Dingbat Defender · Apr 7, 2020

Hi All,

Been following the forum for a while, but finally started my rebuild project.

I have a beaten up, high mileage, LHD 1998 300TDI and will be doing a ground up rebuild.

New HD chassis
Complete new brake system
Complete new HD suspension system
Refurbished transfer box
engine overhaul..... to be decided
most likely a ton of welding
respray
replace / upgrade / tidy up the interior

There are other things on the wish list, but these can wait.

I will post pictures as the work goes on and raise questions on the other threads. Any advice, guidance would be very welcome.

Thankfully, I am not undertaking this project by myself. While the current situation with Covid-19 is terrible and I hope it will be over soon, it does mean that my local mechanic has very little work, so it is an ideal time to make full use of his workshop. This is not a job I could undertake on my own or on my drive!

Dingbat Defender · Apr 7, 2020

The base vehicle...... 400,000km, ex utility vehicle, poorly maintained

Dingbat Defender · Apr 7, 2020

The underside

Dingbat Defender · Apr 7, 2020

The important part......new chassis. Heavy Duty, galvanized and then powder coated

Dingbat Defender · Apr 7, 2020

Into the workshop...........

Refurbished transfer box was installed earlier this year.

steve2286w · Apr 7, 2020

Looks a decent chassis under all that muck !

Dingbat Defender · Apr 7, 2020

steve2286w said:
Looks a decent chassis under all that muck !

Its been patched up in quite a few places and the rear cross member is cracked. I know it could be repaired and I will get a better idea of the overall condition once it is stripped and cleaned.

I am planning on keeping this Defender for a very long time (wife says I am building my own coffin), so decided it would be better to replace the chassis. Solid foundations moving forward

Dingbat Defender · Apr 13, 2020

While the chassis swap is underway, thought I would take a look at the doors and see what state they are in............

Looks like some welding, general clean up to remove rust and new seals, wind runners etc.

doriz · Apr 26, 2020

The doors look pretty reasonable.

Dingbat Defender · Apr 26, 2020

Few more photos

1 x knackered steering arm

The underneath is not to shabby just needs a damn good wash to start with

Some bits to be sandblasted and painted

They came up alright and now have the SuperPro bushes in place

New Chassis in place, just needs building. Old one now needs cleaning and welding, hopefully sell it soon

Off to the body shop, clean it up, strip out the interior, get some welding done and then decide on a paint job.....any thoughts?

Dingbat Defender · May 25, 2020

Latest photos. Build going well (generally), few small challenge to overcome, more on that later.

Dingbat Defender · May 25, 2020

Anyone spot anything wrong with the rear of this 300TDI chassis?

Dingbat Defender · May 25, 2020

Also a question for the more enlightened out there.

Bulk head vents - keep them or seal them? I have aircon on this vehicle and windows that work, so I am tempted to seal the vents and remove the potential danger of water ingress. Any downside to doing this?

Hicap phill · May 25, 2020

Here you go... sealed vents.
Flat plate straight across the inside tack weld in place. Sealed vents screws on,as if you notice I have removed the out side brackets
I may fully seal the vents in place but not had any probs or regrets doing this.
Keeps the landrover looks

Hicap phill · May 25, 2020

Dingbat Defender said:
Anyone spot anything wrong with the rear of this 300TDI chassis?View attachment 210307

Is this TD5?

Sting Ray · Jun 5, 2020

The long tub supports look a bit odd compared to my 300tdi chassis. Being a 300, it wouldn't have the sliding td5 tub rail at the rear.

Sting Ray · Jun 5, 2020

Sting Ray · Jun 5, 2020

Yours appears to have extra supports for the tub compared to mine, forward of the rails.

Shippers · Jun 5, 2020

Just a question as it crops up a lot...if you sell chassis the vin number will go with it as its stamped on chassis which means yours wont have it...you could end up with a lot of bother I reckon...

Dingbat Defender · Jan 10, 2021

Not updated for a while - work, covid etc all hampered progress, but finally taken some steps forward.

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