What to do

[colley]

Shame thanks for the info

[Retro Pedro]

Late edition I know Steve - but if you get tempted on the later Nissans, a panel beating fella I was told about, was to busy to do the cab on the Karrier because he's got a nice side line going buying Nissan Navaras with the bottom end knocked out, rebuilding the engines and selling them off to Africa at a premium price. Guess it's all to do with getting more power out of smaller engines because of emissions.

[Fatbaz]

Up-date on the Gwagens, the LWB is too long. The SWB is great at 97 inches, thats half way between a 90 @ 93 inches and a Disco @ 100 inches, the later ones in RHD had the straight six 3.0 litre diesel, the lockers were electrically controlled. If you go LHD and come later they had the 280 V6 ( about 200 bhp and bags of torque) with a very clever auto box complete with lockers all round. Even in long wheelbase I was taking this where the KAM lockered 90 and 110 either got stuck or bottled out at the DVD show held at Milbrook testing grounds extreme off road course.

Made a few women squeal (some of the blokes were "women" as well) dropping out over the 1:1 decent and scream when you reverse back up it (fortunately it's a concrete surface) and when you get 3 or 4 feet of air under a front wheel when exiting bomb holes on the tight section.

Gets my vote every time, I'd move into a 2 bed semi-tent to get a decent G if she would play ball. But their forum ain't as good as this one.

Regards

Stuart

[colley]

Just thought i would update you all
After much thought and looking at different trucks i have finally made my mind up about what i am going to do
Even though i really like the land cruiser i keep on being drawn back towards a 90 defender as i have a really soft spot for them and like the simple construction of them.
As i have a fair amount of money to put into my new truck i am planning on buying a defender 90 with a rotten chassis. I then plan on buy a galvanized chassis and rebuilding it from the floor up.
I then plan on fitting lockers and an Isuzu 2.8 engine as i love the 2.8 engine, and they bolt straight in with no welding required with the conversion kit
I will probably have the 2.8 engine rebuilt but would like to buy a new engine if they are still available and not to much money.
So just watch this space as i plan to start the project around September time. I am sure i will need advise and guidance along the way so get ready for all the questions
Thanks again for all your input

[Mr Mud]

SWB Nissan Patrol....strong as old boots

Jeep Rubicon if I had the money

[PaulHooligan]

I would have another Lada Cossack like a shot if I colod find a decent one. I loved mine

[igotababyfrontera]

Forget all of them buy a unimog!!!

I been watching YouTube vids of them

[Retro Pedro]

Best of with Steve - have you got the '4x4 is born' series on vid
For all the banter on the green ovals, for me, the one thing that can't bettered on the 90 is the basic design - the 4 wheels in the extreme corners of vehicle - that's unless your good with an angle grinder and welder.

[Wilberforce]

[Drift]

It was vauxhall green parts who supplied the engine
I got the starter motor off it before I knew he was buying it

[gregster]

I am pretty sure one my mates has got a conversion kit for a 2.8 if you need one...it was in a 90 but he knocked the ends out of it IIRC...He has also got a big lairy hybrid turbo for a 2.8 too...and if he aint got the conversion kit for the landy's any more then I should be able to get me a big ass turbo for my truck!
Let me know if you are interested and I will find out how much he wants for it

[colley]

Would be very interested greg dependent on price and if its the full kit e.g engine mounts etc... I will have the turbo too

[mega-fronty]

steve also try simon holland on RP he had a full kit couple months back inc the engine

[colley]

Nice one si

[matt_mph]

Right just a few things to let you know about trouble wize with:
land rover discovery TD5
Very good cars, especially if you like mod cons like air con, cruise control, heated leather ect. The face lifted ones look far better then the earlier ones that pretty much look like a 300tdi. Normally have Active Corning Enhancement which is noticeable when throwing about, but only really noticable on the very very limit. Few things to watch out for:

Active Corning Enhancement pipes, they corrode and finally burst under pressure. Pipes are cheep enough but definatly a job I would do without a ramp
Air Suspension, Prone to splitting rear air bags, if the bag has a leak it can lead to the compressor burning out. Easy fix as there is a range of coil spring conversion kits off the shelf but it will cost you a trip to a land rover dealer / specialist to have the compressor turned off via the ecu using their diagnostic computer.
Diff lock, Early td5's did not come with a manual diff lock and traction was reliant on the traction control system, land rover realised their mistake and changed it back to manual locking when they released the face lifted td5's. If you do get an early one it is possible to fit the manual locking selection shafts as it is the same box.

There the main problems with them, I could go on but other stuff is what you find on an abused example.

Land rover defender 90
All depends on what engine, td5's are amazing. colleague at work had one kicking just over 200bhp and it was like a train. just check:
Chassis, get underneath and have a good look, outriggers and rear cross members are all prone to melting away, always a way to knock the price down and their is galvanized chassis out there. If a seller is claiming its a galvo chassis make sure they have the paper work to back it up otherwise it will be a case of them having your pants down
Other then that they are bomb proof and with regular service and maintenance will last for many many years.

Hope this helps mate

Matt

[Frenchfarmer]