Chicken Drumstick

Really keen to see what the Grenadier is going to look like. I'd love to be in a position to buy one, but sadly suspect that won't be the case. Would certainly like to see about a used on after a couple of years.

A nice size, but very very limited choice of tyre treads sadly BTW a 285/75 will look a lot smaller than a 35.12.50 and would be more akin to a 33.11.50 size wise.

Is your Defender actually quiet enough to notice the difference in tyre noise? Good job if so

Thanks all. I didn't have anything that small in the draw, all sorted now.

I have a set of Wipac NAS indicator, side & brake lights. Anyone know what pitch thread and size nut holds them on? Thread looks quite fine, so not sure if they are imperial/UNF or not. Haven’t yet found anything to in the draw to work.

Why?

I'd say it is all about the shocks really. Other factors will effect handling and the like. But it is the shock that does the dampening. I had some friends who did Hill Rallying, they stopped going once they got to the point they were spending about £4k/corner on shocks alone. This was 20-25 years too. Shocks as fitted to the likes of the Ford Raptors or Chevy ZR2 look pretty capable for road vehicles. And all reviews say how well both vehicles run at speed on the rough. I believe one of the design targets for the Ranger Raptor was to be able to run a 100mph off road in terms of suspension design. In other competition I think most use some sort of by-pass shock setup and hydraulic bump stops. Take a look at some of the rock bouncers

But probably not legally in the UK at any rate....

But does it? A real Defender sure, but not this plastic fantastic, fake chequer plate machine. The Defender had the image bcause: 1. It was a rugged utilitarian vehicle 2. Simple construction 3. Live axles 4. Coil suspension 5. Native design that was good for off roading The new Pretender has none of this and is only a name. I suspect it's image will be very mixed, but it will never been seen as a roughty toughty off roader. Because it simple isn't.

But it does nothing a D3/4/5, RRS or even FFRR does in this regard. It is even built on the same platform as some of the others.

Why lift for road use???

It might not effect you. But if you plan to compete in trails events, some regs will not allow custom welded steering components.

Personally I thought the DC100 looked really good. Much sharper than this new Pretender does. It still wouldn’t have been a Defender but if they retained the DC100 naming or even something like Defender Sport I probably wouldn’t have objected.

It's also marketing and product position. The same vehicles can have different tow ratings in different countries, depending on local laws and the market they are being pitched at. An FL2 is a light duty vehicle, so even if it was capable of towing more, LR would much prefer you bought a Disco 3/4/5 instead to do that job.

Interestingly a brand new 2020 Wrangler Unlimited (so comparable size) weighs over 400kg less and not far off a traditional 110.

I don't see how reading further would make it any better. In fact it is worse! The S2 wasn't a reboot ffs, what a complete load of utter bollox. In fact the S2 was quite a different vehicle and update to the S1 and while it shares the design ethos, most of the parts are changed. Some quite radically so. The S3 might have been more evolutionary. But still, as the model had not been out of production at all, none of these were sodding "reboots". 90/110 was again a massive jump forward and apart from a few minor fixings they actually share very few bits with a Series.

You sure about that? I only recall it being in the last 5 years or so. Since it's been JLR and their continual efforts to produce designer handbags.

Thanks. That should be enough info to get me going. Love this site for such awesome and knowledgeable members!!! Afraid I don't know what vehicle the heater is from. I pulled it out of a part finished 88 coiler project that had been abandoned. Didn't cost me anything though.

First Defender in 72 years.... I think it's bollox like this that tinkles me off more than anything else really. What utter nonesense.

Can anyone help me out. Want to wire in my heater. I’m retro fitting into a Series. anyone know which wire does what on the heater? Green/grey Green/yellow Blue/green Thanks.

Are there any options on replacement parts or ways to fix up the dash top in a Series 3? My dash top is a bit bashed about and like most of them the vinyl is a bit brittle. I've not really seen much out there as either a replacement, repair or even a covering. Anyone else tackled solving this problem?

Thanks all. I’ve ordered some MZ-90 in the end and will overcoat with ZG-90. Not used this before, so will give it a go. As for Buzzweld. No idea really on the product. But customer service was the issue. Big time. I ordered a good number of CIO and primer in aerosols. All of the cans failed to work. Either on first use or after only using say 5% of the tin. They appeared to be blocked on the outlet of the can, not the plastic nozzle. After much effort and threats they sent me more cans out and fobbed me off with the machine they used being at fault. New cans exactly the same. Must be talking sample of 20-25+ cans. With the best only allowing about 25% of can use before blocking. Terrible customer service continued and I wrote it off as a bad deal in the end. Won’t be going back to them. Dreadful company to deal with.

They aren't exactly swappable items. I know of no vehicle that has the exhaust where the tank should be or vie versa. Not really sure what the point is you are making? As for exhaust out the back, very vulnerable and a PITA off road. Have managed to rip more than one off.

Want to touch up some bits on the chassis. Curious on what direct to metal paint people are using and finding good? I know there are loads of choices these days. Of course starting with the good ol' Hammerite. I've tried a few, had an horrendous experience with Buzzweld, so won't be using them again...

I suspect a Discovery or a Range Rover would likely me a much better fit. But I doubt anyone will care.