Definitely Sumobars. I have these and they're excellent 👍

+++ you may like to upgrade some of the components to HD items for toughness. Take a look at Gwyn Lewis, there are 4x items I'd be using for this trip 1. HD GKN UJ's for the prop shafts https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/propshafts/defender-300tdi-td5/ 2. Gwyn Lewis...

If your chosen 300Tdi does not have a fuel sedimentor it's really worth adding with the environment you're venturing into https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-defender-fuel-air-emission-systems/fuel-system/sedimentors_53508 https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams is really worth getting...

@Wagon Loon , Gigi's my favourite colour in S3 mode. She's a good looking girl and sports Safari roof too, nice.

Snap. I too have a TE engine with gas flow head. Our Tdi engines are never going to be flying machines but they do trundle along nicely with the TE treatment.

@Wagon Loon , you may like to scuff up those inlet ports, they're too smooth/too polished. Too smooth an inlet port causes larger fuel droplets to form which is not what's wanted. Ideally, all heads [petrol and diesel] need some level of coarseness to enable constant air-fuel mix.

Google is your friend, their are lots of other owners out there who've done this https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/68991-Discovery-2-seats-in-a-defender...

Buy a Gwyn Lewis f&r diff + gearbox + engine breather/wading kit. Buy the kit the terminates at a 9mm push fit manifold that's then ready should you plan on fitting a snorkel.

#4's hilarious...

These are readily available from the usual LR suppliers. LR Workshop is your best friend for part numbers, diagrams and general suppliers [clicking on the part code takes you through to the common suppliers combined with pricing]. https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-defender-seats...

If you get really stuck call Turner Engineering. They'll have a one in stock, perfectly rebuilt & gas flowed they can send you. https://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/remanufactured-cylinder-heads.htm

You're best removing the old carpet. Clean up the panels and then use a Dynamat or Silent Coat on these larger panel areas. The trick is to break up the resonant frequencies induced by engine noise, large tyres, harsh suspension and thin panels [NVH]. Then add 10mm closed cell neoprene foam...

Have you tried talking with Mike at Britannica Restorations in Sherbrooke, Quebec? Mike may have one knocking about. https://britrest.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@BritannicaRestorations

Sounds like a normal 200Tdi, they take a good 4-5miles to get up to temperature with the temp needle sitting mid way on the gauge. Very few Landies fully de-mist their windows. Welcome to Landy ownership.

Wait til next year as am planning on fitting an 3.0ltr M57 engine plus all the bells & whistles to the Ninety. I'm planning this as a forever keeper spec' Ninety for me and my darling gal to enjoy on long distance adventure/touring trips. I'll be keeping all the existing Gwyn Lewis HD...

Thought I'd share the photo of my 200Tdi engine c/o Turner Engineering and prior to me building up pre-install. I remember these 3x holes filled with some sort of industrial mastik and thought at the time, that's odd. Didn't question it as it's a TE rebuilt engine.

This is an excellent heads up. By oil cooler you mean the oil filter adaptor, rather than the oil cooler alongside the radiator? Thermostat part #2 in diag.

I have a Revotec 200/300Tdi sucker fan kit. It works very well and there's zero risk of viscous failure, also doesn't sap any engine power. The important thing with LR diesel engines is that they run relatively cool, they're not a hot engine. I've used Revote sucker fan systems for many years...

The centre dash light switch is just a rotary switch, so now't difficult there. Front axle bushes are the same as civvie jobbies, and can recommend you use SuperPro bushes as they nicely firm up the axle/suspension front and rear. If you're fitting new springs fit D2 spring to chassis rubber...

Ps you might like to remove your post showing your chassis number. One never knows who's watching.