Refurbishing my 1997 defender 300 TDI

Rear door internals completed today

marksman said:

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How did you find a clock that reads zero miles ? And where did you get the rev counter? looks fab

Clock is a new one (extremely scarce)
Rev counter bay of E years ago

Final paint finished, off to cavity wax and chassis protection, couple of finishing jobs ( 1 of which is they've put the air intake top on backwards) then MOT and shakedown

fantastic work looks better than when it first came off the line.

You should be proud of that

MOT man will look at that and say you sure its old enough to need an MOT
J

Decals on now

Looking at the wheel carrier can I remove the small bung in the end of the tube (you get hold of), anyone have a similar one they can look at (vehicle is not with me at the moment) as I want to get some cavity wax in it if possible, I'm going to do the same on the side steps

My experiences with suppliers throughout the refurbishment process (not sponsored etc etc by any of them)
Not ranked and not an exhaustive list by any means but I can expand if the demand arises

Brit Car
Great customer service both for enquiries and any issues (minor) with items supplied, good source of genuine parts (all be it at a greater cost than the alternatives)
SP-4x4
Good quality items (Galv. doors) let down by poor packing resulting in minor damage of corners etc
EBay,
Do your homework and ask the seller to ensure the item is correct and to spec, avoid for critical parts
Diesel solutions Co. Durham
Fast efficient & economical check of injectors
HR auto specialists
Detailed in depth work carrying out my refurbishment, the right questions asked of me and open to all my suggestions / interference, very experienced knowledgeable staff
YMR metal solutions
Great quality items very little fettling required for fitting
LRS
Over all reasonable but sometimes send non OEM when specifically OEM ordered, slow to resolve these issues
Autosparks, Polevolt and Vehicle wiring products
All first class service for electrical items
Turner engineering
First class on all levels
Ashcrofts
Great as ever on all levels
Buzzweld
Great range of effective products, would buy again
Richards chassis
Lead time as quoted, excellent quality item minimal (as expected) fettling to fit
Devon 4x4
Wouldn't use again based on my experience
JGS 4x4
Useful source of parts quality good when OEM purchased
Land Rover
Hmmm found to be extremely overpriced with poor availably and apparent reluctance to engage with customer (no surprises there then)

As stated above by no means an exhaustive list

What is the difference between a "refurbishment" and a "restoration" ?

what does the work I've carried out on my Def. fall into ?

Made me own mind up, it's been a restoration

First trial run with all fluids to correct levels, went well.
1 issue, how the hell do I bleed the air out of the heater matrix (looked all over for a heater return hose that simply has a bleed fitting but not to be had)

Looks a fantastic build, hope your proud of it..

Get some good security measures fitted asap, if you haven't already.

Always nice when you have done a lot of work for it to drive well at first test..

@Cavey_P38 already done

Thought you would have mate how thorough your work has been, easier to weave it into the build etc.
Rather than try and access something or add bits after the fact

BUMP
First trial run with all fluids to correct levels, went well.
1 issue, how the hell do I bleed the air out of the heater matrix (looked all over for a heater return hose that simply has a bleed fitting but not to be had)

On a D1, bleeding the cooling system is as easy as removing the bung in the thermostat housing, and letting the injun tick over cold - and it'll "burp" the air out ....

Pretty sure I've done the same on a deafener - but I've slept since then

@Disco1BFG thanks, I'll give it another go

My solution to the frustrating bleeding of the Cooling system

How are your front grilles attached ??
I'm fitting an air con front frame and want to know how your front grilles attach to the frame, is it fir tree fasteners (if so do they just push into the holes or do I need snap sacs?) or are there screws that screw into something ???? images would be appreciated thanks

Coming to the end of my restoration and would like your opinions (positive) on wheel and tyre combinations (sizes etc) to finish it off, currently 16" rims with 235 x 70s