T4 owner seeks something a little more rugged!

Y'alright guys?

Just wanted to introduce myself; I'm Thom, an avid VW T4 owner which has not only proved to be a HUGE project - but has inspired me to undertake training as a mechanic.

I'm looking for another project, and alas - a toy, having always wanted a Defender this is what i'm after.

The T4 really is my daily driver, and has endured an engine conversion, custom gearbox and various other tweaks to make it efficient and durable - which now means that i need something a little more 'out of the box'.

I'm thinking of buying an off-road ready defender 90, 300tdi or TD5 ideally but i'm undecided whether or not i should go all out and buy a V8. Additionally, i would consider a 110 or a tray-back crew cab, but i imagaine the latter are beyond my budget.

I would really like whatever i end up getting to be a usable vehicle for occasional towing (collect project cars/bikes and similar), a bit of green-laning and occasional pay & play use.

Budget is really for a project - about £2500. If anybody has any advice - please let loose!

Thom

TD5:welcome:

200 tdi best all round value for money..forget td5 unless u have deep pockets and a friend with diagnostic software

thommilburn said:

I'm thinking of buying an off-road ready defender 90, 300tdi or TD5 ideally but i'm undecided whether or not i should go all out and buy a V8. Additionally, i would consider a 110 or a tray-back crew cab, but i imagaine the latter are beyond my budget.

I would really like whatever i end up getting to be a usable vehicle for occasional towing (collect project cars/bikes and similar), a bit of green-laning and occasional pay & play use.

Budget is really for a project - about £2500. If anybody has any advice - please let loose!

Thom

Click to expand...

:welcome2: to the mad house what is you think you need over and above a standard Fender

Hi guys, I was under the impression the 200tdi was not as good an engine as the 300?

RE - off road ready, i would very much like a bog standard defender, however i wouldnt mind alloys and perhaps a winch "just in case", however a fully prepped off road vehicle seems to reduce the value and therefore it seems as though you get more for your money this way?

thommilburn said:

a fully prepped off road vehicle seems to reduce the value and therefore it seems as though you get more for your money this way?

Click to expand...

Depends how well its been prepped, what bits were used, and how abused the motor has been

thommilburn said:

Hi guys, I was under the impression the 200tdi was not as good an engine as the 300?

RE - off road ready, i would very much like a bog standard defender, however i wouldnt mind alloys and perhaps a winch "just in case", however a fully prepped off road vehicle seems to reduce the value and therefore it seems as though you get more for your money this way?

Click to expand...

200/300 if looked after last for years mines a 200 snaped a timing belt last year at 40bph just a new belt and rod's and back on the road in 4 hours bulletproof engine

:welcome2: Thom

Thanks for the info guys. I really am quite tempted by the V8 engines but fuel economy does put me off. Is there any known place to buy landi with he cheap, ebay seems much too highly priced with £2000 only being able to stretch to a real dog.