Philip Tonkin

Amphibious Defender conversion http://www.searoader.com/ Bonkers P

Thanks! I will add it to my list o things to try and get along with a good passenger door and a 2002my rear door. What do you think are the chances I will find these in Epsom Green!

I don't have Aircon but if I was "planning" on fitting a monster intercooler would there be any benefit in fitting the Aircon front panel and freeing up a little space, maybe for a bigger intercooler, a fan or an oil cooler. Any thoughts?

I think they are Recaro Sportsters but the ones in the car I saw had a much flatter base, £1400 a pair though!

After seeing the SVX in the flesh for the first time at the LRW show. The Grill doesn't look quite as bad as I thought from pictures and the one there had all the sticks for the hood attached and the soft top looks to be of a very high quality. Think it will look really good with the top up and the 3" rollbar. The thing I liked most and want for my own Defender are the seats The really long seat pan is ideal for my legs and the thin back should mean I can get them a little further back. Obviously with the SVX being a limited edition will this make the parks hard to come by? Do you think I will be able to buy a pair from my LR dealer. Obviously at a premium but they are about perfect. I have aftermarket bucket seats on a few of my other toys but these are hardly suited to the use of seatbelts and any seat in my defender needs to be adjustable so my wife can still drive.

Trawling google answers one of my questions. The capacity can be increased to 2.8 by stoking the engine. The fact that this is the method people have used implies to me that it isn't possible to increase the bore. My reason for thinking this is that to re-grind a crank and purchace new con-rods for the new reduced crank diameter is going to be a lot more pricey than a re-bore and hone of the cylinders. I can find no mention of anyone anywhere port matching or polishing a TD5 head or manifold which really surprises me as these can only help.

Although it is turning freely now if whatever has broken seizes or starts to break down further, it could do further damage to the diff in the axle. Safest bet is to take it off for the sake of 8 bolts. Phil

I know of all of the usual bolt on tuning options for the TD5. Bigger Intercoolers, ECU re-mapping, performance exhaust, EGR removal etc. These seem to be able to take the engine to around 180-230bhp (depending on which claims to believe) What I am interested in are more traditional tuning methods in addition to those above, does anyone know the benefits/possibilities of porting the head, or increasing the bore, maybe some balancing free the engine up a bit more at the top end. Any ideas? Phil

Could be a broken halfshaft. If you identify the wheel which has lost drive you could disconnect (remove) the prop to that axle and safely continue with the difflock engaged.

I didn't know they did turbos, thought it was intercoolers and ally fabrication they do??

Are there any upgrades available to the locks that might rationalise the number of keys down from 3?

Are they still about? Say's they ceased trading in this post?

I have heard of a few people fitting RRC handbrakes to defenders. I would like to free up some space in my footwell. I am a little worried about making any massive modifications so something bolt-on ideally. Does the MOT specify how accessable it must be?

I am sure someone used to make a one piece fiberglass headlining, mine is a bit saggy in the back. Also open to suggestions from those in the know.

Thanks Kev, Does xbd10067 sound right, is this an LR number? Got it of the Bearmach site.

Are the Clear indicator housings the same as the side light housings? I have some orange bulbs from my old Mini but the lens where separate and now seem to be bonded to the back. Thanks

If it wasn't wet underfoot it wouldn't be the same. I have often raced at Eastnor (on my MTB) in 24 hour races a few weekends afterwards. What MTBs call Land Rover hill (i believe it is also known as Gearbox hill) wouldn't be the same without being ripped up by Mud Terrains. Will be my first time there with 4 wheels.

Loads of landies on the way there today, the A46 had more overland expedition vehicles than the whole of Africa! Which I could be there.

A good apprenticeship will still expect you to make your own tools. You never use them, but making your own cold chisels from blocks of metal with nothing more than a file teaches more than just patience. It teaches you a lot about metallurgy during the heat treatment/tempering process. Then the plub line turned on a lathe, which teaches not only simple turning techniques but also internal and external treading and also a little about pitch. A toolbox made from folded metal sheet, the vice, filed, turned, knurled and then thrown in the bin because it is a couple of thou out (yes we still teach apprentices in old money to) A lot of problems with terminology have come about since the over use of the term Engineer in peoples job title. A fitter is a skilled industrial engineer, he is often assisted by a fitters mate, a skilled employee who hasn't necessarily served their time. An Engineer is someone with and Engineering degree and the professional experience to understand and lead a piece of work. Too many people will give someone with 2 weeks training the title Technician. Far too many Electrical engineers graduate without being able to wire a plug. Kwik Fit employ Tyre fitters and Exhaust fitters but not mechanical fitters. We live in a time where intelligent people must go to University or spend their lives in poverty, an apprenticeship is for the less so, and the NVQ is king and Indentured means nothing to anyone. It's sad but I know of Directors being marched out of schools for offering Apprenticeships as they expect better from their children. And that's just in the garage, don't get me started on Car Salesmen that don't know what they sell...

From my recent research it sounds like what you should do is take it off and put it inside. A plain door would prevent you from using a swingaway door in the future (one that opens with the door) as they still use the holes.

Petrol can not ignite in a diesel engine but a mix will, although without many of the lubrication properties. Petrol on it's own can have a similar effect as water if you turn it over for long enough as it doesn't compress and valves do bend.

I use 1/2" for everything

Blasted and Powdercoated. Powder will most likely be cheaper than painting them yourself.

Cheers all. I'll keep an eye on the rain radar and take a long stick with me!

I am a time served mechanical fitter. You couldn't ask a mechanic to do half the things I can do but likewise I would rather get a mechanic do other things on my Landy. What you seem to have been missing is a decent fitter. One that takes pride in their work. One thing I have learned is never do anything for an enthusiast unless you are an expert, especially if that enthusiast is capable of doing the work themselves (i.e. someone who only lacks the time or facility but not the skill). No matter how good a job you do there will be something that could have been done better with time. Unfortunately other peoples time costs money that people don't want to pay.