I've had both good and bad experiences with rebuilt boxes and they aren't cheap
I recently replaced the lower seals (you can get a lower kit for the 4 bolt stc2848) on a vehicle I look after and last I heard it hadn't leaked and they can be changed with box in situ
Also check on the corners of the heater box under the bonnet ,mine had holes in the corners due to the unique way landrover makes them !
I sealed them up and the heating did improve (slightly!)
If I payed that I'd be scared to drive it as the depreciation would be insane !
If money isn't a problem then buy what you want to drive
Reliability/ driveability of a defender I'd go for a good td5 on a galvanized chassis
Pay £40000 for a low mileage example that you would be unable to drive ?
As you have said once the mileage goes up the price drops rapidly
There just aren't the people spending that sort of cash in toys that there were during lockdown
Have someone turn steering wheel left to right while you look for play in front steering components
My money's on panhard rod bushes ,it takes very little play in bushes to allow front axle to move side to side
For big 4x4s you want a 4 poster (won't be any use for lifting disco body off)
I have the use of a 2 poster and find it quite dodgy for defenders (90s especially) as you can get the legs far enough apart due to the shape of the chassis
Go into any garage that specialises on big 4x4s and you...
Finally got to the bottom of it
After taking the binnacle out to check the wiring and trying new light switches to no avail I took the headlights out to find that both plugs had come off the back of the headlights
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES ? !!!
I've had a stop solenoid go bad so you would have to stall it to stop the engine
Could it just be a coincidence thar she's playing up when the lights are on ?
All depends on extra coatings and usage
Mine has rusted but it wasn't painted and is an everyday vehicle so gets lots of winter conditions thrown at it