Thoughts on this old V8?

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Oldfogey

Active Member
Posts
285
Location
Pembrokeshire
I've just spotted a possibility on ebay - nearest 110 I've seen on sale for ages! Personally I'm very fond of that V8, and with carbs it gets you clear of computers!.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282224551068?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I know it costs to run (I've had 4 cars with this lump before), but I would consider LPG to keep the costs in order.

Anybody care to comment before I decide to go and see it?

Work I would need to do, so far;

Doors
Towbar?
Running board/steps
Foot well(s)
LPG?
Respray
Carpet
 
check the chassis rails around the cross member near the gear and transfer boxes and also the suspension mounts

also check the tank condition and rear crossmember
 
As per the above, if the chassis is OK and you are happy to live with the running costs, then it looks good. The 5 speed box is a good upgrade, the older 4 speed is under geared. It needs rid of the after market wheels for my tastes, and I think the price is a bit high. Someone has spent a bit on it though, so it's worth a look.
 
Well, I went and had a look at it on Saturday, and it is certainly interesting. Crawled all over it underneath, tapping with a big bolt, and could find no rust at all. Completely clean underneath, so sure of no rot on the bodywork. No rust on the bulkhead. All 5 doors need work - replacing the bottom rail and fixing the winders and seals, as they don't work properly. Also urgently needs new front seats.
The big job is the gearbox and transfer box - over a grand from Ashcroft, plus fitting, for recon units. Otherwise mainly cosmetic (carpets) or bolt on (steps).

One thing I am unsure of is that I think it is lifted. Springs and shocks are all new, and I didn't think to check for Make/Model, but it was a real effort to scramble up. Three or four years ago I went on one of LR's off road courses, and it was nowhere near that difficult. How high should the vehicles floor be as standard? What are the standard tyre sizes it has 265/75/R16? If it is lifted, and I went back to standard settings, could I still use those tyres? I'm totting up cost for getting it into operating order, and 5 new tyres would be quite a chunk.

I am seriously thinking of getting this, and would much appreciate any advice on these points.
 
Standard tyres for most defenders are 235/85 16 which can be as near as makes no difference to 265/75's. If the gearbox and transfer box are that fat gone then it's way overpriced and for 4.5k you should find something better but drivetrain slack is certainly not uncommon
 
Pity about the gearbox, is it really that bad? The rest of it sounds good though. New springs will certainly lift it a bit, I gained at least an inch when I replaced mine - had to fit a side step for the missus. Having said that, it does seem to be sitting quite high.
 
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