The Defender thread

SafeSurfer · 14-07-2013 12:22AM

The weather has been great and the best air con ever has been my 90 pickup. Open the back window roll down the driver window and you are instantly cool, even without opening the vents. Its a reason I don't see the point of soft tops. They look more Americanised and dont look like a proper defender unless they are a wolf or something similiar.
Would you be tempted by a defender convertible?

101sean · 14-07-2013 04:41PM

Having had a series 2A, a Lightweight and a 110 soft top as well as the 101, I'd have another.

They are quieter and drier than a hard top in the winter and you get the joy of open top motoring in the summer. Downside is the lack of security. I've had truck cabs too and have gone to the trouble of unbolting it in a rare hot summer

I rarely go completely topless in the 101 as it takes ages to put the tilt back on, usually just roll the sides up and take the doortops off.

All academic for me at the moment, I'm stuck in Kent with only a Caddy van with no aircon :mad:

ballinadog · 14-07-2013 09:31PM

101sean wrote: »

There is no new model Defender yet. the DC100 concept has been rejected (but may turn up as a new model in it's own right) I think there is derogation to carry on building current utility Defenders until 2017.

The replacement is looking more like 2017 now, if it happens at all. LR say they are saying it will but Tata are making huge money making the luxury models, they can't build Evoques and Freelanders fast enough so they don't need the Defender despite it defining what Land Rover is.

One good thing is the uncertainty is keeping Defender values high

You mention Evoque in your post, hope you are confusing models and the replacement Defender isn't related to it :eek:

Ya, it was the DC 100 I was referring to, glad to hear it was rejected...

O.A.P · 14-07-2013 10:52PM

After 7 years of defender 110 ownership I do not know how to drain the coolant system.
It has been done all right because the head gasket blew on it after 18 months and I paid the main stealers enough for a range rover vogue to put it back on the road.:(
I don't see any tap underneath it so I suppose its a matter of taking a pipe off? But which one? its a Td5 if it makes any difference ?
Thanks O,A,P

101sean · 15-07-2013 08:27AM

I usually just pull the bottom hose which is what the manual says.

When you are refilling it undo the bleeder in the top hose and run the engine before closing it when the air stops coming through. Use the expensive OAT coolant (usually pink), you can't use cheaper glycol coolant unless you totally flush the system.

101sean · 15-07-2013 08:28AM

Ya, it was the DC 100 I was referring to, glad to hear it was rejected...

No-one liked it, especially the yanks!

Watch Ryder · 15-07-2013 08:47PM

Just to let people know:

The feeder fuel line from the sender unit (mounted inside the fuel tank) on the 300TD model is slightly flawed. Over time the slight strain it is under from over tension to the chassis outrigger can result in plastic fatigue and eventual breakage.

101sean · 15-07-2013 09:35PM

Bet you discovered that at a totally inconvenient time or place!

happybob · 21-07-2013 09:46AM

Hi folks,

What vehicle class are commercial jeeps put under for EasyPazz/E-Trip; are you guys specifying LGV or "Car"?

-HB

Mycroft H · 21-07-2013 09:58AM

We always got charged for a LGV on tolls. Same as a van.

happybob · 21-07-2013 10:09AM

BX 19 wrote: »

We always got charged for a LGV on tolls. Same as a van.

Funny though, because if you had a 90 S/W or 110 S/W it would probably be a car ... would be weird paying more for a 90 H/T than a 110 S/W ...

Seanieke · 21-07-2013 10:22AM

As soon as you put your reg in to register for the tag it will come up with Commercial Rate if it is taxed as a commercial, the same if you go to pay the cashier, a camera reads your reg and tells them to charge you commercial rate. If your going to be going through tolls a lot it can work out cheaper to tax the jeep Privately. But do your maths carefully... Plus no more 30 minutes free parking in Loading Bays

Hermy · 21-07-2013 12:16PM

This might interest some of you folks (from a thread on Classic car forum).

happybob · 21-07-2013 01:14PM

Curious how many of you actually use your hand brake at a STOP?

101sean · 21-07-2013 01:44PM

Probably half don't work anyway cos they are oil contaminated!

I tend to in anything I drive but suspect I'm an exception.

happybob · 22-07-2013 07:33AM

101sean wrote: »

Probably half don't work anyway cos they are oil contaminated!

I tend to in anything I drive but suspect I'm an exception.

Given the way 'it' lurches even on a gentle slope when parking looks to me like parking in gear is a sound option. Manual even recommends that.

Constantly reaching down for the brake at traffic lights could be a bit of a pain in the -rs-. On the other hand, accidentally rolling into the car in front or behind would be even a bigger pain.

Had a moment today where I accidentally found reverse instead of first ...

101sean · 22-07-2013 08:03AM

You can fit the handbrake from a D1 to the top of the seatbox, had one on mine for a while but the ratchet went so had to put the original back. Haven't got round to finding another.

banjolin · 25-07-2013 06:25PM

Aaaahhh the fun to be had with a roll-on hand brake.

Anyway, I'm running a bit of a cider festival in September in South Tipperary and was chatting to the landowner about maybe organising a Landrover / Defender get together to add another dimension (food, craft cider, a couple of craft beers, music, more food, lots more cider, camping, cider, you get the picture). He said go for it so I'm throwing this out there.

The festival is on for the weekend anyway but we can create a Landy camp and maybe organise a bit of a run somewhere as well enjoying the rest of the festival.

What do people think?

Mycroft H · 25-07-2013 06:30PM

happybob wrote: »

Given the way 'it' lurches even on a gentle slope when parking looks to me like parking in gear is a sound option. Manual even recommends that.

Constantly reaching down for the brake at traffic lights could be a bit of a pain in the -rs-. On the other hand, accidentally rolling into the car in front or behind would be even a bigger pain.

Had a moment today where I accidentally found reverse instead of first ...

Drove an R380 defender the other day. Reverse the other way round compared to the LT77s. Nearly hit the wall

101sean · 25-07-2013 07:00PM

Oooh, I'm home in Tipp most of September

Last year I got called over the tannoy on Irish Ferries and got dragged down to the car deck by an irate Eastern European seaman for leaving my handbrake off! Tried to explain they all rocked but he insisted I get in and put in on plus he chocked it (it was a bit lumpy outside) :rolleyes:

Similar on Le Shuttle a few years back, got parked very tight to a Transit and the train lurched going through a crossover resulting in an almighty bang as my LR smacked the back of the Transit

stock> · 25-07-2013 07:12PM

101sean wrote: »

Oooh, I'm home in Tipp most of September

You making treats or promises Sean??
Reminds me we have to share a bottle or two of red plonk soon seeing as you missed Dartfield..............

101sean · 25-07-2013 09:27PM

Yes, it been a while since we debated the meaning of life over a drop of the grape, have to try and catch up while I'm around for a month.

I'm not a Cider man but could make an exception down at the apple farm that weekend (I'm partially to some well crafted beer though)

banjolin · 25-07-2013 09:37PM

Guest craft beers at the Saturday night barbecue............. we cater for all tastes.

sparkman · 31-07-2013 10:13AM

I just got quoted 130 euro to have a new rubber seal put around my windscreen. Anyone else think this is a bit steep?
Existing seal is badly cracked and leaking. Bulkhead is showing early signs of rust so want to get it sorted asap.

stock> · 31-07-2013 10:23AM

sparkman wrote: »

I just got quoted 130 euro to have a new rubber seal put around my windscreen. Anyone else think this is a bit steep?
Existing seal is badly cracked and leaking. Bulkhead is showing early signs of rust so want to get it sorted asap.

No that's reasonable value seeing as the last seal I bought was €90. just make sure they will cover the windscreen against damage...........

banjolin · 31-07-2013 05:03PM

nee naw nee naw nee naw.................:D that's the mods comin'

jd6920s · 01-08-2013 12:08AM

Anyone know where the best place to get a light bar and four rectangular spot lights for a defender?

101sean · 01-08-2013 01:42PM

Sparkman, when my seal needed replacing my windscreen developed a couple of bad chips so it had to done under insurance

jd6920s, look on ebay or any of the suppliers like Paddocks, M&M etc. Alternatively if you're anywhere near Moate go and see Crozier 4x4

nhoj88 · 01-08-2013 10:35PM

Hi im getting a new galvanised chassis with the 300tdi engine mounts in the right place (originaly my engine was a 2.5n/a&lt77, then converted to 300tdi&lt77) so will be moving my 300tdi engine forward and will have to loose my lt77 gearbox and need to fit a r380 gearbox.... Anybody have a running defender or discovery box lying around cheap until i can afford a reconditioned box??

101sean · 02-08-2013 07:39AM

You can't use a Disco box without swapping the the gearchange for Defender or the gear lever will be back between the seats.

The Defender thread

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