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Possibly the daftest transport choice I have ever made but. What would be the he most sensible upgrades to make to it?I don't intend to be doing camel trophy off-roading in it so sensible real world stuff. It's a td5 90.
Check your fillings
Get a spare car
Get some tools
Don't bother locking it thats just leads to a stolen car with a broken door.
Overdrive for the transmission?
Congratulations on your new addition.
if you live anywhere remotely dodgy, get a big ol' pedal lock
Change engine oil every year without fail, do diffs and gearbox every two.
If the seats are getting soft and flabby, think about a new set of foams and covers from exmoor trim.
If you're short of space in the driver's seat, consider moving the rails back on the seat box and I found taking off the door handle and replacing with a webbing strap gave my knee more space.
If your heater is lousy, think about giving the heater matrix a clean out.
And next time you crack the windscreen replace with a heated one and fit the necessary loom to control it.
Under the seat box, stash a towing strap, some d-links, a few tools, and a large bottle jack. You'll still need to find something to stick the bottle jack on to reach an axle though.
have fun.
New seats done.
Oil and filters done
Fluid in the diffs and gearbox done
Was thinking about pedal box and removable stealing wheel.
Dynamat?
Open the heater box and give the matrix a good clean and even a rebuild if it's leaking and steaming up your windows. A radiator rebuilder will do that for you.
Carry a towing strap because you will be asked to help muppets stuck in snow and in ditches but make sure they attach the strap to their own car, not you.
Buy my 10 feet tall stack of landy mags before the attic drops into thee bedroom. Hi lift jacks are wonderful things. Lots of alloy plating looks poncy unless dented to hell. Remove steps or you will rip them off anyway.
Investigate Waxol or oil spraying. Probably been sorted years ago but check loom to see if there is oil in it
I am told the stack is more like 15 feet.
Carry a towing strap because you will be asked to help muppets stuck in snow and in ditches but make sure they attach the strap to their own car, not you.
Unless you know what your doing that's a bad plan
Check the heater intake for water - unscrew the cover from the top of the wing, and reach inside - if there is water in there you'll need to unblock the drain tube - the best thing I found for that is a bit of nylon cable puller. You'll see water pour onto the floor when the drain tube is cleared.
A sound deadening kit is a good investment.
Put it outside your house as an ornament and buy something more sensible, comfortable, reliable and less daft.
Or get used to traveling in a stress position and arriving everywhere in the crouched position.
Photos of your beast would be appreciated 8)
Despite the naysayers, and it's obvious shortcomings - it's still one of the coolest vehicles ever made. Bravo on your braveness!
Pics!
1) If you think about going in deep water, extend the breathers.
2) If you get a Hi lift jack, please research its safe use before you try to use it!
3) You may already be aware, TD5s have 2 oil filters.
4) Cutting out or being hard to start + lots of noise from the in tank pump means injector reseal time. Easy job, gen parts cost a couple of quid, makes a huge difference.
5) Using a dodgy battery that takes ages to turn the engine over slowly will soon knacker the starter.
Main thing has already been mentioned. If you want to hang on to it, take security seriously.
Fit good quality headlamp guards using domed hex bolts (protects the headlamps and makes it hard to remove them)
As said above you must fit a pedal box lock. You are mad but think of it as a hobby rather than transport.Good luck!
wool - Member
… and removable [u]stealing[/u] wheel.
😯 Does that count as a Freudian typo?
Following the last “where’s my ‘kin Land Rover gone?” thread…
I’ve settled on (at least) a Disklok for the Discovery. On the basis that when I park for a country walk / ride, or even just shopping, I don’t want to be carrying a removable steering wheel.
[IMG] 
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Unlike the ones that go through the wheel, it can’t be used for leverage to snap the column lock.
Pics to follow picking it up next Sat after my list of jobs has been done, cheers for all the advice.
the discloks above are good, i have one. I got one of the manufacturers website on the cheap because it was polished chrome! if nothing else it'll dazzle the bad guys away. It cost me £50 with storage bag and delivery.
Halfrauds etc sell them too. Good bit of kit and quite solid.
They're worth an email to see if they've any that have been used for Demo's / photoshoots etc.
My brother just got one of the run out minty green station wagons, not sure what he's doing for security - 'not much' probably.
Does this mean you will give members free rides to Wales.
I can donate pasties (Greggs of course) 😉
Diskloks are only available direct from Disklok nowadays. I got one back in the summer and collected it from their warehouse in Wigan.
Their other business is Festive Lights so it was random being surrounded by Father Xmas and Reindeers whilst buying a steering lock in the middle of summer....
Xeng pedal box.
Benifit being no missile to kill you in a crash
Its always fitted and easy to lock so you wont think . Oh its only 5 minutes.
A stock diskloc is no longer a massive deterrent its weakness has been exploited. You can mod them easily to make em much more seccure.
Removable wheel makes things easy for a thief compared to a disklock. Used to move mine about the yard with a set of molegrips on the shaft.
My raised intake came into use today. Passed 2 hilux which injested water - had water in the cab but still kept going. All while on the main road ! It was close shortly after.
As it's a Td5, check right away for oil ingress to the injector harness / ECU cables.
There's a plug connection near the front of the engine bay, under the sound insulation cover and held in place by one of the bolts from the rocker cover. Undo the plug and see if it's full of oil. If it is, check the ECU (under the passenger seat) to make sure the oil hasn't already made it that far!
If there's oil present, clean out the ECU end (replacing this is a b*tch...) multiple times with contact cleaner or similar until it seems to be oil-free, then replace the injector loom (parts about £40).
Symptoms are hesitant starting, sounding rough and a hopeless lack of power, especially at low revs.
Right If it's aTD5 and if its nice....
Get some security......
You have just bought the most stolen, easy to steal and easy to break and sell parts car in the UK 😀
If it's got a factory alarm and immobiliser then don't think "Yay!" get another...
5mm SS Balls into the hinge bolts on the doors
Diskloks are good but can'r be relied upon
X-end Pedal Lock, Gear lever Lock and Ignition barrel shroud are all good.
Get a Tracker, hide it well
(oh and while I'm being messenger of doom, they are easily cloned, so check chassis number on front leg of chassis, VIN plate, Bulkhead screen vin and engine number all tie up)
Good call on the injector harness done plenty of those, the other td5 issue is injector seals but it's not a nasty job to do.
Injector harness is that a home dIY job and the injector seals? Still smarting over the the death of the Freelander a month ago. Disklock ordered going to get the pedal lock x-end
Injector harness is easy - did mine in under an hour and it's about the first thing I've ever done under the bonnet of a car...
Ear plugs and a very warm coat would be my recommendation
To improve the heater efficiency I fitted a wing top scoop to the passenger side wing, it made a difference when travelling at speed. You can also get uprated a heater matrix. Also there are small ducts available to help demist the side windows, either that or wear something with a fleece type material to wipe the window easily.
Pretty much been covered already, but security and regular maintenance are the most important things.
RE security, I've got one of these going spare - email in profile if you're interested:
[url= http://foundry4x4.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=65_1756&product_id=141 ]X-eng pedal lock[/url]
EDIT: consider a heated screen too - brilliant bit of kit for defrosting and demisting:
[url= http://heatedwindscreen.com/acatalog/land-rover-heated-windscreens.html ]Heated screen[/url]
Kenneththecurtain, I'd be interested in the pedal lock if it's going, email sent.
Spare wheel carrier, when the back door goes it takes the glass and gets even colder and you spend all your time looking for a parking space against a wall.
Disc locks easy to get off if your a dedicated land rover thief. Pedal box is the only secure method of keeping your Landy. Don't waste your money.
"Pedal box is the only secure method of keeping your Landy"
Itll slow them down but dont believe it will help you keep it if they come tooled up to take it.
Ok then it's the best of what's available if you are new to Landrover ownership. I would also fit a tracker. For what it's worth it's also worth painting a non standard colour so it stands out. Thieves don't like things that stand out!
slightly off topic - but....
I've been having a look at used land rovers from various 'specialist' dealers, not sure if I will actually buy one, but my notional budget is £12-£18k ish, for a 90 station wagon.
From having a look around, it seems there are two types of vehicle in this budget from these 'specialists':-
- An older (late 90's) vehicle , but apparently fully renovated model, usually built on a galvanised chassis. They look ,at least to the untrained eye, pretty smart, with a nice paint job, updated interior etc etc, high mileage usually >100k miles
-A newer (post 2005 ish) vehicle, looks to be in reasonable cosmetic condition,maybe not as nice as the renovated vehicle, but lower mileage 60k+.
Anyone got any views on these, what would the land rover cogniscenti do with my kind of budget? The purpose of it would be 'just because I like them',I have no need for any actual off road capability, and it wouldnt be an everyday car. I'm tending towards the newer vehicle, but interested in the views of the enthusiast.
I also have a caterham 7 ,which I like for the same reasons as the land rover, albeit them having totally different purposes,but am generally used to spannering etc.
when i looked - the newer stuff seemed to be rotting far quicker than the old stuff.....
I had 10k to spend - and already had a 1987 90....
after looking at quite a number of newer lower milage ones which were all looking rattier than my 25 year old one! ... i settled on spending 4k renovating my old one.....
things to watch out for with buying a CSW - make sure it IS a genuine CSW and not just a converted van. genuine CSWs are denoted as such on the V5./ If its not a CSW or estate car on the v5 then its not a CSW.......dont let anyone selling tell you otherwise - and you cannot have the v5 changed either.
^ + 1
the later ones seem to rot so much faster. Something to do with swapping steel source and the latter chassis steel being rubbish. I've seen 3-4yr old chassis go orange at the rear cross-member.
Mileage is much less of an issue with a defender. changing a worn out engine or a gear box is not the end of the world. Trying to keep on top of rotting bulkheads/chassis/doors is a greater pain IMO.
Id go for older, higher mileage, with sound chassis & bulkhead, and simpler electrics.
Anyone got any views on these, what would the land rover cogniscenti do with my kind of budget? The purpose of it would be 'just because I like them',I have no need for any actual off road capability, and it wouldnt be an everyday car. I'm tending towards the newer vehicle, but interested in the views of the enthusiast.
My personal choice would be an early model with galvanised chassis & bulkhead.
You'll pay through the nose for a restored one, but it's still a better bet then a newer one that'll rot out in a few years time.
The newer ones are a bit more civilised, but if you have a Caterham you won't have particularly high standards in terms of creature comforts so you should be fine 🙂
TrailRat & Stoner are sort of right
Best bet is to buy a nice one, you get good and bad in all versions.
Your budget could get you a nice TD5 or 2.4 Puma, if it's been well looked after and chassis protected you could get a gem.
Your best bet is to go shopping with a Landy nerd.
All are good, all are bad.
what he said - galv chassis and bulkhead come in many forms.... and can be built by many people.
most importantly than everything ... make sure the numbers match documentation.....
sooooo many ringers - intentional or otherwise.... without proof of build date - you will be liable for it.....
You'll pay through the nose for a restored one, but it's still a better bet then a newer one that'll rot out in a few years time.
The restored ones do seem to be very pricey, around £15k for a mid/late 90's model, and how do you know the restoration was a good job? I mean I can have a look around one, and it'll look shiney, but how do I know it was done right? are there 'prefered' restorers? or are there some specialists that are more trusted/reputable than others? I'm in the north west, if that helps narrow down some good specialist dealers.
The newer ones are a bit more civilised, but if you have a Caterham you won't have particularly high standards in terms of creature comforts so you should be fine
Yep - the caterham is very uncivilised, no heater, leaky roof/doors, hateful to drive in traffic etc, I expect I'd fit right in to defender ownership.
i would take an impartial 3rd party whos into his landies......
ive done it a couple of times for mates....
one bought it after i gave him a list of issues - including the fist sized hole in the front dumb iron... but so far hes had no issues other than the ones i pointed out- and he got it for a song because of the issues....
i told someone else flatly to walk away from the landy we were looking at unless he was going to stick a chassis on it.... knowing full well he wanted a daily driver.
He bought a rav 4 instead - hates the thing - didnt realise it was possible for a 5 door car to have less useful load space than a 90.....
It's worth noting that 110 CSW are better in nearly everyway if you intend to actually carry more than 2 people and a bag
It's worth noting that 110 CSW are better in nearly everyway if you intend to actually carry more than 2 people and a bag
I dont think a 110 will fit in my garage.
They also tend to be better value, more comfortable, better to drive, bigger fuel tank, etc....
(Just don't look as good)
110s are invariably like for like more pricy than a 90 for all the reasons above.
90 pick up = nightmare to travel with more than a bag and a couple of bikes in the back.....
Load of logs on the other hand = ace - far easier to load with the front loader than a van (impossible)
Just for the hell of it
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😀
is that a new one Tiger?
(BTW, Ive got one of those roof racks going begging...)
For Defenders, completely ignore what the number on the mile-o-meter says, it's "Condition, Condition, Condition" that matters!
(when i used to be involved in such things, i nearly (well the company i worked for at the time) bought a load of ex electricity board 110s at an auction. All lovely, one owner, low miles. Except that had clearly sat idling (keeping linesmens toes warm) for 18hrs a day, so despite having less than 30kmiles, the engines were totally knackered......)
looks likea TD5 or older - lacking the bonnet bulge and non flappy flaps....
I mean "new" to him. I dont recognise it from his fleet 🙂
You need the Goldylocks Defender, the 100 inch. Not long, not too short:
Here's one i made (a lot) earlier (1995, where the **** did 20 years go??!!)
[URL= http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/max_torque_2006/Volvo/LR100_v8.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/max_torque_2006/Volvo/LR100_v8.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Fleet??
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Stoner - Member
is that a new one Tiger?
Had it a few years now and it's our 1 and only proper Land Rover now.
if we are doing photos....
[img] 
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(pssst its not clean , its just raining :D)
If you get a Hi lift jack, please research its safe use before you try to use it!
I'll second that!! 😀
😀
Oh go on then, just a few.....
[img] 
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[img] 
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[img] 
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Pictures time?
[img][url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1704/23899780430_c17b7e8856.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1704/23899780430_c17b7e8856.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CpWC4Q ]Old Coach Road[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/29946087@N04/ ]riksbar[/url], on Flickr[/img]
well done, but get at least 1 tracker on it ASAP
heres mine I bought couple of years back
[URL= http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f144/kingcozmo/IMG_1260_zpshsttujtv.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f144/kingcozmo/IMG_1260_zpshsttujtv.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
and now sold and bought this new one (65 plate) one of the last
[URL= http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f144/kingcozmo/IMG_2818_zpsftc0yfqa.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f144/kingcozmo/IMG_2818_zpsftc0yfqa.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Alf wins at land rovering as usual, love that truck 🙂
Nice wheels on the 65 plate cozz. Shame your tires think they are american:( (sorry white letterings a pet hate of mine)
Aaaah please stop posting pics, I've only just convinced myself I don't 'need' one!
😆
If going off road, mud etc check you've got some timing cover plugs fitted and take them out regularly otherwise the dirt will eat cam belts!
ALF has something interesting hidden under his skin; is he on coils? Or late axles on parabolics? And what is hiding under the bonnet that needs the front panel moving forward 4 inches of so? I think I like ALF a lot! Do tell, Mark90...
Alf wins at land rovering as usual, love that truck
The one I shouldn't have sold.
Coil sprung galvanised Designa chassis, 90 axles, V8, series box, was very light, surprisingly good off road and great fun in rear wheel drive. A subsequent owner changed the engine to a TDI.
Edit: One more.....
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OOh, photos...
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If you choose an older referb just be sure to look it over and poke at it.
I paid to much for my td5 from a "specialist" because it looked shiny and had been looked over and fixed etc
What that Ment as it happens is filler in the rear x member and covering over of stuff all round.
I still have it and have fixed most of the issues ,
Said specialist is no longer trading.
Td5 and tdci do seem to rot far to easily. If I had my time agaib id get a tdi and be very picky
hows she running on her new gearbox and engine loom Stevo???
😉
If you choose an older referb just be sure to look it over and poke at it.
Or do it yourself, much more fun that way 🙂
hows she running on her new gearbox and engine loom Stevo???
Better than new! Can't believe I put up with the engine loom thing for so long. Bit like the frog in slowly-boiling water thing. You don't notice it when it creeps up on you...
Next job is to re-paint the rear cross-member. Again.
slightly off topic - but....I've been having a look at used land rovers from various 'specialist' dealers, not sure if I will actually buy one, but my notional budget is £12-£18k ish, for a 90 station wagon.
From having a look around, it seems there are two types of vehicle in this budget from these 'specialists':-
- An older (late 90's) vehicle , but apparently fully renovated model, usually built on a galvanised chassis. They look ,at least to the untrained eye, pretty smart, with a nice paint job, updated interior etc etc, high mileage usually >100k miles
-A newer (post 2005 ish) vehicle, looks to be in reasonable cosmetic condition,maybe not as nice as the renovated vehicle, but lower mileage 60k+.
Anyone got any views on these, what would the land rover cogniscenti do with my kind of budget? The purpose of it would be 'just because I like them',I have no need for any actual off road capability, and it wouldnt be an everyday car. I'm tending towards the newer vehicle, but interested in the views of the enthusiast.
There are three or four LR 'restorers' near me (East Lancs), one has his Landys painted by a paint guy in the same yard as me so I see his stuff before and after. It it is the most bodged together crap I've ever seen-absolutely knackered chassis and bulkheads stuffed full of newspaper and body filler. Looks good after paint but I feel sorry for whoever buys them.
The second sells stuff that initially looks ok until you look closer and start spotting details that hint at quick buck bodge stuff.
The third guys stuff looks okay, higher end rebuilds - I think he might be okay.
The forth builds some nice stuff but is a dodgy character.
As much as I love LR stuff (and I restore them myself) I would say be very very careful.
Personally I would buy a newer unmolested Puma and keep on top of it with a view to rebuilding it yourself in 10-15 years.
Remap really helped mine
http://www.alivetuning.com/vehicles-defender/
Replace the small side lights, rear lights and indicators with decent sized NAS ones
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012671
Rear work lamp was handy for night rides, had a switch for it on dash as well, handy for reversing and when someone was tailgating at night....
If you search it is likely that there is wiring for rear reversing light on the other side from single light, an easy job to wire up another one to give twin reversing lamps
http://www.macmillan4x4.co.uk/Photos/landy12.html
Rear wheel carrier if don't want to wreck rear door
Side impact protection is rubbish, fit something sturdy.
http://www.paddockspares.com/pm736-tree-sliders-pair-defender-90-black-powder-coated-over-zinc-plate.html
Can get heated mirror kits
I actually fitted larger mirrors which were helpful on continent
http://www.paddockspares.com/pm752-door-mounted-mirror-defender-large-type-web-exclusive-special-offer.html
Door latch forever catching on trousers and always catches seatbelt
http://foundry4x4.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=68
Get rid of egr valve
http://www.alivetuning.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/EGR-bypass-kit.pdf
Lockable cubby box?
Fit extra 12 volt accessory sockets on dash and/or cubby box
Cooker housing on rear door?
There's loads of things you can do to adapt it to your needs and can be a bit of a money pit too.....
Here's mine
http://www.macmillan4x4.co.uk/vehicle.html
Daft question, what's a Puma defender?
Daft question, what's a Puma defender?
No such thing as a daft question. 'Puma' is the code name the factory used for the 2.4 ford transit engine that's in the last lot of defenders. Has a bonnet bulge that accommodates the tall lump and a 'car style' dashboard (which loses the functionality of the flaps under the windscreen, which made me sad). People are mad for the bulge type bonnet at the mo; personally I think that they are a bit ugly. Give it a few years and everyone will want the old type again.
RustyNissanPrairie
My wife fancies a Defender and we have been looking at a place in that area which has some nice looking vehicles. Their name is a direction opposite to SE and has Defender in the name-is that one of the dealers of which you speak?
Email in profile if you dont wish to name them publicly.
Cheers
Their name is a direction opposite to SE and has Defender in the name-is that one of the dealers of which you speak?
I'd been looking at their website as well, and came to the conclusion that it had a whif of dodginess about it, cant put my finger on why, possibly the high number of cat d type cars that they are selling (quite openly I should add), the fact they've only been around a few years, and that they require you to make an appointment before visiting.
If someone would like to correct me though, that'd be great.
RustyNissanPrairie
My wife fancies a Defender and we have been looking at a place in that area which has some nice looking vehicles. Their name is a direction opposite to SE and has Defender in the name-is that one of the dealers of which you speak?
Email in profile if you dont wish to name them publicly.
Cheers
cant see an email address in your profile.
All our previous Defenders had a Mantec rear wheel carrier. It saves the rear door hinges and stops the door rattling. The door opens in the same way, but the weight of the wheel is supported by the carrier.
Rear Work light. Handy, cheap and simple to fit.
Reverse camera. For under £40 you can get one and it's a simple fit. Helps hitching trailers on your own amongst other things.
Had 200TDi's 300TDi's and TD5s. Had a DiscoveryII TD5 and loved it. (All the same performance but in comfort). I'm now driving a Discovery3 and it's the best 4x4 I've had. I go off road with big/heavy trailers and it's awesome for what I need it for. I'd never have another Defender, (I'm getting old and like comfort!), but I enjoyed the ones I had immensely.
Good luck!