Front grill and light surround replacement advice

Hi guys, I’m thinking to replace my front grille and light surrounds as they are broken and faded - my 90 van is up for sale at the moment and I think it needs tidying up to sell as it looks tatty.
I think they may have been black once upon a time but not sure, it’s from 1989 just want standard looking ones.

Any ideas where to buy? There is a minefield of eBay parts which may be tat!

Cheers

Early one are different to the later one. Bought some Bearmach ones and Genuine one once, Bearmach were better than the Genuine ones!
Paint them satin black?

Here you go ... as good as any and the right price.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325092017017

They look like what I want I have messaged them to see if they will fit as the newer indicator/brake light backs are different I think.

The ones in the pic above are TD5 with the louvers. [ miktdish post ]
Fitted mine with ones from Bearmach, they are ok.

I replaced mine - TD5 louvered style head lamp surrounds and louvered grille - with Series surrounds and a Stage One lookalike grille and have the plastic louvred grille and headlamp surrounds if you want them. A bit faded but pretty sound and not broken, most of the screws too! A spray of black paint would freshen them up for sale. I can post photos of them off the 90 if you want.
£25 the lot plus p&p.

Have you got a pic of what you replaced them with?

Mr G Imp said:

Have you got a pic of what you replaced them with?

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2nd hand Series lamp surrounds off eBay, Stage One style grille Lockwood International https://lockwoodinternational.co.uk/product/land-rover-defender-main-grille-part-no-9051/

Thanks I prefer the look of the mesh, always thought the plastic Louvre thing looks like something off a mini metro.

Mr G Imp said:

Thanks I prefer the look of the mesh, always thought the plastic Louvre thing looks like something off a mini metro.

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I remember when the OneTen/Ninety (pre Defender) came out in 1984 and 1985 and the plastic louvres were not generally liked. Same though for the plastic pseudo-mesh grille on the Series 3 compared to the 1/2/2a!

You say you're selling the 90 so I'd go for the original plastic versions; cheaper (mesh grille about £88) and the Stage One look might not be to everyones' taste. My mesh one is very good, easy to fix without drilling the body, powder coated SS and I think looks good. I cut a bar out near the top as my bonnet latch is manually operated by a lever in the front not a pull cable.

Know exactly what you mean about the plastic grill & surrounds.
Although I wanted a Stage-1 grill (LOVED the Stage-1 front end when it came out all those years ago and I was still a youth ) I opted for the Nakatanenga grill & metal surrounds, look better than standard plastic (in my opinion).

If you are selling then just buy a cheap set or (even cheaper for you), paint your existing ones.

Those mesh ones look great - painting mine isn’t an option it’s a bit beyond that!

In your shoes I would buy the cheapest set on Ebay and change the lenses on the front indicators and side lights. Won't add any value but would give you a better chance of selling it.

Looking at the prices of Land Rovers for sale, it seems that the more expensive or collectable ones are those that look as original as possible and haven't been plastered in aftermarket accessories and 'upgrades'. So I'd just buy the standard looking set off Ebay. That way it looks fresher and is likely to attract the widest range of prospective buyers.

I use valetting gel on mine (87, 90), very quick and dead cheap way of getting back to black. You could also use black boot polish, even cheaper! Tcut on side/indicator lenses good for a quick shine. (Take off, give a wash inside and out, tcut outside)

I’ve got a better unbroken grille if you want it. Your headlamp surrounds look ok but a bit of black paint will tart them up.

@Mr G Imp
TBH I have looked at your for sale add and as much as it maybe a solid mechanical truck just tarting up the face will not make much difference to the rest of the patina yours has.
Give it a wash and a wipe over on the plastics with "back to black" or similar then take pics.

This is not meant in a bad way .


J

marjon said:

@Mr G Imp
TBH I have looked at your for sale add and as much as it maybe a solid mechanical truck just tarting up the face will not make much difference to the rest of the patina yours has.
Give it a wash and a wipe over on the plastics with "back to black" or similar then take pics.

This is not meant in a bad way .


J

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Lol thanks I totally get it, I was going to paint the bodywork as well but luckily someone who was looking for a solid truck with patina (at the right price) came along and took it away last night so all good !

Thanks for all the advice and offers to help, but I sold it now so the old beast is going for new adventures

Is it staying local? I‘ve been keeping an eye out for it…