O

OctopusPrime

New Member
Hi all

First off let me just say that for the last 5+ years I've been driving around in my awful van seeing you lot in in defenders and feeling very jealous... I love defenders but have never owned one (only driven them a few times).

Well I need one now (well that's what I'm telling the missus anyway), we are moving to a house on a very large, steep hill that gets snowed in every year and I'm a self employed builder so snow = no money.

Anyway what I want to know.

Engines size -
I've read that the 2L TDI is the one to go for, is this true? Surely more grunt is better, or are the bigger engines inferior in some way

Chassis
Lots at £2k say they need a bit of welding on the chassis. Is this a no no, or is it easily done (I know a good welder, but he doesn't work on cars)

Body
I want a hard top, but to maximise my options I was hoping that turning a pickup into a hardtop was a fairly inexpensive (£200 max) job. Would the cab be open to the rear, can't really put my kid in the back unless she can see us.

£2k
Should I not bother at this price?

Thanks in advance for any pointers, I'm properly excited to get one and have a little project again :)

Gary
 
OctopusPrime said:
Hi all

First off let me just say that for the last 5+ years I've been driving around in my awful van seeing you lot in in defenders and feeling very jealous... I love defenders but have never owned one (only driven them a few times).

Well I need one now (well that's what I'm telling the missus anyway), we are moving to a house on a very large, steep hill that gets snowed in every year and I'm a self employed builder so snow = no money.

Anyway what I want to know.

Engines size -
I've read that the 2L TDI is the one to go for, is this true? Surely more grunt is better, or are the bigger engines inferior in some way

Chassis
Lots at £2k say they need a bit of welding on the chassis. Is this a no no, or is it easily done (I know a good welder, but he doesn't work on cars)

Body
I want a hard top, but to maximise my options I was hoping that turning a pickup into a hardtop was a fairly inexpensive (£200 max) job. Would the cab be open to the rear, can't really put my kid in the back unless she can see us.

£2k
Should I not bother at this price?

Thanks in advance for any pointers, I'm properly excited to get one and have a little project again :)

Gary
Click to expand...

Hi!, intro yourself, blah blah. :welcome2:

You can pick them up at 2k if you know what to look for. since you say '2L TDI is the one to go for' you probably don't :)

Also, steep hill.. snow.. ;) it's a defender not a snow plough. We get 4 foot drifts when it gets bad, i'd hate to drive up a very steep hill with that much snow on it :)
 
Have search and a read on here fella, there's all the information you could possibly want and more. Think you might be struggling for a Fender at £2k, but stranger things have happened:D:D
How handy are you with the spanners:confused: Or are you willing to learn, because that will save you a fortune;)
 
You might get lucky with 2k, but I suspect It will need a lot of work and will look shabby.
Although if you spend £10k it can still need work.

By the way defenders are 2.5 litres whatever the engine, except the newer pumas .

Be aware that prices will start to creep up as winter approaches.

Good luck in your search.
 
Thanks

I've been doing quite a lot of reading up on it, the questions I've posted are just to clear up some uncertainties.
As for the engine size, no I don't know... That's why I'm asking the question

I fairly confident under the bonnet, I maintain my van and our focus mostly myself, though i need a Haynes manual or a guide... Don't go near the engines tho :)
I do plan to do a lot on the defender myself.

I've seen quite a few go for £2k on eBay/gumtree/auto trader. Guess I've just got to get in there and be the first
 
jaygti said:
You might get lucky with 2k, but I suspect It will need a lot of work and will look shabby.
Although if you spend £10k it can still need work.

By the way defenders are 2.5 litres whatever the engine, except the newer pumas .

Be aware that prices will start to creep up as winter approaches.

Good luck in your search.
Click to expand...

don't forget the earlies with 2.25's and v8's :)
 
OctopusPrime said:
Thanks

I've been doing quite a lot of reading up on it, the questions I've posted are just to clear up some uncertainties.
As for the engine size, no I don't know... That's why I'm asking the question

I fairly confident under the bonnet, I maintain my van and our focus mostly myself, though i need a Haynes manual or a guide... Don't go near the engines tho :)
I do plan to do a lot on the defender myself.

I've seen quite a few go for £2k on eBay/gumtree/auto trader. Guess I've just got to get in there and be the first
Click to expand...

I got mine well cheap and it lasted a year without welding.. so you can find them. Do the usual car checks but seriously check everywhere for rot and iffy welding.
 
jaygti said:
You might get lucky with 2k, but I suspect It will need a lot of work and will look shabby.
Although if you spend £10k it can still need work.

By the way defenders are 2.5 litres whatever the engine, except the newer pumas .

Be aware that prices will start to creep up as winter approaches.

Good luck in your search.
Click to expand...

I was thinking 200 TDI/250tdi/300tdi was relating to engine size 2/2.5/3L...
 
jaygti said:
Good point, although running costs may raise a few eyebrows.
Click to expand...

my eyebrows have left my head! When I bought mine I thought I was getting a 19j, but nope it turned out to be a 2.25d ;)

I keep saying one day I'll fit a 200 or 300.. but it'll probably never happen. I'm used to crawling up hills now :D
 
[MAP][/MAP]
trax said:
You should mention where you are. You never know, someone might lend a hand with viewing one. :)
Click to expand...

I'm in london at the moment, but will be moving to Surrey in a few weeks.
Won't be able to buy anything until out flat sale is complete, 2-3 weeks.

Most of the motors I've seen in my price range are at opposite ends of the country though, Cornwall or up near or in Scotland.... So I very much doubt a stranger would want to come for a road trip with another stranger for a day, then drive one of the cars home for him LOL

Thanks though
 
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