Any interest in another defender 110 thread?

[Robotstar5]

How are you going to straighten the tie rod, rope/strop round a big tree and reverse?

 

[julianf]

How are you going to straighten the tie rod, rope/strop round a big tree and reverse?

http://www.paddockspares.com/nrc9742-track-rod-tube.html

A decent bit of rope would probably cost me more than that.

That is a real advantage of landrovers - sure, they break all the time, but, when they do, at least the parts are cheap.

 

[Robotstar5]

http://www.paddockspares.com/nrc9742-track-rod-tube.html

A decent bit of rope would probably cost me more than that.

That is a real advantage of landrovers - sure, they break all the time, but, when they do, at least the parts are cheap.

A bit cheaper here

 

[julianf]

Just done the track rod.

One of the track rod ends came out of the steering fine (the tapered joint) but the other - no matter where i whacked it, it still would not budge.

Borrowed a ball joint splitter off a friend, and it made the job so much easier (well, possible!)


Not all good though....

Whilst under the truck, i spotted a large (4" or so) 'bubble' on the inner tyre side wall : (

These are what's on there -

My plan was to get another set of rims for some more sensible road tyres, but keep the muds for when it snows etc (not that i know if theyre any good in snow anyhow but its a moot point now)

Id acquired these (rims - the rubber is no good) some months back -

The rims are genuine landrover, load rated for the 110 (other landrover alloys are only good for the 90 etc)



My options are -

• keep the muds on the steel rims, refurb the alloys, and fit ATs to them (ie my original plan)
• junk the muds, sell the alloys, fit ATs to the steels
• junk the muds, refurb the alloys, fit the ATs to them

Alloys will cost me about £45 ea if i pay someone else to do them (they are a fair bit worse than they look in the photo)
Will probably cost me £20 somewhere to get the old tyres off (im not sure ill manage it without doing damage)
That's £200 : ( I could get back at least what i paid for them if i flogged them, maybe bore (paid £150)

I assume the steels are rated for the weight. They're in nice enough condition at the moment, but i dont know how they will last.
Might be able to get a few quid for the 3-off muds. The tyres are, otherwise, in good condition, and they're no longer available (might be someone in a similar situation who just wants singles or pairs).

Or...

It might work out good value to get a mail order set (mail order rubber is always cheaper, it seems) pre-fitted to a new set of rims, and avoid fitting / balancing at this end.


In other news -


I still dont have a new bulkhead, but i think ive found a set of front wings.

(been sorting out the lighting - got a mini aftermarket loom for the headlamps that situates relays just behind them so as not to get voltage drop etc.)

Will try and take some photos - make the next post a bit more interesting!

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

It's never worth refurbing those boosts, you can pick up almost new take off sets really cheap now, I upgraded to a set of dual finish alloys and really struggled to sell my six month old 4000 mile set of five boosts with continentals for £400.

 

[julianf]

The front wings on my 110 are not terrible, but im looking to replace them with some perfect ones.

Ive been offered a pair, 2nd hand, but would have to buy from the photos.

The nearside wing looks nice -

...although it seems to have started out life a different colour, so, possibly, there's filler lurking in there too.


The offside im not so sure of -

To me, it looks like the top of the offside is dished, such as water will pool there, when it rains (just like it does on my existing wings)

Now i know that its far from a bad unit, but, if im going to go to the bother of buying / transporting / respraying / fitting etc. i want to it with a unit that will be spotless at at the end of it all.

I have dented wings as it is - no point in replacing them with ones that are just a bit less dented!

What do you think (from the photos) ?

 

[Robotstar5]

Can you tidy your existing wings with Chequer plates or are they too far gone?

 

[julianf]

Two points -

1 -

Im not overly sure about chequer plate. Its not in the same category as bean tin exhaust pipes, but its often not a million miles away.
That said, the wing tops would be a prime place for it - its where the tools always get left when any engine work is happening.

2 -

Mine are twisted under from the front impact that you can see in the photo in my previous post. Sure, its not terrible, but it means that the plastic light surround is cracked up / no longer fits.

The chap selling the wings is not asking a fortune. I guess maybe i should just get the nearside one. Or get them both and fit chequer....

 

[Ton-up]

They don't look too good if you are worried what they look like. Whats under that new green paint? Obviously to cover something up as why paint the indicator?

 

[barracuda816]

I agree with chequer plate but i think it looks good painted or powder coated black it looks good (unless the whole landy is black ). I

I think that a little panel bashing and a thin layer of good filler would be a better choice than those "replacement" wings

 

[julianf]

I *think* that my current favorite colour for 110s is bonatti grey -

...but i think its a metallic finish, with clear coat, so i doubt ill do that. Somthing like that though.

Here is one with chequer (and a puma bonnet, etc.etc.) -

 

[barracuda816]

Very nice indeed, but imho the bonnet plating is a bit too much.

 

[julianf]

Yesterday -

Exhaust front section changed -

Someone had even tried to weld a bit of it -

...which was kind of enthusiastic, considering the whole exhaust section cost me £16 to replace!


Also did the track rod / track rod ends. Did the string (wire) thing to sort out the tracking.

Flush -

I dont know if some toe is desirable, but, after seeing the side wall damage, im going to get new tyres asap anyhow.


The test drive i went on after doing the alignment was not too impressive. I was hoping for better handling, but i think its actually worse. Far worse than the 300tdi disco, which i spend 45mins driving every day. But then that has sensible tyres.

Will see what its like with new rubber, and then work out what's next.


i

 

[KimB]

I *think* that my current favorite colour for 110s is bonatti grey -

...but i think its a metallic finish, with clear coat, so i doubt ill do that. Somthing like that though.

Here is one with chequer (and a puma bonnet, etc.etc.) -

You need Havana grey in your life! Mines Havana, defenders aren't sold in the colour but they use Havana on the Range Rovers etc. Feast your eyes on this

 

[julianf]

Slow on the updates.

I thought id purchased some new doors but it hasnt happened - a story that i will enlarge upon, but not until its finalised. Has wasted some time and brain cycles though.


Ive now moved the technical to a tiny bit of hard standing that i have round the back of the house, to sort out some bits. Im really hoping it wont be too drawn out.

Issues to resolve whilst its there -

• small (2p ish size - and that's after poking) hole in the top of one of the outriggers.
• mid cross member beyond bothering with repairing (you can buy them off the shelf, and theyre bolt on - but will be involved all the same)
• still need to fit the new roof
• bulkhead - ive considered that it would be easier to replace

So the plan is -

• clean and weld up hole (it really is the easiest of the above tasks)
• cut out cross member and replace - new unit wont go on with the body in place, so the common aproach is to cut the new one in half, and then re-join. Its a light duty part.
• collect roof in trailer (was hoping to collect it on the 110 roof rack)
• replace with the one i picked up last night....

....yep, picked up one last night, locally. A tiny bit of rust on the top corners, so will replace with weld in parts from YRM. The inside was waxoiled at some point, and its preserved it nicely.

Im probably going to go the hot dip galve route with it then. Have been on the phone to the local plant today, and theyre familiar with them.


Ill take some photos later.

 

[julianf]

This is the new (to me) bulkhead -

It needs the upper corners doing, but was waxoiled at some point in its past, and the rest is surprisingly good (a few holes here and there, but not too bad - much better than my existing unit, that's for sure)

Im half way through stripping it at the moment, and hope to get it blasted next week.

 

[KimB]

Get it blasted and be prepared for an eye watering amount of holes lol

 

[julianf]

Just finished stripping it. There are a few other problem areas, but the paint is still intact on most of it. I'll take some photos in a bit, and you can tell me what you think.

 

[KimB]

Just finished stripping it. There are a few other problem areas, but the paint is still intact on most of it. I'll take some photos in a bit, and you can tell me what you think.

Okie dokie, mine looked much better than it was till I got it shot blasted then they gave it back to me in a plastic bag Just kidding wasn't that bad haha

 

[julianf]

Just been wondering about buying one of these -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370829794157


£17 quid, and maybe 4kg or so of caustic.... If i didnt have dogs (or had somewhere where i could be sure they would not go) then id be more adventurous.