Defender 2001 (90) chassis

Good evening all, just joined as looking for some help with my technology inept step Dad lol. He has a 2001 defender 90, absolute pride and joy but is currently down after failing the MOT. It needs a new chassis, we've found one for around £2000 but had some pretty crazy quotes for fitting. I appreciate its not an easy job at all but does anyone on here have any recommendations for mechanics or suppliers to get it done a little cheaper? Any help appreciated. Based in Somerset but could travel anywhere UK if need be. Cheers , Adam

Gussy1981 said:

Good evening all, just joined as looking for some help with my technology inept step Dad lol. He has a 2001 defender 90, absolute pride and joy but is currently down after failing the MOT. It needs a new chassis, we've found one for around £2000 but had some pretty crazy quotes for fitting. I appreciate its not an easy job at all but does anyone on here have any recommendations for mechanics or suppliers to get it done a little cheaper? Any help appreciated. Based in Somerset but could travel anywhere UK if need be. Cheers , Adam

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If that £2000 is from Shielder Chassis in Ireland, think again! Do some research on them.

As for how much, whatever you “think” it will cost, double it. I replaced mine in my mam and dads back yard. It was huge task. It cost me somewhere between £7-9K I think (I still haven’t totalled it all up). It’s the small things you overlook that add up, bushes, bolts, taps, dies, etc. I’m not certain the prices will be the same, but when I looked at getting mine done by the garage, it was around £4-5K + vat.

How bad is the old chassis ? [ some pics ? ] Eighteen years is not a long life for a Defender chassis unless it has been badly abused doing things like putting boats in the sea or never having had a clean. Many chassis repair sections like outriggers and crossmembers are available.

Adam, as above, how bad is the chassis? And if MOT failed due to chassis rot where has it failed? It may be more logical to complete the localised repairs with good quality repair sections...it's only metal and there are plenty of reputable suppliers. If repairable you must have a good welder/Landy experienced welder near to you in Somerset.

Alternatively, why not plan a fun project with your father and replace the chassis together. Really, Land Rovers are just big boys Meccano...the trick with working on these old girls is to de-install methodically, clean components and bag/box/title as you go. Take lots of pics and re-assemble in reverse making sure you use a good helping of copper slip/white grease/lithium grease/Loctite thread lock [as appropriate]. This forum is superb for help, advice...and the fellow members knowledge is first class [well, most of it...]

ps I'm doing the reverse next week...I'm working on the Landy with my 17 year old son. He hasn't quite got the "mechanical bug" yet...so we're going to spend a few days working on the old girl during his first week of half term. Though, as yet, he doesn't know it...!

As above..... we need piccie to advise you properly..... but, it's always a bigger job than you think....

Oh, only my opinion, but, .... another vote for avoiding Shielder like the plague, based solely on their apparent attitude to customers from reading on the interweb. Also advise a search on here....

£3450 plus vat on ebay for the Richard's chassis fitted.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROV...FIT/162259301466?_trksid=p2504926.m5232.l9681
Cornwall and you would have to do normal checks on the company. Just saw it on ebay, no idea if they are any good.

Gmacz said:

£3450 plus vat on ebay for the Richard's chassis fitted.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROV...FIT/162259301466?_trksid=p2504926.m5232.l9681
Cornwall and you would have to do normal checks on the company. Just saw it on ebay, no idea if they are any good.

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That’s a bit too good to be true.

they probably make it up on all the little bits they say are now needed, thing is they are probably right. As many have found when doing a chassis change.

j

On the leaflet lower down on the page it is £3100 plus vat.