1. lightning

    Chassis replace or welding? Not sure how much needs to be done

    US$26,000 is probably about right for that Land Rover, when you look at the price good ones go for in the USA. l've seen them at $60,000. But as above, maybe if you could import one yourself. Good Series 3's in the U.K. are in the region UK£15-20,000 I don't know what if any import taxes etc...
  2. lightning

    Drive Before I Decide?

    Yes standard TD5 transmission. You can fit an overdrive which adds a sixth gear, but it costs over £2,000 Alternatively you can fit a Discovery transfer box but that raises the gearing in every gear which means higher intermediate gears. At 60 mph with the standard transmission it's okay on...
  3. lightning

    Drive Before I Decide?

    A good Puma Defender is okay to drive on road, it will happily sit at motorway speeds and in relative calm. They can also be further improved by adding extra sound proofing and cruise control, better audio system etc if that's what you want to do with it. You have to drive the vehicle for what...
  4. lightning

    Converting Light Utility to Estate/CSW

    DVLA are a nightmare to deal with.
  5. lightning

    Drive Before I Decide?

    Just decide on the specification you want (Station Wagon, Hard Top, Truck Cab) and then whether you want aircon/electric windows etc, Fix a budget, and leave aside around £2,000 for initial jobs and other things you'll decide you want to do to it. Then buy the first one you find that matches...
  6. lightning

    Steel wheels from the new Defender

    Well, l've got four for £300 if anyone is interested. Brand new wheels with tyres done under 100 miles. See my advert in the "for sale" section of this forum.
  7. lightning

    Drive Before I Decide?

    Problem with the 300tdi is finding a good one! The youngest are 28 years old and will likely need a chassis at the least if it's not already had one.
  8. lightning

    Defender TD5 ECU failure !!!!

    Well, the newest TD5's are now 19 years old, an age by which most modern vehicles have been recycled into spam tins. So the old Defender is doing well, considering over 70% of TD5 production is still on the road. l doubt my 2022 Defender, lovely vehicle that it is, will still be on the road in...
  9. lightning

    Land Rover stops exports to the USA.

    Latest is 100% levy on any film not made in the USA. Not sure what that means, l imagine the cost to show it at the theater or Netflix
  10. lightning

    F****** halfwits!

    None of the comments mention damage to the lane. They're all in the vane of "great video, looks good fun" etc Maybe You should comment on the video with your thoughts?
  11. lightning

    How much are you paying?

    These "how much do you pay for insurance" threads l always find so soul destroying, when l read that people are paying £1-200 to insure a Land Rover. And even lower, £75 to insure a Series 1. The cheapest quote l ever had was £260 for an TD5 and it's normally around £400. Currently it's £63 per...
  12. lightning

    For Sale Land Rover steel wheels with tyres, new take/off

    No interest at all? Four brand new wheels with tyres, for £75 per wheel?
  13. lightning

    Driven: New Defender - On & Off Road. Is it a Pretender?

    lt won car of the year in the USA
  14. lightning

    Driven: New Defender - On & Off Road. Is it a Pretender?

    The Multipla was hideous but drove well for what it was. The MK2 version looked much better as they deleted the wierd scuttle styling. Fortunately l owned the MK2. The Chrysler l've never driven so would not give an opinion ! Styling is a personal thing, those that bought the PT Cruiser must...
  15. lightning

    Driven: New Defender - On & Off Road. Is it a Pretender?

    The best "new Defender" is the new Suzuki Jimny. Or it would be, if it was 20% larger. The only thing missing is a centre differential so it's only part time 4wd. lt was made the size it is, so it was within the vehicle size limits in Japan. They get it without the plastic wheel arches and...
  16. lightning

    New Member - Defender 90 TD5 2001

    He's not been back since his post above in November 2024. I hope the renovations are going well on his 90.
  17. lightning

    Driving 1700 miles Altrincham to Estepona Spain in 90 2015

    How did the trip go? l missed the thread but was going to suggest you fitted a cruise control.
  18. lightning

    Driven: New Defender - On & Off Road. Is it a Pretender?

    l like the looks of mine from every angle except the front. l thought a larger grille like the old Defender would have looked better. But that's exactly what's been done on the new Octa and l don't like it at all. Let's face it, nothing is going to match the look of the old Defender, not the...
  19. lightning

    Driven: New Defender - On & Off Road. Is it a Pretender?

    Have you actually driven one, to come to this conclusion? l agree that the 90 looks better than the 110, although most buyers round here seem to go for the larger version. Bizarrely the 130 seems to work better than the 110
  20. lightning

    Driven: New Defender - On & Off Road. Is it a Pretender?

    My current thoughts having owned my Defender 90 Commercial for 2 1/2 years are, it's not a Defender. lt's the new Defender. lt's not like the old one, although there's a certain Land Rover "DNA" feel to it when driving it. Certainly with mine, which is the base model 90 Commercial on steel...