Nervous newcomer

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Unclefester

Unclefester

Active Member
Posts
201
Location
Nr Rochdale, Manchester
Hi just to say hello, I've had a few land rovers and range rovers but I've just paid for a 1990 defender 90 pick up.

It's fairly straight on the body work but the interior looks like a bomb site, there's a gap where the front outriggers used to be and the rear crossmember is like Swiss cheese, apart from that I think it will be ok.

It hasn't got an MOT so the garage is delivering it for me tomorrow so I can make a start on the long list of things to do and buy.

It's going to be my project but I don't know a lot about defenders so I'll be asking lots of questions if that's ok?

Wish me luck :)
 
She has arrived
 

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It was delivered on the back of a trailer and its sitting on my drive, then My wife pulled up and she just put her head in her hands, she said what have you done now, I than told her she could sit in it if she wanted but for some reason she declined my generous offer prehaps it's because it looks like a cows arse has exploded in it.

But seriously I think I'm going to take my time and get it as good as I can, so lots of work and a fair bit of money I should think.
It's one owner from new but I'm hot sure they were a carefull owner
 
Unclefester said:
But seriously I think I'm going to take my time and get it as good as I can, so lots of work and a fair bit of money I should think.
Click to expand...

First thing is give it a good service, from the steering wheel it looks like a 19j engine, then strip the interior and jet wash the mats, vacuum the crud the attack everything else with a few packets of cheapo baby wipes as these lift off all the ingrained crap and it will look completely different.

You can re-trim the seats or put different ones in, do a search on the defender forum, Cornish rattler has just put some RX-8 seats in his, or just put some waterproof covers over the top for now.

What state is the chassis in and can you weld if needs be?

Cost so far £100-£150 depending on what you do with the seats.

Come on then, how much did you pay for it??? If the chassis is ok then you might have got a bargain of sorts, and is your wife talking to you yet?
 
Marmaduke im used to messing with motors but this is my first defender, chassis ok apart from front out riggers and rear crossmember. I'm a bit OCD so I like things to be right, my wife is very understanding and "as long as your happy I'm happy" ( her words,I've got her to sign a copy for my file),I'm giving up motorcycles as I'm not getting any younger lol.

She said I should strip it and make it the defender I've all ways wanted so that's what I'm going to do, I'm in for the long haul.

I gave £1,900 for her (not sure if it was a good deal but hay ho) one owner fron new and bulkhead is rust free by the looks,engine sounds sweet and
gears seem fine, can't get the central looking or air con to work tho and can't find the buttons for the windows just a handle thingy.

I'll keep looking
 
Unclefester said:
can't get the central looking or air con to work tho and can't find the buttons for the windows just a handle thingy.

I'll keep looking
Click to expand...

Central locking works by sitting in the middle seat and extending arms:D Doesn't work for unlocking unfortunately. There are sufficient draughts that you won't want air conditioning. What are your plans for it then?
 
I'm thinking body off and strip the lot, I'm going to do some research on how difficult it is to remove the body and recondition axles,gearbox and transfer box ect, the engine appears to be ok but I will check it out before making a decision, I like the look of the lifted defenders so that might be on the cards,

As said I'm new to defenders so I'm on a learning curve sonany advice is welcome,
what did you think about the price? They seem to go for a lot of money.
 
;)
Unclefester said:
Marmaduke im used to messing with motors but this is my first defender, chassis ok apart from front out riggers and rear crossmember. I'm a bit OCD so I like things to be right, my wife is very understanding and "as long as your happy I'm happy" ( her words,I've got her to sign a copy for my file),I'm giving up motorcycles as I'm not getting any younger lol.

She said I should strip it and make it the defender I've all ways wanted so that's what I'm going to do, I'm in for the long haul.

I gave £1,900 for her (not sure if it was a good deal but hay ho) one owner fron new and bulkhead is rust free by the looks,engine sounds sweet and
gears seem fine, can't get the central looking or air con to work tho and can't find the buttons for the windows just a handle thingy.

I'll keep looking
Click to expand...

That isn't a lot of money for a 90, unless the chassis or mechanics are really bad. Outriggers and crossmembers are fairly easy to repair, check the upper rear crossmember and where it attaches to the chassis as well, they are trouble spots on these.

It may not need a major resto, the seats, trims etc are all available, you might be able to tidy up and run it for a few thousand quid ;)

Best of luck with it whatever you decide to do, they are a fantastic vehicle. :)

And :welcome2: to the loonyzone.
 
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