Build my own landy - viable?

Y'Alright guys?

Not exactly a landy owner yet but due to financial difficulties (im skint) but wanting a 4x4 to play in, im considering building my own landy from the ground up. I will try to keep it as cheap as possible but i'd like a nice truck and so if nothing else building it would help to spread the cost out over the months.

What i guess i would like to know is of anyone who has chosen to do this, how it went and how it cost?

I have built vehicles in the past but i worry being unfamiliar with the defender that it may cost me a lot more than just buying a truck that is already my spec. Having said this, how much more would a truck cost with all the bits i want?

Ideally i'd like a 90, with a reliable 200-230bhp (diesel) with a galvanised chassis and all the 'off road' toys. To buy from eBay or similar i'm probably looking at £4500+. Reckon i can build one for less if im careful and only buy wisely?

Final question - would it be viable to build it on my driveway, without the use of a 2 post-lift? Or would i have to really look into borrowing some garage space for a couple of days? I see the positioning of the body as being a real pain without a lift - is it possible?

You could go V8 powered and buy my low mileage 3.5 engine and brand new short bellhousing R380

thommilburn said:

Y'Alright guys?

Reckon i can build one for less if im careful and only buy wisely?

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I did that once and was very selective with the parts. I would choose the right bits as and when they appeared on the market, via the various forums/eBay, and then add them to the car when ready.

I completed the build on a very tight budget indeed but it also took me a long time; and I mean a long time.

Some people talk about building ground-up as you'll then know what you're getting but my take on life is to buy a decent package from the outset (where someone else has paid out the dosh), and replace anything that brakes thereafter.

unless you buy everything 2nd hand and v cheap and can do everything yourself you won't be able to do it for a price of a ready built

Dr_evil said:

You could go V8 powered and buy my low mileage 3.5 engine and brand new short bellhousing R380

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:5bspam:

Not the response i was hoping for like!

I do agree, buying a decent package outright would be the best bet but then there is the initial outlay that i can't afford in one go.

It does make me wonder if its even worth considering building one from the ground up then...

So in short, it is possible but difficult to do it viably?

It might be cheaper to buy a project, maybe something that needs a new chassis, then you'll get most of the parts you need in one go.
Someone did build a Series 3 from brand new parts once, but if I remember correctly his dad owned Britpart!

thommilburn said:

Not the response i was hoping for like!

I do agree, buying a decent package outright would be the best bet but then there is the initial outlay that i can't afford in one go.

It does make me wonder if its even worth considering building one from the ground up then...

So in short, it is possible but difficult to do it viably?

Click to expand...

I've done a shed-load of research in the last few weeks in to prices of 90s but I've not seen any stonking bargains that have stopped me in my tracks.

The 3.5 to 4.5 figure will get you something with the goodies you desire (and most that you need too) but it's the condition of said vehicle that will count at the end of the day.

I think it always pays to have a small pool of cash on top of the purchase price for those days when something goes twang

Possible. But could take years if every thing has to be rock bottom price. Then you still have the problem of larger assemblies haveing problems that require replacement parts.

Also, is this offroad only? Otherwise you have a can of worms regarding the vehicle Id.

The cost of the tools and equipment needed would be better spent for a road legal defender. First impression of this thread was and is, once upon a time, and they lived happily ever after.

A mate and I spent a week, many years ago, swapping the chassis on a Series III. That included redoing brake lines, repainting all the panels etc. but we didn't need anything bigger than an engine hoist toolwise.

You'll have a pig of a job to get it road-legal though if you're building from parts

As others have said, buying something cheap that needs serious work then doing the serious work to rebuild it into what you want is probably far more viable.

What's your skillset? Can you weld? Any good with electrics? Know one end of a torque-wrench from the other? Answer those questions and you'll know what you need to look for in a project vehicle. Buy one with flaws you can fix or are not going to worry about and you'll pick it up cheaper.

thommilburn said:

I do agree, buying a decent package outright would be the best bet but then there is the initial outlay that i can't afford in one go.

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start saving, £5k got me mine and I couldn't build it for that even though I have the skills

Untitled by Ste_Nova, on Flickr

thommilburn said:

Y'Alright guys?

Not exactly a landy owner yet but due to financial difficulties (im skint) but wanting a 4x4 to play in, im considering building my own landy from the ground up. I will try to keep it as cheap as possible but i'd like a nice truck and so if nothing else building it would help to spread the cost out over the months.

What i guess i would like to know is of anyone who has chosen to do this, how it went and how it cost?

I have built vehicles in the past but i worry being unfamiliar with the defender that it may cost me a lot more than just buying a truck that is already my spec. Having said this, how much more would a truck cost with all the bits i want?

Ideally i'd like a 90, with a reliable 200-230bhp (diesel) with a galvanised chassis and all the 'off road' toys. To buy from eBay or similar i'm probably looking at £4500+. Reckon i can build one for less if im careful and only buy wisely?

Final question - would it be viable to build it on my driveway, without the use of a 2 post-lift? Or would i have to really look into borrowing some garage space for a couple of days? I see the positioning of the body as being a real pain without a lift - is it possible?

Click to expand...

If you want to build your own custom toy look at mine, she is like nothing on the planet. Trust me. I have built her myself so if you want information, ask away.

Amphermiser said:

If you want to build your own custom toy look at mine, she is like nothing on the planet. Trust me. I have built her myself so if you want information, ask away.

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how much did it cost, how much is it worth?

What something costs to build almost inevitably is greater than what it's worth.

My advise would be to start with a bog stocker that's solid where it matters and go from there. Make one change at a time and you can work out what works and what doesn't FOR YOU.

if you're that skint then surely having an offroad 'toy' is the least of your priorities? whether you build it or buy it.

Well mine I would guess has cost about £10,000 so far. When she is finished, she could be worth £50,000 up. It depends on how much I can do with her, and how many world records I can get.
A standard searover will set you back about £25,000. Yet you can build that for a lot less.
I dont totaly disagree, with MGBGTV8, most of the time they are worth less than you spend, but sometimes, you make something different, and that makes lots.

Huddy - i am skint, the term is surely one of perspective though. I'd sooner have my toys than a home for example (although i own a T4 camper so thats no problem!).

Anyway - you lot offer some very sound advice, and the suggestion that buying one, either stock or rough, and making it my own is somethingi had considered. I suppose i was after a short-cut, or perhaps a means of doing it on the cheap.

I think i'll keep my eyes out for a cheap vehicle, maybe requiring a new engine, or with very rough paint... Something that would put mr.average off.

RE my skill set - i am about to undertake training as a mechanic as my hobby has very much become my career choice. I'm qualified in the outdoor activities industry but im not sure its really for me nowadays with low wages and long hours. I can wrangle a spanner quite well, but admit welding is where i fall short; its a skill i shall learn this coming year due to the need for it in classic vehicle resto.

If anyone is interested, i have rebuilt my VW T4 transporter, implanted a golf mk3 1.9tdi engine, bigger injectors, egr blank, decat etc. Roller painted the whole thing, installed a sunroof, new seats etc. Installed a custom gearbox, uprated the clutch to VR6, different brakes etc etc etc. List is endless!

Thanks for the info though guys i really appreciate it!

To answer your questions:

would it be viable to build it on my driveway, without the use of a 2 post-lift?
Yes I have done mine on my drive without a lift at all.

Or would i have to really look into borrowing some garage space for a couple of days?
It would help as the winters are cold but No you dont need too.

I see the positioning of the body as being a real pain without a lift - is it possible?
Again yes totaly, look at mine and you will see what can be done if you are stubborn enough lol

buy a rolling chassis and go from there