ground up build

OK here goes I am going to throw this out there

Is it possible to build a good spec defender starting with a galv chassis from the ground up ,new parts if possible ,refurb when needed ? For 8/10grand

And if so what engine/gearbox would you go for.

In a word, Yes.
But it depends what you class as a 'Good spec'?
I've rebuilt my 90 this year on a galv chassis, I originally built it up using the 200tdi engine and this would be my choice if it was something of standard fitment.
I have since took it back out and fitted a cummins 6bt.

How much can you do yourself? I do everything myself to keep costs down.
Cost wise, It probably cost me £6500 with the tdi fitted. But with the 6bt install I'll probably be at more like 8k when I'm done with the few other extra bits and bobs I've decided to buy.

Good spec to me means galv chassis ,all new running gear where possible
uprated 300tdi or td5 ,plus fitted out for occasional off-road use

The reason I asked is that a four wheel drive specialist I deal with reckons he can build me one on a galv chassis for 8 to 10grand

mickyh said:

Good spec to me means galv chassis ,all new running gear where possible
uprated 300tdi or td5 ,plus fitted out for occasional off-road use

The reason I asked is that a four wheel drive specialist I deal with reckons he can build me one on a galv chassis for 8 to 10grand

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id find out exactly what he proposes for that price, fitting a galv chassis can be quite an easy job if you lift body off in one piece , and lots of "uprated parts "are relatively cheap ,but the difference between a thorough job and a quick blast over with a fresh coat of paint is very large

jamesmartin said:

id find out exactly what he proposes for that price, fitting a galv chassis can be quite an easy job if you lift body off in one piece , and lots of "uprated parts "are relatively cheap ,but the difference between a thorough job and a quick blast over with a fresh coat of paint is very large

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+1 and exactly what I was thinking.

Perhaps you could name this specialist, and we can see if he has a good or bad reputation amongst members. If he is a legitimate business with nothing to hide he should not mind being named.

But as in my previous post, I rebuilt my own 90 this year and if it wasn't replaced it was rebuilt or refurbished.
Cost as I say was about £6500 (including original vehicle) before I did something silly.
But that's doing every last job myself and no labour to pay which can soon add up.

Uprated 300tdi or td5 doesn't really mean anything. How far do you want to go.
Bare in mind something like a vnt turbo is something like £1000.

Fitted out for occasional off-road use? Again this doesn't really mean anything.
They're fitted out for off road use as standard. So what exactly do you want?
Big tyres, lift kit, long travel shocks, lockers, hd shafts, cranked arms etc...
The list is endless.

yes the company is called four wheel motors near earlswood in Birmingham

And this is the full story as far as it goes.

They were doing some work on my series three when I mentioned that I would be in the market for a defender early next year , with a budget of 8 to 10 grand we got discussing the merits of truck cabs, engines etc., when they said why don't you let us build you one .

No spec was mentioned other than a galv chassis as a start .

Which is why I asked the question on the forum

Is it better to buy factory built or can I get a better deal for my money by building one

Several options to think about....

Option 1. If you build one from scratch what ID would you use? As to stick within the law and the rules of the DVLA you need to retain at least 8 points, details of this can be found on the Internet if you search for "inf26.pdf"

Option 2.
Choose in your mind which model and engine type you would most prefer and go and buy the very best example you can possibly afford.

Option 3.
Again once you decide on model and engine type, buy a scruffy donor vehicle and have it rebuilt...

So base vehicle price plus the following...

Rebuild costs can vary wildly however, for a galv chassis, bushes, shocks and springs will be approx £3k-£4k inc parts and labour depending on specification.

A full build including galv chassis, galv bulkhead, galv doors, full paint, rebuilt engine, gearbox and axles can range between £15k to £25k again including parts and labour but depending on specification.

So if you consider you can spend upto £30k on a shiny new TDCI and in the next 10 years there is a chance it will fall into the rotten chassis brigade, a rebuild should last you a damn sight longer for a lot less money.

just buy a good solid one for a lot less and spend the rest of your budget refining it how you want

Mine has cost about £4500 so far and that includes a galv chassis, new suspension, recon transfer box, dual tanks, exhaust, tank guards, all bushes changed, swivels refurbished etc.

Doesn't factor in for a respray or any kit though.

My 300tdi cost £4000 to buy, so I guess it is doable for under £10k. It all depends on what they propose to do for that price.

hmm, if you factor in what people have said so far.

4K for the base motor, 4K for parts, doesnt leave much of the 8-10 for their labour...

I have no ideal on lobour rates, but if you allow £30p/h (which I suspect is stupidly cheap) its only 66 hours to rebuild a vehicle? seems optimistic.

Thanks guys
I think I favour buying one with a good chassis, engine etc. and spending some cash on it [this was my original plan ]

But I will have a chat with the mechanics and see what I would get for my money first

Tonks4x4 said:

So if you consider you can spend upto £30k on a shiny new TDCI and in the next 10 years there is a chance it will fall into the rotten chassis brigade, a rebuild should last you a damn sight longer for a lot less money.

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Or shiny galvanished chassis TD5 or TDi300?

No contest, a Land Rover with a Land Rover engine.