TorsionBhudda's Defender

Not updated this since MOT pass in December because basically I've been enjoying using Vlad for a change rather than working on him. That was until about end of April beginning of May when I decided it was time to do some major work in the form of replacing the bulkhead as current one was rotten on passengers side. So placed order with Ashtree for a 200Tdi Galvanised Bulkhead painted in Pembroke Grey to be delivered 10th of June. About 4 weeks ago we had some really nice warm dry weather so myself and my Dad made a start getting roof off and Vlad stripped so I could see what other work needed doing and getting everything ready for new Bulkhead. As we say in Scotland 'Suns oot taps aff' lol We had to take roof off at my grans so we could store it in her garage then drive along road to my parents house it's only couple miles away but as I was about to pull out off her drive my da Mr Sensible says go left take the back road (10miles) have to say it was fun we both had a blast driving alone no roof.door.bonnet or seat belts.
Once back at his house we got Vlad into the garage and this is what we achieved within couple hours. And some of the corrosion and reason why I'm changing bulkhead. Then the next day we managed to get Bulkhead removed ready to asses the chassis I already knew that the bulkhead outriggers needed replacing as I'd patched the up for MOT. The last pic shows nuts missing from the studs that bolt gearbox to the engine in fact all the top nuts where loose as well as the slave cylinder was loose and moved around in it's housing this really ****ed me off as last year I paid a local so called Land Rover Expert to replace the clutch along with both Master and Slave cylinder.
When I removed Slave Cylinder to give me more room to cut off and weld on outrigger I also found this maybe one off you would like to tell me whats wrong in next picture.

As you can see the Pushrod was fitted the wrong way round and by a garage that only work on Land Rovers. After the missing nuts, loose slave cylinder and much ranting and raving by me I decided to remove gearbox and check the fecker had actually fitted a new clutch luckily(for him) he had but what the muppet had done was fit the little plastic clip that holds the pushrod in place on the back off the clutch fork(it was new clutch for so maybe that's how it came from his supplier) Expert ma Arse!!!

Here is a couple pics off the new outriggers and some patching on the chassis on the drivers side. And drivers side outrigger fitted I've also replaced all bushes with Polybushes but haven't taken any pics only ones I have are off the Radius arms being painted after I cleaned them up with a wire wheel on an angle grinder. I painted everything with Dintrol rust convertor primer then Dintrol stonechip Also made a new metal cover for the heater duct that sits in the dash as old one had rotted through. That's all the pics I have at the moment I'll take some more tomorrow when I'm up at my parents. The Chassis has now been waxoiled using Dintrol underbody wax and Dintrol cavity wax and is looking good. The only other things I've been doing is lots of cleaning and painting of parts getting things ready to go back on. Once bulkhead arrives was supposed to be the 10th but wasn't ready according to Ashtree the paintshop that they use the owner is in hospital tbh I've read elsewhere of them using illness excuse it's a hard one to argue with last email I received said that it will be ready early next week so hopefully the will deliver before next Friday if they can't then I'm quite prepared to do the 884mile round trip to pick up myself.
Hope I've not bored everyone to tears and I'll keep you all posted on how I get on.

Looking very good, nice work.

I'd be very concerned about Ashtree, knowing their reputation. I hope it works out for you.

Retroanaconda said:

Looking very good, nice work.

I'd be very concerned about Ashtree, knowing their reputation. I hope it works out for you.

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Thanks Retro

He has said it will be ready early this week so will give him a call Tuesday to see what the script is and if need be I'll go collect it myself. Heard a few things about long time to deliver waits till has a full load to deliver etc I'm just hoping the quality is of a high standard. Have you used them yourself?

I've seen their work at shows and it did not inspire confidence. And I know a couple of people who have had problems with horrendous lead times (months and months of delays) and shoddy work/incorrect parts.

But no personal experience myself no. Hopefully you will be lucky, I am sure they have some happy customers and it's just that one hears about the unhappy ones more.

Well not updated this for ages reason being since the Bulkhead swap last year I haven't really done any work to the Landy I've just been enjoying using it and doing some Greeen Road runs with a club up here in Scotland. When I replaced the Bulkhead I had wire brushed and repaired all the chassis then waxoyled it but just before its MOT in December I found more welding was required (amazing how quick it appeared). Whilst laid underneath welding and getting burnt tae buggery from the molten metal I decided it's time for new chassis. Finally able too afford on at end April so phoned Marsland and palced order told 3-4 weeks for delivery. Which was perfect give me time to sort my grandfathers old workshop.. A call from Marsland last week saying you can have your chassis Wednesday!! And Let ok what's turned up today Ooooohhhhh Shiny lol
Been a busy day 6 trips to the dump with rubbish from clearing out workshop (it's not been used in 10 years) and now almost ready to start working in And Chassis inside feck me it was heavy!!! Plan is to finish rebuilding replacement front and rear axles, Paint the chassis then get it rolling and suspension on run brake lines etc before starting to strip VLAD my Defender. O and one other tiny wee thing before all that I need to widen the workshop door so I can drive VLAD in and out!! And finish moving all my tools from dads garage.