Dixie1985

Dixie1985

Member
Right it would seem that I have ended up with a land rover. And a disco at that. Always loved defenders drove loads broke many but never owned my own. (Lots of MoD vehicles) never a fan of the disco but it would seem that's now changed. I've made a deal with a friend me taking his disco and him keeping my ford ranger. None of the mods done by me but by a extremely well talented man.
I'll be left with repairs lol first off is the suspected head gasket issue. And a mot. And this has left my american truck as the sensible daily driver.
Still can't believe I'm claiming that. But here she is couple of pics were taken by previous owner but not much has really changed.[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

But as it progresses I'll keep this tread updated.
 

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I like that.......a lot!
It’s great to see a different take on things as opposed to the more often seen bobtailed and chopped versions (not that there owt wrong with them btw). Just nice to see a break from the norm.:)
If that’s the “sensible daily driver” in picture 3, just oof :D
Rich
 
I know what you mean by being different kinda why I like it so much closest thing I've seen to it is the disco gritter conversions. And I've only seen one of those. Apparently according to the guy who built this one the gritters are a fiberglass conversion. This thing is all metal (somehow he has utilized a vw transporter bulkhead) and yes pic 3 is the sensible daily need back seats due to 5 yr old. Altho he's not allowed food drink or any form of sweets in it lol
 
I like that cheers man glad you posted it. Looks like there used the rear door as the rear bulkhead if not mistaken. Clever idea bet it's easier to reverse than mime is lol
 
Not sure I like the way the rear wheel arch flows into the tray on the red one, although I do not dispute the obvious skill that must have been involved. I think it would have looked better if the vertical curve of the rear cab corner had been carried on down to the bottom of the cab (I know what I mean even if nobody else does!!)
In my eyes, the op’s tray back is perfect! Picture 2 is spot on!
In fact, I can’t stop looking at it and wish I had the time and skill to build one for myself!!

Rich
 
Right after much headache it's deffo a blown head gasket issue (was hoping airlock even attempted steel seal to get me through next few months but no joy) so thought sod it and got a replacement head with valves. Ordered new water pump, p gasket, of course new head gasket plus a thermostat. Debating on ordering new pipes(silicone) are they any good?
But this is the current mods

Shortened chassis-cab.
Custom steel flatbed.
B A Bosco green paint.
HD lift springs.
2"+ spring pads.
-2" rear shock mounts.
HD gas/Oil shocks +2" shocks.
+4" rear bump stops.
+2" braided brake hoses.
16x7 modular steel front wheels.
16x8 modular steel rear wheels.
Oversize extreme terrain tyres.
Custom cherry bomb exhaust.
OE replacement turbo making over-boost (wastegate mod)
Oversize allysport intercooler.
Silicone boost hoses.
Altered diesel pump max fuel and boost compensator.
EGT and boost gauges.
Front HD winch bumper with NATO hitch.
Winch with hidden sol. Pack.
LED rear lights.
LED front running/side lamps.
LED front work lamps.
LED rear bed and backup lamps.
Vision Alert 60 series beacon with ally lights and stop/tail/turn.
Custom centre cubby box with sealed bass enclosure.
R380 gearbox conversion with HD clutch.
Custom sealed air box with cone filter.
Modified Defender mil-spec snorkel.
Sunroof delete.
Now I've seen a disco on 38" tyres and thought it looked awesome so was looking into (as another member here has done) a 4" body lift and potentially a taking the suspension up to a 4" lift. Now advice on whether this would be a really stupid idea would be really appreciated
 
It's been a while since I've posted so here's the update turned out the replacement head I sourced was a 200tdi item not a 300tdi one found that out halfway through the job at least i now know the difference lol. So had the original tested and skimmed. Got it bolted back together and bar a small airlock in heater matrix all seemed well. Covered approx 40 miles then a loud knocking noise. First thought was big end. But upon further investigation would seem it's a top end noise so I'll re check injectors have sealed and ensure I've done tappet gaps correctly as nothing has broken in rocker area. ( after checking rocker assembly was intact and rebolting on the noise has stopped on idle but appears when revs climb past 1300. So hoping I've overlooked something simple.) Also had to replace rear prop as the rubber donut had eaten it's self mullering my prop in the process. Now I've looked at a 200tdi rear prop conversion. And I'm thinking that may be a sensible idea. Also to top it off I have the dreaded landrover lean. Does anyone know the best way to resolve this?
 
For the lean.....has it just sort of developed or has it had the lean since you got it? It could be that the springs have been fitted to the wrong sides (they are handed). Otherwise they may have just sagged with age ( as a lot of aftermarket springs in particular do)
200tdi rear prop and flange is a good idea but I’ve known a fair few lifted discos (my own old one included) that have been perfectly fine using the donut coupling.....
Rich
 
The lean has been there since I've had it think it's got worse recently tho but maybe wrong lol. But spoke to the fella who built it and he says it's always been there even when on stock springs he even tried 2 separate sets of aftermarket springs and shocks and apparently both sets had the issue. As for the 200tdi prop looking at it I think I'm probably past the rubbers operational angle plus the old one was ok for mot couple months and less than 600 miles ago. But have now sorted the knocking noise by re doing tappets and replacing a valve cap that I. Sure wasn't missing before lol. But now back to another airlock issue the joy
 
Right I know I still have the airlock issue but decided to start adding some bits I had floating about. So on with the lightbar above windscreen.
Will wire it once the rain stops. Thinking of setting it up so it works with high beam and on a switch. So next on the list of un required mods is a overhead console to replace the mostly useless plastic one. And fit range p38 seats.
Plus try to avoid buying a defender ( at least for the moment)
 

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been about a month since last post so thought I'd add a update. Head repair seems to of worked! Yay! (I know it's a relatively simple task but my first 300tdi job ) have covered quite a few miles this month (have been hauling stuff to and from shows) only issue I've had is the return pipe from thermostat housing to radiator seems to of been rubbing on the pulley wheel. Creating a hole in the pipe. Don't know yet if that's a common issue but new pipe ordered. Currently on a temp repair with sealing silicone tape and keeping a very close eye on it. Have noticed this month (as lots of night driving) the headlights suck so now looking into bulb upgrade. Don't know as of yet what's best led? Or hid? Or just decent bulbs. And the gauges on A pillar and switch panel are just too damn bright at night so have to either dim them or remove them. Seat swap has had to wait as it would seem I don't have a big enough torx key for seat belts. But at least I've started the rail mods on the p38 seats.
 
Dixie1985 said:
been about a month since last post so thought I'd add a update. Head repair seems to of worked! Yay! (I know it's a relatively simple task but my first 300tdi job ) have covered quite a few miles this month (have been hauling stuff to and from shows) only issue I've had is the return pipe from thermostat housing to radiator seems to of been rubbing on the pulley wheel. Creating a hole in the pipe. Don't know yet if that's a common issue but new pipe ordered. Currently on a temp repair with sealing silicone tape and keeping a very close eye on it. Have noticed this month (as lots of night driving) the headlights suck so now looking into bulb upgrade. Don't know as of yet what's best led? Or hid? Or just decent bulbs. And the gauges on A pillar and switch panel are just too damn bright at night so have to either dim them or remove them. Seat swap has had to wait as it would seem I don't have a big enough torx key for seat belts. But at least I've started the rail mods on the p38 seats.
Click to expand...

As far as your headlights go, fit relays in the loom and enjoy the lamps actually getting the full voltage from the battery without volt drop through the circuit. I did that to my 200Tdi and it made a massive difference to the light output!!! (PS, HID and LED headlight lamps will fail MOT according to current regs and are thus illegal)

I would fit an inline dimmer for the switch and gauge lamps, found easily and readily on internet sales sites.
 
Dixie1985 said:
Have noticed this month (as lots of night driving) the headlights suck so now looking into bulb upgrade.
Click to expand...

I would recommend the following.
Check out a boomslang wiring kit and fit Osram nightbreakers. Or do a search on here for the relay and wiriing loom mod, but generally the boomslang work s out just as cheap.

Cheers
 
Cheers for that Info fellas I'll look into that. Unfortunately the landy has taken a back seat recently has I have another vw t25 in my possession currently and that's been getting more attention. Altho I have now sorted the thermostat return pipe. Sourced and fitted a rubber engine cover. Replaced the door cards as mine were knackered and have swapped the drivers seat to a p38 one I'll upload a pic tomorrow.
 
Interested in how you made the seat fit if you could share at some point. I do like d1 leather for my fronts at some point but I think decent p38 ones would be comfier and probably better condition
 
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