TorsionBhudda's Defender

Hi all I thought i'd start a thread for my 1993 Defender 200Tdi. I've owned VAD for almost a year now and is the first Land rover I've ever owned always wanted one since I can remember. The plan is to do a rolling rebuild/Restoration and eventually change the chassis for galv one when funds allow and to add a few modern comforts i.e sound deadening, carpets heated seats etc. I don't use him everyday as I have a van supplied to me by the company I work for also I work away from home a lot and only get home 3 days once a month. When I do get home then I use him constantly if I'm not working on him. When I first bought him he had a nasty habit of trying to kill me if I tried to drive over 40mph The 'Dreaded Death Wobble' but apart from that was a very good example. And since sorting out wobble of death I've enjoyed driving him and look forward to jumping into him when I'm home.
Things I've done so far are.
1. All new Track Rod Ends and Heavy duty Link bars.(old ones absolutely gubbed)
2. All Wheel bearings changed Front 2 were really worn.
3. Overhauled Passenger side Swivel as had excessive play and was leaking slightly.
4. Full service and all Oil's changed.
5. All new Standard duty Coil springs and Shock Absorbers.
6. New Front Discs and Pads.
7. LED Side and Indicator Lights fitted.
8. RTC Steering Damper
9. Full Clutch Assembly inc Master and Slave cylinders HD Clutch fork.
10. Renewed Wiper cable and Wiper boxes.
And today I started Replacing the Steering box as old ones Leaking and Ball joint is worn should have that finished tomorrow.
The Death wobble was cured with replacing Track rod ends and o/hauling swivel assembly which was carried out December last year just before First MOT which he sailed through and passed without any Advisories .

Since then it has become apparent that I will have to do some welding to the chassis before the next MOT I'm hoping to have that completed over the next 2 weekends before I go away again.
I'll post some pics up not got many but hopefully by starting this thread I will get into habit of taking them as I work on him so I can post them here.

New Springs and Shocks Fitted

When I Was doing Passenger side Swivel.

Nice, able looking standard 200Tdi Defender in its working clothes!

Nice bit o kit TB very understated.

doriz said:

Nice bit o kit TB very understated.

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It's great love driving it and unfortunately so does my father any excuse for him to use it even though he tried talking me out of buying it he has since admitted he was wrong.

Last Weekend got the new steering box fitted.

I also removed front bumper to allow removal and replacement of dodgy patches that had been fitted by previous owner and found this!!!

after a couple days welding the Dumb Irons are looking a lot better now. I know I could have cut more out and welded on dumb iron replacements but not at those prices especially as it's my intention to replace Chassis in New Year.

The Chassis Number had been partially destroyed by rust and a patch welded over top Luckily the last 8 letters and numbers were still readable I took pictures of it as it was then cut off old patches and welded on a full patch with the number stamped into it(as I had read in LRM)

You might want a little hole in those end plates so you can get a probe in to spray some rust proofer inside the chassis. A drop or two of Dinitrol ML3125 can work wonders and keep everything in one piece for future generations.

Looks like a great vehicle. Same colour as my 90. Nice low mileage too.

Brown said:

You might want a little hole in those end plates so you can get a probe in to spray some rust proofer inside the chassis. A drop or two of Dinitrol ML3125 can work wonders and keep everything in one piece for future generations.

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I hadn't thought about that. I thought the original hole was Land Rovers attempt at building in obselecance lol

Retroanaconda said:

Looks like a great vehicle. Same colour as my 90. Nice low mileage too.

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Hi Retroanaconda thanks for your comment. You wouldn't happen to know what the colour is called? I had thought Mid Grey but I've since seen Pennine Grey?

Pennine Grey. Or Pembroke Grey sometimes.

Retroanaconda said:

Pennine Grey. Or Pembroke Grey sometimes.

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Thanks Retroanaconda What's the difference between the 2 or did LR just change the name? Need to order some aerosols as replaced battery box and seat box end

I think some of the colours have different names when used on different models.

Colour code is LRC.476 or LUS

Not been on forum for awhile and not done any work recently on Landy because I've been enjoying driving and actually using him. This morning he went for his dreaded MOT and absolutely sailed through. Happy Days