[Routes in Leics, Northants and Rutland]

Hi Mo, the below route isn't mine but I've done most of it now and it's a nice route.

https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTA5MTQx

Let me know when you are up this way, you are only a mile or so from me so I can get that diaphragm to you.

Harry 

[Roof tent]

On 9/28/2019 at 2:22 PM, landroversforever said:

IMO you’re better off saving and buying one of the better brands. If you want to go cheaper because you’re not sure it’s for you, then there’s at least one company out there which hires them out. Afraid I can’t remember the name right now though! 

I think both Tufftrek and 4x4 Overlander rent out roof tents but there's no info on their respective websites so perhaps worth a call.

[300Tdi Conversion]

As above, pop down to your local hydraulic or agricultural supplier, they will be a lot cheaper than the Steve Parker kit. From memory mine were about £25, they used the original ends and just extended the middle section.

[TD5 gearbox fault]

It does sound like the 5th gear carrier bearings, mine did the same at about 120,000 miles. I ordered a box from Ashcrofts and they had it delivered to Ireland in 72 hours, it's done 20k so far and very pleased with it. I opted for the uprated bearings and had them pop a v8 5th gear ratio at the same time.

They didn't offer the exchange pallet for the old box as I was out of England so I waited until back a few months later, dropped it with them / received the surcharge back. There's mixed reviews about Ashcrofts on the net but I'm very happy with the service and the product.

[European road trip - Calais > Alps > Italian Lakes - suggest us some sights!]

We did a very similar route a couple of years ago, if you have the time a detour via the Gorge du Verdon and the national park surrounding it is well worthwhile.

 

[CB Aerial Mounting, SIII Rag Top?.]

I mounted it on the rear quarter, just above the number plate - sorry not a great picture. I think the mount was one of these https://www.thunderpole.co.uk/fixed-body-mounts/thunderpole-side-mount-kit.html 

 

[Breakers in Norfolk?]

Whilst more an LR garage than a breakers, you could try Hayward Revive, they used to have a pretty large yard full of parts/dismantled vehicles.

[Exhaust position and Fumes]

We used to have a V8 90 with a TD5 rear exhaust section on it and it was fine with the rear canvas rolled up regardless of whether the windows are opened or closed. More recently a v8 series 1 has arrived with an exhaust out of the PTO hole on the crossmember, with the back rolled up it makes your eyes water under acceleration and opening the windows or removing the door tops doesn't seem to make a difference - I'd keep the exhaust exiting to the side personally

[Battery charging/maintaining with Anderson connector]

Depending what type of charger you use, you may well be able to get a connector from the manufacturer. I use a C-tek maintenance charger which is permanently connected to the vehicle when parked and it has a little socket which pokes out by the passenger seat to connect into. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Indicator-eyelet-practical-indication/dp/B002MT8S7E/ref=pd_bxgy_263_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002MT8S7E&pd_rd_r=7eaa9d0b-0215-11e9-877d-f372ef316dca&pd_rd_w=WP0EF&pd_rd_wg=CNvsl&pf_rd_p=466c8fd0-3653-4c9b-86fa-f9bc8fd2ae35&pf_rd_r=W1Y4C1Y6V1996C5EJY7G&psc=1&refRID=W1Y4C1Y6V1996C5EJY7G

[Forum relay Oxford ish to Southampton ish]

Hi Mo, Mike and Ross can you kindly send PM me your phone numbers?

Mo - I'm coming back up north on the evening of the 19th if that suits you?

Harry

[Forum relay Oxford ish to Southampton ish]

Hi Ross, the Science Centre is pretty much on my route down, I could meet you there and collect the springs about 4-4.30pm on the 18th?

Hi Mike, I'm aiming to get to Poole for about 7pm and coming down via the A34, M27 and A31. Would somewhere that route would suit you? 

Mo - if you'd like me to get the diaphragm back up thats not a problem, happy to get it part way back if that helps at all?

Cheers, Harry 

[Forum relay Oxford ish to Southampton ish]

Ok, trip all sorted so happy to help if I can. I'm heading from Leicestershire to the Cotswolds and on to Poole via Southampton on 18th Dec and coming back late on the 19th.

[Thoughts and musings on the new defender]

The Toyota tax is very much the same in Zambia. We looked at buying a few recently to support remote construction sites and the base spec 79 single cab is $47,500 duty exempt whilst the double cab starts at $58,000. Add in the ridiculous duties charged and that goes to $69,400 and $77,000 respectively. That said Toyota clearly have a market, every other vehicle on the roads seems to be one.

[Steering. Well I’m doing the track rod ends and drop arms should I be doing anything else at the same time?]

If buying HD steering arms and new joints as Sam mentioned in his post it's not that much of an increase and once done, a TRE can be changed much quicker with just a couple of spanners.

[Forum relay Oxford ish to Southampton ish]

Just waiting for work to confirm the date of a meeting but it looks to be 18th or 19th December, I should be able to confirm on Monday.

[Steering. Well I’m doing the track rod ends and drop arms should I be doing anything else at the same time?]

If you are changing the TREs, drop arm and adding HD steering arms, it may be worth spending a touch more and getting the Gwyn Lewis kit that emits the drop arm ball joint and converts to a standard track rod end.

[Forum relay Oxford ish to Southampton ish]

I'm going from Leicestershire via the Cotswolds to Poole in a fortnight if that is of any help?

[Has anyone any experience of GRP4x4?]

I think it was this one Paul. https://www.raptor4x4.co.uk/raptor-4x4-led-roof-light-bar-300w-51-5.html

[Leak into footwell]

I've also used Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure with good success around a cracked windscreen seal. Just got to sort the other 25 leaks now...

[Has anyone any experience of GRP4x4?]

Can't say I have any experience with GRP (although the mounts are nice). I bought one from Raptor 4x4 and have been very happy with it. The annodising on the ends isn't great and has started to lift but 2 years on it still works fine and hasn't suffered from the condensation issues some seem to.

 

[Waxoil]

You could try Alive Tuning or Flatdog, both advertise Dinitrol application and they are both in Lincs

[Soft top type]

The canvas looks similar and uses the same type of fixing poppers as a Mohair roof that we had from Exmoor trim, it may be worth giving them a call.

[BFG Mud Terrain tyres 255/85/r16]

255 85 r16s are fine on a 7j rim. We had them on the 90 pictured below on 7x16 boost alloys. It did need hubcentric spacers to maintain any form of turning circle though. If you are going for modulars, get some with a larger offset than boosts and forget about spacers.

 

[Breakdown cover]

That's interesting, I've just checked the policy doc on my Flux breakdown cover (bought as part of insurance) and there's no mention of weight limit. They also don't specify weight limits for trailers, the only caveat is that it must have a 50mm ball hitch. That said I've not yet had to call them out.

[Range Rover Classic Swivels]

For minor corrosion, I applied several coats of paint then sanded it back to smooth the surface. It was a bodge but it stopped the leak for another 6 months.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on JB weld, I have an axle that needs a swivel rebuild.

Harry