What doors should I have?

From the picture below you can (just about I think!) see my recently acquired 90 has push button handles on the front doors but a lift-up handle on the rear. If you can't see it, take my word, it has!

I have read a number of posts on this forum where owners of similar 90's of this age have lift-up handles on ALL doors. Does this mean my front doors have been changed at some stage, or did some models have push-button handles?

Problem is, I have no keys for any of the locks so I guess I will have to drill them out. Can I then replace the front locks with standard Defender barrels (MTC6503)? But what about the rear? Would that not need a barrel/key from a Series 2/3 lift-up handle?

Probably a load of daft questions, but I am newbie Defender owner having only cut my teeth on a Series 2A and a Lightweight!

Thanks guys

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/...ender-4x4-1556074365-640x480.jpg?t=1296670562

Difficult to tell from the photo but I think your vehicle is a 1986 C-reg?

Should have lift-up handles all round but even when they changed over to push-button on the front the rear stayed as lift-up so there is no problem there. Even better the barrels are the same so you can fit a matched set. No need for drilling, get access to the mechanism and there is a small plunger which you push and the barrel just pulls out.

Litch said:

Difficult to tell from the photo but I think your vehicle is a 1986 C-reg?

Should have lift-up handles all round but even when they changed over to push-button on the front the rear stayed as lift-up so there is no problem there. Even better the barrels are the same so you can fit a matched set. No need for drilling, get access to the mechanism and there is a small plunger which you push and the barrel just pulls out.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes it is a C reg, 1985. So I guess someone has swapped the doors for push-button then

Litch said:

get access to the mechanism and there is a small plunger which you push and the barrel just pulls out.

Click to expand...

fink you will still need the correct(ish) key in the barrel as well

Yes you have to insert something into the barrel to pull it out (note I didn't say push it out) but anything that will apply a some outwards purchase to the barrel will do. Many barrels are replaced without having the correct key to hand.
It's not a difficult job and if I recall correctly the Haynes Restoration Manual has a good photo section on rebuilding doors including lock mechanisms.

Litch said:

Yes you have to insert something into the barrel to pull it out (note I didn't say push it out) but anything that will apply a some outwards purchase to the barrel will do. Many barrels are replaced without having the correct key to hand.
It's not a difficult job and if I recall correctly the Haynes Restoration Manual has a good photo section on rebuilding doors including lock mechanisms.

Click to expand...

The only key that came with the 90 does fit the lock, but doesn't turn it. So hopefully that'll do the job of "pulling" the barrel out.

Nice little job for the weekend!

Thanks again chaps.

i need to do this on mine this weekend, the little orange linkage from the barrel snapped and the barrel came out on my key the otherday! hopefuly find a replacement somewhere!

i have an 87 D with push button fronts and rear lift handle

if its a landy shaped key - ie the one that starts it - stick it into the barrel about 2/3s and turn .... will probably open

Karlos - that happened to me. I ended up buying a new handle as that bit that broke doesn't appear to be a seperate item. Stupidly I bought Britpart - the handle snapped off in my hand within a couple of months. Bit the bullet and bought a genuine one - no problems since.

top drive said:

i have an 87 D with push button fronts and rear lift handle

if its a landy shaped key - ie the one that starts it - stick it into the barrel about 2/3s and turn .... will probably open

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, tried it but the ignition key won't fit.

I've bought a full set of new barrels/keys for all three doors, so hopefully that'll be the end of my problems - famous last words!