Some defender questions

I am after a defender circa 1985 onwards, will most likely be buying a diesel one.

So I have a few questions:

1. If I wanted to replace the front 3 seats in a 90, what seats could I fit that have head-rests but are all the same style , e.g. I don't want 2 bucket seats and a different middle seat, as it would be annoying to clamber into. After something sporty, but that will still suit the land rover style.

2. If I got a landy with rear seats, what 'carpet' is best to buy to fit out the rear, maybe up to the lower roof line? and how can I attach it to the body and floor?

3. Do defenders have disk brakes?

4. How much does a rear cross member cost to replace with a new one?

Thanks, and sorry for more noobish questions,

Ben

Fit whichever seats you like best and ditch the middle seat in favour of a cubby box. If you really really need a 3rd seat, fit a side facing fold up in the back - you can get 'em on e-bay for circa £20 each for a decent one.

Carpet?! FFS! If you must, anything will do pretty much, use spray glue that carpet fitters use to fix it.

All Nineties, One-Tens and Defenders have discs on the front. Post 1993 they've got them on the rear too.

Replaced professionally a rear crossmember will set you back between £400 and £700 depending on the welder and wether you supply the crossmember or not. Budget for £600 if you're using a LR independent and they're supplying the crossmember.

Cheers,

If you want to get at the battery and storage bit under the passenger seat you'll have to get a seat with a removable base or that hinges from the front, try a search on here its been covered before.

1. Newer Defender seats have head reasts. I have seen some motors with MG Metro seats fitted - more comfortable and supportive than standard landy jobs and quite easy to fit. However, quick access to battery is a thing of the past and a master switch under the passenger seat is a good idea.

2. Heavy duty ridged carpet - like they use in Schools (or they did in my day).

3. All 90's have disks on the front, and from the 300TDi onwards had disks on the rear as well. Disco rear axle on a TD or 200TDi gives you disks all round as well.

4. Rear cross members cost between £70 and £120 plus fitting. Outriggers are about £30 plus fitting.

I'm sure someone said seats in a particular model of Nissan had removeable bases but can't remember which model.

Discs on the rear from chassis number LA930456 - which is about mid way through the 1993 model year - includes quite a lot of L plate 200 tdi's.

Thanks for you speedy and helpful replies.

I take it theres a conversion kit for rear brake discs? Or will I need a new hub e.t.c?

Also, does carpet glue stick to metal?

Thanks soooo much, you lot rock,

Ben

The right carpet glue will stick to anything like sh*t to a blanket

Dunno about a conversion kit, if you want rear discs it's usual to put a later, or disco axle on. I was thinking about it but have changed my mind as the drum brakes are easily up to the job, they just need a bit more cleaning after getting it muddy.

GRUNT said:

Dunno about a conversion kit, if you want rear discs it's usual to put a later, or disco axle on. I was thinking about it but have changed my mind as the drum brakes are easily up to the job, they just need a bit more cleaning after getting it muddy.

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thankyou very much. I take it that the later axles aren't a direct fit?

I cant thankyou enough for all your simple and easily understood answers.

BenG said:

thankyou very much. I take it that the later axles aren't a direct fit?

I cant thankyou enough for all your simple and easily understood answers.

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Bugger, we'll 'ave to try and be a bit more obtuse and start thread jacking again.

Hey, My Grunt, have you made them rocksliders yet?

BenG said:

I cant thankyou enough for all your simple and easily understood answers.

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yes you can!! just send us all a very large cheque or you can use paypal if you prefer

slob said:

yes you can!! just send us all a very large cheque or you can use paypal if you prefer

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hehe.

It appears I can then.

Take5 said:

Bugger, we'll 'ave to try and be a bit more obtuse and start thread jacking again.

Hey, My Grunt, have you made them rocksliders yet?

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Aye were slacking a bit here.

No not yet but it's off the road now for a month or two while I fit a new bulkhead, I'm off to make the rocksliders and fit them while it's all apart. Thinking of welding a bit of tube under the right hand one a bit like a tree slider but vertical to act as a tank guard, I could then fasten a bit of sheet to this and the right hand chassis rail. wodya reckon?

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/landy-90-interior-18979-2.html?highlight=defender+seats#post302038

Seat bit is on here bugger here I go being all helpful again.

GRUNT said:

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/landy-90-interior-18979-2.html?highlight=defender+seats#post302038

Seat bit is on here bugger here I go being all helpful again.

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legend, I must use the 'search' more often

GRUNT said:

Aye were slacking a bit here.

No not yet but it's off the road now for a month or two while I fit a new bulkhead, I'm off to make the rocksliders and fit them while it's all apart. Thinking of welding a bit of tube under the right hand one a bit like a tree slider but vertical to act as a tank guard, I could then fasten a bit of sheet to this and the right hand chassis rail. wodya reckon?

Click to expand...

Aye, good idea, but remember, the tank still is lower than the sliders when fitted. One installation had 5mm plate welded to the inner face of the slider, a couple of other bits welded on, then attached to the rear jacking tube with a U-bolt and 2 nuts. Front end flapped a bit, but another piece of metal, two long bolts and a bent over captive nut from front bumper attached to front outrigger sorted it.

I have a prototype tank guard all made up that attaches to front outrigger and U-bolted to jacking tube. As soon as house sale goes through (3 weeks-ish) and I jack job in and start new venture I'll get Charlie to plasma cut and press break a batch and offer them for testing

Seriously had enough of sat in front of computer sorting other peoples engineering problems out, and occasionally creating a pretty picture. Can't wait to get me hands dirty again...

but remember, the tank still is lower than the sliders when fitted.

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Yeah but the tube will be bent upwards at each end to meet the slider so it will in effect become the rock slider, and supported down its length with similar size tube, exactly like a tree slider but hanging down underneath.

I spose I could just make the rockslider lower and fit a standard cill.

Ah, I get ya now, good idea but won't protect you from nasty hard pointy bits though