Marshland or Richards Chassis? Or Other?

Hi guys,

Im looking to buy a Galvanised chassis for my 1998 Defender 90 soon, ive had a look at Marshland and Richards chassis and im tempted by a Richards chassis at the moment. Which out of those would you recommend and also any other chassis to look out for?

Thanks

Andrew

I've no first hand experience of either but tales on here and other forums suggest they are about the same in terms of quality. Richards are built from scratch by them, marshland are genuine LR but modified for whatever engine you ask for. Id just go with the cheapest. I've even seen a few on ebay this year that people have bought and never got around to using.

I can vouch for the quality of the Richards Chassis.

When you say the Marshland ones are modified do they not come in a standard 300TDI layout?

afaik MARSLAND make their own chassis

http://www.marsland-chassis.co.uk/defender-90.html

doubt you could live on the difference between them, Richards would get my vote because they still do series chassis including the series 1 via the s1 club

My Richards Chassis is fine, all the holes lined up for brackets etc and nothing missing. Specified chassis for my vehicle with 2.5 diesel and that's what I got engine mount wise..

They buy them in from LR in their current format (tdci) and then change the engine mounts etc. to suit your requirements. Then galv them. I believe that if you buy a marsland chassis you only have to buy the later tank as your 300tdi won't fit, but if you do some research on both you will get a definitive answer. It's a year since I looked at either website - I couldn't get the money together for a new one

Richards are made by them to each model's correct spec whereas Marslands buy un-galvanised new chassis's direct from the manufacturer and then weld appropriate engine mounts, fuel tank brackets etc before galvanising. The advantage of the Marslands is that you get the later crossmember with the adjustable tub bracket which makes it a bit easier to align the rear body with doors etc. IIRC Richards use slightly thicker steel.

I purchased a Richards chassis about 4 years ago and am very happy with both the product and their service.

I need to learn more of this 'adjustable tub bracket'. Could be just the thing I need.

Hmm, im not to sure I like the idea of cutting and welding brackets on.. Maybe im being picky...

It would be difficult to find anybody who has bought both so a side by side comparison is a non-starter - I opted for the Marsland chassis for my 1996 90 CSW because the waiting time for a Richards chassis was inconvenient and I seem to recall that it was a bit cheaper. No problems as yet after having been fitted 15 months ago.

I bought Richards' for mine last year. Very happy with it, everything lined up as it should with no problems.
In need of another at the mo, just got to pull my finger out and get it ordered.

yeah, get a bloody move on Aaron, I'm craving your thread updates as inspiration!

ive done series chassis builds onto Richards chassis (5) so far ,had alignment and missing hole issues on them all bar 1 ,,,,,and done defender rebuilds onto Richards chassis ,and also had alignment issues ,,,also done several defender 90 and 110 rebuilds onto Marslands chassis with wait for it ...........................................not a single problem !!!!! but in Richards chassis defence ,some probs where solved buy them (cash) and 1 chassis i did use had no faults ,,,!!!!!!!! so to cap it all off Richards 1 ,Marslands 10+

Discokids said:

yeah, get a bloody move on Aaron, I'm craving your thread updates as inspiration!

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I probably should Got a few people to speak to, got a couple more numbers for shotblasters, I just don't like speaking to people on the phone so gets put off for weeks (sad I know)
Have been meaning to phone Richards' for the last 3 weeks to see how long the waiting time is, still not even done that...
One thing is, I Just don't know how soon I'll need it, and don't really want it just sat their. Although gotta be better than waiting for it when I'm desperate.

MrKnifey said:

Hmm, im not to sure I like the idea of cutting and welding brackets on.. Maybe im being picky...

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They all start life by being cut out and welded together, so don't let that put you off
As has been said, having experience of both to compare must be fairly rare, so Gatso's experience must be pretty unique.
I'm in the middle of my first rebuild and I'm using a Richards chassis. One of the tubular outriggers is 1cm too away from the rear cross member.

1cm seems a big gap doesn't it? hmm.. some good input on here!

You could contact Trevor at Trevor Cuthbert LR services. He rebuilds Defenders, Discoveries and Rangies onto Richards Chassis for a living. See if he's having quality problems.

MrKnifey said:

1cm seems a big gap doesn't it? hmm.. some good input on here!

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It is when it's a major point to bolt the tub to!

hmmm not good at all