Jaspermowatt

Active Member
Right,

So I've gone and bought a pretty knackered out 1987 defender 90 2.5 turbo.

Its in a pretty rough way but I wanted a bit of a challenge.

The bulk head is fecked well and truly beyond repair so i am left deliberating the option of buying a shiny new galvanized bulk head or buying a rust free second hand one. Obviously the latter is by far the cheaper option but I've got a few queries.
Because I am intending to rebuild the landy and use it as a toy that I will play with for a few years and then flog it on. Would the reassurance of a galv one pay me dividends in a few years when I come to sell it, i.e. will it hold its value more than if I reused a second hand one? Will the fact its not a 200/300 tdi restrict it even more and thus be a waste spending the extra on the shiny bulk head?

From a brief search, it seems I could get a new bulk head for around the £800 mark or a second hand one for £300. Those prices are not including preparation and fitting as I can do that all my self. Is this about the price I should be anticipating.

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Jasper
 
if you can afford it, and plan to keep it a long time, then go galved. also same with chassis.

if you can't afford it, then a solid one would last a long time if looked after.
 
if you can afford it, and plan to keep it a long time, then go galved. also same with chassis.

if you can't afford it, then a solid one would last a long time if looked after.

Cheers, what about getting a second hand solid one galv dipped?
 
Cheers, what about getting a second hand solid one galv dipped?

It is possible to do that and I know two people who have done it with series bulkheads, both have been trouble free.
The time and expense you take with the bulkhead might depend on what sort of chassis you are planning to mount it on, probably not worth putting a new galv bulkhead on a rusty, patched old chassis, might be better to clean up, repair and paint second hand.
If on the other hand you want to go the whole hog with a new chassis it might be worth new galv. all depends on how much time and cash you have to spare, there is almost no limit to restoration.
 
If it was me I would buy a good second hand one and get it galved my self.
Well that's what I plan on doing at some point with the one sat in my shed
Probably work out cheaper than ashtree or the likes.
 
Thanks guys. I think I am probably going to have to get a new Chassis seeing as the current one requires lots of patching and sorting out. Although I have not yet had a proper look - waiting till I have acclimatized to the drop in temperature!
In the mean time, need to work on getting on the good side of the 'bank of dad'!
Because its going to be a little while before I start the project as I need to clear my work shop (talking of which, any buyers for an Austin 7 Ruby as thats in the way) I shall not rush into a hasty decision.

thanks again
 
have a search bulkheads are thinner than the chassis and can warp. some say if you get the galv guys to air cool it then it could be ok.. i don't have any experience with it though.
 
If it was me I would buy a good second hand one and get it galved my self.
Well that's what I plan on doing at some point with the one sat in my shed
Probably work out cheaper than ashtree or the likes.

Aaron let me know when you plan on doing this as I have a solid TD5 one that I also intend having dipped. Might workout a little cheaper if we can negotiate a reduced price to get them both dipped together. I would love to switch to a galvanised chassis. :)
 
Don't forget that Ashtree bulkheads aren't brand new anyway, pedantic I know but to quote their own website they are "essentially salvageable bulkheads in need of refurbishment". That said, it is probably the easiest way of getting a good / refurbished galvanised bulkhead with the minimum of work but alternatively you have the likes of Andover Land Rover International as well as other suppliers who supply the same thing.

Personally I went down the DIY galvanised route earlier this year.
My bulkhead was in perfect condition so ideal for the work (if there is internal corrosion the you are wasting your time). The stripping & galvanising operation was very cheap and I suffered no distortion apart from some slight rippling to some flat panels which can't be seen when assembled anyway. I had to clean up the threads (something which the likes of Ashtree do for you) but is very easy and only took an hour or so. Don't forget to remove the mesh flyscreens before dipping otherwise your vents will be blocked (I cut the welds and then bonded the screens in place afterwards).

At the end of the day it is up to you however I really do recommened the galvanising option, how you get it done is up to you. If you can weld and are certain the bulkhead is structurally sound then do it DIY, if you can't weld however just go for a ready made solution.
 
Aaron let me know when you plan on doing this as I have a solid TD5 one that I also intend having dipped. Might workout a little cheaper if we can negotiate a reduced price to get them both dipped together. I would love to switch to a galvanised chassis. :)

Yep will do, Mines a Td5 one as well :) Could be a fair while yet though. Want to get the capping's done of that tub as well, Probably got a few other bits as well.
Fancying another project, A proper one, Galv chassis and bulkhead.
Make it betterer than last time. And this time I will be keeping it :eek:

Just got no time at the mo. So could be a while before I even find one.
 
Don't forget that Ashtree bulkheads aren't brand new anyway, pedantic I know but to quote their own website they are "essentially salvageable bulkheads in need of refurbishment". That said, it is probably the easiest way of getting a good / refurbished galvanised bulkhead with the minimum of work but alternatively you have the likes of Andover Land Rover International as well as other suppliers who supply the same thing.

Personally I went down the DIY galvanised route earlier this year.
My bulkhead was in perfect condition so ideal for the work (if there is internal corrosion the you are wasting your time). The stripping & galvanising operation was very cheap and I suffered no distortion apart from some slight rippling to some flat panels which can't be seen when assembled anyway. I had to clean up the threads (something which the likes of Ashtree do for you) but is very easy and only took an hour or so. Don't forget to remove the mesh flyscreens before dipping otherwise your vents will be blocked (I cut the welds and then bonded the screens in place afterwards).

At the end of the day it is up to you however I really do recommened the galvanising option, how you get it done is up to you. If you can weld and are certain the bulkhead is structurally sound then do it DIY, if you can't weld however just go for a ready made solution.

nice to hear from someone who has done it :)

can you remember how much it cost and where?
 
This is a link to an earlier thread about the same thing, worth looking at (includes cost information).

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/galvanised-bulkhead-truth-myth-229587-2.html

One thing I did mention in the other thread is about the additional holes I drilled. I am now convinced they helped as it meant that whatever way the bulkhead was dipped there was always going to be a way for the air to escape, acording to the galvanisers that is more important than over the top bracing when it comes to items such as bulkheads (they had done a few and never had any problems).
By the way, if anyone wanted the bracing bar shown in the photo bolted across the bottom it is available.

I used East Anglian Galvanising in Sawtry (Cambs) but cost wise I should imagine they will all be much the same. I expect the biggest difference would be if you involve a third party who wants their cut or if they have a minimum charge (EAG doesn't).
With regards to capping etc (mentioned earlier in the thread) I had all mine done plus several other parts (swing away carrier, rear bumperettes, tailgate liner etc) and it all came to under £40 inc prep & VAT. In no way can galvanising be classed as an expensive solution!
 
Cheers for all of the replies. I think I am going to hold out buying a new one for the time being. Hopefully find a good second hand one on ebay that i can make good.
 

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