Sting Ray
Well-Known Member
Yesterday I purchased a 1989 Defender 90 (200 TDi), so thought I'd post a photo, introduce myself, and let you know my intentions as I'm sure I'll be asking for some advice.
Driving it to my mate's premises yesterday evening was hilarous - all the indicators light up when you turn either side on - not great when your mate is following you and doesn't know the way!
I fully intend to do the whole overlanding thing in this Defender; one of my life's dreams is to drive around Africa for 8-9 months and take in the scenery and wildlife. I will therefore be stripping the whole vehicle and completely restoring it from top to bottom - probably including a new galvanised chassis, so any tips as to where is considered best for buying one would be very much appreciated, and what sort of lead time should be generally anticipated..
The suspension will probably be a couple of inches higher than standard (it's massive at the moment, like a monster truck), and I'm not sure where to retain and extend the single cab (I'm 6'6" and need the legroom), and install an enormous integrated storage system on the rear, or whether to go for the Hardtop or County rear end - one of many many decisions that I will take during the restoration, which will realistically take a couple of years. It took me a full year to restore my motorbike; I certainly learnt some lessons about labelling of parts and bolts in particular, as well as ordering parts in good time prior to reassembly.
I'm not sure whether sleeping on top is something I'll opt for, or whether making some other sort of arrangement integral to the vehicle is preferable - I need to ponder this, but any examples or suggestions are very welcome. a regular tent is also an option.
Depending on the price of a new loom, I may or may not replace that, but either way, I'll be integrating the electrics and other plumbing as necessary throughout the build, once I know what sort of spec/configuration I'm going for. Fortunately a friend has a Disco 2 and knows a thing or two to help me out, and there's a local LR specialist down the road from me as well; another friend is a bloody good welder too, which is exceptionally helpful, and I know someone with his own CNC lathe and milling machine etc.
Mechanically, I've decided that an LT77 will go in, but not sure whether to retain the 200, or go for the 300 or td5. I'd like as much power as I can get (due to weight of mods going on) without being dreadful on fuel (I know I've not purchased a 1.5 Clio). I'll obviously have to decide on this before getting a new chassis. Diff guards and fuel tank guards will be going on, although fortunately I have a couple of these already on the 90.
Any suggestions for mods that are generally regarded as a good idea will be very much appreciated
Driving it to my mate's premises yesterday evening was hilarous - all the indicators light up when you turn either side on - not great when your mate is following you and doesn't know the way!
I fully intend to do the whole overlanding thing in this Defender; one of my life's dreams is to drive around Africa for 8-9 months and take in the scenery and wildlife. I will therefore be stripping the whole vehicle and completely restoring it from top to bottom - probably including a new galvanised chassis, so any tips as to where is considered best for buying one would be very much appreciated, and what sort of lead time should be generally anticipated..
The suspension will probably be a couple of inches higher than standard (it's massive at the moment, like a monster truck), and I'm not sure where to retain and extend the single cab (I'm 6'6" and need the legroom), and install an enormous integrated storage system on the rear, or whether to go for the Hardtop or County rear end - one of many many decisions that I will take during the restoration, which will realistically take a couple of years. It took me a full year to restore my motorbike; I certainly learnt some lessons about labelling of parts and bolts in particular, as well as ordering parts in good time prior to reassembly.
I'm not sure whether sleeping on top is something I'll opt for, or whether making some other sort of arrangement integral to the vehicle is preferable - I need to ponder this, but any examples or suggestions are very welcome. a regular tent is also an option.
Depending on the price of a new loom, I may or may not replace that, but either way, I'll be integrating the electrics and other plumbing as necessary throughout the build, once I know what sort of spec/configuration I'm going for. Fortunately a friend has a Disco 2 and knows a thing or two to help me out, and there's a local LR specialist down the road from me as well; another friend is a bloody good welder too, which is exceptionally helpful, and I know someone with his own CNC lathe and milling machine etc.
Mechanically, I've decided that an LT77 will go in, but not sure whether to retain the 200, or go for the 300 or td5. I'd like as much power as I can get (due to weight of mods going on) without being dreadful on fuel (I know I've not purchased a 1.5 Clio). I'll obviously have to decide on this before getting a new chassis. Diff guards and fuel tank guards will be going on, although fortunately I have a couple of these already on the 90.
Any suggestions for mods that are generally regarded as a good idea will be very much appreciated
