Returning to LR ownership

Hi, my name is Dave and after reluctantly parting with my SIII 109 Safari 18 years ago when we moved down from Scotland, I am finally getting back into LR ownership.
My son recently bought a 1999 TD5 Defender and using the experience on this forum we worked through an interesting starting issue (corroded starter solenoid contacts arcing and causing interference with the crank sensor). That has inspired me to get back into ownership and the fettling that goes with it, but I'm getting to old for a Defender and the wife needs her creature comforts, we have gone for a 2004 D2 TD5 Landmark. I wanted something capable and comfortable, which I can work on myself and which doesn't require advanced workshop facilities to repair if it breaks down somewhere remote. That counted out most, if not all modern LRs.
I spent a long time looking, and given that I was looking at the expensive end of the market, I saw some shockers. I think I only found two with decent chassis and one of those needed some welding on the nearside sill, the rest all needed at least the rear quarter replacing. One dealer had over-painted the rust, even spraying over the fuel filter! Buyer Beware and if you have one take a diagnostic tool, my Bearmach Hawkeye Total was invaluable.
The wait was worth it though as the owner has clearly cherished this one (private sale) and the chassis is in superb shape as is the body, engine and interior. The headlining needs attention, and rather than re-line myself I will bite the bullet and get it done professionally. I have found adverts for specialists in Porthcawl and Buxton - any feedback?
I am probably paying over the odds for a D2, but far, far less than I would if it were a Defender, and in the grand scheme of things £6700 is not a lot of money for a fantastic truck, especially as it comes with an extra set of alloys with winter tyres. Now I just have to see what is actually wrong with it.

Welcome back to the fold and good luck with your disco.

Col

Welcome to the forum

How much? Crikey, I didn't realise a D2 could command such a sum no matter how good - maybe I am out of touch, or was never in touch?!

Well the purchase fell through. I had only been able to view the D2 in the evening and it was not possible at the time to drive it. So we agreed that the final exchange would be subject to a test drive. All was going well until I tried the Center Diff Lock. The owner assured me it was fitted, and the sticker was there, but the lever would not move. The owner could not engage it either and finally admitted that he had never actually tried to before. We pulled the sleeve clear and it was clear that the mechanism was not fitted. It might have been possible to retrofit, not at the price being asked, so we amicably cancelled the deal.
On the plus side I found another within a few days. An older 1999 (pre-CAT and lower road tax) ES model with facelift lights and bumper. Very sound chassis, treated from new, the engine had been rebuilt 12000 miles ago at 94000 using a recon block and the original refurbed head - included the correct steel dowels, locktite oil pump bolt and refurb of all injectors. Recent Terrafirma shocks and springs, yellow polybush all round, silicone hoses with a performance intercooler, stainless performance exhaust and a 5 Alive remap. CDL connections had been retrofitted and worked. New LR headlining and sunroof seals, new air con compressor, new front hubs, black powdercoated alloys with recent BFG ATs. Snorkel, DAB radio with Bluetooth and phone, rear ladder and privacy glass complete the look.
Downside, no service history, but receipts and bills for all the above work, the interior is tired and it will take a while to get the carpets and leather properly clean (shrugs), there are a few scratches on the body (shrugs again), but the biggest issue is that it is an auto with the standard torque converter which is struggling to cope with the extra power. I'm looking for a D2 4.0 V8 torque converter, or one from a P38 4.0 or P38 4.6 (later THOR not GEMS) that I can get prepped by Ashcroft Transmissions, if anyone knows of one.
Oh and the price....£3800. Bargain!

welcome to the forum