Adam90 · Nov 22, 2021

Hi all!

It’s been a long time since I was on the forums, so hello again. I had a terrible time with a 90 a few years ago, but back again looking at D2’s.

I’ve found what I think is a good one, everything looks great, service history is fantastic and mot history is also great. Condition looks good, but the only thing I’m not sure on is the rear chassis. I’ve attached a few pictures, could anyone advise whether it looks ok and just surface type rust; or, is it something a bit more rotten. The vehicles a few hours away so hoping someone could give me some feedback based on the photos, it’d be massively appreciated.

It’s at the higher end of the price bracket, so don’t want to spend on something that’s going to bite me in the butt in a big way with a chassis fix/replacement.

Thanks in advance,
Adam

MJI · Nov 22, 2021

Need to check inside edge against fuel tank, but that is a common repair. Couple hundred in a garage so not too bad worst case.

If you can poke through on side by tank, either knock a couple hundred off or walk away.

What is it like nearer the ARB brackets? Is that solid?

Adam90 · Nov 22, 2021

MJI said:
Need to check inside edge against fuel tank, but that is a common repair. Couple hundred in a garage so not too bad worst case.

If you can poke through on side by tank, either knock a couple hundred off or walk away.

What is it like nearer the ARB brackets? Is that solid?

thank you. I’m not sure on the area by the ARB brackets, I’m going fully of pictures so far so trying to decide whether it’s worth the 6 hour round trip or not based on that at the moment.

Dippypud · Nov 22, 2021

Adam90 said:
thank you. I’m not sure on the area by the ARB brackets, I’m going fully of pictures so far so trying to decide whether it’s worth the 6 hour round trip or not based on that at the moment.

Can you zoom in on the last pic ?

It looks like a crack in the chassis side / bottom junction, I can't tell properly as I a bit under the weather at the moment and my head is not right ..

MJI · Nov 22, 2021

Is that the tow bar?

Adam90 · Nov 22, 2021

Thanks, uploaded a zoomed in pic.

frostythor · Nov 22, 2021

as stated earlier, the bit you cant see the inside were the fuel tank is is a problem spot, it where the MOT tester knocked a big hole in mine, not sure how as I could do it with my hammer which is a lot bigger than and MOT hammer

Disco1BFG · Nov 22, 2021

Where is the vehicle ? perhaps find a vehicle inspector in that area - might be worth it to confirm chassis condition...

I agree with Dippy, that the area in question doesn't look "right" - but it is very hard to say from a photo - needs a knock test from LR #1 special tool

The other problem spot is where the rear dampers mount onto the chassis - can you get pics of this area ?

Stanleysteamer · Nov 22, 2021

Adam90 said:
Hi all!

It’s been a long time since I was on the forums, so hello again. I had a terrible time with a 90 a few years ago, but back again looking at D2’s.

I’ve found what I think is a good one, everything looks great, service history is fantastic and mot history is also great. Condition looks good, but the only thing I’m not sure on is the rear chassis. I’ve attached a few pictures, could anyone advise whether it looks ok and just surface type rust; or, is it something a bit more rotten. The vehicles a few hours away so hoping someone could give me some feedback based on the photos, it’d be massively appreciated.

It’s at the higher end of the price bracket, so don’t want to spend on something that’s going to bite me in the butt in a big way with a chassis fix/replacement.

Thanks in advance,
Adam

Stanleysteamer · Nov 22, 2021

That actually doesn't look too bad. Mine got a lot worse before I had it properly repaired.
BUT, it can go from not looking too bad to being really bad very suddenly.
If it is not too pricey I'd say buy it and bargain on having to have it repaired later on and rust treating it to hell as soon as you get it.
Just my 4 pennorth.

Disco Martin · Nov 22, 2021

Adam90 said:
Thanks, uploaded a zoomed in pic.

That is the rear step strut that has come away from the step through corrosion of the step, a common issue

Bantam1 · Nov 22, 2021

Stanleysteamer said:
That actually doesn't look too bad. Mine got a lot worse before I had it properly repaired.
BUT, it can go from not looking too bad to being really bad very suddenly.
If it is not too pricey I'd say buy it and bargain on having to have it repaired later on and rust treating it to hell as soon as you get it.
Just my 4 pennorth.

Agreed, looks pretty good to me.
Tank off and a bit of a paint and waxoyl and its good for many years.

Adam90 · Nov 22, 2021

Thank you all for the advice and input, that’s really helpful. It’s been looked after by a Land Rover specialists so am going to see if they and the buyer will agree to an inspection at my cost prior to purchase. Seller seems very genuine and has given more info than I’ve requested and it’s got a stack of service history and repairs in their ownership, so if the chassis is good, fingers crossed it’ll be mine!

Stanleysteamer · Nov 22, 2021

Adam90 said:
Thank you all for the advice and input, that’s really helpful. It’s been looked after by a Land Rover specialists so am going to see if they and the buyer will agree to an inspection at my cost prior to purchase. Seller seems very genuine and has given more info than I’ve requested and it’s got a stack of service history and repairs in their ownership, so if the chassis is good, fingers crossed it’ll be mine!

Sounds very good, best of luck with it.
There are loads of peeps on here who have them, love them and know how to fix them. I bought mine out of necessity, in a bit of a hurry but have grown to love it too, though my heart still belongs really to my D1 Annie!

tilly2 · Nov 22, 2021

Get the owner to put it through an MOT test for you... that will highlight any concerns. Paying £40 upfront to the owner will save that 6 hour round trip if it fails.

ronsealdeath · Nov 22, 2021

It looks ok in the photos and very much better than most i viewed when looking for mine. But you have to get under it with a screwdriver as has been said.

Adam90 · Nov 26, 2021

So, some advice on one I’ve just viewed. Mechanically, it’s is extremely good. The rear chassis has some what appears to be very old under seal on, which has either cracked, or the chassis has. The areas where the under seal has flaked off (not many), or the bits a peeled off looks solid. But, would you be concerned about the attached photos. It looks to me like thick undersell that’s cracked, but I’m not expert.

marjon · Nov 26, 2021

You should have taken a screwdriver to it and flaked a bit off, to see it it was rust underneath.

J

Stanleysteamer · Nov 26, 2021

Adam90 said:
So, some advice on one I’ve just viewed. Mechanically, it’s is extremely good. The rear chassis has some what appears to be very old under seal on, which has either cracked, or the chassis has. The areas where the under seal has flaked off (not many), or the bits a peeled off looks solid. But, would you be concerned about the attached photos. It looks to me like thick undersell that’s cracked, but I’m not expert.

You really have to go to it with overalls a good torch a small hammer and a screwdriver. do not be afraid to have a damn good poke and pry around.
I find it quite amusing handing big bits of rusty metal to the owner as I bang/pry them off. (Then of course I don't buy it!)
If the owner won't let you get under and do this, then walk away or offer him/her a price based on extensive chassis work being needed.
As a lot of us have said that one doesn't look bad at all, and I'd buy it provided I had been able to do what I just said. The last one I bought was a bit worse than that. Bought 2014 and lasted passing MOTs etc until I decided to get the rear chassis plated two years ago. Mind you I did get it properly done in thicker metal than the original and the rot cut out not just plated over.
If it's at the higher end of the price bracket you have to ensure everything works and we have to assume that it's an ES or summat i.e. top of the range.

Adam90 · Nov 26, 2021

It’s a gs, so not top of range and it’s fairly priced. He had no issues at all with me underneath, and I peeled a few bits off that I could and underneath what I could get off was fine, surface rust if anything, but no flaky bits at all. It’s never had an advisory for chassis on MoT, and has recently passed with no chassis advisory.

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