Hi All,
Ive been dreaming of a Defender since I was a small kid. Im finally able to afford one (i think) so I'm in the market for a 110 or 130 pickup to be exported to the US. Ive already researched lots of details about the 25 year rule, matching numbers, etc, etc. The reason I am posting is to get any of your insider information on things to watch for, major changes in a certain year, etc.
I'd like a:
110 or 130 Pickup
1985-1991
Questions:
1) Any major changes in engine, brakes, electrical, body etc within those years?
2) I prefer a diesel and there seem to have been a few options. Know issues or reasons to stick to one or the other?
3) It seems like unrestored 110s in that age range are selling from between 3k and 6k. Does that seem right?
Thanks for any help or info. Greatly appreciated. GO FROOME & GO CAVENDISH
-Logan
Condition is paramount. Although every single part is replaceable. But replacing the chassis or bulkhead is by far and away the bigger job.
Engines, axles and gearboxes are fairly quick, easy and straight forward to change.
Technically not many Defenders will be in reach however. The older models are not Defender's. You have the One Ten and the 127.
These will most likely have a 2.5TD in or a low CR Rover V8 with 3.5 litres.
The Defender came out around 1990, hence why there are few that are 25 years old.
The big change here is almost all are 200Tdi's. And the got a new name, the Defender 110 and the 130 (the 130 is exactly the same length and wheelbase as a 127, the big change here is the 130 has it's own dedicated chassis, while the 127 is a One Ten taken off the production line and extended).
As for the engines. Frankly all of them will be under powered and gutless compared to what you have in the USA.
Tdi's are nice motors and in the UK suit the road network and our fuel costs. But you'd have to be completely mental to want to run one in the USA.
A 2.5TD has even less power.
Rover V8's are quite nice engines. But out dated these days. And the 3.5 low CR is the worst version and won't be any quicker than a Tdi.
All of these will be producing about the same power and performance (or worse) than the lowest powered V6 Chevy or Ford compact pick-up from the 1980's/1990's.
Now I'm a Landy fan through and through. And can certainly see the appeal of owning something different to everyone else. And Defenders are rare in the USA.
But your local offerings are probably much better. Land Rover's have low powered engines, weak axles and weak gearboxes. Plus a Defender is cramped, noisy and unrefined. A Jeep will match or exceed the Land Rover off road, but with far better spares and upgrades in the US market.
And your domestic pickup trucks will all be nicer to drive on US roads with better performance and lower running costs.
I know of a few Land Rover's in the USA. And many people end up swapping the motor. Which often means swapping the gearbox (transmission), which then often means swapping the transfer box too as it's hard to find many US transmissions to mate to the LR transfer box.
They swap the engine for a Chevy or Ford V8 and swap on some beefier axles.....
So the question is, why bother even buying a Land Rover if almost none of it will be left at the end of it.
My hunch is, you'd probably be better off not going to the cost and hassle to get a Defender.
Other options.
Disco 1's were sold in the USA. Under the body they are almost the same as a Defender. Same axles, gearbox, transfer box, suspension and even engines. Although you didn't get the diesels in the USA.
This means, you can get 90% of a Defender in a more comfy Discovery package. If you are up for modding, you could even swap the out riggers/rear cross member and fit a Defender body to it with a bit of work.
On this note. What are the laws in the USA for building a vehicle? I've watched Hot Rod programs were they build a new chassis, body and create a one off car. How do these become legal for road use?
As in, could you assemble a Land Rover from parts and make it road legal? This might help get around the 25 year restriction.