My new (old) Defender .. ;)

So, I bought a Defender 2.5 TD 1989 for around 2k and thought I ought to introduce it here.

171000 on the clock and although the chassis looks rusty, it’s all surface rust, where all the underseal has fallen off! Loads of new (ish) bits on it, like the roof, bumper, cross member and all the springs! Loads of chequer plate, not sure about that but it’ll stay on for now. It’s also been quite well looked after, everything feels good, drives extremely well and in general it’s in reasonable, and reasonably straight, original, condition. OK, there’s a few scabby bits, body straps, nearside bulkhead/door post, and all the door hinges! In the last 10 years it’s done less than 10k, last year alone it only did 1,500 miles, so although it’s been a farm vehicle I don’t think it’s been abused at all.

So, this (hopefully) shows what it’s like warts and all, as of this morning … I’ve taken the spare wheel off the door, it might go back on though and I’m currently swapping suspension, wheels, possibly seats, and adding stuff, cb, winch, and giving it a full service including timing, power steering and alternator belts and all fluids including brake/clutch fluids. I’m also looking to fit the old Disco rear dickie seats into the 90 for when (if) the kids wanna come with us!

Oh, the fitted cd/radio works, as do the speakers, and it has an aux input so all’s good on the moosick front too ..

So it’ll be ready for the Lakes soon .. and I’ve not run it offroad as standard yet, so I never (probably) will do ..

It’s possible that the rear towbar is coming off so I can fit my removable tow/recovery hitch, but not sure yet, we’ll see how it looks for ground clearance when the suspension and tyres are on. If anyone wants a movable towbar, pm me an offer ..

looking good paul just nead to make it your own now..have fun

So the start of project ‘Get the Defender looking a bit more off-road ish’ ..

Good and bad start ..

Nearside rear went well, with only a few issues, like getting the trailing arm front bushes and bolts out of the Defender!! The trailing arm is now in about 24 pieces ...

From this ..



To this ..





Then the bad ..

Offside went straight to this …



So with no spring mount on the axle the only thing to do, I reckon, is bring forward the great Disco/Defender axle swap. Which means tonight I is mostly dropping the Disco axle off .. at least the bolts are all either new or have been replaced today!! Gonna take a good look at the A-arm bushes too .. looks like the Disco might be better on that score too!

Never easy is it?

defender11069 said:

looking good paul just nead to make it your own now..have fun

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Cheers mate, just started ...

Looking forward to this.

Good luck with the build.

no mate never easy but thats a fender for you but looks like the disco coming in handy..

Nice

Had to pack in, pitch black outside, with rain and wind, it's getting dangerous! Got everything off the Disco axle now except the A-frame and prop.

Dunno how I'm gonna move it round, but I guess if I weld a YRM (whoever) spring mount onto the Defender axle and slap it on the Disco it'll do .. drum brakes anorl!!

'course, when that's all done I'll have to give the front a serious think, probably just use the Disco front too so I have 24 spline stuff allround, which also means I have some spares too. Dunno if the front will get done for Lakes, be enough to just get it suspended properly ..

Looks good Paul. Good luck with the build.

Cheers Aaron. Just seen your new build, looks ace!

Mine's not really a rebuild, more a bolt it all on quickly for a weekend away and fettle other stuff as it happens ..

Paul D said:

Cheers Aaron. Just seen your new build, looks ace!

Mine's not really a rebuild, more a bolt it all on quickly for a weekend away and fettle other stuff as it happens ..

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Cheers . Sounds like you're going to be doing a fair few modifications to her. Good look with it anyway. As I see you've run in to your first problem.

Oh and I've just thought, I've got an old axle casing if you want a spring mount. To save you buying one from yrm or the like.

Looking good Paul. Shame about the disco but at least most of it will live on.

Looking forward to the next installments

aaronmorris said:

Cheers . Sounds like you're going to be doing a fair few modifications to her. Good look with it anyway. As I see you've run in to your first problem.

Oh and I've just thought, I've got an old axle casing if you want a spring mount. To save you buying one from yrm or the like.

Click to expand...

I'll bear that in mind when I get to it, but I think I'll do it properly and refurb the whole axle casing with all new mounts, if it needs it. Don't think it will, but if one's gone, the other's likely to follow soon, I reckon.

So worked on swapping the Disco back axle onto the Defender .. Bit of a bitch of a job, and had to cut the brake pipe on the Defender, but all’s good now.

Still need to tighten all bolts and nuts up, replace the brake pipe and fittings but I intended to replace all fluids so that’s gonna get brought forward.

Gotta say without the help of TopCat it wouldn’t have been done as quick, cheers mate.

Couple of quick shots in the dark, that’s some droop!!

looking good paul.. that's some drop:clap2::clap2::clap2:

its getting there now Paul, the front axle will be easier

Couldn't get out yesterday, pouring with rain and freezing. Had a short time but very quickly been forced in .. too much rain to carry on .. only got the trailing arms tightened up!

Still need to tighten and add a split pin to the A-frame joint, attach the prop, make a brake pipe up, connect it, bleed the system and add wheels before the rear's done, and the prop sliding joint looks tight, so will be looking to the Disco front prop to see how close in length they are.

Then start on the front end ...

Cool looks good chap!

Ed

Got the rear prop back on, all the parts tightened (torqued) properly, wheels back on and brake pipe made up, which now just needs feeding through and connecting up, but rain stopped play ... yet again!!

Also put a new striker plate and screws on the drivers side so that although the door hinges are toast, at least if you slam or lift the door it _will_ close .. New Hinges ready to go on, but no time to do that today and it's not as necessary as other stuff.

Thanks for the offer Mark, but I don't have transport to get there to make 'em up!!

Paul looks good mate!

I would definitely address the bit rust on the bulkhead as a priority as once that starts to rot it becomes rapidly worse.