Rebirth of Big Bertha

So finally had a chance to take ol'Bertha for a spin.
We competed in a 2 day rally competition from Budapest to Bratislava which was approx 300km.
The Car did great. Sound insulation installed works great, def an improvement over before.

Some notes on what will be improved in upcoming weeks.
- Dust filter of some sort over the front vents.
- mounting of GPS/Nav system on dash.
- Upgrade seats
- insulation of back cargo area, 50% of the dust and sand came from the back.

Also had a bad experience at the gas station and tanked low octane gas (85) the Defender handled it in true style, motor ran, although power output was non existent...

Lovely 110 - bravo!

Under the cargo netting at the front - what is that rolled up canvas item? Pardon the dumb question....

Alan

mrchurchill109 said:

Lovely 110 - bravo!

Under the cargo netting at the front - what is that rolled up canvas item? Pardon the dumb question....

Alan

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Its from what I can describe a rain cover. Its made of some PVC like material and is arched on the corners with fixtures. Looks like a storage or foul weather cover...
Not sure if its a standard issue thing... came with the car.

Picked up these arms storage boxes, prefect fit in the back for storing tools and odd ends..

Small upgrade today, installed new rubber mat in the boot and wheel well mud flaps to keep from mud and gunk from packing in at the footwell area and frame...

BEFORE

AFTER

One sad part is I found some rust spots on the chasis....any tips how to treat?

and quick fix polished the exhaust tips, just a wire brush and hand drill and she cleans up nice

Little update.
fitted the bikini top during the summer.
Now prepping for winter, any wheel/tire suggestions?

lucifus said:

Yes you do!

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You running a 2" LIFT allround and 2" spacer in the rear... no problems with angles?
Im just trying to figure out if a 2" lift and 2" spacer front, 4" rear would be OK without messing up the geometry

MrVarsity said:

You running a 2" LIFT allround and 2" spacer in the rear... no problems with angles?
Im just trying to figure out if a 2" lift and 2" spacer front, 4" rear would be OK without messing up the geometry

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It's got 2" lift all round with 1" rear spacers added. So a total of 3" lift rear. It's borderline on the rear prop angle. I would lift higher than that

Final got the girl some new shoes. @lucifus recommendation 315/75 on 16's
Now just to sort out the rear hoops so the WMIK soft top fits.....
Next week new straight through exhaust.
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New Slant top put on. See how it does in the winter. Theory being less space to heat, clean off snow. Also new tilt is being modified as are the rear hoops (to big).
Painted matt black looks much better. Just waiting for the bed cover and have to get a new bikini top.

Also had a chance to swap out the bulbs, all clear now

Varsity said:

Bertha was bought from Austria, from what I know the car was in service in Germany and released there.

In order to pass MOT in the Czech Republic where she will be living, we had to mount a bumper gaurd and reverse light, not really happy with the outcome so this is only going to be temporary... MOT specified the bumper was originally 5cm too high because of the lift package.
Also added mud gaurds, and company logos...which didnt seem to hold on the canvas top....

Otherwise she had all her fluids changed, filters and small bits added for now.

more to come..........

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A beauty Mate any engine pics? Also can you do close up of the town hitch please?

Here is a rear shot, with the new bed cover. Its actually a trailer cover. Need to fit marine type locking grommets to the cab rear construction to hold the bed cover in place and prevent debris blowing in. Also new top on order as this one is knackered beyond recognition.
Next up - New mud flaps, rear spare holder for relocating the spare as the hood mount isnt the best place in my opinion, wider flares on the arches, Im just 1cm out, which may be an issue at MOT.

Coffeelandy I'll send a pic of the hitch tomorrow. But Ive got 2, standard ball and an older military pin type. No NATO hitch.

P.S. Re sprayed the back cabin... hopefully lasts this time

Coffeelandy said:

A beauty Mate any engine pics? Also can you do close up of the town hitch please?

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Here is a picture of the tow hitch setup.

MrVarsity said:

Here is a picture of the tow hitch setup.

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Cheers Mate that is very heavy duty. I've just got a Dixon Bates for my Sankey and normal trailer with removable drop plate.