Ryan's 1986 Defender 90

Ryanj · May 3, 2017

Posted a bit in the new members section. But basically, my first Landy. Step dad has usually had a defender at some point in the past 10 years, mostly off road toys, so I've had a fair bit of experience of them and driven my fair share. But now I can call one my own!!

She's a bit of a nail, and by that, an absolute box of rusty nails. Chassis is ok though, runs fine (touch wood). I've attached a few pics so you can see what I'll spend this summer getting frustrated over.

Seats been chewed by a dog so some new 'used' ones will go in soon. Lick of paint well needed. I've read a few threads where some hand paint jobs have looked mint, so I'm thinking of that avenue for a start (advice appreciated)

One thing which is a bit odd, guy who we bought it off said MOT ran out 2 months ago, I've checked on gov website and it say's it has ticket till April 28th 2018....

Paul D · May 4, 2017

Nice one with the MOT ... Hope the rest of the frustrations work out OK ..

Ryanj · May 29, 2017

So not so much an update on the vehicle, but she'd been insured, taxed and on the road for a couple of weeks before i'd been able to take her out. New battery has gone in, and she starts great every time. We took her down a couple of lanes close to home Saturday night, and ran fine all the way, which I was dead chuffed with.

First jobs:
Stripping down and treating the chassis in the coming weeks when some space becomes available in the workshop I'll be using. Will also be re-spraying Keswick Green in time.
Passenger door is nakered - it came with a series 3 door on the driver side which I really like, I have a top part for the passenger, so just sourcing a bottom part.
Windscreen rubber seal is cracked so getting that replaced along with new door seals.
Some damage on the bulkhead right side so a replacement panel will be welded on there.
Seat bases need replacing.
Central seat coming out and cubby box going in.
Soundproofing inside (although I was pleasantly surprised how quiet, or not too loud she was when driving)

Will update with pics.

Ryanj · Jul 10, 2017

Quite aware this is in contention for the most poorly updated project thread!

Today I picked up a 300tdi engine, which had been used in a 110, as the original is a little sluggish and not up to the trips I have planned. The chap I bought it off was based at an RAF base in Norfolk, and is shipping his 110 back over to the states, so has put it's original engine in. I am picking up a new Rad system later this afternoon. Away for a week on Saturday so when I'm back, a couple of days will be set aside and these will be going in and I'll be selling the original to hopefully cover some of the cost of the new one.

The other day (and I will get pics later) I cleaned up half the chassis as well as I could with the angle grinder and wire brush, treated and painted with hamerite. Once the other half Is done, engine and rad system is in, and exhaust, she'll be getting a lick of paint.

Paint wise - I'm thinking, green lower, white upper? However I do keep changing my mind. Thoughts?

Ryanj · Aug 2, 2017

I'm rubbish at getting progress pics but I did get a few during the engine change. Before and during anyway... Just need a pipe to the power steering and she'll be good to go (hopefully).

While the truck is sat in the workshop I started rubbing down ready for a paint job.

raywin · Aug 2, 2017

Coming along nicely. Take the opportunity to tidy up any bits in the engine bay while you can.
Take care when lifting like that, if you put a bolt through the links of the chain attached to the engine at each side of the crane hook it will prevent the chain slipping through the hook and tipping the engine on end.

Ryanj · Aug 2, 2017

Yeah there was a lot of mud in places where a jet wash can't reach, which I dread to think how long had been in there, I was able to clean up nicely.

Yeah that picture was bringing the old one out, we did that with the bolt when putting the new engine in.

Coffee Addict · Aug 2, 2017

Looks good! I may be one of the select few who actually liked the 'look' of it as is, shows some history and just makes it look like a bad ass truck!

Ryanj · Aug 2, 2017

Coffee Addict said:
Looks good! I may be one of the select few who actually liked the 'look' of it as is, shows some history and just makes it look like a bad ass truck!

Cheers mate, I know what you mean, my old dear said I should keep it as it is! Only thing the bonnet and rear door has been rubbed down (attempted) and it down to metal in bits and looks tatty, and there is a slight crack in a panel where it's caught something. But I'm going to try keep it as classic looking as I can. Silly making an 86 landy try look like a 2010 one isn't it haha.

Coffee Addict · Aug 2, 2017

I like the fresh shiny jobs! I wouldn't say go take a fresh paint job and 'rat' it up but when they are already 'rat' from years of use you can't replicate that easily by taking a fresh one and making it look 'rat'. Hopefully that makes more sense! I'm not saying going and destroy a new paint job

Maybe its the vw days bringing that out in me...

I bring to you.. The Pisrat (When she was alive anyway!)

Altered badge.. Well cause you had to really.

Take a perfectly good box, rip the carpet off to rat that and install some fence wire to the latch of the boot which comes through to the rear to be able to open it due to the button no longer working.

Weirdly.. I really REALLY miss that car. Only bought her for the engine at the time but back then it had 6 months tax and M.O.T so would be rude not to use her for a bit.

Ryanj · Aug 2, 2017

Coffee Addict said:
I like the fresh shiny jobs! I wouldn't say go take a fresh paint job and 'rat' it up but when they are already 'rat' from years of use you can't replicate that easily by taking a fresh one and making it look 'rat'. Hopefully that makes more sense! I'm not saying going and destroy a new paint job Maybe its the vw days bringing that out in me...

I bring to you.. The Pisrat (When she was alive anyway!)

Altered badge.. Well cause you had to really.

Take a perfectly good box, rip the carpet off to rat that and install some fence wire to the latch of the boot which comes through to the rear to be able to open it due to the button no longer working.

Weirdly.. I really REALLY miss that car. Only bought her for the engine at the time but back then it had 6 months tax and M.O.T so would be rude not to use her for a bit.

Ah I do like that! I had a Golf which I contemplated ratting but went down the euro OEM route in the end. I'll update as I go with this one, have a few little ideas.

rob_bell · Aug 11, 2017

Coffee Addict said:
Looks good! I may be one of the select few who actually liked the 'look' of it as is, shows some history and just makes it look like a bad ass truck!

Have to agree! I rather the patina of this, along with the mismatched panels!

Are you fitting a series upper door to the passenger side to match the drivers'?

Ryanj · Aug 18, 2017

rob_bell said:
Have to agree! I rather the patina of this, along with the mismatched panels!

Are you fitting a series upper door to the passenger side to match the drivers'?

Hi Rob,

Yeah I fitted the passenger side series 2 door yesterday. Came across a good condition bottom, already had the upper luckily. The defender door on there was very rotten (can't tell from photos) it barely closed haha.

Ryanj · Aug 18, 2017

So the 200tdi engine went in and got finished (had to replace a few pipes and order small bits which took a few days longer than anticipated. Been driving it for a week now and I can't believe it's the same vehicle. Was fortunate in getting a very good engine from someone who had put time into it and had it in their own defender, so it went straight in. The original, although it ran fine, did not like hills, top speed 50 on flat. Any quicker and I needed a good downhill road. Will sit at 60 comfortably on any gradient and pulls off nice and quickly.

Also the chewed up seat bases have been replaced and I've got a cubby box in too! Mainly to rest my arm on as I was having to pile up costs and whatever else I could find! Next up is the paint job. Have a new grille (vintage) and standard light surrounds as one is quite cracked. Will be a couple of weeks yet due to where it's being done and work

but getting there slowly. Also the springs are a bit soft so that's also on the list in the next month or two.

Ryanj · Aug 18, 2017

Forgot pic!

Coffee Addict · Aug 24, 2017

Looks good mate! You going to just blast the floor in black and put a matt down or what's the plan there?

Ryanj · Sep 2, 2017

Coffee Addict said:
Looks good mate! You going to just blast the floor in black and put a matt down or what's the plan there?

Ta mate, it's getting there. Yeah I gave it a good clean the other day. Hoping to be painted in next fortnight. I've been given some carpets which apparently will fit straight in. If not some cutting will be done.

Ryanj · Nov 6, 2017

I've been awful at updating this. Had a very busy few months so here is an update on where things are currently.

So I've sprayed her, and considering the far from perfect conditions, I'm really happy with the outcome. I wanted a very dark matte green. So mixed matte black and olive green paint from a local guy who does agricultural paints. In low light it looks matte black, but soon as some sun comes on it, it's green. Purely by fluke, I really like it. It's a bit different and has tidied it up a treat. Here's a few pics. Not the greatest just snapped a few quick ones on my phone. All taken on same day, really shows the colour change when the sun is on the truck.

callisr · Nov 7, 2017

That last pic looks great! I really like the colour!

Rich

Ryanj · Nov 7, 2017

callisr said:
That last pic looks great! I really like the colour!

Rich

Thanks, Rich. Could have gone either way ha

Ryan's 1986 Defender 90

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