Newbie

Hi peeps
Not a landy owner yet but working on it. Recently bought a mk1 shogun as I was told they are more reliable than Landrovers, wrong choice.. engine gave up in 3 weeks
Not wanting to fix the shogun I am looking at other vehicles. With the lack of cash caused by said shogun I can't afford to spend lots.
While walking the mutt I have discovered a LWB Defender county 110 200TDI looking very sad for itself on someones drive.
Mechanically it is fine, 160k on a J plate, new water pump and rad, gbox repair by local experts running sweet etc, 4 new GY Wrangler tyres. Outwardly the body looks ok, corrosion round door bottoms and beneath the glass and around the rest of the body but no holes. Inside front steps are rusty, drivers door frame bottom is gone but nothing obviosly really bad. Chassis has 1 small hole at the front but the rear is a lot worse. The rear cross member is shot as is about 18" of the chassis rails where they curve down.
I had a chat and the asking price is £1000, does this sound right?
I have found the rear crossmember with extensions for about £150 but it doesnt go far enough, is there chassis sections available for the curved sections?
Any help appreciated as the last Landy experience I had was my dads series 1 1949 SWB when I was about 10.
many thanks
Alan

Chassis are a slippery slope. If it was just a few holes or outriggers then it might be worth patching. But it sounds like you need a whole replacement and that generally means the bulkhead needs doing as well.

It was exactly this that did in my 1978 Series III. We patched the chassis and replaced three outriggers which was enough to keep it on the road for a few more years, but in the end ... Sounds like 160k of unloved miles.

I would say this is a lot of work for a newbie, more time and money than you seem to have at the moment. I'd steer well clear of this un.

Keep looking! May be for a loved Series III

Cheers

Chris

Hello Alan and welcome.

Regards WP.

hello and welcome