It's become a bit of a project!

Those chrome bulbs are nice, pair ordered
Next up will be a search for clear rear clusters too... off to google I go.

Got them aswel, you can also get chrome/LED ones for them to tidy them up

EDIT: sorry thought you meant these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAIR-Land...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item231261ddef

Dont think they do clear clusters as far as im aware and not too sure how good they would look, could end up looking cheesy?

Your vehicle of course so do whatever you fancy.

I smashed one of mine and put the 200 (pre facelift) ones in as I had a set, I think they look tidier but of course you then lose the orange indicators in the cluster so in theory not quite as safe as the 300 (but good enough for the 200).

The bumper clusters are spot on and look really clean.
We agreed the new colour scheme today (I think), mustard yellow body with black trim, to match the new mods, so for the upper clusters I'll go for a smoked finish.

I wanted smoked, dont think they do them either mate.

Maybe? CAR LIGHT TINT SPRAY SMOKE BLACK REAR FRONT GLASS LENS HEADLIGHT LAMP | eBay

But if so I would recomend that you dont go over the top with it and make them dangerous/illegal/MOT fail.

Bugger, I've started something now. Mrs D likes these:

RDX Rear lamp/lights Land Rover Discovery 1 300Tdi Body lamps only | eBay

RDX do front ones aswel but they are quite pricey:

RDX LED Lamp/light Surrounds with SVX Headlights Land Rover Discovery 300Tdi NEW | eBay

The headlamps are not really my thing but each to their own, They would have to make quite an improvement in light output. Especially at that price.

Heres some pic of a modded Disco with them fitted: http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/pimped-my-disco-208082.html

Personally I think the facelift TD5 would be a better option, but you would have to make sure they self level and the light washers work to make them legal/MOT pass.

Not my cup of tea at all.
I'm liking the original lamps with the new clear indicators.

Strangely un-eventful day today, despite the good weather. Still reluctant to patch the arch if there's a chance I can find a replacement and the starter motor hasn't arrived yet so not much more I can do besides a little cleaning and painting.

Started with the driver's footwell and was initially confused by the presence of water. When I removed the under foam last autumn I left the centre section (about 6inches below the plastic console's rim). I cut it out today because it was STILL holding water in the foam! Bearing in mind it's been off the road for a year that's a hell of an achievement.

Offending foam now removed, floor pan dried, scrubbed and painted with hammerite to kill any further fot from within. Was a little gutted to find a small hole just in front of the seat (easy enough to patch) and when I had a poke around I found another hole just up behind the accelerator pedal anchor. Looks like I'll be putting in a new inner wing at some point, for now though I think it'll just about run through the MOT so going to spend my time & cash on absolutely necessary work like the rear arch.

Now I have 4 old alloys lying around the garden, need to look into rules around disposing of tyres, it's been a while since I had to. Also wondering if it's worth popping the 4x locking nuts and key on fleabay.

Hope the weather holds tomorrow, so I can get in a little welding practice

local council tip round us lets you take 2 tyres per day. so 2 days and they will be gone.

alternatively a scrap yard will give you £5 per alloy with tyre on so take em there and you get £20. that will get you a couple of foot of patching tin

Hadn't thought about a scrap yard, good call

Replacement starter motor arrived today (yay) however in an entirely un-related incident I've managed to crack a rib (boo) so progress this week has ground to a stand-still.

Feck.

First the good news - the ribs have pretty much healed so today I managed to swap out the starter motor.

The bad news is, she still won't turn over so now I'm fearing the worst and wonder if the block has seized in the year it's been parked up

All that happens when I turn the key is "tick-a-tick-a-tick". No graunch of the cylinders trying to turn, just the starter solenoid rattling away.

Now I need to go and find out if there's a way of hand-cranking the block

Big socket on the crank and a breaker bar is your battery holding charge ok? I would try a new battery if you can spare the change!

I'm expecting to have to replace the battery, jumping it off the X3 for now, will see how well it holds a charge when I get the engine running (was ok before but after a year stood up who knows).

From what I can gather I need a 27mm socket, already have the breaker for the wheels. I'm not at all familiar with the layout, am I right in thinking the 300's crank nut is just behind the fan, which I'll need to remove first?

Having searched for a bit about this problem I thought I'd try out something I read so I slackened the fan belt, took a deep breath and tried turning it over...

Amazingly the pistons still move freely along with everything else barring the alternator which was (and still is) rusted tighter than a very tight thing!

So I think that's pretty good news as I was worried the block was seized or flooded and all I need worry about is finding a replacement alternator cuz this one has had it!

Great news (and what an early xmas present) - dropped a new alternator in the old gal last week and the new battery arrived this morning. Clamped on a 1500amp jump starter and VROOM!!

The big red beastie is back in business (that engine block really is bullet proof!)

Now I can get back to tidying up the little problems I know need sorting for the MOT like the rear wheel arch section, new pads all 'round and while I'm at it I'll treat 'er to a full service to help clear 2 years of sitting around out of her system!

Happy days.

Great stuff! Any pics since the barn find one? Lol

Haha! Not just yet. I'll be spending the best part of tomorrow working on her so I'll try to find time for some new pics.

When did you last change the antifreeze in it?

I do mine every 2yrs when I change the brake fluid, the only way these things are really bullet proof is when we look after them.

I had a V8 in RIOJA red, it ws lovelly

dieseldog69 said:

When did you last change the antifreeze in it?

I do mine every 2yrs when I change the brake fluid, the only way these things are really bullet proof is when we look after them.

Click to expand...

That's a fair point and one I've considered so when I replace the filters over the next few days I'll also be replacing the fluids.

Come the new year I'll also look at replacing all but the cam belts. They were all done when I bought the beast (done less than 10k miles since then) but I can see that standing still hasn't been that kind to them so reckon it'll be worth the effort.