studmuffin

Wes - definitely try a sledge first. If its safe to do so try a little heat at the point of divergence, particularly on the side which needs to stretch more. If it doesn't work some tool hire places do hydraulic rams and pad jacks, some of them hand pumped as well as with powerpacks. From my past experience in straightening steel structures, although I have to say not chassis,, you generally need a higher rated than you would expect. The higher rated jacks are just as controllable as a 10T but generally are a fair bit bigger dimension wise, and there isn't a massive difference in the hire cost. Best of luck Barry

When I asked a similar question someone kindly pointed me to a really comprehensive post on painting by Les Brock from july 2013. Cheers Barry

Heard good stuff about Capt Tolleys. Also look for Sikaflex. Its used to seal boats. Barry

Completely agree. They look a lot of dough for something build in batches on a jig. I have been working on a low cost design for a single person roof tent system for my 90, and have got the price down to around £200 - £250 all in. The plan is that it can be built from readily available parts with a fairly basic tool kit by anyone slightly handy. Problem is that ideally it needs to fit on a slightly modified roof rack which is looking a heck of a lot more money than the whole project. I am not sure that roof bars will be stable enough. I am thinking trawling through the white van breakers for a rack and cut and welding it? Any better thoughts? Barry

Very sad day. Emissions and safety concerns cannot be an issue. If they are a problem in the EU, why would it be acceptable for Tata to switch manufacture to a low labour cost countries with no environmental or safety standards. At the least this would be a flagrant disregard by Tata of corporate standards and worldwide environmental targets and would cancel out any action by the EU to reduce emissions and improve safety standards. It comes down to build costs, so that Tata will unashamedly use a third world build of the Defender marque to extract the last bit of profit they can wring from it. Barry

I have a couple of Maplin jobbies which work great - but you know - the bit of kit I use most at home and at work and cannot replace without building a new one, is my ancient bog standard continuity tester comprising 2 probes with one a battery powered lamp. Simples!! Barry

I have Milwaukee drills and they are the mutts nuts. Like the sound of a cordless Milwaukee grease gun. Our new big line at work has about 50 grease nipples and any time our guys can save in weekly maintenance is a massive bonus. Get the feeling they will be chuffed to bits when I order one. Plus we use a grease gun, fitted with a pressure dial, in production day in day out for locking the nuts on rotational shafts every time there is a tooling change ( required about 8 times a day). Will be ordering 2 and a few extra bits to fettle them. Cheers Barry

Thanks all. I thought that might be the only way to go. Tried a swift clout - no joy. Will try dismantle from pass side but may have to wait a while as I recently did my best to destroy my knee while out sea fishing and am waiting for hospital scan/ poss operation. Cannot drive and cannot see me wrestling to get bits off for a few weeks. Hey Ho Barry

TD5 push button lock - non central locking. Opened the door with the key. Went to shut door and it wouldn't close shut. just bounced back. Stupidly held the handle button in and slid the internal door button down and the door shut. Now it will not open with the key and the internal sliding button does not fully lift up with the key. You can fully pull up the internal door button up at the same time as pushing in the door button and it still will not open. Equally the internal door lever just flops about and has no resistance. Basically the door is locked shut, so I cannot strip off the door card to look from the inside. Any suggestions gratefully received. Barry

Completely agree. You do not want, you, or your kids, to get Weils disease from rats. You cannot safely co-exist. In my humble opinion in order of effectiveness-- Professional pest controller using bait traps. Tunnels fitted with Fenn traps Cat with attitude Good ratting terrier. Good ratting ferret. Air rifle ( Even better with night scope) Spade Deadfall trap

Allegedly the rumour mill has it that filming of Top Gear has been halted as the Ginger One cannot drive and talk at the same time. If anyone knows the shows producers can I put forward Lady Studmuffin to step up to the mark. She can drive, talk non stop including looking directly at front seat passengers as well as turning to gauge the reaction of rear seat passengers, and at the same time checking her nail varnish, drinking coffee, fiddling with the radio, ignoring road signs and most requirements of the Road Traffic Act, whilst pouring scorn and verbally abusing anyone who doesn't meet her high standards of lane discipline. All in all she could make Clarkson look a bit of a big girls blouse! Just a thought Barry

If I see a LR stuck somewhere I always stop to offer some help ( even if my very average mechanicing doesn't solve the problem). Isn`t this why most of us wave or flash our lights?? Otherwise I may as well drive a Ford Focus and treat everyone else on the road like a complete crouton. Well done Steve (Apologies for my dyslexia). Barry

I try to keep a weather eye on Defender auction values mainly for a guide to replacement if mine got paid out by the insurers. I have noticed a trend where Puma Defenders on average do not quite make their CAP auction values unless they are fairly new vehicles. Generally they achieve 80-90%. On the other hand TD5 Defenders pretty much always exceed the CAP auction value by 5 to 15% unless they are real dogs. As expected TDIs tend to exceed their CAP values, if these are given. So is this the trade reacting to the market? Are Pumas considered less attractive for resale? and if so why?? Just thinking out loud Barry

As above. This year I went to the Landy show at Malvern, Billing show, and the Overland show at Stratford, and I couldn't believe how many blinged up Defenders were there! Thankfully its probably too late for them to turn Defender into a fashion brand like Barbour or Belstaff et al? Scary horrible thought. Barry

Just been reading my monthly mags and from what LR are intimating, at the end of 2015, the Defender production line will be moved to somewhere outside Europe where the labour costs are lower. Am I missing something? The reason Land Rover are ceasing production is because the costs of meeting EU safety/emission standards are prohibitive. So they ship the line to a third world country with lower labour costs and lower environmental and safety standards! So, Land Rover ---Is that actually ethical? Is it OK for Johnny Foreigner to suffer more injuries from RTAs and breath in increased levels of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide than us Europeans?? Land Rover ---- You cannot have it both ways, ------ but I bet you will. Just a thought Barry

A similar truck recently went through our local 4 x 4 auction and fetched £10K plus auction house fees, and that was possibly bought by one of the specialist LR dealers, so they would punt it at £11.5K-12.5K until they get a bite. Hope this helps Cheers Barry

That price looks pretty good for a straight truck. A low mileage absolute mint vehicle with FSH can fetch £11500. Don't forget prices will uplift as soon as the bad weather kicks in, and after the end of manufacture. Make sure the service history is up to date. Good luck Barry

Thanks both. I was looking for my handbook but Lady S appears to have tidied up!! Cheers Barry

As above TD5s rear wiper playing up and stopping in any position as you turn the switch off. Any help appreciated. Also while I`ve gotcha, anybody know the torque specified for standard alloy wheel nuts? Mine have corroded and I want to replace the lot and don't want a wheel dropping off!! Cheers Barry

That's a very low mileage truck for its age. TD5`s are a great engine but really benefit from regular servicing, so check the service record. 2004 engines are 15P designation and are fitted with steel dowels so you are unlikely to suffer from head shuffle. My own feeling has always been avoid an engine that has been chipped(remapped). This engine was designed by LR engineers and tweaked by BMW engineers. A lot of forumers will disagree but - If it was good to run it hotter they would have done it as standard.At the worst you can also get it reverted later. Jasons advice is all good, but personally I like simple rather than all the bells and whistles like ABS/Air Con. Take some old clothes and a hammer with you so you can get underneath and tap all the chassis to make sure its solid. My 2000 TD5 had a replacement rear cross member at 5 years old!! Also enter the reg number and make on this site - https://mot-history.net This truck should have 8 MOTs so they should all be shown. Obviously also HPI/Crash Register search.If its a private sale you do not have the same protection as buying from the trade. Lastly, if the price is too good to be true then it is too good to be true. Prepare to pay top dollar for a good straight vehicle. The days of Defender bargains are long gone. Good Luck Barry

Personally I do like my Disklok. As well as being built like a brick built toilet its a very effective visual deterrent, which hopefully will stop the little beggars breaking in before they see the X pedal jobby. Have both if you can afford it. One of those battery clamps which isolate one of the poles is useful if you are leaving the truck unattended for any length of time. Barry

My TD5 has an aftermarket alarm also. In my case a 4 button Clifford. If you do not set it when you exit, then sets itself. I usually switch to valet mode by pressing 2 buttons simultaneously before I unlock the door. The red light goes solid/not flashing and it allows you to start the engine. If you do set off the alarm you have to disarm and then put in valet mode to allow you to restart the engine. It sounds a faff but it does work and alarm/immobiliser must be equal top of your list with a disklok as anti theft measures. Do you know the make/model of the alarm? It may be on the sounder inside the engine bay. If so google for an instruction manual. Hope you sort it Barry

We all had a great time and intend being there next year. Plenty of really nice overland conversions, and a great site. I managed to catch a very enlightening talk on desert travel by Sam Watson. The only downside was a lack of catering for day visitors. For some unknown reason the greasy spoon brigade didn't book their slots. They would have made a killing as it was sunny all weekend. Cheers Barry

Just pulled onto the shop car park near work when I was followed on to the car park by 2 pikeys in a white van, who pulled up next to me to inquire if I wanted to "sell that Land Rover"! If I did ( which I don't ) I would have to be very stupid to agree a deal and give them my address wouldn't I? Barry

I went last year and really enjoyed it. Great site and lots to see and buy. Have a look on the website. Loads of Landy stuff and also other marques to give you ideas. If you decide to go, PM me as I am camping the whole weekend with one of the clubs, and will get a brew on. Cheers Barry