Howdy folks,

It took me longer than it should've, but I finally got myself a Landy (that runs)! Pretty much a textbook example of a compulsive buy, but I wouldn't have bought if it weren't for a buddy of mine who knows the owner and basically maintained this car its whole life. What I'm saying is that it shouldn't be a lemon.

Here she is:


It's a one owner car (well, two once I've registered it), the guy lives in the Liège area in Belgium but used it to drive down to Corsica regularly, there's like 9 Corsica Ferries stickers on the rear windows!
It seems to be in fairly good shape, for what it's worth it just passed the french MOT (it's on french plates at the moment), and from what I could observe, drives just fine. No weird noises or wobbles, shifts in and out of low-high and center diff lock just fine.
No chequer plates for me was a definite plus, I hate them, 99% of the time they just hide crap.

She'll need some attention on the chassis, rear crossmember is "puffing up" at the seem between the 2 bits (will need some welding at some stage), I'm guessing this is a classic, I've seen it a couple of times. Rear seats crossmember has also seen better days, but that's a bolt on I think, so "easy" fix. Other than those points, I didn't see anything alarming... I'll definetly give it a good coat of Dinitrol or some other rust protection coating before every winter to try and preserve it.
Bulkhead seemed surprisingly good, its just starting to bubble slightly on the top left hand side. I hope I'm not too late, but I'll try to treat it best I can.
Doors and other body panels don't seem corroded, but the roof has a pretty big ding on the back, dude backed up into something.

She's bog standard, literally no extra bits anywhere (I think?). I like it. She did come with AC (doesn't work), butt warmers and an open roof.

If you guys have any advice, feel free to share.

Looking forward to cruising around with her!

Same as mine tonger green looks good leatherseats ? Ac most probably needs re - gasing get it done for the summer or you will cook lhd?

Nope, cloth seats. Not sure if related, but the AC fan runs continuously too.

She's a LHD, yup. I'm gonna drive her in Europe, so it's fine.

DuckSherminator said:

Nope, cloth seats. Not sure if related, but the AC fan runs continuously too.

She's a LHD, yup. I'm gonna drive her in Europe, so it's fine.

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Same as mine had it from new I'm the other side of Austria with the a.c. put a search in I believe if you discount the battery you have to re set the a.c. so could be a simple job was not long ago it was on here

I'll look it up, I appreciate the tip!

Hi folks,

Not many updates to give you, I've done around 600 miles, then I dropped it off at a friend's place who's looking after it for me. I simply don't have the time, space or tools to undertake heavy maintenance.

Here's where I'm at:
- 5th gear was loud... Learned the hard way that the rear support bearing was a weak spot on the R380, so went to Ashcroft and got a refurbished R380 with reinforced rear support bearing and a V8 ratio 5th gear pinion (I'll be doing a lot of motorway driving).
- fuel tank would leak when full, still trying to pinpoint where that came from.
- it rides like a worn out tractor, I know it's characteristic of a Defender but I'm trying to improve that best I can. I got an OME kit, which combined with new bushings here and there, should hopefully make it feel less like it's about to disintegrate at the slightest road imperfection. All new galvanised/stainless hardware to acompany that.
- since the gearbox is out... new rear main seal and, might as well, a decat.
- various seals around the car are gonna be replaced (the vents are as air tight as the Titanic)
- headlights replaced by Wipac Crystals (they were LED, but that's a no-no at Belgian MOT)
- all other lights replaced by Wipac standard OEM replacement
- new front bumper with A bar, and eventually some driving lights (all ears for recommendations)
- foldable sidesteps
- rear foldable step
- light grills either new or powder coated (I'll for for the ladder style in the back)
- Nakatenga trunk door strut (damn thing nealry killed me a couple of times already)
- MUD seat rails (I'm average height, but it's tight in there, with the AC and all)
- blower motor
- heater matrix
- at some point, but not urgent, condenser and AC system check

I'm trying not to go overkill as it's very easy to go crazy with these things... I'll see how it's like to live with and improvise from there.

Well, after not having the car for 4 months, I'm finally able to drive it again! What a blast they are to drive these Defenders... It's my daily driver and I'll be doing quite a lot of miles with it... I'm actually looking forward to these drives.

The OME "medium duty" kit from LR Parts, together with some new bushings, completely transformed the ride. It is now far less crashy, and dare I say fairly comfortable (for a Defender).


So, I always loved the side decals on the older Defenders... I had to try them! And I ave to say, it suits the Tonga Green relatively well.


I think I'll go for an ORE wheel carrier at some stage, I love the fact they don't require drilling bigger holes in the car. That way, I'll be able to use a spare wheel mounted bike carrier!

Did you sort your fuel tank? Bet someone replaced the pump without the seal!! Looking good

resto_d1 said:

Did you sort your fuel tank? Bet someone replaced the pump without the seal!! Looking good

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Nope, I filled it to check where it comes from, didn't see anything through the new inspection hatch in the boot. Doesn't seem to be coming from the filler neck either... Strange one.