are going on on Tuesday hopefully. Just need some wheel nuts.

Thats it for now. More updates on their way

Ok, so mini update.

Didn't get all the jobs done that were needed - 2 staff unexpectedly out, so if you are in on mates rates, your work is the first to get dumped, which I understand. However, the bonnet release cable was replaced - so i can actually open the bonnet now! The light switch for the main beams was replaced - none of which you can see - however the new wheels and tyres were put on - only a quick pic on the way to work at 06:30 but you get the idea!



I was not really too fussed about getting alloys, but i do think they look nice! The old wheels were still in the back - so don't panic as i did an think the suspension had collapsed!

Lots of boring jobs ahead, like the door hinges (although they are driving me nuts!) and generic tidying as well as the hands free, a good alarm/ and interior tidying etc. Cant do the exciting things until they are sorted which is frustrating - however I know from experience that one must sort this sort of stuff out first!

Nice looking car.

Thanks - been an expensive start as i get her up to scratch - The rear wiper has just gone on me - so another job to do

Couple of points, as far as I'm aware the floor panels are bolted in normally (my 90 ones are) so wouldn't weld them in if that's the case. Also you may want to check the load rating of Boost alloys, think I've read it on LZ somewhere that they are underrated for use on a 110 but look nice anyway.

Thanks for the info - Its off to get the door hinges fitted on monday! I cant imagine the wheels, being made by Land Rover, Not being capable for use on a 110 - or 130 for that matter - makes less than no sense! However i will look into it

Turns out the rear wiper isnt buggered - but the new spare wheel is too big! So catching it.