Comprehensive guide to restoring a Defender?

UlstermanAbroad · Oct 29, 2018

Hi Guys
I'm about to start a limited restoration of a Defender to see if my Landy bug survives the experience.
Been Googling and trawling YouTube and have come across a very wide range of information.
Is there a go-to guide that I can buy, that covers every aspect of restoration?

Cheers guys

Bobsticle · Oct 30, 2018

Each aspect of a restoration is individual so if there was it would be a massive book.
I find the take a hammer to it approach works in most cases. If you can’t destroy it, nail it back on. If it falls to bits nail a new one on.

neilly · Oct 30, 2018

Haynes do a restoration guide, but as to how good it is I have no idea.

Cheers

raywin · Oct 30, 2018

Blimey a guide to restoring a defender would need a pick up truck to deliver it.
You can find some great restore information on this site, some of them are so good they should be put into print to help others, the pictures can be a big help with finding areas which are prone to problems, there are engine 're builds, gear box and axle strip downs to name just a few.
Why not spend a bit of time and print out selections you find usefully, laminate them for protection and put them in a folder.
Builds into an invaluable guide to your defender project.
And if the job puts you in Rampton you will have something to read between licking the windows, and posting on here.

raywin · Oct 30, 2018

By the way here is a good start for you:
https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/power-tools/draper-820w-115mm-angle-grinder-230v

UlstermanAbroad · Oct 30, 2018

Thanks guys. I get what you're saying about such a guide ending up rather large, but given the relative mechanical
simplicity of these vehicles, I hoped there'd be something like this out there.
I've read reviews of this Haynes guide and they weren't positive at all.
I'd been coming to the conclusion that I'd end up using a combination of YouTube vids and forum/blog posts,
which is okay. As you said Ray, some of these are so good they should be put into print.
Serious question. Can anyone list essential tools I need to get started .
I have the use of a big dry shed, but no lift. This isn't an engine out job.
I have no relevant skills and the purpose of this project is to learn them on a relatively simple vehicle.
Mechanicals all appear very sound, including the engine.
I estimate it'll be all panels off, tub off, repaint everything. Smarten up cab.
Add canvas hood to tub. Possibly sand/other blast chassis, inspect and reseal.
There is a possibility that I can borrow a set of tools for the project, but still, I don’t know
what I'm looking for.
Thanks guys.

Turboman · Oct 30, 2018

UlstermanAbroad said:
Thanks guys. I get what you're saying about such a guide ending up rather large, but given the relative mechanical
simplicity of these vehicles, I hoped there'd be something like this out there.
I've read reviews of this Haynes guide and they weren't positive at all.
I'd been coming to the conclusion that I'd end up using a combination of YouTube vids and forum/blog posts,
which is okay. As you said Ray, some of these are so good they should be put into print.
Serious question. Can anyone list essential tools I need to get started .
I have the use of a big dry shed, but no lift. This isn't an engine out job.
I have no relevant skills and the purpose of this project is to learn them on a relatively simple vehicle.
Mechanicals all appear very sound, including the engine.
I estimate it'll be all panels off, tub off, repaint everything. Smarten up cab.
Add canvas hood to tub. Possibly sand/other blast chassis, inspect and reseal.
There is a possibility that I can borrow a set of tools for the project, but still, I don’t know
what I'm looking for.
Thanks guys.

If you have basic mechanical skills, and are good at prep and painting, and generally a tidy worker, you shouldn't have much difficulty making a better Landrover than the factory did!

You just need a basic toolkit, quality metric sockets and spanners, a few pairs of pliers, screwdrivers, mole grips, and a big hammer.
A few sharp cold chisels and a small grinder are useful for getting things apart in the first place.

Dippypud · Oct 30, 2018

Turboman said:
If you have basic mechanical skills, and are good at prep and painting, and generally a tidy worker, you shouldn't have much difficulty making a better Landrover than the factory did!

You just need a basic toolkit, quality metric sockets and spanners, a few pairs of pliers, screwdrivers, mole grips, and a big hammer.
A few sharp cold chisels and a small grinder are useful for getting things apart in the first place.

And a durdy great welder .......................

My Old Landy · Oct 30, 2018

Remember, if you poke at a little bubble of rust, be prepared to weld up a large hole later lol

Turboman · Oct 30, 2018

Dippypud said:
And a durdy great welder .......................

I was trying to break him in gently!

Hicap phill · Oct 30, 2018

Lots of clear bags & a small marker pen. also Write on a piece of paper & put in the bag. List the parts removed.
Photos help.
Be methodical as to how you remove things & put these back in the correct order.
Don't worry about grinding a bolt off you can replace all these on rebuild
Good luck

Dippypud · Oct 30, 2018

Get a camera or use yer phone take lots of pics as it comes apart, cos in three months you will not remember where a thing goes, let alone which way round ...

raywin · Oct 30, 2018

Saw that the 200 piece toolkit is back to £185 it was £150 recently and probably will be again.
Good all round kit.
Get a pop rivet gun
I bought some strong axle stands, need to stay safe.

UlstermanAbroad · Oct 30, 2018

Thanks guys.
The first sheet in my binder, will have all of the above on it.
Appreciate everyone who took the trouble to help.

resto_d1 · Oct 30, 2018

UlstermanAbroad said:
Thanks guys.
The first sheet in my binder, will have all of the above on it.
Appreciate everyone who took the trouble to help.

In addition to all above mentioned with labelling pics etc, any wiring you take apart, use white insulation tape and label up with a fineline Sharpie and it won't pick up dirt or pull off like masking tape will. Don't buy cheap tatty tools - you'll just buy twice. Read through the build threads for rust prevention and decent coatings. Search function will reveal all. Also, land rover tool box videos on YouTube will be really useful

resto_d1 · Oct 30, 2018

Breaker bar, pry bar, grease gun impact sockets (included in aforementioned but sealey do a good set for fair price) and a knotted wire wheel to go with your grinder. Look after your eyes and ears too.

My Old Landy · Oct 31, 2018

Halfords Advanced 1/2 inch drive metric socket set in a tray is £45 (I just bought one to leave in my 90) are good value with lifetime guarantee!! Sockets up to 34mm

Comprehensive guide to restoring a Defender?

UlstermanAbroad

Active Member

Bobsticle

De Villes Advocaat

neilly

Well-Known Member

raywin

Well-Known Member

raywin

Well-Known Member

UlstermanAbroad

Active Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Dippypud

Never Knowingly Understood

My Old Landy

Keep breathin'

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Hicap phill

Well-Known Member

Dippypud

Never Knowingly Understood

raywin

Well-Known Member

UlstermanAbroad

Active Member

resto_d1

Well-Known Member

resto_d1

Well-Known Member

My Old Landy

Keep breathin'

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