waldershelf
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 2,397
- Location
- In the hills north west of Sheffield
I joined the forum last week having once again been tempted to buy a Land rover. The story so far.
I've been looking at land rovers again for the last few months, its 4 years since I sold my last one which had to go to make room for an extension on the house. A couple of weeks ago I was looking through the ebay listings for Defenders and came across an auction for a 1994 90" 300TDI van T&T to next June and the description sounded honest, strangely although it had a pretty low starting price, no bids and 20 minutes to go. I had a rush of blood to the head and bid the starting price, 7 minutes to go and a second bid came in for another £100, what the hell thinks I and upped my bid by £100 expecting the flood gates to open and the bids come pouring in but no, the clock timed out and I had won the auction.
Here is a lesson for anyone planning to sell on ebay make sure you put your item in the correct category (mine was listed in parts not vehicles) and don't end your auction at 8.00am on Saturday morning.
The following day I was off over the Penines to look at the vehicle, for those of you that don't use ebay, although you win an auction and you have entered into a contract to buy, the vehicle must be "as described" in the auction listing. So if you bid on a vehicle described as "pristine" and it turns out to be a scrapper you can walk away.
I met the seller and had a look at the Landrover and it was as described, a bit rough cosmetically but mechanically pretty good for a 16 year old with 100k+ on the clock. Money changed hands and I drove my new toy home.
On the drive home I started on my mental list of problems and things to do, more of which in future posts in which I hope to relay my experiences.
In the first week of my ownership things have not gone quite as I planned, we have had a couple of feet of snow and the landrover has been pressed into service as the sole family transport rather than going in the garage for a "fettling". I'd forgotten just how much fun they can be in the snow.
So far I've replaced the thermostat, now the engine reaches correct temperature and the heater works, I actually think the heater is pretty good, compared to a series model anyway. and reconnected the heater control cable so I can turn down the firey blast.
The radio display didn't work so I fitted another unit that was kicking around in the garage.
Had a good look around underneath and it all seems solid, only one small weld repair that looks to have been done properly.
The only leak (remarkably) I have spotted is the steering box, wet but not dripping.
Things for the immediate agenda are a full service including all fluids and both belts.
Medium term I might knock out some of the dents and sort the paintwork out.
Longer term I might swap the r380 gearbox, nothing major but 1st to 2nd synchro is a bit weedy and can crunch if rushed.
If we every get warm weather again I'll waxoyl the underside and chassis (I've tried waxoyling in winter before, it's a pig to do and you can never get everything properly dry before starting).
Well thats it for now I'll post an update when I get stuck into the servicing etc. Doing the cam belt looks like it could be fun I might have to make a tool for locking the crank?
I've been looking at land rovers again for the last few months, its 4 years since I sold my last one which had to go to make room for an extension on the house. A couple of weeks ago I was looking through the ebay listings for Defenders and came across an auction for a 1994 90" 300TDI van T&T to next June and the description sounded honest, strangely although it had a pretty low starting price, no bids and 20 minutes to go. I had a rush of blood to the head and bid the starting price, 7 minutes to go and a second bid came in for another £100, what the hell thinks I and upped my bid by £100 expecting the flood gates to open and the bids come pouring in but no, the clock timed out and I had won the auction.
Here is a lesson for anyone planning to sell on ebay make sure you put your item in the correct category (mine was listed in parts not vehicles) and don't end your auction at 8.00am on Saturday morning.
The following day I was off over the Penines to look at the vehicle, for those of you that don't use ebay, although you win an auction and you have entered into a contract to buy, the vehicle must be "as described" in the auction listing. So if you bid on a vehicle described as "pristine" and it turns out to be a scrapper you can walk away.
I met the seller and had a look at the Landrover and it was as described, a bit rough cosmetically but mechanically pretty good for a 16 year old with 100k+ on the clock. Money changed hands and I drove my new toy home.
On the drive home I started on my mental list of problems and things to do, more of which in future posts in which I hope to relay my experiences.
In the first week of my ownership things have not gone quite as I planned, we have had a couple of feet of snow and the landrover has been pressed into service as the sole family transport rather than going in the garage for a "fettling". I'd forgotten just how much fun they can be in the snow.
So far I've replaced the thermostat, now the engine reaches correct temperature and the heater works, I actually think the heater is pretty good, compared to a series model anyway. and reconnected the heater control cable so I can turn down the firey blast.
The radio display didn't work so I fitted another unit that was kicking around in the garage.
Had a good look around underneath and it all seems solid, only one small weld repair that looks to have been done properly.
The only leak (remarkably) I have spotted is the steering box, wet but not dripping.
Things for the immediate agenda are a full service including all fluids and both belts.
Medium term I might knock out some of the dents and sort the paintwork out.
Longer term I might swap the r380 gearbox, nothing major but 1st to 2nd synchro is a bit weedy and can crunch if rushed.
If we every get warm weather again I'll waxoyl the underside and chassis (I've tried waxoyling in winter before, it's a pig to do and you can never get everything properly dry before starting).
Well thats it for now I'll post an update when I get stuck into the servicing etc. Doing the cam belt looks like it could be fun I might have to make a tool for locking the crank?
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