winton

My 1999 Defender TD5 90 was beginning to look a little tired, it's been my runabout for over 5 years and after a lot of hard winters up north - it's definitely suffered. :oops: With the Defender production coming to a halt soon, I've decided to create my own tribute to the Land Rover itself. To take the most iconic elements from previous Land Rover vehicles and combine them with the Defender to produce my own ideal Land Rover. I was a little underwhelmed by the Land Rover heritage special edition, so in effect, this is my interpretation of that concept. Any work carried out, the goal is to make it better than factory wherever possible. I've been busy filming videos on the build too, you can watch how things have progressed so far: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhy-5DHZzPfkCpshOSByd7vQhEXkyfN6y So, I found a small lock-up in early 2014, it had everything I needed (room for 2 Landy's, plus space for tools and body panels e.t.c). I started stripping down the Defender in January of that year. Then, my parents had their car stolen from their drive, so the Land Rover was hastily rebuilt and loaned to them for several months. After getting it back in one piece, I began removing panels (again) and assessing the general condition: After painting the vehicle with Plastidip to use as a wedding car, I had to remove the film first. Then began removing panels, when removing panels, you slowly reveal hidden corrosion and rust :S In the meantime, I bought the wife let me purchase this 110 Puma, which has been a fantastic Land Rover! Removing panels like the roof and wings is very quick and good for morale - progress is rapid at this stage. Most of the panels are in good condition, the roof will be replaced with a soft top so I'll lose my webasto sun roof But gain a canvas top. :thumbsup: The sunroof was fitted at Land Rover Special vehicles - the 90 was originally owned by the National Grid who would drive up and down power grids with a hefty thermal imaging camera poking our the roof. It was also used as a driver training vehicle, shown here at 2 Dales 4x4 training centre in Derbyshire. Apparently, as it had road tyres fitted, the instructors preferred this Land Rover over others available, it helped install off-road driving techniques. The windscreen surround and hard top sides are gone! The whole lot will be stripped back so I can paint them later.I also spent time carefully drilling out rivets so I can get the capping galved. Upon refitting, I'm going to take measures prevent galvanic reactions from taking place ever again! Then, the gearbox and engine needed to come out. The TD5 unit we have is low mileage and a really sound power plant. I love them! My plan is give this a good clean, perhaps a tasteful tune by Alive Tuning but that is all by way of modifications. Then, the tub was removed, along with the bulkhead. The chassis was shifted to the side of the workshop to give me a little space. I then began experimenting with electrolysis to remove rust. My experiment was working well, until the power supply exploded! Will come back to that at some point: Underbody components were as expected for a 16 year old Landy - these are all at the shot blasters along with the bullhead as we speak. Then, it's time to start rebuilding! A shiny new galv chassis came by way of Richards Chassis at Doncaster. I've been very impressed with the build quality and finish this chassis! Top notch product, should mean this Land Rover lasts a long time. This was promptly sprayed black using a T-Wash solution, followed by etch primer and then an acrylic based top coat from Frost Autos! Looks very good now! I'm aiming for a factory finish so this extra work was worth the effort And that brings you all up to press, with the chassis painted - I'm hoping to get the whole lot built by January 2016. I'm carrying out any work I can in the shop, including a paint job, so stay tuned! [

Amazing build! Really high quality. One to be proud of!

I've run Indespension, but the local branches car trailer is off the road for a fortnight Hi Stuck, The disco is in Bedford (I don't have exact address yet) and it wants delivering to Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire

Hi guys, I've effectively bought a new project vehicle (3.9 V8 Disco) to build a Tomcat, however, I'm having trouble arranging collection. Has anyone used any good car transporter trailer hire companies in the West Yorkshire area? I've got my Defender for towing so that should be fine, but ideally I need to collect on the 2nd of June. Thanks guys!

I'm hoping at least one one the programs will use a Defender

Towed a bust L200 on a 6 mile drive of shame.

So you can vouch for Rebel 4x4's quality then? We like the look of their jack-able sills and they are half the price of Mantecs.

Some 2 year old milk, a change of radio codes written on the sun visor and a free folk cd (cab to bin in less than a second)

There's some side profile shots on here: http://funrover.com/featured/land-rover-dc100-revealed/

Another vote for STT's. Not road biased but still very good

BecUae they are hard-wearing, practical vehicles for farmers, utility companies etc. Also, by sheer chance they are visually quite well designed and have gained a following. The Defender (or Defndoor if your American ) has great offroad performance and these vehicles are hand made to exacting (sic: wobbly) standards.

I think we should get a Land Rover TV channel, that would be awesome

If the A-Team made Land Rovers

Agree with you losing bottle first. Parking on a Hugh curb in a defender with big wheels on is exaggerated. Often you'll think a slope is not possible, get out and realise your literally just a bit of vertical centre. There's no official angle quoted as said but it's suggested to be between 35 / 45.

We've got loads in Yorkshire: http://funrover.com/greenlaning/land-rover-snow-photos/

Very, very jealous. No snow here yet!

Interesting, totally agree too, I hate signing up for extra stuff. Will look into using probably Facebook logins.

I like to have a load of projects on the go at once and one of my latest ones is a greenlane organizer. I've not nailed the details, but I want something a bit more sophisticated than having to post on a forum and asking people to come with you. I thought about making a location searchable database of drivers and allowing users to contact each other to set trips up? Pointless or useful? I know always need someone to go with as I don't know anyone else with a proper 4x4.

Check out: http://www.forgetec4x4.co.uk/ and http://simmonites.com/wheeladapters.htm They're not cheap parts and as western has said, you'll need to be careful with weights. Give Simmonites a bell, they should be able to help you out as they often do road conversions to Defenders (such as this one)

Thanks very much sir!

I've got a little problem in that my paint code for the 99 V Reg TD5 90 isn't listed in the manual, VIN plate or plate in the engine bay. It's just blank. Any help on picking the paint code? It's a solid white color, I've attached a picture. Using the paint codes from here: http://www.stephen.hull.btinternet.co.uk/nonmetallic.html The only colors that tally up with date is German Border Police White ( ) and Chawton White 2ct. I thought it was Alpine white but this doesn't tally up with year. Any help?

I've decided against fitting one, it seems that I'd never be able to use them and the whole Land Rover community is united in thinking if you have no legal use and still fit one, your a Burke. Point taken

Now that you mention it, I'm not sure what color white my 90 is..... :lol:

Specials vehicle td5 90 and a nice Suzuki swift god 09 plate

Thank you sir!