To build or not to build?

Hey there guys and girls.

I have owned and RRC in the past but had to sell for marriage and new house. Now that is all over (not the marriage, just the expense!) I am in a position where I can start to look at owning a Landy once again. I have always wanted to own a 90 and that is the route I am going to take. So to my question!

What would people have to say on the pros and cons of a rebuild project? To set the scene, I consider myself to be a slightly above average amateur mechanic. I did a lot of little bits of work on the RRC and other cars I have owned. My new father in law is a professional mechanic, has his own garage, so I have access to tools and some expert knowledge, although he is a busy man!

I would look to by an old 90 in need of some TLC. I then intend to replace the chassis with galvanised. Source a 200 tdi engine (defender as I don’t weld and know that modifications are needed on the disco variant). I would also like to upgrade the rear axle to disc brakes for ease of maintenance, and because I will be using it for some moderate off roading.

Do you think that I am living in cloud cuckoo land, and that this would be more than an amateur could do? Or is this a realistic objective? I want to learn more about landy and how they work and are very keen to do this. I also realise that it may not be the most cost effective may of doing it, but I am fully intending to keep it for a long time.

Sorry for the length of this post, but I would really appreciate people’s opinions.

Jason

Go fer it From yer description of yerself, if it's true, not that I don't believe you if you read DICKHEAD17s posts you'll understand why I'm cynical. Any old how if you get the original vehicle at a reasonable cost, and if your under no illusion as to the value of the finished vehicle then you won't have any problems. The only things you might need off your father in law is a big fook off torque wrench fer the suspension bits an bobs, shelter when it's raining and understanding, cos you'll end up making his daughter a Landy widow.

i feel quite jealous, you having access to a garage n tools n elp - all you need now is plenty of time some money and realistic ideas about what you aim to acheive

a LR is only lego fer grownups

go get on with it

and dont be put off using a disco 200, they sell for less than £500 whereas the defender version goes for closer to £1000 - both will fit, the disco one just needs a little more work, shown in the link below - ignore all the exhaust welding info as a ready made part can be got for about £120

hope this elps

Putting a Disco 200TDi engine in a 90 - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum

You can have my disco 200tdi for £500 if you want a donor vehicle good engine & transmission, axles etc. but the body is rotten

Hey there redhand.

Thanks for the reply. I am in the planning stages at the moment. Still have to clear out the portion of my father in laws garage that he has said that I can use for the project. That will probably take me until February. So because of that, thank you so much for your offer of a donor car but I simply cant take you up on the offer I'm afraid, sorry.

Thanks for your responses so far. I am going to make this happen so expect to see many more question posted on here as the next 2 years pass. That's my prediction of how long it will take start to finish!

Jason

I had little or no mechanical skill 6 months ago and am half way through building a 90 from scratch (my old 90 that I was going to rebuild never ceased to amaze me how bad EVERYTHING was - so it's almost entirely new and built from so far 15 different 90s)

Anyway if I can do it anyone can - all I'll say is everything takes longer than you expect, always the last bolt is a bugger and things you need urgently take 4 weeks to arrive.

Whilst you're doing it you can also really improve on how land rover do it and add useful stuff like twin tanks and a proper vegetable oil system.

With galv chassis, some stainless, litres of copper grease, decent rubber seals, careful painting, good metal protection and some genius you'll have a stunning 90 that'll last for ever.

DO IT!!

To build is the way to go. its fun, frustrating, tiring, draining, but at the end of it all u stand back, look at it and say proudly "fook!!!!! i did that". im currently abt 50% thru a complete restoration of a '65 ford mustang and having the time of my life. the best part is you get to do everything the way you want it. i tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, and am a pain in my arse sometimes, but what the hell, i have fun together with me.