Used 90

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M

Michael White

Guest
Hi all,

I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with Land
Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only option to buy
an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway, given that, I do have
a few questions:

1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to watch
out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for on these
models?

2) Is the towing capacity correct with "over-run" brakes on trailers, i.e.
3500 kgs?

3) How reliable are the diesels versus the V8s?

4) Has anyone had any experience in somehow getting a newer model in the
states (e.g. through Canada)?

5) How easy are they to maintain? Do you need lots of special tools? I've
replaced about everything on Jeeps (engine, transmission, etc...), so I'm
an experienced shade-tree mechanic if nothing else.

Sorry if there's a URL or web page devoted to this. A quick Google search
didn't turn up much other than parts and dealer web pages, at least not
much directly pertinent to the 90s.

Thanks in advance.
--
Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer
 
Michael White ([email protected]) wrote on Sunday 08 May 2005 12:48
am:

> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with Land
> Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only option to buy
> an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway, given that, I do
> have a few questions:
>
> 1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to watch
> out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for on these
> models?
>
> 2) Is the towing capacity correct with "over-run" brakes on trailers,
> i.e. 3500 kgs?
>
> 3) How reliable are the diesels versus the V8s?
>
> 4) Has anyone had any experience in somehow getting a newer model in the
> states (e.g. through Canada)?
>
> 5) How easy are they to maintain? Do you need lots of special tools?
> I've replaced about everything on Jeeps (engine, transmission, etc...), so
> I'm an experienced shade-tree mechanic if nothing else.
>
> Sorry if there's a URL or web page devoted to this. A quick Google search
> didn't turn up much other than parts and dealer web pages, at least not
> much directly pertinent to the 90s.
>
> Thanks in advance.

Sorry for the follow-up to my own post, but one other question: can you
remove the top and doors on all of the Defender 90 series? Or are some
fixed in place, like all of the other Land Rovers here?

Thanks.
--
Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer
 
so Michael White was, like...
> Michael White ([email protected]) wrote on Sunday 08 May 2005
> 12:48 am:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with
>> Land Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only
>> option to buy an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway,
>> given that, I do have a few questions:

I would guess that in a free market economy such as the US, Defenders are
overpriced for a reason, ie people think they are worth the money. Don't
just consider it, do it. And welcome to the group.

>> 1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to
>> watch out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for
>> on these models?

AFAIK there isn't much to choose between these years - an expert will be
along any minute now.

>> 2) Is the towing capacity correct with "over-run" brakes on
>> trailers, i.e. 3500 kgs?

Yes.

>> 3) How reliable are the diesels versus the V8s?

As with all vehicles, a lot depends on the way it's been treated. Both
diesels and V8s will go on for ever if properly looked after. A full
history will give you peace of mind.

>> 5) How easy are they to maintain?

Easier than most.

>> Do you need lots of special tools?

No - a standard tookit will do just about everything, and most of the
special tools needed can be made up in some way. You will find a lot of
help on this NG.

>> I've replaced about everything on Jeeps (engine,
>> transmission, etc...), so I'm an experienced shade-tree mechanic if
>> nothing else.

You sound well-qualified.

> Sorry for the follow-up to my own post, but one other question: can
> you remove the top and doors on all of the Defender 90 series? Or
> are some fixed in place, like all of the other Land Rovers here?

It all bolts together, so you can remove what you like. You'll need a
couple of big buddies to help with lifting off the hardtop, otherwise it's
just a big Meccano set (UK kids' construction toy, don't know what you have
in Texas - Erectaset?)

BTW, your sig line puts you right in the spirit of this group already.

>> "To protect people from the effects of folly is to fill the world with
>> fools." -Herbert Spencer

Indeed.

--
Rich
==============================
RR 4.6HSE (up for sale)
S2a SWB (not for sale)
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)


 
In message <[email protected]>
Michael White <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with Land
> Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only option to buy
> an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway, given that, I do have
> a few questions:
>
> 1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to watch
> out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for on these
> models?
>

Apart from detail, these years are essentially the same.

> 2) Is the towing capacity correct with "over-run" brakes on trailers, i.e.
> 3500 kgs?

Yes - 4 Tons with a fully-braked trailer (in the UK anyway, legislation
may rear it's ugly head elsewhere).

>
> 3) How reliable are the diesels versus the V8s?

The Tdi's are bomb-proof, as long as the oil is changed regularly,
and the cam belt changed at the specified intervals. It is VITAL
that the engine oil is not overfilled.

The V8's are very good, but replacing the cam shaft at something like
70 to 120,000 miles should be regarded as a servicing thing.

>
> 4) Has anyone had any experience in somehow getting a newer model in the
> states (e.g. through Canada)?

I suspect the first person to work out a fully legal way of doing this
will be be very wealthy indeed!

>
> 5) How easy are they to maintain? Do you need lots of special tools? I've
> replaced about everything on Jeeps (engine, transmission, etc...), so I'm
> an experienced shade-tree mechanic if nothing else.
>

As in the other post - nothing special is actually needed except a bit
of lateral thinking on occasion. Defenders were designed with bush
maintainance in mind originaly.

> Sorry if there's a URL or web page devoted to this. A quick Google search
> didn't turn up much other than parts and dealer web pages, at least not
> much directly pertinent to the 90s.
>

Stick at it - there's quite a lot of info out there, but it's spread
a bit far and wide.

> Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the club - it sounds like Landroveritis is setting in,
unfortunately a terminal wasting desease ;-)

Richard

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
Running a business in a Microsoft free environment - it can be done
Powered by Risc-OS - you won't get a virus from us!!
Helping keep Land Rovers on and off the road to annoy the Lib Dems
 
I found this site half an hour ago, quite detailed diary, photos and a
conversion from hard to soft top...

http://www.web-rover.co.uk/nav.php?p=my

"Michael White" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with Land
> Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only option to buy
> an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway, given that, I do
have
> a few questions:
>
> 1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to watch
> out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for on these
> models?
>
> 2) Is the towing capacity correct with "over-run" brakes on trailers,
i.e.
> 3500 kgs?
>
> 3) How reliable are the diesels versus the V8s?
>
> 4) Has anyone had any experience in somehow getting a newer model in the
> states (e.g. through Canada)?
>
> 5) How easy are they to maintain? Do you need lots of special tools?
I've
> replaced about everything on Jeeps (engine, transmission, etc...), so I'm
> an experienced shade-tree mechanic if nothing else.
>
> Sorry if there's a URL or web page devoted to this. A quick Google search
> didn't turn up much other than parts and dealer web pages, at least not
> much directly pertinent to the 90s.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> --
> Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
> fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer


 
Michael White <[email protected]> blabbed to everyone:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with Land
> Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only option to buy
> an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway, given that, I do have
> a few questions:
>

First, head over to d-90.com and browse the forums. That's where you'll
find a very good concentration of NAS D-90 owners, myself included.
>
> 1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to
> watch
> out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for on these
> models?

94 and 95 are essentially the same on the exterior. 95s came with a
better gearbox, the R380, but a lot of 94s have been retrofitted since
then. 97 were all automatics. 94 were all softops except for a few
experimental softtops. 95 and 97 were a mix of soft and hard tops.
If you want a softtop, buy one of those. It is very expensive to convert
a hardtop to a softtop. You can buy a fiberglass hardtop for the
softtops.

>
> 2) Is the towing capacity correct with "over-run" brakes on trailers,
> i.e.
> 3500 kgs?

Never towed so I can't comment.
>
> 3) How reliable are the diesels versus the V8s?

NAS D-90s were never fitted with diesels. 3.9 V-8s in 94 and 95. In 97
they were bored to 4.0 liters.
>
> 4) Has anyone had any experience in somehow getting a newer model in
> the
> states (e.g. through Canada)?

Don't try it. It _will_ be taken away and chopped up, unless you have
lots and lots and lots of money to make it legal. It's cheaper to just
buy a legal one.
>
> 5) How easy are they to maintain? Do you need lots of special tools?
> I've
> replaced about everything on Jeeps (engine, transmission, etc...), so
> I'm
> an experienced shade-tree mechanic if nothing else.

I've done all my own work on mine. It's never been to a shop as long
as I've owned it.

> Sorry if there's a URL or web page devoted to this. A quick Google search
> didn't turn up much other than parts and dealer web pages, at least not
> much directly pertinent to the 90s.

My baby just took Best in Class in the company car show:
http://www.nnin.net/gallery/d90misc/dsc01494

Tony
 
?
>
> NAS D-90s were never fitted with diesels. 3.9 V-8s in 94 and 95. In 97
> they were bored to 4.0 liters.
> >
>


Tony Hi,

3.9 and 4.0 engines share the same capacity but have some differences
regarding mainly the ignition system. But LR chose to market it as a
different name.

Take care
Pantelis


 
Pantelis Giamarellos <[email protected]> blabbed to everyone:
> ?
>
> 3.9 and 4.0 engines share the same capacity but have some differences
> regarding mainly the ignition system. But LR chose to market it as a
> different name.

That sounds right. Temporary amnesia I guess. I drive a '94 so I
never really paid attention to the 4.0s. Thinking of doing a swap
to a 4.6 in the next year or so as my engine is getting a bit
long in the tooth.
 
[email protected] ([email protected]) wrote on Wednesday 11 May 2005 01:46 pm:

> Michael White <[email protected]> blabbed to everyone:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with Land
>> Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only option to
>> buy
>> an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway, given that, I do
>> have a few questions:
>>
>
> First, head over to d-90.com and browse the forums. That's where you'll
> find a very good concentration of NAS D-90 owners, myself included.

Thanks.

>> 1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to
>> watch
>> out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for on these
>> models?
>
> 94 and 95 are essentially the same on the exterior. 95s came with a
> better gearbox, the R380, but a lot of 94s have been retrofitted since
> then. 97 were all automatics. 94 were all softops except for a few
> experimental softtops. 95 and 97 were a mix of soft and hard tops.
> If you want a softtop, buy one of those. It is very expensive to convert
> a hardtop to a softtop. You can buy a fiberglass hardtop for the
> softtops.

What's the issue that makes the conversion to softtop expensive? Something
with the tailgate or rollbars? Can I remove the hardtop and go topless?
Or is that not recommended for the hardtops? Is there a bikini top
available? I usually take the top off for the entire summer season, so I
don't need a quick conversion.

>> 3) How reliable are the diesels versus the V8s?
>
> NAS D-90s were never fitted with diesels. 3.9 V-8s in 94 and 95. In 97
> they were bored to 4.0 liters.

Then someone must have been importing them on the side. I've been searching
for D-90s for sale, and have found at least two diesels, one a private
seller in California, one a dealership in Florida. Both are 97s, and both
5 speeds. In an email exchange with the seller, he mentioned the
speedometer is in km/hr. The one I'm looking into most has a hardtop
(hence my earlier questions about the top).

The only thing preventing me from taking the dive is my need for an open air
bed for work around the house - hauling rock, dirt, fence sections, etc....
It would be replacing my Scrambler. I'm looking into trailers, but I'm not
quite sure where I'd store a trailer yet. Anyone familiar with a
collapsable setup? Man, I hate living in town...

Thanks for all the input everyone.
--
Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer
 
Michael White <[email protected]> blabbed to everyone:
>
> What's the issue that makes the conversion to softtop expensive? Something
> with the tailgate or rollbars? Can I remove the hardtop and go topless?
> Or is that not recommended for the hardtops? Is there a bikini top
> available? I usually take the top off for the entire summer season, so I
> don't need a quick conversion.
>

Hardtops have no rear safari cage. The cages run around $1500 or so
to retrofit. If you plan on ever going topless you're better off getting
a hardtop to go on a softtop than the other way around. Bikinis are
available as are the more popular surreys that cover the entire truck
from front to back like mine has.

>
> Then someone must have been importing them on the side. I've been searching
> for D-90s for sale, and have found at least two diesels, one a private
> seller in California, one a dealership in Florida. Both are 97s, and both
> 5 speeds. In an email exchange with the seller, he mentioned the
> speedometer is in km/hr. The one I'm looking into most has a hardtop
> (hence my earlier questions about the top).
>
They've been retrofitted then or are greymarket imports. I'd strongly
advise staying away from any non-NAS 90s in the States. Check around the
forums on d-90.com for a better explanation as to why.

> The only thing preventing me from taking the dive is my need for an open air
> bed for work around the house - hauling rock, dirt, fence sections, etc....
> It would be replacing my Scrambler. I'm looking into trailers, but I'm not
> quite sure where I'd store a trailer yet. Anyone familiar with a
> collapsable setup? Man, I hate living in town...
>
With a softtop it's a fairly simple process to remove the rear cage if
you need that out of the way.
 
[email protected] ([email protected]) wrote on Thursday 12 May 2005 11:46 am:

> Michael White <[email protected]> blabbed to everyone:
>>
>> What's the issue that makes the conversion to softtop expensive?
>> Something
>> with the tailgate or rollbars? Can I remove the hardtop and go topless?
>> Or is that not recommended for the hardtops? Is there a bikini top
>> available? I usually take the top off for the entire summer season, so I
>> don't need a quick conversion.
>>
>
> Hardtops have no rear safari cage. The cages run around $1500 or so
> to retrofit. If you plan on ever going topless you're better off getting
> a hardtop to go on a softtop than the other way around. Bikinis are
> available as are the more popular surreys that cover the entire truck
> from front to back like mine has.

Given the low miles on the one I'm looking into, I may bite the bullet and
not go topless for a year or two.

>> Then someone must have been importing them on the side. I've been
>> searching for D-90s for sale, and have found at least two diesels, one a
>> private
>> seller in California, one a dealership in Florida. Both are 97s, and
>> both
>> 5 speeds. In an email exchange with the seller, he mentioned the
>> speedometer is in km/hr. The one I'm looking into most has a hardtop
>> (hence my earlier questions about the top).
>>
> They've been retrofitted then or are greymarket imports. I'd strongly
> advise staying away from any non-NAS 90s in the States. Check around the
> forums on d-90.com for a better explanation as to why.

I did a quick search on the d-90.com site, and the biggest issue seems to be
titling. According to the seller, though, it's a clean California title.
Of course, I can say lots of things in a on-line ad, too :). That's
something I'll double-check on though. Is there some technical problem,
e.g. parts availability?

>> The only thing preventing me from taking the dive is my need for an open
>> air bed for work around the house - hauling rock, dirt, fence sections,
>> etc....
>> It would be replacing my Scrambler. I'm looking into trailers, but I'm
>> not
>> quite sure where I'd store a trailer yet. Anyone familiar with a
>> collapsable setup? Man, I hate living in town...
>>
> With a softtop it's a fairly simple process to remove the rear cage if
> you need that out of the way.

Actually, I need a trailer anyway - I've been -way- overloading that Jeep,
both in weight and volume.
--
Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer
 
On Mon, 9 May 2005 10:17:33 +0000 (UTC), beamendsltd <[email protected]>
wrote:

>In message <[email protected]>
> Michael White <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with Land
>> Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only option to buy
>> an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway, given that, I do have
>> a few questions:
>>
>> 1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to watch
>> out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for on these
>> models?
>>
>
>Apart from detail, these years are essentially the same.
>
The NAS 97's are all automatic transmission and 4.0L vs 3.9L V8's on the 94's
and 95's.
--
Charlie...
http://www.chocphoto.com
 
MVP wrote:

> the 3.9 and 4.0 litre engines are exactly the same capacity I believe.
>
>
> Regards.
> Mark.

Now keep up, please! Pantelis has already been here .....
 
In message <[email protected]>, MVP
<mr.nice@*nospam*softhome.net> writes
>On Fri, 13 May 2005 07:30:51 -0400, Charlie Choc
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 9 May 2005 10:17:33 +0000 (UTC), beamendsltd
>><[email protected]>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>In message <[email protected]>
>>> Michael White <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> I'm considering buying a Defender 90, but I have no experience with Land
>>>> Rovers (just Jeeps). Since I'm in Texas, it seems the only option to buy
>>>> an over-priced used one from the mid-90s :(. Anyway, given that, I do have
>>>> a few questions:
>>>>
>>>> 1) Of the years available (94, 95, and 97), are there any I need to watch
>>>> out for? And is there anything in general I should watch for on these
>>>> models?
>>>>
>>>
>>>Apart from detail, these years are essentially the same.
>>>
>>The NAS 97's are all automatic transmission and 4.0L vs 3.9L V8's on the 94's
>>and 95's.
>
>the 3.9 and 4.0 litre engines are exactly the same capacity I believe.
>
>
>Regards.
>Mark.
The 4.0 litre is 3947cc. Biggest difference is the ignition - no
distributor. A 3.9 burbles - a 4.0 litre purrs.
--
hugh
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