Retroanaconda Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 The rust worms have won. I was welding up the rear crossmember this morning in preparation for limping the car through it’s MOT, prior to a re-chassis in a month or so’s time. Finished that, then started work on the patch of corrosion on the main chassis rail under the A-frame crossmember. But, after removing the exhaust, what started out as a small hole grew to this alarmingly quickly with just finger pressure: The rot extends along both the crossmember and chassis rail. This is beyond temporary repairs, so I’ve had to give up and admit defeat. Now to go shopping for a crappy car to run about in while Marsland pull their fingers out and get my chassis done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Oh Oh..... Think we all have been there... Good Hunting ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianmayco68 Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 When I rebuilt the 110 I repaired it and it was as bad as that needed to get a few more years out of it till I could afford a new one so I know the feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Ah bugger! That's a pretty big hole - and no doubt scary to find, on top of being rather demoralising. In my mind I thought you were waiting for a chassis for the 110. What is Marsland's excuse for the delay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted March 20, 2018 Author Share Posted March 20, 2018 Seemingly it’s GKNs fault - following the cessation of Defender production they now make the chassis by hand rather than with robots. As such they do them in batches and they’ve been doing a ‘110/130’ batch recently so I’ve had to wait until they do a 90 batch. Then Marsland have to do their thing and get them galvanised etc. which adds another month or so. I don’t really mind it taking a long time, what I do mind is being told 6-8 weeks and it turning out more like 18-20. Screws with my bloody plans! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Well James it has saved you welding it 😊 Mo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 oh that's not a good find, have you thought about a new galv chassis via eby, there are a few 90 chassis listed currently https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=land+rover+defender+galvanised&_sop=10&_osacat=131090&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC2.A0.H0.Xland+rover+defender+galvanised+90+chassis+.TRS0&_nkw=land+rover+defender+galvanised+90+chassis+&_sacat=131090 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 You’ve been able to buy direct from Marsland then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts90 Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Some expanding foam and underseal and she'll sail through... definitely time for a new one just a shame about the wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted March 20, 2018 Author Share Posted March 20, 2018 The chassis is ordered and paid for so will stick with them for now. I bought it through the local 4x4 specialist - can’t go direct any more. These guys do a lot of chassis swaps and buy a lot of units from Marsland so got me a good price. The wait is the downside, I could have one next week through Britpart but would need to pay another £500+ for the privilege. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share Posted March 21, 2018 Amazing what you can get for £300! Will do me for a couple of months until the the 90 is sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Cool! And good boot space for all the land rover parts! Hope you don't get too attached! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Just the job, my sister and her husband both have one, great cars to be honest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share Posted March 21, 2018 I had one too, ten years ago - same colour and all. This one seems good so far, only done 78k. Automatic which is a little odd and wouldn’t have been my choice for this type of car but it will do the job. Needs a good service as I think it’s been neglected in recent years so I’ll throw some new oil and a set of filters at it for all it will cost. Plus an auxiliary belt. Thought there was a clunk from the back but turned out to be the wheel wrench loose in the spare wheel well. No dents, four good tyres, new-ish brakes. No A/C but I live in Scotland! Given that I was planning to hire a car for the two weeks I take off to swap the chassis anyway, by the time I flog this on it won’t have cost me much more than I had originally planned. I’ll need to hire a van to go collect the chassis as I can’t tow my trailer but that can be done in a day so shouldn’t cost too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Looks good James, I had a couple of 10 year old Focus, which both did the job admirably for the couple of years that I had them. Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Glad you've got the chassis sorted, 'new' runabout looks tidy, probably get your 300 back easily when you sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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