loggyboy
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 12:35 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by PSpirine
Sorry bla bla bla was in reference to the off-topic chat about chelsea tractor images etc. Whilst I agree with it, it's completely irrelevant to
the OP! 
Just to go on a bit more - he did ask what we thought - I was just telling him! so not that far off topic!
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adithorp
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 12:53 PM |
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Check the chassis, out riggers and rear floor for rust.
Steering boxes have been kown to leak oil. Not difficult to replace. Also often don't get the play adjusted (easy to do)
Check the steering damper. Ball joints on them tend to wear.
Los of nice goodies available for them. Don't forget to aquire thick skin to protect from the "I hate Chelsea tractors" brigade.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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tomgregory2000
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 01:09 PM |
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No issue with rust on the rear floor on a defender as they are aluminum
But do check the chassis for rust, check with a hammer and a screwdriver, if the owner wont let you walk away as they have something to hide, check
the bulkhead as they are hard to repair and costly
They are great fun to drive if you dont want to get anywhere in a hurry, i love mine and am doing a full ground up rebuild.
They are great vehicles to work on, so simple.
Ive got a few photos of mine in my photo archive
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pajsh
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 01:28 PM |
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There are plenty of more capable, more reliable, more economical 4 x4's. For £6k you can get alot of a Discovery (or many other makes) that will
be more usable, more reliable and more economical.
You have really got to "want" a defender to own one. It's got to be a purchase of the heart not the head they are sooo expensive for
what you get. My lad is big into shooting and he wants one but can't justify it. £6k for a 25 year old car 
And who cares if people think you're a c__k. Plenty around on the roads these days.
If you're happy stuff em.
I used to be apathetic but now I just don't care.
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tomgregory2000
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 01:35 PM |
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One thing to remember is that defenders hold their value, you could buy that for 6K and drive it for 5 years and sell it for 5.5k - 6k.
No other normal cars that i can think of hold their value like a defender
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NigeEss
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 02:38 PM |
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Most things have been pointed out but I'll add a couple of points.
Apart fro your arm being so close to the door you may find the seating position far too
upright and very close to the steering wheel on early Defenders. I've removed the bulkhead
behind the seats on mine and it transforms it. Stick a couple on nice seats (Micra fit well) and
it's actually a comfy place to be  You'll need to brace the tub to recover the strength but there
are aftermarket bars for the job or make one.
The one on PH certainly looks nice BUT...... check insurance first as it's a modified vehicle. The
200Tdi wasn't fitted till 1992/3 at the same time the name Defender was introduced.
That said, mine is insured through Flux with all mods, winch, suspension, engine and upgraded
intercooler etc for a couple hundred quid.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
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fesycresy
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 02:51 PM |
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Bloody awful drive if you ask me.
I would have thought a RAV 4 or Vitara would have been more up your street?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
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Irony
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 03:30 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
quote:
Originally posted by TimC
Now truth be told, I don't see myself doing much offroading; I confess it's an image thing as much as anything.
What do you think?
You want to look like a C***?!?
[Edited on 18/1/12 by loggyboy]
Why make this comment? It doesn't add anything to original post. For your education there are very few Defenders in Chelsea. My girlfriend
lives there and I cannot remember the last time I saw one. Turning circles generally to rubbish for London.
Defenders are great vehicles but they do have there problems. The interior even on new ones are quite rubbish and the driving position let say
'takes some getting used to'. Nothing really that much better off road (with correct tyres) and as a towing vehicle for the price they
are unsurpassed. There is nothing in the same price bracket as the defender that will legally and successfully tow 3.5 tonnes. Everything that can
tow that much costs a lot more. Thats why we run three Defenders at work.
Yes they have their problems but for sheer charm and toughness nothing competes. The only cars I know that when dented or damaged the character of
the vehicle increases.
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tomgregory2000
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 03:42 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Irony
Yes they have their problems but for sheer charm and toughness nothing competes. The only cars I know that when dented or damaged the character of
the vehicle increases.
To true, Dents are like scratches only with a better story
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 04:11 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by TimC
Now truth be told, I don't see myself doing much offroading; I confess it's an image thing as much as anything.
Are you really prepared to put up with driving a Defender as your only car just for the (questionable) image? If you've not driven one before,
be prepared for a serious culture shock. Noisy, harsh, desperately poor steering lock, uncomfortable, slow, thirsty and rusty.
They are excellent tools if you have to pull heavy trailers through muddy fields, but a horrible proposition as a daily road car. If you want a 4x4
that's reasonable to drive on the road, you should be looking at a Land Cruiser or Shogun.
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Ian Pearson
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 04:21 PM |
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"There is nothing in the same price bracket as the defender that will legally and successfully tow 3.5 tonnes."
I'd disagree with that. The Landcruiser tows 3.5 tonnes with ease. New ones are pricey, but a decent 80 Series can be had for around £4000.
NTDWM but look TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 4.2 TD VX AMAZON 80 SERIES ,LOW MILEAGE,LEATHER,DIFF LOCKS | eBay
Probably heavier on fuel though!
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Irony
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 04:36 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Ian Pearson
"There is nothing in the same price bracket as the defender that will legally and successfully tow 3.5 tonnes."
I'd disagree with that. The Landcruiser tows 3.5 tonnes with ease. New ones are pricey, but a decent 80 Series can be had for around £4000.
NTDWM but look TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 4.2 TD VX AMAZON 80 SERIES ,LOW MILEAGE,LEATHER,DIFF LOCKS | eBay
Probably heavier on fuel though!
To be honest I was refering to new purchases with the cost comment - my experience with Defenders is only through work. Discoveries, Land Cruisers,
Range Rovers and their ilk all tow as well as a Defender but cost £££ new.
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Phil.J
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 05:14 PM |
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I bought a TD5 90 last September and I love it! Sure it's very truck-like to drive but that is part of the appeal. I do get 30mpg on mud tyres
though which is better than my previous Mitsubishi. Mine has a great spec including a leather interior and is amost like new everywhere despite it
being a 1999.
Condition is everything when you look to buy though, particularly the chassis. Try to find one with a galvanized chassis if possible if buying an
older vehicle. The price will be high for good condition but the residual is great. They tow like a dream too. If you do buy one get good anti-theft
gear installed including a Disc-Lok, they are hugely desirable vehicles and not the hardest to break in to.
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T66
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 06:39 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
But if you buy a 100k ferrari and only use it to tootle back and forwards to work or shops you are definately a c***! more so than the Cheltrac
owners!
Your on a roll, anyone else you dont like ?
Back to the original post - another mate has a lwb Landcruiser 2002 auto, it does 30mpg with whatever you do with it.
And is comfortable, and hasnt broke. He works offroad with it on pipelines, and it is very competent. Good ones can be had for £3000 +
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loggyboy
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| posted on 18/1/12 at 06:42 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by T66
Your on a roll, anyone else you dont like ?
People that think that because I have an opinion on something that differs from their own that my opinion isnt valid!
JOKE btw!
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richard thomas
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 08:15 PM |
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Tim, back to the original post......it looks good, you will find it uncomfortable and agricultural....better as advised previously buy a
landcruiser....the best 4x4 in the WORLD.....or alternatively my Disco Td5...best price for you, my old son.....
Or as Fesy suggested...you might look better in a Vitara......
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HowardB
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 08:33 PM |
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I love my Landy, and as a 1961 SWB S11 it is neither comfy or economical but it is and was great fun to buy, rebuild and drive. It doesn't have
to be expensive and most jobs are easier in the huge engine bay or infact when you can sit under it to fix something, rather than having to lay
underneath at a jaunty angle.
Chassis rust in the rear crossmember is a nightmare, and also in the front out riggers, but £20 and some welding and a new outrigger can be fitted.
Bulkhead is another issue, and at 30 years old mine was shot, the new one, painted properly has lasted 20 years sofar!
In conclusion it's a passion not a car.
If I had to have a capable tow car, I'd have any of the LR stable of products, and or any of the Japanese equivalents as they are all good-ish.
But only the Landy will get a wave from other Landy owners, and only the Landy will make you grin when all the passengers have had enough noise fumes
and heat.
hth
Howard
Fisher Fury was 2000 Zetec - now a 1600 (it Lives again and goes zoom)
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Wheels244
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| posted on 20/1/12 at 10:54 PM |
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Buy one - they're great and just to prove it - here's mine
 
Description
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NigeEss
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| posted on 21/1/12 at 12:22 AM |
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Of all my vehicles, cars, van, bikes, the 90 would be the last to go should I hit hard times.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
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