Old defenders

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killiand

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Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #1

Howdy all, starting to seriously think/look at buying an oooold defender; At the back of my mind there's something telling me that some of you know your way through and around these so I thought I'd ask! Any top tips to watch out for? I'm looking at older models, either 90 or 110 and preferably with a 300tdi and r380 gear box... Any help greatly appreciated!

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #2

If you can get one with a 300tdi engine go for it. Best engine LR every had.

Mark&Wendy

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #3

Still working on this one. 1995 300tdi. It came with a galvanised chassis but not much else. Every single part is available and my favourite phrase is 'but it's only £20'. Scared to total up what I have spent so far. Got through the MOT in January, so at least she is now paying me back?

Good engine and chassis is a must.

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killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #4

Very nice!! Are the parts as ready as they say? That's great about the MOT

I'm looking as far back as the 70.s...!!
Missed out on a beautiful 90, with a 300tdi, resprayed body galvanised chassis etc... Not going to jump on any one at all..

Any major watch outs on the engine to be tested when viewing? The chassis - I'm assuming rust etc!

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #5

You'll get one, I'm sure, up the Shankill road. I saw a crowd of lads in uniform advertising Shankill Road Defenders a few times.

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Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #6

Quote by Mark&Wendy

so at least she is now paying me back

What, did you get a Taxi plate for it.

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #7

These companies are ex wd specialist, www.mod-sales.com and www.ljacksonandco.co.uk

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #8

Quote by killiand

If you go back to the 70's you will be buying a series3 or even a 2A if you go back to the early 70's, they were available in 88'' and 109'' wheelbase, they had the double winscreen, all the ones I used to work on were 2.25lt Diesels, they were a soft old Engine enough, the early ones has a 3 main bearing crankshaft and that was replaced with a 5 main bearing shaft around 1980 I think, I dont think the shaft was their weak point what was more common was they would drop the combustion chamber onto the piston after it loosened should the engine over heat, Broken half shafts was another problem with them. they were a great old work horse but the lock in the steering was very bad and they were geared very low but that could be overcome by fitting a overdrive on the back of the transfer box. The Gearbox's gave a bit of trouble too, they later ones had a ribbed Gearbox casing and that had a roller bearing on the reverse idler where the early ones had a brass bushing. the body's were fine but the chassis, bulkhead, footwell's and door tops were prone to rust the ones from the 70's were on leaf springs and the bushings often had to be replaced. I never worked on the 90'' or 110'' wheelbase ones but the appear to be a lot more modern mechanically.

Mark&Wendy

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #9

"Very nice!! Are the parts as ready as they say?"

I was told to stay away from Britpart, and to buy Bearmach or Allmake parts. They supply almost very part there is. It is worth shopping around, although I get most things from EBay. If really stuck I would use the landrover center in Saintfield, BLRC.

I would also fancy a Series ll at some stage, that or a Classic Range Rover.

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #10

Thanks a mill! One I'm looking at the moment has the 300tdi from a '95, and he has treated the bulkhead as well. Replaced the clutch, and pump... Seems a decent runner! Going to go have a look on Saturday.... But I've a awful lot to learn

Mark&Wendy

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #11

Quote by killiand

Just a big Meccano set!

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 08.03.2018 · #12

I was more of a K'nex kid myself :p

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 11.03.2018 · #13

Well we committed to it... Purchased a series 3 today!!

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the fat controller

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 11.03.2018 · #14

Nice, while I would love a defender I couldn’t justify it as a plaything never mind living with it as a daily drive, so I have the next best thing, a discovery 4

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 11.03.2018 · #15

yup... For us it will come in handy from time to time - and is vintage tax and insurance so cheap to keep, which was a key seller!

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 11.03.2018 · #16

Well ware Killian, looks a right clean one aswell

Thorn123

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 11.03.2018 · #17

Best of luck with the defender. Looks fab.
Is the camper going to tow the defender around or visa versa, because a fella will want to play with all of his toys on hols.
Malcolm

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 11.03.2018 · #18

Looks good, enjoy and a few more photos when you get her out.

CHAUSSON

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 11.03.2018 · #19

Wow, it’s a Beauty! There isn’t much of a series 3 left in her from the outside anyway, what engine and transmission has it, is it still on leaf springs?
I have a 1974 series 3 swb in original condition needing restoration and it don’t look a bit like yours

I must try and up load photo to compare. Best of luck and fun with it Killian

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.03.2018 · #20

finally have a minute

Pat you're dead right, series 3 chassis and I think it would be fair to say, that's it! the rest is from a '95 110 Hi cap, 300tdi + r380 I believe.. ! Picked her up in Tipperary! My better half had to drive it as she's not insured on the camper!

Malcolm, i've been desperately trying to figure the same thing out!! until the clutch is fixed.. it'll be motorbike in the back of the defender and the camper van on tow...

all angles covered then!!!

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Old defenders

· Posted: 30.04.2018 · #21

Saw this today in a sales display in G.U.M going all the way to the latest Range rover.

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killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #22

Well a spot of bad luck (twice) the alternator gave up the ghost on me a couple of weeks ago, identified by a bit of a low rattle while the engine was turning over. Cam belt off and a spin of the different bits - it was very obvious who the evening part was! Quoted €210 plus vat in Dublin for a replacement, so went to mullingar and got it for €200 flat (not an identical replacement - one from a new Holland tractor same spec, slightly different placement of the cables) fitted it, started it, lovely.

Last Saturday I was availing of the south Dublin 'mattress amnesty' (an initiative to dump old mattresses!) for the parents in law who've had one in their back garden for years, when on the way home there was a ruthless BANG and repeated fast 'knocking' (if knocking sounds like a hammer on a chassis)....

I lashed the brakes on and got into the hard shoulder (m4 motorway...) the propshaft between the front gear and mid transfer box (I think are the correct terms) was hanging down...! The housing it went into is sheared and there's a piece missing!!

On the hunt now for a replacement - only main concern is that there's a 2"lift kit on it and something tells me it might not be a standard prop... Time will tell!

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #23

Bummer, hope you get it sorted.

Thorn123

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #24

Irish drive shaft services can repair or replace most drive shafts. They are based near the Nass rd.
If you drive shaft has came apart on the sliding section, it is too short for the supension rise kit.
Malcolm

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #25

If the ride height of a vehicle is raised then the universal joints of the propshaft can run at an acute angle; an angle at which they are not designed to operate best at.

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #26

Thanks for the info! Apart from remove the lift kit - is there anything that can be done to offset that?

I'm not precious about the height - but there's additional pieces that are specially to accommodate it and I dont fancy having to replace them all now!

Also - if I remove the remaining part of the shaft - is there an issue driving it as a 2WD ?

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #27

Killiand, if you need any bits for it then there is a dedicated land rover specialist beside me.
Their website is Carnone Country Vehicles, telephone 074 9146252.
There is guys going to Dublin daily so could get any bits up the road for you or the owner (Richard) will mail or courier it directly to you.

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #28

Don't think a 2" lift should out of the range of a standard prop shaft. Sounds like the uj has failed. Any photos. Depending on the damage caused by hitting the chassis, it maybe repairable. You need a special socket (£10) to get at the bolts to remove both ends. If you can get it off, simply engage the diff lock and you should be able to drive in 2WD.

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #29

Unreal lads, thanks overall - the universal joint is awol....! I'll get under her this evening and get pictures... The housing the UJ sits in is sheared through one of the joints/circular housings...!

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 17.08.2018 · #30

I've been a Disco man myself, loved every second of it. Had the 300 Tdi and it was rock solid. As much as I like the exterior on the Defenders, the interior is a bit too spartan for my liking, so Discovery all the way for me. It has exactly the same platform really...

With a rear locker and in the appropriated hands, it's unstoppable.

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 18.08.2018 · #31

So, here it is!

On the Good news side first - I have part of it left and seemingly intact and it would appear to be a "wide angle" shaft to accommodate the lift kit

The bad news... As you may or may not be able to see in the photo's what appears to have happened based on all that I Could see - is that the bolts weren't properly tightened when installed (the guy before me put the lift kit in) I'm guessing rattled open - causing imbalance and the Universal Joint snapped out of it's housing along with the (slider?) end of the shaft.

also possibly noteworthy is that the bolts were not perfectly straight I'm not sure if this was as a result of the pressure because of other loose ones or if they were put in like that. All in all - I have to take the blame for not thoroughly checking out such a crucial (And easily accessed) component.. Lesson learned.

Now - has anyone ANY idea whatsoever about how to get that nut and bolt out that have been sliced?! There appears to be a part number on the remaining section of the shaft - so i'm off to see if i can purchase the other end or if its a full replacement!

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Mark&Wendy

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 19.08.2018 · #32

If you can't get vice grips to hold, I would go for angle grinder. That part is for the bin regardless. There are prop shafts available for under £100 on eBay. Make sure you get the special socket. The bolts can't be tightened properly without it.

sprinter

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 19.08.2018 · #33

A Pal at home gets all of his work and part's from this garage. Belfast Landover center st field co down.

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 19.08.2018 · #34

Special socket, just to check is that a torque socket - have a torque wrench (truth be told it's my dad's!)
there were 15mm and 14mm holding it in, which I'm not sure is right...! Going to need new bolts anyway as the ones I removed have the slightest bend in them!

Mark&Wendy

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 19.08.2018 · #35

This.

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Mark&Wendy

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 19.08.2018 · #36

I did try without it. Had to borrow one in the end.

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 19.08.2018 · #37

Ah ! You're dead right... i see what you mean! Did you have to redo the seals? Tough job?

Mark&Wendy

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 19.08.2018 · #38

I have slight leak from the rear diff. Have the new seal but still on the 'to do' list.

killiand

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 19.08.2018 · #39

I'll take good notes

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Re: Old defenders

· Posted: 12.09.2018 · #40

Discovered whilst in Malta last week.

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