Log

Something else to consider is the fact that the outlet from the heater matrix box is larger than the hole in the bulkhead. This restricts the airflow. Unfortunately to make the bulkhead hole the same size as the box would mean extending the hole a couple of inches to the left side. This would then make the hole extend beyond the left side of the dash box and into the wiper motor cover (for RHD vehicles). Someone should find out who designed this mess and if he's still alive, take away his pension!

Reception strengths obviously vary depending on your location. I cannot receive DAB where I live so as things stand at the moment, will not get any radio when they switch off FM unless its some crackly foreign station. I do get Internet radio via the computer but it keeps stopping and starting depending on the time of day. Mind you, I'd rather live in a techy desert than in some towny type place that has all the mod cons available but you cant go to the shops without getting mugged!

Let us know how you get on.

Sounds great so far but how will you remove/replace the valve springs without using a spring compressor?. Its fiddly enough getting the collets on even doing it the 'standard' way.

Personally I wouldnt bother with them. Mine froze up during the winter and I couldnt get the bonnet open.

If you want to paint anything onto a galvanised surface then you have to prepare the surface first by using a mordent solution like T-WASH. Its a watery chemical that you brush on then once set wash with cold water to remove excess. The cleaner/newer the galvanised finish, the better. Its also good to degrease the surface before applying it. It stops the zinc reacting to any paint applied on top and allows the paint to bond properly. Most galvanised metal fabricators use it and if you google it Im sure you will find it mail order. Its not expensive. Cheers Log

Thanks Bud Log

Hi Can you please give more details like the make and part number of the filter you have bought and where you got it from. Would be most useful. Cheers Log

Sorry that should read Broxburn Industrial Estate. Im sure he'll give you directions! Cheers

Alex Lindsay, Newbridge Industrial Estate. Tel: 01506 854827.

Sorry my mistake. I believe they are now an American owned company. Being an MOD contract they may or may not help you!

Try here http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/index.html

The filter and housing is made by a company called Donaldson or Donaldsons (cant remember which). It's a British company that makes induction systems for anything from generators to tractors. They have a website so I'm sure you could email them. Search on google for the above. Can't help you anymore. Cheers Log

How about 'Defender of people who have no idea what a utility vehicle should be and why the hell do we bother cos the whole idea behind a Land Rover is fu**ed anyway!' Cheers Log

You're right. The 'NATO green paint' supplied by the likes of Anchor supplies and others is not the same as what the latest army vehicles are painted. It is a lighter shade of green. More like what the older series vehicles were painted with. Would be good to find a supplier of the latest colour. Log

The crossmember and brackets as afore mentioned are bolted on to the chassis so no cutting/welding is involved. Get yourself a parts manual and all will be revealed! Cheers Log

You are mad to be considering buying a Land Rover in such circumstances. The heater is carp, the demisters are carp, the enginne is carp and above all, as soon as the temp goes below freezing, the door locks freeze up so you cant even get into the bloody thing. Buy a Volvo, they're designed, tested and proved for such conditions. Cheers Log

If it's still under warranty then I guess the simplest answer would be to take it back to the dealers and let them find out what's wrong with it. Cheers Log

20 to 30 quid for materials and £100 an hour labour from your dealer (what a rip off!) wont put much onto the price of a new vehicle. Log

When you say body protection completed, did that include undersealing the chassis, underbody, etc. The last new defender I saw had so little underseal on it that it looked like it hadn't been undersealed at all. I suspect the reason that Land Rover don't do this is because any new Land Rover is likely to end up back at the dealers so many times during the first few years and the mechanics don't like to get thier fingers dirty with black underseal. Prove me wrong! Log

Personaly I think it looks carp, both inside and out. Looks like somebody from Suzuki managed to get into the design team. Log

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious but have you also checked for play in the swivel bearings, are your tyre pressures correct and is there any play in the steering joints. These will all cause poor steering. It surprises me that the box should be knackered at such a low mileage. Cheers Log

Have you tried taking up the play by turning the adjusting nut on the top of the box? Log

I wish someone would build that wall again!! Cheers Log

Another boring self obsessed person. Log Moderated swearing Tony