The approach angle of the drive meant there was an interference fit between roof and garage door. I wonder if this is a bad omen? Does the landy really want to be restored? And if not will it fight me every step? Letting the rear tyres down solved this one and the landy slid into the garage...

I can't quite make out the serial number of the gearbox, but at some point its been fitted with an R380 gearbox, and the transfer case has a serial number that indicates it started life in a Range Rover or Discovery 1. The rear axle is also not stock as it has discs, not drums, and 87 would be...

Ah...bugger...righty ho...thus the value of posting stuff...I do not feel inclined to seek out a 2.5NAD anytime soon so will cough up/get the tester's opinion sorted.

I started out with a quest to find a 90 with a 200TDI or 300TDI with a rotten chassis and bulkhead. The kind of thing that was ripe for a galvanised replacement. After kicking a few tyres I ended up with an 1987 E reg 110 fitted with a Isuzu 2.8l turbo. Initial thoughts are the chassis might be...

The good news; Engine mounts look like they were made by someone who knows what they were doing. Adapter plate between engine and gearbox is marked "Ashcroft Conversions" So I think this one has been done properly with no cowboys involved. According to the VIN it was a 2.5 NAD originally.

All the work will be done by me...time served ex-mod apprentice taught to maintain, repair and overhaul everything from a motorbike to Challenger. Planned use? A vehicle I can truly own. Full strip, inspect and repair as required over a couple of years with grandson to pass on some of the...

It's an '87 110 and will know more once I see it in the flesh, including getting an idea of what the chassis is really like, and what gearbox is fitted. My guess is the 2.5 NA diesel was removed and an Izizu lump inserted. But its only a guess right now. A chassis and engine swap...yeah...not...

Thats really good to know and thank you Phil. Much appreciated. I will find out in time if we had the cowboys involved...

I may well be aquiring a 110 fitted with an Izizu 2.8 lump in a chassis that needs...a new chassis. The question of what is better - Izizu or 200tdi - is for another day, but the question for now is thus: How much work is needed to a std chassis and bulkhead to fit the Izizu? How far from...

Anyone used Shielder as a replacement for a Defender chassis? These people: Shielder Chassis

I would be interested to see the wheel well guards you mention. Any pix?

I reckon maintenance of drum brakes is one good reason to go for discs. Hence the thinking of looking for a post 1990, or swapping the axle.

Open mind really. Ideally: Diesel. Located south or south west. Needing chassis and bulkhead. It will be a forever/keeper vehicle. Something for the grandson and I to work on, passing on some of the skills needed to keep it alive after I'm gone.

Thats great to know, thank you. Re which truck. This is very much TBC as I am on the hunt for a project (if anyone has one...new chassis, that kind of project..) and knowing what to expect when looking at rust/potential is useful.

If I understand things correctly (and bear with me...new to Defenders...) the original braking setup on the 90/110 was discs front and drums rear - is that correct? If yes, does anyone know what year the change to all discs happened? And is it possible to fit later disc rear axle to a 90/110...

I'm about to move house to a place with a decent sized workshop. This space will need projects...and one under consideration is a 90/110/101 rebuild...a vehicle to get back to the bare bones and rebuild with a view of it seeing my time out on this planet...sharing the rebuild with grandson and...