LR90 1986 county rebuild - From Rusty to Rumble

So a couple of weeks ago I bought a LR90 1986 county.

My plan is a complete rebuild! It's not in a pretty state as you can see. We had to trailer it back home

I'm trying to find a barn or shed somewhere in cheshire so I can strip her down completely to really assess what I need to do! In the meanwhile Im assessing what I can do for now. The first thing I did was to clean out the back. It was full of junk and some random interior trim. Don't think that its original but Ill take all the parts I can get.

Unfortunately the door lock is completely jammed.

It's seen better days.

So I got inside and cleaned her out

I though that I would try and sort out the doors first because I haven't got the space for to strip it down the chassis. Found that the glass I was missing in the passenger side door had just slipped down into the frame

Hex bolts were so rusted they were a nightmare to get off. I tried heating them but I ended up rounding some of them because they were so knackered. Luckily the door frames were so rusted I could get the dremel in and cut off the nuts.

So this is what I've got to work with (drivers side door)

My passenger side door Is completely bent


so I managed to get hold of a cheap one. I tore it down to see what I bought




So both doors need a lot of work and I had planned on welding in plates myself. I want to get them rust free, galvanise them, prime them, paint them, wax oil them in an attempt to prevent future rot issues.

After a week of contemplation, my dad found a company in york that will weld them up (to a better standard than I could dream of) and galvanise them. So I might go down that route...

Good to see one being brought back to life....the very best of luck....keep sending the photos :clap2:

Looking at that the doors are the least of your worries. You need to be stripping that right down.

nobber said:

Looking at that the doors are the least of your worries. You need to be stripping that right down.

Click to expand...

As soon as I find a place to do the stop down I'm getting a new chassis and bulkhead! I'll replace and refurb anything that needs it just doing the doors for now unti I can actually do the rest. Itching to get fully into it..

Wow that's a fair bit of work you have on your hands
Good luck with it

What the chuff is that?


It looks like a load of melted white plastic or Stevie Wonders first attempt at filling and painting, are the vents still under there?

Any way cut to the chase, how much did it cost you?

Marmaduke said:

What the chuff is that?


It looks like a load of melted white plastic or Stevie Wonders first attempt at filling and painting, are the vents still under there?

Click to expand...

Fibreglass! It's covering a very rotten bulkhead. The vents are still under there. I'll post pictures as soon as I cut off the fibreglass

Come on then how much?

Chesc said:

Hex bolts were so rusted they were a nightmare to get off. I tried heating them but I ended up rounding some of them because they were so knackered. Luckily the door frames were so rusted I could get the dremel in and cut off the nuts.

Click to expand...

If you haven't already got a list of tools to buy may I recommend these for rusted nuts

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/5-piece-bolt-grip-set

They'll even work with an impact gun

Marmaduke said:

If you haven't already got a list of tools to buy may I recommend these for rusted nuts

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/5-piece-bolt-grip-set

They'll even work with an impact gun

Click to expand...

+1. Well worth the money.
And that bulkhead I can't even begin to describe what I think.

Marmaduke said:

If you haven't already got a list of tools to buy may I recommend these for rusted nuts

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/5-piece-bolt-grip-set

They'll even work with an impact gun

Click to expand...

I bought these after I got the doors off hahaha. I thought that Id make a start on the brake callipers but the Bi Hex bolts were a nightmare so I got these to help me out.. thanks for the tip

aaronmorris said:

+1. Well worth the money.
And that bulkhead I can't even begin to describe what I think.

Click to expand...

I know right! Somebody with no clue probably thought It was a clever repair at the time but I can tell you now Its a freaking nightmare to get off. The previous owner must have been into boats more than cars. I've got the bits to sand it off, Im just wondering about the glass fibre.. from what I've been reading I need to wear a mask to stop my lungs from giving up (they have had enough punishment over the years)

are there any good bits??????

Passenger-side wing mirror looks alright!