My first ever Land Rover at 57..!

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Jack Daniels

Member
Posts
13
Location
Dorset
OK, kinda late to the party here, bucket list purchase... Never had a Landy in my life, always wanted one, so before im too old and past it, i had a hunt round and found the perfect truck for me at a local classic car dealer.

It's a 1988 Defender 90 Pick Up, with a 200 TDi, got stacks of history with it and loads of love, TLC and money has been lavished in it.. i swing my own spanners, can fabricate stuff, i just don't know Landys yet !

Ill probably have some daft noob questions as there is so much to learn..So im really hoping to make some great new acquaintances here who wouldn't mind sharing their knowledge and experience with a Landy Virgin.!
Cheers y'all
Jack.
 
Hi welcome to the forum, sounds like you have a good one, easy to work on and a bonus you can do the work yourself. 200tdi is a simple engine to maintain. Got any pics?
 
Hi Steve.
Thanks for your welcome, this looks like an amazing forum, so many friendly people.
Obviously being an'88 truck it isn't a factory 200tdi, the dealer said it was recently fully rebuilt, and shed loads spent on it.
looking at the engine i think it's from a Discovery as it has the turbo mounted under the plenum ! (if i've got that right?)

Yer Tiz.
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That looks smart, problem ares are the rear crossmember and the bulkhead, but I'm guessing they will be in good nick by the looks of it.
I had a 1988 90 which I rebuilt on a galv chassis and fitted a disco 300tdi. Reluctantly sold it a while ago though :(
 
That looks smart, problem ares are the rear crossmember and the bulkhead, but I'm guessing they will be in good nick by the looks of it.
I had a 1988 90 which I rebuilt on a galv chassis and fitted a disco 300tdi. Reluctantly sold it a while ago though :(

Don't we always sell the vehicles we should have kept.. i do it all the time with bikes..!
Rear cross member looks mint, must be a new one (that's the one under the tail gate like a rear bumper right? told you im a numpty noob!!)
And the bulkhead has only some light rust marks, no scabs or flaking !!
 
Mine sat on my drive for a year without proper use, only had 2 seats in so no good for a family car. I'm rebuilding a disco 2 now, can get the 3 kids in no problem.
Crossmember is the back bit of the chassis, if it's been replaced would pay to chuck some cavity wax in if it hasn't been done. Bulkheads normally go around the top hinge area, can get repair panels cheap enough though.
Do you have any plans for it? Or keeping it as it is
 
Thanks Steve, there is some light rust staining around the hinges, but nothing to worry about and nothing at the bottom. the whole underside seems to be loaded with thick waxoyl so i reckon it was done right.
I have literally only bought it this weekend, so at this point im still just enjoying the new experience. I love the simple un-cluttered plain-Jane look, not even a tow bar, so it's a blank canvas at the moment..
I know there's a world of things i can bolt to it to make it anything i want.. but i want to drive it about for a while, see what falls off, leaks or breaks and then once im happy it's all sound, then maybe a passenger side step first for the missus to get in it..lol!
 
Ha ha... So not just me then..lol When we took it for a test drive, it was hysterical, it was parked on a yard, so no curb, with a knee under he chin she was still 6 inches short of reaching the sill... so i had to lift her in...a hand on each cheek, very undignified lol
 
Thank you for the kind welcome Y'all, im hearing a fair bit about Landies being popular with the Tea Leaves... perhaps ill have to get the Mother-in-law an air rifle and sit her on sentry in the drive.. it's not cold over night this time of year and the old love likes the fresh air..!
 
I try not to let my wife in the landy, she moans none stop about the spiders. Welcome to landyzone, your truck looks great, be a shame to add lots of bling.

Col
Thank Col, that's a comment i really needed to hear... Me and the DS are in agreement that the 'plain jane' look is what we like about it most.. It's not a "Rig"...no bullbars, winch or clutter.. just the simple straight lines.
I think it may be lifted slightly, and the boots are obviously bigger.. but i think that's all she needs.!

Loving this community already..!
 
Hello and welcome to Loonyzone:D:)
your MIL will need more than an air rifle, a nice side by side, rocking chair and a flagon of moonshine and all will be good:D
 
Hello and welcome to Loonyzone:D:)
your MIL will need more than an air rifle, a nice side by side, rocking chair and a flagon of moonshine and all will be good:D

Naah, not this MIL, the Air rifle will be just to get their attention, she'll then finish the job by giving them a pull through with her broom stick .. She's from Basildon you know ! !
 
Naah, not this MIL, the Air rifle will be just to get their attention, she'll then finish the job by giving them a pull through with her broom stick .. She's from Basildon you know ! !

Pull through with a broom stick:eek: thats much worse than shooting i like it, make umm think twice:D
 
Pull through with a broom stick:eek: thats much worse than shooting i like it, make umm think twice:D

Indeed, between visits to Salem and her regular coven nights, she is quite creative in her activities.. she has been known to use a Christmas tree during the festive season....A bit wiffy in the hotter weather, but we hose her down once a week so it's livable. .!
 
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