1st Defender 90 bought!!

Email Sent to a mate after just...

It's here...just been crawling around and under it.....checking stuff works or not...

It's actually better than I thought...

PLUS POINTS:-

Chassis has had 2 patches that I can see and looks good so no rush but will treat/protect it.....MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the disco I had...

Pulls like a train in all gears (I drove it back) and although it’s a 30yr old Defender which are an experience to drive anyway...it drives well...no smoke at all according to Karen in blue Jag behind and I booted it a few times...only little bit when 1st start it up....so the bullet proof 200tdi so far is living up to its name....and its very clean under the bonnet but does not look like "it's just been cleaned"



It's not as big as you think....left arm room to door...expect them to be same size as Disco inside but not...even tho chassis same....



Bad points...most I was already aware of...

Transfer box leaky always are and the Disco was...just check um once every few months as only drip drip...

Came close to damaging new garage door!! There's a spiny vent effort on the roof (Ex MOD left over I guess) which did stand tall and caught the door...angle grinder!! Will sort summat out when I paint it...not sure how or what with yet...has currently paint pot sized hole there now as the spiny thing off LOL

Paint Job I knew about...and a few dents on bonnet I'd not spotted...

No Spare wheel....

One of the wheel flared arches is broke and bad repair, but all are ****e... would be replacing anyway when painted coz they are all naff and would spoil over all look of it.. not expensive either.

Problem with lights.....and fuel gauge...so a few electrical issues...but as you know...doddle for me and a test meter!!

Again will be replacing all the external lights bar head lights (maybe)anyway again to complement the fresh paint etc...

Drivers door dropped and gap when closed passenger one much better fit....could replace the doors with later ones as the ones on it are the sort after lift handle ones...old style and in reasonable condition. Guy advised me not to and try to keep them on...well see, they'll be staying on for now for sure....



So to sum up..I'd say over all 30% better than I thought it would be....

It's actually better than I thought...

PLUS POINTS:-

Chassis has had only 2 patches that I can see and looks good so no rush now but will treat/protect it.....MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the disco I had...

Pulls like a train in all gears (I drove it back) and although it’s a 30yr old Defender which are an experience to drive anyway...it drives well...no smoke at all according to Wife follwing behind and I booted it a few times...only little bit when 1st start it up....so the bullet proof 200tdi (Only have 300TDI and V8s) so far is living up to its name....and its very clean under the bonnet but does not look like "it's just been cleaned" for selling....

It's not as big as I thought....left arm room to door...expect them to be same size as Disco inside but not...even tho chassis same....I thought?

Bad points...most I was already aware of...

Transfer box leaky, always are and the Disco's were...just check um once every few months as only drip drip...

Came close to damaging new garage door!! There's a spiny vent effort on the roof (Ex MOD left over I guess) which did stand tall and caught the door...angle grinder!! Will sort summat out when I paint it...not sure how or what with yet...has currently paint pot sized hole there now as the spiny thing off LOL
Paint Job I knew about...and a few dents on bonnet I'd not spotted...one quite big..again plan on having paint left over so will get a new bonnet in the future if I can't get it to where am happy as is fixing...

No Spare wheel....so will be on hunt for a Modular rim and tyre to match...

One of the wheel flared arches is broke and had bad repair, but all are ****e with all the over paint on them as well... would be replacing anyway when painted coz they are all naff and would spoil the over all look of it.. not expensive either thankfully.

Problem with lights.....and fuel gauge...so a few electrical issues...but as you know...doddle for me and a test meter!! Seems the previous owner spent money on good stuff and had no clue on fitting other that seats. It got one of those leather dash trim covers. Looks nice passanger side but right mess drivers....so gotta come off....so wonder whats its hiding....gotta sort dash electrics out anyway too...

Again will be replacing all the external lights bar head lights (maybe them too) anyway again to complement the fresh paint etc...

Drivers door dropped and gap when closed passenger one much better fit....could replace the doors with later ones as the ones on it are the sort after lift handle ones...old style and in reasonable condition but guy I got it off advised me not to and try to keep them on...well see, they'll be staying on for now for sure....hidges look like they will be a pain to get off....so any tips drill out what I found so far...

So to sum up..I'd say over all 30% better than I thought it would be....for a close to 30 year old beast.....

Thanks for the RUSH of replies...LOL its 48 spline...Boss and new steering wheel orders....along with many many other parts:-
I've started to strip it down ready for paint....tell you waht some folk...just one e.g. the wing top checker plate was over the top of two rubber gromets (guess ex MOD left overs again)...its like 2 secs to remove them...
Removed the floss usint (winch on front) and while under the engine noticed a wierd GREY colour box wedged and very close to the exhaust down pipe...seems or looks electric but then looks like a water pipe going in it?
any ideas....?

Rossy said:

Thanks for the RUSH of replies...LOL its 48 spline...Boss and new steering wheel orders....along with many many other parts:-
I've started to strip it down ready for paint....tell you waht some folk...just one e.g. the wing top checker plate was over the top of two rubber gromets (guess ex MOD left overs again)...its like 2 secs to remove them...
Removed the floss usint (winch on front) and while under the engine noticed a wierd GREY colour box wedged and very close to the exhaust down pipe...seems or looks electric but then looks like a water pipe going in it?
any ideas....?

Click to expand...

Get a picture up, it might be a pre heater or just someone's bodge job

Thanks Marmaduke, you're not the only one to say pre heater but whatever it is is not secured...but got a haynes manwell now...so at least I can look in the right location....
Also PS Pump leaking like a u no....seen someone recon one on here but for £130+vat or so may just get one already done....if its not just the connectors...works so will leave for now as LOTS and LOTS of sanding to do.
PLEASE NOTE the paint job is not going to be concorse I know this...but should be 200% better than it is..still amazed at the condition....compaired to Discos I had that where a lot newer...!

Right...not going to sand itselve....taken pics of progress on our old Digi Cam...will upload some.

My god theres a lot of paint...

This is the thing near the exhaust (looking up at the turbo down pipe...what is it?


More importantly how do I get to it to secure it to whatever it should be bolted too???

Rossy said:

This is the thing near the exhaust (looking up at the turbo down pipe...what is it?

More importantly how do I get to it to secure it to whatever it should be bolted too???

Click to expand...

Can't really tell what it is from that picture, what wires or pipes are connected to it cos you might be better removing it than securing it

two pipe that I can see.,...its very tight down and up there....but come from the BLACK box top right as look at engine...has a cable on top....so guess suttat to do with heater..
Can't take any better Pics as thats all I can see....but its loose and whatever it is sould not be resting on the exhaust and starter motor!!!

Is there any water pipe work going to the engine block or heater matrix? is there anyway you could secure it to the inner wing?

Hope so but as can see....busy sanding....just wanted to know what it is....will prob after take intake pipes etc to get to it...maybe even exhaust....it will have to wait!

Kenlowe mains powered block heater, quite an old one by the looks of it.
There will be a plug/socket on the front of the car somewhere.

There is a round plug at front, so two questions answered by that Man!
Thanks so much....now....how the hell do I get to it to secure it?
Where should it be bolted?
Does the inner wing unbolt...?

Thanks Lynall!!!!

Is this where it should be...coz its miles away LOL

Can I make mains lead up....may come in handy if it works.....

It will work basically its a kettle with its own pump.
If you cant get a plug to make a lead any 13amp water proof plug and socket will do the trick, caravan one etc.

Thought so, more bothered at mo of securing it...being that its wedged on exhaust and starter...not goood...

@Rossy Have a read of this, then ask @Cranium where and how he's going to put and secure his

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/fitting-an-engine-preheater.307583/

Marmaduke said:

@Rossy Have a read of this, then ask @Cranium where and how he's going to put and secure his

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/fitting-an-engine-preheater.307583/

Click to expand...

I'm putting mine in the heater matrix pipes and mounting the preheater slightly lower than the expansion tank to ensure it always has coolant in it.

The HotFrog has a bracket so I'll mount it somewhere on the bulkhead with a bolt.

When I emailed the company for advice they posted this link to a video.