1st Defender 90 bought!!

Well after 4 Discos I just bought my 1st 90 1987 ex MOD and reg 1993 E Reg.
To say it needs a paint is an understatement!!! it must be 1/2 mm thick!!
Interior is all new and just needs tidying up...seats are leather and less than 4 months old.
So will be sorting the exterior right away before it hits the road.....

Needs rear side windows and maybe fit the roof ones too....bet it takes me months just to get it ready for paint..

I would seriously avoid fitting any glass into any land rover roof at all.

Funny, you know which ones I mean...the ones above the rear side windows...unless you mean for LEAKING reasons....???

Rossy said:

Funny, you know which ones I mean...the ones above the rear side windows...unless you mean for LEAKING reasons....???

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Mine don't leak and I fitted mine myself

Alpine and sliding ones

Looks much better with them in I think...

The sliding ones are nice in the summer and make it much safer for pulling out of junctions. I like the look of the alpine ones, fitting them was a bit cheeky though

These are what I call roof windows...are they the alpine ones...remember I'm new to Defenders and refered to them as roof windows on the Discos I had...

Rossy said:

These are what I call roof windows...are they the alpine ones...remember I'm new to Defenders and refered to them as roof windows on the Discos I had...

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Yes pal if they are the type you want Google alpine windows, you might even pick a pair up from eBay

Yes, they are alpine's.
I've recently replaced all seals on my alpine and sliding windows. Also, refurbished the sliding window felts. My currently don't leak (touch wood, cos their first winter is just getting in to gear here)
Lynall has a point though, if you cut a hole in your Landy then it's a point where water can get in. If not immediately then ..........

This is her...as can see quite rough but strieght exterior...nice inside tho...what a two tone look similar the the other two pics....what I'm going to aim for anyway....


Will looking to get it close to this...over time...

maybe differant colour combo....black orange maybe...in fact this one is what sparked the love.....well the look I wanted and is one the guy I bought mine off had sold in the past...(trader)



I'd like all 4 Windows rear Side and the Alpines....and what better time to do it than when getting ready for paint....11am and can't wait to start on it..

welcome to the real Land Rover ownership club. What ever you do to your 90 will only increase its value and enjoyment. Some how leaks in a Defender don't seem so important. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.

Just to be clear. I wouldn't be without my windows! When I bought mine I spent months looking for a good CSW. But, you have to be prepared for the fact that water may come in. Especially the sliding ones.

Your 90 looks great. The side windows would take out a dint or two anyway
Those seats look very comfortable. Are they heated?

All very well having a nice paint job. I had mine resprayed, now I'm frighten to take it into the forest or down tracks with a heavy undergrowth in fear of scratching the paintwork. And every mark shows. Whereas before I never notice them.

Looks nice as it is. My sliding ones were from Masai in Lichfield

I'd be happy with plain glass...like said...less things to leak the better and will replace the rubbers with new obviously.
Are doors interchangable? Only ask for security, the doors on it and in handles and locks look very 80's because they are 80s...but also look like they'd open with a screwdriver flat blade?? LOL
Will be having after market central locking at some point I hope and decent alarm...coz its gonna be worth millions.....jokin aside....want to protect it too...but will have to keep a close eye on my budget...
To be honest, with mine it will not be going green laneing or off roading....it will defo see snow tho...may even lower it rather than lift kit...yeh yeh I know its a off road truck and a very capeable one at that..but I just love the shape and loooks when done up.
That and as already said...I'm hopeing the no doubt £1000s I'll spend on it are not lost as they do seem to hold their value.....
Like any new perchase, I'm excited and also weary, hope its a good un and worth the investments planned.....but I kid you not...I'm not looking forward one bit to the Prep requied for the paint job.
It will all be done by me so maynot be show winning...but will be more than happy with a nice streight (as they can be) shiney job.
I'm wandering if paint stripper maybe the way coz even with electrric sanders...looks daunting...not shure what I could use on Aluminuim? (Its like realy thick..maybe been hand painted in past)
Thoughts??

Al2O3 said:

Just to be clear. I wouldn't be without my windows! When I bought mine I spent months looking for a good CSW. But, you have to be prepared for the fact that water may come in. Especially the sliding ones.

Your 90 looks great. The side windows would take out a dint or two anyway
Those seats look very comfortable. Are they heated?

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To be honest, the very crap paint just makes it look like ther is some "dents" but its very strieght....there is no dents were you thing there is in the photo...its been mat black airosoled...so casts lots of shadows..dont get me wrong its not perfect, but I'm hoping bar the paint job its one of the streightest I've seen for its age. Does look like a dent on the wing were the wing indicators is, so when I viewed it I check and theres no dent for example!
My worrie is the thick paint maybe hiding them or worse...but its gotta come off....and if there are issues I'll just have to deal with as best I can.
Site been a good help on the Discos...and vice versa I'd like to think.....so sould be ok...I've not even broody driven it and was hemmed in by loads of other Defenders...did hear it run tho and sounded very very sweet and no smoke on start up.
With what I've paid and the time of year (Snow due tomorrow here in Bolton) I think I've done ok to the point that I could still sell and get my Money back...it got 12 months moty so what could be wrong...right???
No doubt tell you more after 11 am tomoz when it in my Garage!!!

Personally I'd go and have gone tracker route over central locking. No Defender is totally secure no matter how good the door locks are and before you start throwing money at it I'd prioritise security above all other things. I like the winch, that cable looks like something Janet Street Porter would floss with

The winch looks way to small for recovery work?

Wave a cig lighter over all them tufty bits on the seat belts to tidy them up, they get caught in the door catch, typical defender shti idea.

Are all steering fitments the same? I fitted a small MG/ROVER steering wheel to my Disco gives more room for my GUT getting in and out.....still have it and same if not worse on Defender due to those lovley new seats.
I know there are plenty of other aftermarket Jobbies....