Hi Everyone, I've owned Land Rovers for years and don't know why I haven't bothered with forums before, but now I would appreciate some advice. I am currently running a 1969 109 which I use in my business as a Landscape Gardener. I carried out a thorough renovation (not restoration) in 2001 and since then its proved very reliable and cheap at MOT time. However for the previous 5 months the cracks have begun to appear, such as the 2.25 diesel engine is very very tired, using oil, head gasket looks as if its going and just low on everything. Chassis was well plated in 2001 but will eventually need more (echos of the fourth road bridge) and I could really do with a tipper body rather than the hard top that is currently fitted.
My first thought was to sell it and by a defender tipper, but then thought why not build a vehicle fit for my needs and with it being tax excempt then this would help also and avoid the high purchase cost of a suitable defender. Plus the fact that I enjoy working on anything LR.
However someone did mention to me a while ago that if you do too many modifications to a vehicle then it may hit the radar screen with DVLA in that you have changed it too much from its original design and also that I may struggle with insurance. The mods I am considering are: -
Engine change, TD4/5 or other diesel option, either way not another 2.25 Chassis swap to a galvanised, would like to go for coil sprung version, but woulkd stick to leaf springs if this meant I would keep away from the radar Chassis cab with tipper body
Do you think I am stretching it a bit with all the above or am I worrying for no reason.
Any advice much appreciated.
Regards Bob
