Retroanaconda

No offence, but I think it's further because it is I'll be going from my home address in Sussex (in Stafford for uni at the moment), so... Sussex to Newark - 177 miles Sussex to Northampton - 108 miles If I was going from Stafford then there wouldn't be much in it, as you say.

I'm going to Billing this year, my reasoning is quite simple. Newark is three hours of motorway driving in a tin can, Northampton is only two.

Always liked Land Rovers as most kids do growing up, but in 2003 my father bought a Freelander for towing the caravan and then this happened... Ever since then I've loved Land Rovers even more (I was stunned that all four of us walked out of that without a scratch on us), and it was only a matter of time until I had one of my own. Last summer I bought a Defender 90 200Tdi, which lives at home while I'm at university (where I drive the much more comfortable Ford Focus), but gets put to good use during the holidays.

I agree with the original poster to be honest, we will inevitably lose all the 'green lanes' at some point so we may as well use them while we can. If I encounter angry ramblers, I just politely inform them of my right to use this lane, and tell them that since they'll all be gone soon I just wish to make the most of them. That said, I don't drive lanes that I know are hugely rutted or damaged as that's not why I go greenlaning. If I want to get stuck in huge pools of mud I go to a pay-and-play site. My other hobby, airsoft, suffers from similar problems. Prior to October 2007, anyone over 18 could buy an airsoft weapon (Replica Imitation Firearm), but the Violent Crimes Reduction Act of that time made it against the law to sell them. The airsoft community collaborated and managed to get a specific defense put in place whereby if you can prove your status as an airsoft skirmisher (through a site registration scheme), then you cannot be prosecuted for the crime. Again, it's only a matter of time before another government implements a full ban on replica weapons and therefore completely destroys the sport, so I make the most of it while I can. Overall: Use the lanes while you still can, be courteous to other users, and use common sense when deciding where to go

The starter motor trick wouldn't work on mine when I did it, didn't have enough oomph. 2' breaker bar + 5' iron bar over the end with the truck prepared as western described, plus a big tug, and that did the trick for it.

Why not just get a new glass for it? http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/DEFENDER/B...s_-_heated.html

Thank you both, I expect it to fail and will report back on the results for information's sake when the time comes.

I think most people just buy an early Disco rear axle, or a 300Tdi Defender axle as you say. As far as I know, they both go on easily.

Thanks mate, that helps. I guess I will have to see what they say when I take her in come April time, here's hoping it's not many hundreds of pounds. Cheers

Sorry to drag this one up from the depths guys, but I need to ask a quick question and it saves creating a new thread. As I'm going to have to have the rot pictured above repaired, if anyone has had similar work done can they give me an idea of what it would cost to have the outrigger repaired/replaced by a garage? I understand it's a fair amount of work if it needs replacing in it's entirety. Many thanks

My 245/75/R16 Trac Edges hit the radius arms (hockey sticks) on full lock. And that is on what I believe is a standard suspension setup. Edit: Oh, I should add that the above is on Disco Steel wheels, not alloys. Backspacing may be different.

Bear in mind that it also affects the odometer. So if you put 100,000 miles on it with a spedo over-reading by 5% then you'll only have actually put 95,000 miles on it

Hmm, what voltage does the battery read at? And just make sure the clamps are on the terminals tight, undo them and give them a twist and clean and do them up tight. I had a situation where they were connected but there wasn't a good enough connection to supply the starter motor. So when I tried to start it it clicked as is the norm and strange noises came from the battery.

Check the connections to the battery and earth straps to the chassis. They can be connected, but not connected. If you know what I mean. Failing that possibly a dead battery, I dunno :S

Probably find the four-wheel-drive aspect of the Land Rover will be a big help too.

*sigh* As I said, there's a difference between being in a car others are more cautious of driving into (ie giving you 'default right of way'), and actually assuming you have said right of way and disregarding traffic laws and practices. On my road the double-parked cars make it a single lane all the way down. If someone meets me half-way, they usually back off (except for that guy in the lifted Rangie) of their own accord. I don't agressively drive toward them, and I'm perfectly happy to back up, but most people seem to give me passage. That doesn't make me a 'warrior behind the wheel'.

Son of a.....I never thought of that! Haha, that'll teach me for trying to over-think it

Chipping Norton is about 20 miles north-west of Oxford. Useful Trivia Fact: It is where Jeremy Clarkson lives

Maybe running PTO devices, so you can use all five gears with the truck stationary? I use it to check my reverse light on my own, gearbox in reverse and transfer box in neutral. Works a treat

At a mini roundabout you give way to the right (ie traffic already on it) just as on a normal roundabout. This can cause issues where there's a car at each exit as then no-one has right of way. But eventually someone will go and then it'll be as normal. Edit: Oh, and it's also standard practice to treat it like a junction for signalling purposes. That is to say you don't do the 'signal right until the exit then signal left' bit for turning right, or the 'signal left for the exit but not until it' for going straight over. You just indicate right, left, or not at all depending on where you're going.

The only interesting bit is the fitment to the engine. I'll be watching this with interest, as while there have been many topics on this I have never found anybody confirming 100% that part number X is the correct fitment for a Defender 200Tdi engine. Everything points toward that one, as Western has said, it's just a definate part number I've never been able to find. Good luck

It might not be 'right', but people give way to you more. I'm not saying I purposefully try and muscle my way through situations just because I'm in a big truck....I'm saying people are more willing to give way and let you through. I drive the Defender no different than I drove my Focus when it comes down to road manners, it's how others react to your vehicle that is different.

They like it better when you've dropped all your oils and smell of engine oil, ATF/MTF and EP90 all in one

One of the joys of owning something like a big Defender. Default right of way I often see people eyeing up their chances and think "Go on try it, I don't mind a dent in my bumper...I'm sure you do"

That's something I've always wondered. If I were to use a standard 5W radio, and tune it to the PMR 446MHz frequencies....that would be illegal yes? Would be damn useful for airsoft games to have a radio in the truck that worked with everything everyone else was using....