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tychoS

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Posts posted by tychoS

  1. I've got one of the big £150 (always on offer at £99) Halfords sets and it's very good for the money, covers almost everything in one box and decent quality.

    Teng / Facom are better quality but they're also (usually) stronger money.

    Facom or Stahlwille if you want something that will last.

  2. We needed to recover a bmw today as well to continue on the A44 home, nice to see people out in sensible sports coupes in these weather ;) Also hauled a tesco artic up part of the way up another hill to get him into a side road which proved a gradual process with a single 90 :P though he seemed more than impressed and thankful which was nice.

    I recently towed a boy-racer skoda belonging to a neighbour. The car was in a yard, but was blocked from entering the street by a pile of snow deposited across the gate by the snow plow clearing the street.

    The car was painted some hideous color and had a plastic aftermarket front fitted that gave it a clearance of maybe 2 inches and blocked access to any towing point on the actual car.

    However the car had a trailer hitch. So I backed the 90" through the pile of snow into the yard, connected boy-racer and 90" rear-to-rear with a strap and pulled the boy-racer backwards in a circle and out through the gate rear end first.

  3. But look at the other way around. Slow depreciation works in your favour too.

    If for example you bought a 2004 Ford Focus/ for 4,000 quid it will be worth 1,500 3 years later.

    Over that same period your '93 defender would lose zero.

    Not all old Defenders are expensive.

    I've seen the typical fleet owned 10 years old 130" cchcpu and the like go on sale for very little money, and upon close inspection I've found that it deserved the price tag, because it had seen little maintenance apart from what was absolutely necessary to pass the MOT and keep it running. Rusted out footwells, rusted out chassis, engine in a poor state, transmission and steering worn out etc. all due to careless use & driving by company employees and lack of maintenance.

    At the same time there are lots of 20 year old 90" and 110" on sale for 3-5 times as much money and deservedly so, because they have been owned and used by people who cared for them. They have had regular oil changes, their footwells and chassis have been cleaned out and allowed to dry after muddy work, they have had parts changed or serviced as that started to wear etc.

  4. I have been asked at work to look into some all-terrain vehicles for carrying passengers.

    It is a bit OT as Land Rovers are probably off the menu - they are one option but I don't really need info on that as I already have it to hand but the main problem is limited seating capacity.

    What other all-terrain vehicles are there around for carrying passengers over soft terrain? Hagglunds BV206 is one option but I think very expensive - allegedly they can carry up to 17 people in the passenger variants but I bet they ain't comfortable and must be shoved in at least two deep!

    Is there anything else similar - either wheeled or tracked - that is worth looking at?

    No idea of budget at this time but the essential requirement is for some options for vehicles that can carry lots of people across soft peat, everything else is variable.

    Any suggestions would be appreciated, ta! :)

    Are you looking into 2. hand vehicles or new ones? Is cost of transportation to your location a big issue that will affect vehicle choice?

    If you are looking for 2. hand vehicles consider the older members of the Hagglunds family like the BV202, they are becoming available as military surplus for reasonable money. Also look into the Volvo C303 family, for maximum carrying capacity consider the the three axle version.

  5. I've got one in my overlander 110, but the problem is that its starting to breath and is down on compression. To be honest Im surprised it still runs at all-there's a fair amount of play in the pistons I discovered when I whipped the head off to have a nosey.

    Turner's are doing short 2.5NA engines for £800. My existing cylinder head is a pretty new gas flowed/ported Ricardo engineered unit and has given the engine a bit more oompf even though its worn. I could get the new bottom end, cam, rockers, and oil pump and have a box fresh engine.

    The trouble is I don't know anyone with a decent 2.5NA-most people have binned them by now, I know on paper they're only 67bhp when new but I don't know how much mine is producing nowadays to get a comparison.

    Does anyone still have a decent 2.5NA fitted? and happy with it?

    I ran a 2,5 n/a for two years a couple years ago. Mine was old & worn but not terminally so.

    I found it fine for what it is designed for, towing trailers over rough and/or muddy terrain in low range, driving around on farmland and in forests, towing heavy trailers on the road at a slow pace, and general run-about on rural and city roads. It was also fine for Land Rover club events, which over here is mostly low-range driving in knee deep mud and the occasional sand-pit or steep gradient.

    However for driving long distances at high speed on the road you should consider getting a Discovery or maybe even an Audi or something like that. But you asked about the 2,5 n/a so I assume this sort of driving is not what you intend to use the LR for most of the time.

    That being said I now drive a 2,5 TD which is an improvement over the 2,5 n/a. Below 1500 rpm it feels just the same as the 2,5 n/a, the same level of torque from low down. However between 1500 and 2500 rpm there is quite a bit extra power available. This makes it possible to keep up with traffic on 80 km/h roads while towing a moderate trailer, and it can be an advantage in deep mud.

  6. hi all

    could anybody offer an explanation as to what is causing oil to be running out from the injectors, i first thought it was from the rocker cover gasket but looking closer it is coming from the injectors

    many thanks

    I've seen this on my own engines, once it was a cracked injector leaking diesel the other it was a problem with the sealing washers between injector and head.

  7. In Lapland you can expect parking lots to be outfitted with electric outlets for block heaters.

    You will indeed want to change the fluids for some that are suitable for the expected temperatures.

    For winter tyres I have had good experiences with Nokian Hakkapeliitta and Michelin 4x4 Alpin both in 16" fitted to a 90"

    Also don't drive up there without bringing proper extra clothes, cold weather sleeping bags, etc. for everyone in the car to stay in the car for a night if need be. Those temperatures are lethal if not paid proper respect.

  8. Does anyone have any experience of driving a freelander 1 2005 55 plate in Arctic Norway/Finland?

    The things that I am most interested in are:

    1. Is an engine block heater available (electric, plug in, all night type)?
    2. Best tyres?
    3. Using chains - manual says 15" 195 tyres only we have 16" and would rather not buy new wheels and tyres for one off trip if at all practical.

    Have spoken to hotels in the areas we will be visiting and they say temp can be -50 without wind chill so pretty stern test of the vehicle I would imagine.

    Cheers

    In Lapland you can expect parking lots to be outfitted with electric outlets for block heaters.

    You will indeed want to change the fluids for some that are suitable for the expected temperatures.

    For winter tyres I have had good experiences with Nokian Hakkapeliitta and Michelin 4x4 Alpin both in 16" fitted to a 90"

    Also don't drive without bringing proper extra clothes, cold weather sleeping bags, etc. for everyone in the car to stay in the car for a night if need be. Those temperatures are lethal if not paid proper respect.

  9. As you may know im' off round the world in my 110. I've as much decided BFG ATs are the way to go but at what size?

    Currently have 235/85/16. Can these be easily replaced almost anywhere? Or is there a more standard size?

    I'm not at all bothered about looks what i want is a standard size with good performance driving in all conditions? I'm of course presuming BFG can be sourced world wide?

    235/85R16 is roughly the same diameter as 7.5x16, so in a pinch you can use some of that size for replacements

    , and that's a very common size as well. So I should think your choice of tire dimension is just about perfect with regard to replacement availability around the world.

  10. You can test them with a multimeter between the terminal at the top and earth, before pulling them out. If you do take them out they can get very hot with 12v on. Disconnect the wires, and IIRC (please corrct someone if not) should each read about 1 ohm. If no multimeter, try disconnecting them and seeing if a (sidelight eg) bulb will light between the feed wire and the terminal at the top. That should at least indicate reasonable continuity.

    They are unlikely to have all failed, so maybe another possible cause is the oil in the engine is too thick or the battery is getting tired, as 300tdis don't nned much glowplug to start.

    Nigel

    Do a cackshifter tells you. The indicated resistance should indeed be approx 1 ohm when measured as he describe.

    My 2,5 TD had trouble starting recently. Turned out 2 of the 4 glowplugs were dead. With new ones fitted it starts perfectly even in tonights freezing weather. The failed glowplugs were only approx. 3 years old, and no they did not come in a blue box.

  11. Luky me, the wife is buying me something I actually want for Christmas,a new set of tyres for my 88"series one.I only use the vehicle for RTV trials and a bit of green laneing.The front and rear axles are series 3, which brings the 7.50 Firestone Super All Terrain (SAT's)out level with the wings/bodywork, while still giving reasonable steering lock.Off road tyre design has moved on since I fitted the SAT's about 15 years ago, so can anyone recommend a good off road tyre which is fairly narrow.Don't want to have less steering lock or for the tyres to stick out past the standard bodywork,Thanks

    Michelin XZL is available in 7,5x16. I used to run these for offroading myself, they are good in the mud.

    http://www.google.dk/search?q=michelin+xzl

    They are often available in this size as NewTakeOff from LR dealers and the usual parts places, since they seems to be factory fitted to eg, the Defender 130" and become surplus to requirements when the customer wants something else. Bought this way they will most likely be mounted on new Wolf rims. which can be sold on if you want to keep your present rims.

  12. hi,ive got my 110 on the road, finally and it tops out about 50 ish is this normal ???

    many thank,ben

    I used to drive a rather knackered old 90" with a 2,5 n/a. It ran around or even a bit over 65 mph on level roads when properly warmed up. The slightest incline or headwind and the speed dropped.

  13. My 90" LHD has a worn out 6-bolt PAS steering box.

    Will a 4-bolt or a 3-bolt be a strait fit?

    The issue is that my 90" is a LHD, and the reconditioned 6-bolt PAS boxes I can find are all RHD, while I can get LHD 4 and 3 bolt boxes.

    What if any differences are there between the 3/4/6 bolt PAS steering boxes with regard to hose&pipe threads, location of the hose connections etc.? The parts catalogue offers no information on this issue.

    Are there any differences in the mechanical mountings, brackets, thread size etc.? The parts catalogue makes me believe there isn't any. Can anyone who has had a chance to compare the units confirm or deny this?

  14. Well finally managed to organise a holiday with the missus (after not being away together for 10 years due to the farm!) and we are off to Norway next week for a fortnight. Anyone been recently/live there with any insider knowledge. Arriving Kristiansands, leaving from Oslo, sleeping out of the Land rover and occasionally in cabins.

    All advice gratefully received.

    Mark

    There are plenty of cabins for hire. Often owned by private landovners. Price&quality vary wildly.

    Buy the roadmap "Cappelens Kart" covering your area at the first petrol station, it is very accurate with regards to cabins for hire, small mountain and toll roads - "bomveg".

    It has become trendy for private landovners and and local governments to turn scenic gravel roads in the countryside into toll roads. Keep plenty of money at hand to pay for these. They are all over the place. On the big roads you have to pay as well, tunnels, bridges or regular highways are often toll roads.

    In general the diesel is expensive and you spend as much on tollroads, tunnels and bridges as you do on diesel. Food is even more expensive.

    The only reason people accept the prices is that the fjords are the most beautiful place on the planet with the mountains not far behind.

    Drive Aurlandsvegen and road 306, do visit Undredal and Rjukan, make sure you spend a great many days in the fjord area between Hardanger and Bergen.

    You will find the norwegian Land Rover Club web forum of use: http://www.lrforum.com/forum/

  15. Does anyone have to hand primarily the diameter of those annoying plastic hinge bushes on the defender bonnet hinge. My bonnet seem sto chew them up so I'm going to try and make some brass ones.

    Or conversely does anyone know of any brass ones around?

    Cheers

    Mav

    The part number is 346849, it's on page N140 in the parts catalogue.

  16. As mine seems wounded since the 90 reversed over it :rofl:

    So, need a new one, needs to be decent, and more importnantly accurate

    Who recomends which / what and why ?

    (Price idicators would be good too :) )

    Nige

    If you don't mind spending money I can recommend the Stahlville Manoskop series of torque wrenches.

    http://www.stahlwille-online.de/index.php?amac=03030002000e&sid=e8a4ab8ca42d9f3efe0edc2aad90a8f0&lid=2&mid=2&shid=&scmd=rlist&pcid=4893

    They have the advantage that you do not have to reset after use. You can leave them set at whatever torque you want forever without causing any damage.

    This is because the spring is not under tension while the wrench is not used. Only when you turn a nut using the wrench is the spring under tension. In this thread are pictures of the mechanism http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36219

    They come in a great number of models. Fixed or removable ratchet, models that takes rectangular inserts, so you can have a ring or fork at the end instead of a ratchet, many different torque intervals etc.

    In general the quality is second to none. Over here it common to walk into a mechanics shop and see they have brought all their handtools from one manufactor, with one exception their Stahlville torque wrenches.

  17. Hi all,

    we have had some software written for our web site which allows you to put in your gearbox, transfer case, diff and tyre data and it works out the engine revs at a given speed,

    Ideal for working out what transfer case or ring and pinion to change to with different tyres etc.

    hope you like it :

    ratio calculator

    Using Firefox 3.6.8 on OpenSuse 11.3 the drop downs for gearbox etc. are empty.

  18. I have had two Bosch 4 1/2" grinders for over five years and built plenty of custom steel for my Bobtail and then the 90. Both are still going strong.

    I think people tend to abuse grinders causing them to go pop. If you let the tool work properly it will last much longer. You can hear if it is straining because you have put too much pressure on it so back off a bit and preserve the tool.

    Sorry if I am teaching anyone's granny to suck eggs....

    I've got two 4 1/2" green bosch grinders that I inherited quite some years ago, have no good idea of their actual age, but they keep on trucking.

    With regard to Bosch, keep in mind their green items are ment for DIY while the blue items are ment for daily use. The prices are a bit different too. Within the blue range there are both heavy duty and light duty items, again at rather different price points.

  19. trying to remove old composite residue from head and block faces on a v8 any suggestions cos its stuck like s#it to a blanketsad.gif

    I use two methods for properly stuck gasket material.

    One is a set of gasket removal scrapers made by Facom. They are made from metal, looks a bit like a woodworking chisel but are thinner, rather bendy and are ground in a different way. I've removed lots of gaskets swiftly and with no damage to the gasketting surface - just like it said on the box.

    Method two, for really nasty stuff, is a rotating plastic "wire wheel" for an electric drill. They are made by 3M for the purpose of removing gaskets. The material looks like a sponge with big holes, but is stiff to the touch. Don't use any random old plastic "wire wheel", make sure you get one made for the job.

  20. There is no way to may the "fast" speed any faster without either changing the motor or feeding it more than 12v.

    My kit doesn't do anything to the "fast" speed but doubles the speed of the "slow" setting (which is next to near useless for anything) by reducing the value of the resistor. It doesn't slow anything.

    We have one on our 1988 90" heater intake. It has lowered the noise and increased the temperature quite a lot. This is the simple cheap approx. £10 model from Paddocks.

  21. Squirt a bit of wd40 around on the bolts that need undoing the night before you do the job. The heat and welding gear used in kwik fit is usually completely unnecessary so dont worry about it. Otherwise i agree with Litch.

    Soaking them the night before will often do the trick, but be prepared to use an angle grinder or hacksaw on the bolts.

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