Project Weatabix

Hi,

So for a few months on the lead up to new years eve 2012 i had been looking for a 300tdi Land Rover Discovery One for an off road toy for a bit of fun when it was raining outside - which living in Manchester/North of England is pretty constant so i found out upon moving here seven or eight years ago.

The reason for a 300tdi was primarily because parts were plentiful, cheap and easy to fit and mechanically the 300tdi goes forever and can take pretty much anything thrown at it.

Having previously bought and part re-built a Type 7 Tiger Kit car running on a Ford Pinto re-bored 2.1litre 205 block/twin 45 webbers i thought to myself this would be easy.

So New Years eve 2012 i got drunk. Went on ebay and bought myself a Discovery one from a company based out of Bolton. Before i finally bid/purchased it i rang the guy had a conversation and he said all the sills and boot had been done and only a few advisories - but the majority of them had been fixed. So i took the plunge.

Waking up new years day 2013 i had the tough task of explaining to the missus how i had just won a discovery 300tdi N-reg on 88k miles which i bought on the credit card, and why we now had four cars, no house, and why she was only still my girlfriend after nearly three years.

So day of pick up. Very excited. Arrive to pick it up - quick drive of it everything seems fine. Engine mechanically sound. Body - lift the boot carpet all OK. Poke around the cills (which had been fixed) looked all OK. Poked around a couple of corners - but didn't get to poke in the back left (i forget the reason but i think i was talked away from it..).

So, off i go on my 4x4 adventure - put new KM2 muds on etc. Take it to a p&p a couple of times and green laning on non-difficult adventures. Having a whale of a time.

So comes to this week 24/04/2013 - when the MOT is due in August. I think to myself i'll go and have a poke around for rust and look to get it sorted..

Currently i am trying to decide what to do. I am getting it jacked up this afternoon to have a look at the chassis properly - i am considering tray backing it to remove the long term rust problem in the back but as you will see the outside body is great!

I work in IT security - I can not weld. I had a go at it 16 years ago and never got to have a go again since so will be either looking for a course of a mobile welder.

So attached is some Land Rover and rust porn..

My first job this weekend is to fully strip out the interior minus the drivers seat and dashboard as well as look to see if i can remove the front panels to see what damage is at the front.

Then work out options on moving forwards.

If you plan on keeping her for any period of time buy an angle grinder, a welder and some sheet metal and practice I had never welded until last year and found it wasnt as hard as I had expected it to be, it will be much cheaper in the long run and essential if you have a Disco 1. They also make pre formed repair panels at reasonable prices to make life easier.

Just done a repair job on my rear quarter panel as it was in a similar state to yours, look at the thread 'Project Big Blue'. I'd highly recommend getting yourself a welder and doing it yourself, you'll save a ton of money and learn a good skill at the same time. Knowing you've achieved and done it yourself is pretty f*cking awesome feeling as well!

That's no worse than mine was, in fact I think you have got less rust (if possible in a disco). I'll get a thread going, although it's now finished and back on the road-took 8 months to do though, mainly due to the lovely summer we had last year

I've seen much worse. Totally agree with b3nc123, probably time to learn a new skill. Try and find a mate with a welder who will help you out before you upset your Mrs even more by buying something else!!!!!!!