The Defender thread

Tiercel Dave

Thanks banjolin, I'll test to see if the switch is putting out current in those positions, then I'll have a look at the relay. I'll report back on results..........

Tiercel Dave

Just to let you know how I got on with wipers. I tested the switch with a bulb and a bit of wire. Power was being sent out at all the varying positions. The intermittent position 'lights up' the white wire. I traced the power back as far as the relay. So I changed that and problem solved. Now have an intermittent wipe.........

banjolin

Good stuff. Did you use the VW relay or an original?

Tiercel Dave

I put in a 2nd hand VW one.
Switch to intermittent and turn off again. Wait 'till you want to wipe the 'screen again and turn it back on. It then 'remembers' the interval and continues at that 'till you reset it. Very happy with it......

Icyseanfitz

just got 2 new galvanised doors and a snorkel installed. Got a fair bit of "derusting" :pac: and tidy work done as well. As always a work in progress



Next job will be crewcab conversion id say. Was going to get a galvanised chassis put on but surprisingly my current chassis (1988) is holding up very well with little rust.

mikefoxo

I may be preaching to the converted here but I'm thinking of buying a Defender 90.

I'm a farmers son and we could really do with a farm vehicle. It would be mostly used going to and from the farm, pulling a livestock trailer the odd time (including on national roads, so it'd have to be a 5-speed gearbox) and as an everyday vehicle. More than likely it will be just me driving it.

I'm not loaded by any means, which is why I was thinking of going for one that's 30 years old or more (vintage tax). Would I still have to get an NCT every year? And would anyone like to hazard a guess how much I could be looking in insurance (26yo male,clean license, no claims)? I'd also be looking to do a good bit of the servicing myself (though I mightn't trust myself with any major problems).

Also, what about fitting newer bits to an older model? Things like interior trim, dashboard etc.? I know it'd never be like a Jaguar but I'd like to fit a few little bits to make it more user friendly. Would this be a problem?

All answers gratefully received:D

Icyseanfitz

mikefoxo wrote: »

I may be preaching to the converted here but I'm thinking of buying a Defender 90.

I'm a farmers son and we could really do with a farm vehicle. It would be mostly used going to and from the farm, pulling a livestock trailer the odd time (including on national roads, so it'd have to be a 5-speed gearbox) and as an everyday vehicle. More than likely it will be just me driving it.

I'm not loaded by any means, which is why I was thinking of going for one that's 30 years old or more (vintage tax). Would I still have to get an NCT every year? And would anyone like to hazard a guess how much I could be looking in insurance (26yo male,clean license, no claims)? I'd also be looking to do a good bit of the servicing myself (though I mightn't trust myself with any major problems).

Also, what about fitting newer bits to an older model? Things like interior trim, dashboard etc.? I know it'd never be like a Jaguar but I'd like to fit a few little bits to make it more user friendly. Would this be a problem?

All answers gratefully received:D

You can do pretty much anything you can dream of to defenders. The limiting factor is money mines a 1988 and ill be redoing the interior up to a modern standard once ive enough €'s.

Same as yourself re farm, Me (28) and my father are insured on my 110 and its around 500-600 with fbd. Think we got a special rate due to having a farm actually. Taxed it commercial with the farm as well but next year ive vintage so thats only 50 euro.
Pretty sure ill still have to get a nct/doe done though

mikefoxo

I think I read somewhere that any vehicle built after 1980 has to get an NCT pity But everything else you're saying fills me with confidence

banjolin

I think the first problem you will have is finding one that age that isn't a total pig and you might be surprised at how much a good one can go for. As said above anything this side of 1980 must have an NCT.

Older commercials can be more difficult to insure, but being a farmer might help. There is a discussion elsewhere on boards about converting commercial to non-commercial for vintage tax purposes. More choice with the lwb than short. Very few are unrepairable if you have the pockets because every part can be got fairly cheaply, but they all add up. The bling can be very expensive but a 30 year old truck can be made to look brand new.

Look back through this post for the common problems and if you can weld all the better.:)

banjolin

Just had the dash off (again) to replace left side wiper wheel box, and it is a complete balls of a job. Accessible it ain't. But while I was at it I noticed some rust behind a section of the dash that I wouldn't normally remove.

You should generally check for rust behind the grab handle on the left because water gets in where the windscreen bracket is attached to the bulkhead. I have had rust there and treated it. It is generally visible on the driver's side without removing anything.

This rust is lower down however. If you were looking for it you might find it without removing anything but you really would have to suspect it was there. In mine, with aircon fitted, the worst of it was hidden by a piece of plastic trim over the door check strap (see attached image). Worth checking.

Icyseanfitz

rust glorious rust

maccored

anyone know of anyone in laois or carlow who can fix a few bits of dodgy Defender electrics?

banjolin

Can't help with that location but any decent mechanic should be able to sort it, whatever IT is. The wiring diagrams are available on the internet, and most problems have been sorted by someone else with info generally available.

Suckler

maccored wrote: »

anyone know of anyone in laois or carlow who can fix a few bits of dodgy Defender electrics?

What model? 200/300/TD5 etc?

Icyseanfitz

im debating with myself whether i want to do something utterly and completely stupid ive seen a lot of videos lately with 110's converted to big v8's or cummin's engines. I was looking at buying a chevy ls3 new but that starts to work out very expensive by the time you factor in new transmission, better axles, brakes etc. so im trying to figure out a more affordable option to put stupid bhp into my 110

My 110 is mainly used on road and id love to have more grunt than what the 200tdi offers, It a lovely reliable engine (for me anyway) but once you hit 60 it has very little headroom and is an ear killer.

I know this is a silly idea but damn it its stuck in my head. Any opinions on a good way to go?

il be using a land rover specialist (friend of mine) to help me out with putting it all together.

stock>

Was one with a 6354 Perkins in it..............

banjolin

If your friend is a Land Rover specialist then why not keep it simple and stick a Rover V8 in. You might need to move engine mounts and you will have to replace the gearbox but I'd hazard a guess that it is fairly easy to source all the parts you need, and its a tried and tested path to power so loads of stuff to refer to on the usual boards. It won't be a rocket but it will give you motorway grunt.

Without going for the big lump you could consider a TD5 engine and just get it mapped for the road, if you are not averse to the electronic bits. Very reliable engine with enough power for modern motorway driving in the right set up.

No matter what option you choose you will need a share of an oil refinery to keep it juiced. Even with 27/28 mpg in the TD5 the bloody needle drops like a hot knife through butter.

Icyseanfitz

I was looking at range rover v8's last night alright, apparently the 4.4 is easier to fit than the 4.2 as its got less electronic management stuff in it. I was looking at buying a remanufactured one from the likes of here

discodaveirl

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

im debating with myself whether i want to do something utterly and completely stupid ive seen a lot of videos lately with 110's converted to big v8's or cummin's engines. I was looking at buying a chevy ls3 new but that starts to work out very expensive by the time you factor in new transmission, better axles, brakes etc. so im trying to figure out a more affordable option to put stupid bhp into my 110

My 110 is mainly used on road and id love to have more grunt than what the 200tdi offers, It a lovely reliable engine (for me anyway) but once you hit 60 it has very little headroom and is an ear killer.

I know this is a silly idea but damn it its stuck in my head. Any opinions on a good way to go?

il be using a land rover specialist (friend of mine) to help me out with putting it all together.

Would you not think about changing your transfer box to a different(lower ratio) one, from a discovery? Can make a difference, an extra bit of soundproofing, and then a few engine mods.

Not to sure of your engine milage, condition or history. But assuming its 25 years plus. Id say an overhaul large or small as you need. Piston rings, oil pump, check injectors, adjust valves (lr recomend every 25,000), new ti ing belt and spill time pump. Then if your still not happy, you can safely up the boost from the .8 bar setting to 1 bar (300tdi spec). Larger intercooler, then your into changing diff ratios, etc etc.

Wouldnt suggest changing to 300tdi as theres not enough of an improvement for the work.. Someone suggested a TD5 engine, thats a fairly big under taking, different tank, different trans tunnel and seatbox, engine mounts, wiring, gearbox etc.

200tdi are a great engine and with all upgrades available are much more refinable compared to when they were fitted 25 or so years ago.

Icyseanfitz

i was thinking of doing a full overhaul on the 200tdi but ive no real idea of its millage (Donner conversion from 4 years ago) so im not sure of the strength of the block itself. I know im mad for trying to make a defender any bit quick but its stuck in my head for some reason how much power can a 200tdi realistically put out, 160-170bhp?

discodaveirl

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

i was thinking of doing a full overhaul on the 200tdi but ive no real idea of its millage (Donner conversion from 4 years ago) so im not sure of the strength of the block itself. I know im mad for trying to make a defender any bit quick but its stuck in my head for some reason how much power can a 200tdi realistically put out, 160-170bhp?

Block should be fine, there around 105-110 standard. I dont see you getting 160-170, but even if you did whats the point... gap your valves first, compression test then see what needs doing, have you any idea of timing belt history, water pump etc.

Icyseanfitz

To be fair, since I got the 200tdi put into it I haven't had a single engine issue, its a great motor. I just feel like doing something a little mad/special with the 110 engine wise, saying that I can't just drop 10-15k to do it so I'm just brainstorming ideas.

Icyseanfitz

just got a recommendation of putting a chevy 350 into it, seems well priced for a brand new engine. I suppose the big question is how difficult would it be to get it working in a 110. Will i need to change everything with it or is there stuff that might hold up to the power?

Icyseanfitz

suppose i could buy an old daf 45 and take the cummins 5.9 6bt engine out of it

maccored

Suckler wrote: »

What model? 200/300/TD5 etc?

TD5 110 pickup

Marlow

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

im debating with myself whether i want to do something utterly and completely stupid ive seen a lot of videos lately with 110's converted to big v8's or cummin's engines.

TD5 Gearbox is rated for 380 Nm torque max, but you'd need a clutch upgrade. That's pretty much the strongest Land Rover gearbox you'll find.

I'm running a 3.5l Mazda SLTI (350 Nm, 135 bhp), R380 box, MOD 1.6 ratio, AP racing clutch (400 Nm limit) and Puma axles in mine.

The Perentie Defenders tend to have 3.9l Isuzu engine in them, but without Turbo ... getting pretty powerful, when they're turbo-charged.

Lots of nice petrols, that can be shoe-horned with that sort of torque, too.

/M

Icyseanfitz

ive decided on a cummins 6bt 5.9l, have a guy in the uk (specialises in conversions)who'll send me on an engine, ZF S5-42 gearbox out of a DAF 45 , transfer box, adaptor and all the ancillaries, basically just a drop it in kit. Just got to save up the euros and sometime next year il go about doing it. I have a salisbury axle in the rear which are supposedly quite strong so hopefully i wont have to go swapping them out. Wont be a cheap job but I am looking forward to it

banjolin

Yeah, but it won't be original

Icyseanfitz

not something that bothers me to be honest sure wasnt the original rover v8 a GMC engine?

I think the real beauty of the series/defender is that it can be just about whatever the individual person wants / imagines it to be.

Marlow

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

I think the real beauty of the series/defender is that it can be just about whatever the individual person wants / imagines it to be.

That's ACTUALLY the only good thing about it. An original one is pretty much a piece of **** ... it's what you make of them, that makes them good.

/M