Young man's quest to get a defender, with lots of questions.

Hi everyone, as the title suggests I'm trying to get a defender 110. I might be getting one soon from the late 80's, I think a 1987 county. So the question I have is: is it possible to turn this era of defender into a late TD5 such as TD5 chassis and bulkhead, TD5 engine, r380 gearbox, interior trim and one piece doors...etc. Not to mention as much security as possible, because thieves are more likely to steal them.
The other question I have is insurance. So I'm 21, driving since sept 2018 with no claims or accidents. Is there Insurance companies that will do reasonable deals unlike the bigger companies that will ask for an arm and a leg.
Feel free to give any advise, I'm all ears.

It isn't a defender

It's just a LR 110

Defender came in 1991

I'd keep a late 80s model stock, don't bother putting a TD5 in..

Thanks for your comment.
Isn't the LR110 basically a defender without the name, or are there a lot of differences between them?

Bezdonian said:

Thanks for your comment.
Isn't the LR110 basically a defender without the name, or are there a lot of differences between them?

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Why?

Marmaduke said:

Why?

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I'm curious, I thought the LR110/90 was a defender without the name defender.

Bezdonian said:

I'm curious, I thought the LR110/90 was a defender without the name defender.

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No I meant why change pretty much the whole vehicle. Why not just buy a td5?

Have a read of this and you'll see you'd legally have to declare it a Q plate.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles

Marmaduke said:

No I meant why change pretty much the whole vehicle. Why not just buy a td5?

Have a read of this and you'll see you'd legally have to declare it a Q plate.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles

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Mostly because TD5s are fairly expensive (for me that is) especially the station wagon version which sit around the 10k mark and I don't have that much to spend all at once.
Btw thanks for the link its very useful.

Just a thought, how about just getting a LR110 galvanised chassis and just swap the engine and gearbox?
So what engine would be better for that chassis. The 200 or 300 tdi?

Welcome.
If you buy an 80’s landrover you will need a full rebuild. Hope you have the space/time/money to do this?
Cost may equate to a TD5..
Just a thought.

Hello and welcome

Bezdonian said:

Hi everyone, as the title suggests I'm trying to get a defender 110. I might be getting one soon from the late 80's, I think a 1987 county. So the question I have is: is it possible to turn this era of defender into a late TD5 such as TD5 chassis and bulkhead, TD5 engine, r380 gearbox, interior trim and one piece doors...etc. Not to mention as much security as possible, because thieves are more likely to steal them.
The other question I have is insurance. So I'm 21, driving since sept 2018 with no claims or accidents. Is there Insurance companies that will do reasonable deals unlike the bigger companies that will ask for an arm and a leg.
Feel free to give any advise, I'm all ears.

Click to expand...

As others alluded too, that age isn't a Defender. Not a biggy, but some are more precious about it. That era would actually have been a One Ten.

As for doing what you are asking, yes it is possible. Although doing all of those items will cost you significant sums of money and time. It would probably be cheaper to buy a Td5 straight out if that is your end goal.

Technically, to the letter of the law changing all of those bits may get you a Q-plate and needing an IVA for the vehicle. Check the info out here:
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles

The sticking point would be whether a Td5 spec chassis is considered a factory replacement for a 1987 model. Then add in the engine and gearbox swap which are clearly changes.

But it is very open to interpretation and there is no way to know for certain on this, you just have to make a decision yourself on how you interpret the guidance.

However fitting a Td5 engine can be done without the need for a new chassis, so that could be another option.

Basically there are a lot of choices out there, be it a Tdi swap or some other engine. It is all possible.

Id stick with the 87 county and fix as stadardish
Insurance is gonna be a bummer for you for sure. Go pedal box, tracker the lot be cheaper to buy all security than insane premiums I’d guess

Welcome to the forum

Welcome

Welcome to the forum

This is all dependent on how much money you have to spend and lose. Buying a tratter or buying and modifying a tratter isnt cheap, for what you get. Do you need one or do you want one?

And the running costs... mpg isnt good. Insurance could be difficult to get. Especially with mods. They often disappear as they're easily nicked.

I wonder if a different choice of vehicle would be more suitable so you can save for the future instead. Not wishing to put you oft yer dreams but the financial sense needs to be considered.

Hi and welcome!

For the cost of converting a 1908’s 110 to a Td5, you’ll likely spend more than the cost of a decent Td5 Defender. As others have said, it’ll potentially be a Q-plate too if you change the chassis. 1980’s landies are rising in value so if you get one, I’d keep it as standard as possible unless already modified. Also, the more modified, the higher the insurance premiums and desire to thieves!

Let us know how you get on.

Hi there and welcome!
I personally wouldn't want to take an 80s landy and change the chassis, engine, gearbox and electrics, sounds like a lot of effort and money!
Work around what you've got as stock, polish round the edges so to speak

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, after much thought I’ll save more and buy a td5 defender when the opportunity arises.

Buy one in the summer, that way you get lulled ito a false sense of security before the winter hits!