davelr4x4

I have two nice big handles on each end of my crossmember, I presume they're standard. Any idea what they are for? Are they my Landy's equivalent of love handles? 1992 Defender 90 Cheers, Dave.

It seems from the PMs I've had just as many people can't make the 21st as the 7th so I propose we stick to the original plan and meet up at 19:00 on 7th April at The Churchill Inn. Apologies to those that can't make it but we'll have another one soon or possibly even the first event. I will organise a gentle bit of local greenlaning to get everyone in the mood, one weekend after the 7th. Regards, Dave.

A hi-lift jack should be near the top of the list. I'm not sure how I survived without, I use it all the time now, and even on the Landy sometimes :-) Welcome to the obsession, Dave.

I must admit I found myself searching for the Skip Intro button but none was found. Where do you meet mudmad? Cheers, Dave.

I'll be going along to pick up the usual odds and sods to put in my garage and add somewhere on the job list. Dave.

Just noticed the 7th is in the school holidays hence why some not able to make it I guess. The date is fairly arbitrary, how about we get together on the 21st April, after the kids have gone back? Cheers, Dave.

Sally's pussy is more of an eaters pub (and true the food is excellent), whereas the Churchill has a big lounge area to sit and chat (as well as a restaurant area). It also has a large car park. It's here :- http://bit.ly/2jsn0s or from their own web site :- http://thechuchill.sm4.biz/#/whereweare/4530687901 (interesting that they've misspelt their URL name, it's not a typo). It's only a suggestion, and only for the first meeting when we can discuss more concrete plans. Shout if you have a better idea. Regards, Dave.

Excellent. With a few people coming from Berkshire I guess a meeting point near the M4 would be best for all concerned, how about the newly refurbished Churchill Inn, just 2 minutes from J16. Nice big area to meet and chat. What night would be best? Probably better to aim for earlier in the week because most people get busy later in the week (those with any sort of life that is). How about a Tuesday night? And so it's easy to remember how about making it the first Tuesday of each month? That means although it's short notice the first gathering would be Tuesday 7th April. Comments? Dave.

Not having a good camera handy I've shamelessly stolen this picture from Les' 200Tdi timing belt advice. It just about shows the black box covering the top of the pedals in the top left corner of the picture. You just remove the lid from that box. Oil or grease as desired and refit. This is a 200Tdi Defender but I presume the location is similar for other models. Regards, Dave.

Firstly apologies to all those not based in and around Swindon, although you'd be more than welcome to join in if you don't mind the travelling! Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think there is a Land Rover club in the Swindon area is there? There seems to be a fair amount of Land Rover owners in and around the area so I presume there would be some interest. The nearest option for me (I live near Cricklade) seems to be CCROC (Cotswold and Cheltenham Rover Owners Club). I went along for a while but it's a bit of a trek to their events and they are a bit biassed towards RTV/Tyro trials etc, very little green laning. I do a lot of green laning in the Swindon area, and we're a bit spoilt for byways around here. Is anybody interested in setting up a club and having, say, a regular monthly meeting in a drinking establishment to be determined, and having regular informal green laning / byway organised trips? Although I wouldn't rule out RTV/Tyro type events, I've attended a few and there's far too much standing around for my liking, I would rather be out and about moving all day. That is my opinion of course, your mileage may vary. Let me know either by reply or PM whether you would be interested and we can move discussions forward. Cheers, Dave.

I did the same fix for my clutch pedal which had a damn annoying squeak every time it was depressed. I'd put the job off for months then was very surprised how easy it was to just undo the 6 bolts, remove the lid, grease the joint and put back the lid. Not even difficult to access or anything. Took 15 minutes tops. Wish I'd done it ages ago. Dave.

Hi, I've just been discussing my rather rotten Defender 200Tdi rear crossmember with my local 4x4 garage and the general opinion is to replace it with a new one with chassis extensions. I said that I would do all the ancillary work such as removing lights, looms, tow bar, rear portion of the exhaust etc but they have still quoted me 8 hours to complete the work. This involves grinding off the old chassis legs half way down, fitting up the new crossmember and extensions and welding up. I can replace all the ancillary stuff after giving it a good dose of chassis paint and waxoyl. I've not ever had this sort of work done on the landy so could anybody advise if 8 hours seems a reasonable amount of time or are they extracting the urine? Also there seems to be some discussion about which of the Britpart or Bearmach cross members are better. It seems Paddocks had a bad batch in. Can anybody advise on the latest situation? I see Paddocks have them for 120 quid inc VAT. Many thanks, Dave.

Only a thought, are you sure your sequence correct? Your post says you are doing farthest from reservoir first, but the attachment from Ralph states to do the "front caliper, drivers side first". Regards, Dave.

Nice digital gauges zulublue, where are they from? Regards, Dave.

Thanks guys, she really enjoyed reading all your responses and is glad you liked the sketch. She's done a few others in the past, I'll scan them and post them when I find them. Dave.

She just doesn't understand. The swearing is a necessary part of fixing an older Defender! I like my daughter's shocked expression! Perhaps I need to curb my enthusiasm in future Dave.

Just popped into Maplins earlier and saw they've got the big 2.4W solar panels on special offer, £12.50 each, half price. Excellent to keep my battery topped up when the landy is stationary for a long time. Looking on the web site it seems the offer is until the 28th. No affiliation, just a really good offer! http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223251 Cheers, Dave.

Looks great Luke, the SWMBO often complains that she doesn't like my plain white, always wanted a green landy apparently. Might be the way to go! Dave

Sorry, blue liquid?? Regards, Dave.

Many thanks for all the advice guys. Seems I've a trip to the scrappy coming up to forage for alternators. Are they reasonably interchangable? Cheers, Dave.

I'd be interested in your experience Simon, mine reads at rhs of white band also and I was going to try changing the sender unit myself. Regards, Dave.

Hi, it seems that 5 times through the Mud Run at Abingdon has trashed my alternator. I suspect it will be full of mud and grit. There's no charge to the battery. I've checked all the connections and all seems OK. Anyway because I have spots on the roofbar and lots of electrickery going on inside I have been meaning to uprate the standard alternator anyway so a swapout is not a problem. Any advice on what power ratings are available that will fit on my 200TDi and the best (i.e. cheapest) place to get them? Scrappy or new? Regards, Dave.

It was fantastic! A very well laid out course, and all in aid of charity. Went round 5 times with no recovery Interesting to see a shiny Nissan X-Trail in front of me. He did the first two sections then on the third got towed off the course! The salesman probably said 'yeah this goes anywhere off road mate'.

Thanks Cat, no clutch fluid that I can see. Odd thing is it's got better and better over the last couple of days and today while at the Abingdon 4x4 festival I had no problems whatsoever. It's almost as if the new oil that I put in had taken a few days to 'bed in' but that can't be right can it? Anyway all is fine now (touch wood) but thanks for the advice everybody! Cheers, Dave.

I was wondering that as well. There's nothing on their web site regarding times. Anybody any idea? Regards, Dave.