hello from Providenciales, TCI

I live in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Just south of the Bahamas. We have two 2005 Defenders, a ragtop 90 and a 110. Both have the turbo diesels, manual trannys. I have been doing all my own maintenance on them, and it's time consuming. I just replaced my second clutch master cylinder, and my first slave cylinder. I have fabricated air cleaner shock mounts from Croc shoe plastic. I have dismantled and cleaned out propshaft brake drums three times, with another one on the way. I have replaced the u-joints in both vehicles already. The 90 has been through three radios. I didn't bother replacing the last one. The 110 is on it's third radio now. I am trying a Sony Marine version. So far, it's working.
keep in mind, these are only '05's. I am sad to see them go, but I doubt they will make another two years. the 90 has 25k miles on it, and the 110 has around 30K. they are just not up to the high salt, tropical environment. Too much exposed steel. The alloy bodies hold up, but unfortunately they are fastened together with steel.

I do have some definite ideas about how to make our next vehicle last longer in this environment, but its just too hard to get parts for Defenders here. Ironic that in the British West Indies, I can't get parts for a British Defender. Toyota, Jeep, Ford parts.....I can get easily from the US.

Anyhow, enough about me. If you wanted to read more and see a bunch of tropcial photos and stuff like that I have a blog going on what it's like for a couple expats living on a small tropical island. Otherwise, I won't bother people with it. It's not commercial.

Welcome to this island of insanity and information. It was 17 degrees at my house this morning. I'm jealous of your island and your defender.

Now I'm feeling badly. I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

2gringos said:

keep in mind, these are only '05's. I am sad to see them go, but I doubt they will make another two years. the 90 has 25k miles on it, and the 110 has around 30K. they are just not up to the high salt, tropical environment. Too much exposed steel. The alloy bodies hold up, but unfortunately they are fastened together with steel.

Click to expand...

:welcome2:. I think the problem you have with
exposed steel on a Land Rover can only be exacerbated should you change to a vehicle which also has a steel body. In the light of the environment you describe then whatever vehicle you buy you should consider additional rust protection at the outset and budget for regular re-applications. At least with a Land Rover you won't need to worry as much about the body.

I have an '04 110 with the first 30,000 miles spent in Mediterranean and North African climates. No salt, but an awful lot of abrasive sand. However it has survived well because extra maintenance militated against
potential damage from the environment. As for the salt, you say you're an ex-pat, then you must remember how many thousands of tons we throw on our roads every year.

Again, welcome to the mad house. Ignore the abrasive brickbats and you won't find a more knowledgeable (and perversely) friendly forum.