JonR

Britcar website is back up and running. It's the previous version of the site that we all seemed to prefer. I could sign into my account and, further to a conversation I had with them yesterday when I visited their shop, previous discounts that customers had still apply. Happy days.

I discovered today that Britcar stopped trading, as of last Friday. Don't know the reason why but it appears it was unexpected. I ordered a part from them last week and while I was there collecting another order there was no hint of anything wrong. A sad loss, particularly for the staff.

Not quite....no electronics but on three wheels. Second photo is the moment the wheel touches the ground.

Ah yes, forgot about the mullet...hard to take anyone seriously with such a hair-do. Forgot to mention, for those that might be interested.....when the new Defender was doing the rounds last year, pre-launch preview at the dealerships, I went to see it in Ipswich. The good folk from Britcar where there and the question was asked...."Will there be a pick-up version?" and the man from Land Rover...said yes. He also said something else that was quite interesting about it, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. And finally I omitted to reference the info in my previous post... Land Rover, The first 65 years. By James Taylor. A very enlightening read. Jon.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=140&t=1833444 This link will take you to a picture of the Land rover One-Double-One, a design from 1966, which, had funds been available (the development of the Range Rover took precedence), would have become the Series 3.......... Throughout Land rovers history there have been several projects and proposals that didn't happen due either to lack of money or some other circumstance. Had some of these come to fruition it is quite possible that Defenders might have had independent suspension, air suspension and/or monocoque bodies much sooner. Land Rover were looking to build vehicles with shared platforms in the late 80's and this led to the Challenger project in 1990. What the new Defender has become has been bubbling away under the surface at Land rover for at least the last 40 years ( so it's not all Gerry's fault...Mo), it's just the money has never been there. But this time it was, and here is the result. Jon.

Some photos of the Lego Defender fully built. https://www.hobbymedia.net/6966/lego-technic-first-photos-land-rover-defender Jon.

I would like to purchase an Airtex water pump for my 200tdi defender. It would, therefore, be much appreciated if someone could point me in the direction of a supplier of the aforementioned pump. Thanks in advance. Jon.

I'm in need of a water pump for my 200tdi as well. Could someone be kind enough to point me in the direction of an Airtex stockist. Thanks in advance. Jon.

[ Was the first delivery was a mistake or not ???? I ordered, and paid for, a genuine (Lucas) steering column lock from them. I received a pattern part so I phoned them and managed to speak to this Dominic character, who told me that they were out of stock of the Lucas part and sent the pattern part instead and that he had tried to contact me (they had my mobile number and email address) to let me know, but failed. Despite sending a cheaper pattern part, they did not refund the difference to my card. I sent the item back and got a full refund. Having read the posts here, I would have to question the honesty and integrity of LR Series. Jon.

I'm assuming here that you intend using one of the conversion kits offered by Keith Gott or Ashcrofts, in which case, if, who ever does it for you, has the special tools required and they know what they are doing, then 2 to 3 hours to change the shaft. Jon.

Apparently UTJ100210 superceedes FTC4177. In contrast to LRseries, Beamends description "Clutch Release Bearing - Defender 4-Cylinder (Not Tdi) R380" and the parts book I have confirms this. But anyway, returning to the point of this thread and not wishing to confuse Maverik any further, would it be fair to suggest that it would be best if he uses the Ashcroft parts list with the addition of FTC4229 for the push rod? Hollandrover FTC4229 Jon.

Ashcroft parts list Have a look at the above, scroll down to the parts list for confirmation of the release bearing that is needed. 'Jimmy Neutron' posted a parts list on here as part of a discussion about converting a standard R380 to a short shaft version. Jimmys list The list is at the bottom of the page. A few more days and I'll be able to report if the aforementioned parts work or not. Jon.

I'm in the process of doing this conversion. Ralph is correct EXCEPT for the release bearing and push rod, which are different. Since the bell housing is 30mm shorter the push rod is shorter and the release bearing is slimmer. For those you need the following: Push rod FTC4229 Release bearing UTJ100210 The push rod is quite expensive, around £35. I got mine from Hollandrover, genuine part for £10 or you could make your own by shortening a standard push rod to exactly 65mm. In addition, you will need to change the diff lock linkage to the later type if the existing one is the straight U shaped channel version. The connections for the reversing light switch will also require modification. Mine should be finished by christmas Jon.

Right, I've got this far. Does this look correct? Where do these parts fit? Not obvious from the diagram. Jon.

Tony, thats perfect. Thank you very much. Jon.