90 Restoration - ideal start?

Karls · Aug 7, 2013

I'm new to the forum (introduced myself in the new section yesterday) and want to restore a 90 Defender with my 12 yr old son; it will be his to own afterwards and will learn to drive in it etc.

I have seen a decent looking chassis for sale and seeing as that seems to be one of the worst places for rot, I wondered whether it makes sense to get the chassis, rub it down, galvanise or 2 pack paint it and build up from there or, get a knackered/semi-knackered vehicle and hope for the best on the chassis and do local repairs to it if it's not too far gone?

The chassis I'm looking at isn't rolling.

Any helpful advice very welcome!

timtheenchanteruk · Aug 7, 2013

personally, If your looking at buying just a chassis, its not really a resto, its a build.

I'd be looking for a vehicle that currently runs, then strip and rebuild, that way you will have most of the parts you need, and replace/repair form there, if you build with new parts, its not an old defender, its just new bits on an old frame, part of the charm is the history.

If you find one with a decent chassis (good luck with that) get it repaired, dipped and galved. or if its really too gone, a new galv chassis.

does the chassis you are looking at even have an ID, if not AFAIK you cannot use it as a base for another vehicle, or at the very least it will have to go through a IVA

Karls · Aug 7, 2013

timtheenchanteruk said:
personally, If your looking at buying just a chassis, its not really a resto, its a build.

I'd be looking for a vehicle that currently runs, then strip and rebuild, that way you will have most of the parts you need, and replace/repair form there, if you build with new parts, its not an old defender, its just new bits on an old frame, part of the charm is the history.

If you find one with a decent chassis (good luck with that) get it repaired, dipped and galved. or if its really too gone, a new galv chassis.

does the chassis you are looking at even have an ID, if not AFAIK you cannot use it as a base for another vehicle, or at the very least it will have to go through a IVA

Thanks for your comments.

You're right, it makes a lot of sense to go for a running vehicle. The chassis I was looking at doesn't have an ID so I think that will just give me extra headaches as you say.

It's just finding the vehicle at a sensible price is the problem.

I spoke to Liveridge who were very helpful and suggested I go for a 200 tdi or 300 tdi. Just need to find one!

timtheenchanteruk · Aug 7, 2013

Karls said:
The chassis I was looking at doesn't have an ID

Then run away

Karls said:
I spoke to Liveridge who were very helpful and suggested I go for a 200 tdi or 300 tdi. Just need to find one!

200/300 may not even need "restoring" I thought you meant an early defender, 2.5D maybe TD

either of those is good, plenty around needing attention, depend son your budget, and what body you want, a van body is cheaper. plenty out there with a decent chassis that age, be aware at the cheaper end it either looks good on top, ****e underneath, or vice versa.

Jamespepperpot · Aug 8, 2013

I always describe mine as 'Pretty on the skin, ugly from within'

90 Restoration - ideal start?

Karls

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timtheenchanteruk

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Karls

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timtheenchanteruk

Well-Known Member

Jamespepperpot

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