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Ibex - anyone built one/know much about them?


Chicken Drumstick

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Looking for some info on Ibex's. I've read @miketomcat build thread. And it is most interesting, although leaves me with a few more Q's.

miketomcat's build looked to involve a lot of bespoke fab work. Probably more than I'd want to take on. Are all Ibex builds like this? Or can you buy most of the bits you'd need and just bolt on as per a factory build one? Thinking interior trim and the like such as wipers and things.

I also have other questions around gearbox/transmission and axel fitment. And how much fab work is required here.

 

Bit of background....

I'm not a complete novice. My brother & I have just fully rebuilt his 90 with a new chassis and replacement engine. I've also built an 88 coiler, rebuilt a Series III and done quite a few engine swaps in my time. Including Tdi conversions and putting a V8 in a TR7.

But I'm much more of an assembly kind of mechanic rather than a fabricator.

The Ibex website sadly seems to have very few pics and not much info. It all seems generic that pretty much anything is possible. I have contacted them and have the price list. But I'm finding it doesn't tell me a huge amount, mostly around the stuff I'd still need to source and if they can supply any of it or not.

1757303369_Screenshot2021-09-23at1_08_24pm.png.0c472cdbf0f1ac9c9cf9298b18392eea.png

I have sent some q's back to them, but no response as of yet.

Currently thinking I'd like the F8 240 Open Top, although they have said they have never built one of these and don't have any photos. I did forget to ask if they offer any kind of soft top/canvas for open top vehicles.

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My kit was a second hand not finished in the factory affair. Basically the factory started building a demonstrator when they were down at Shoreham. For various reasons the factory moved back up north. The half built demonstrator was bought by a landy specialist in Stafford. He never got round to building it and sold it to me. I didn't want a crew cab so converted it. I'm no stranger to kit cars so I changed bits I didn't like.

A kit bought from the factory comes as a complete body chassis, fibreglass panels and glass. You basically need a donor 90/110 some carpet, headlining, paint, lights and sundries.

They can build to suit your donor/engine choice. If you can do a rebuild you can build an ibex.

your more than welcome to pm me for my phone number to chat.

Mike

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Mostly to echo what @miketomcat already said...

I've owned my SWB for more than 15 years, and it was my daily driver about half that time, clocking up some huge miles. I didn't build it (bought s/hand), but by now I don't think there's a bolt left on it that I haven't had out at some point. I do also have a LWB in (stalled) build at the moment.

If you have the appropriate donor vehicle and a full kit of parts from Foers. there shouldn't be too much fab work involved. Interior trim (door cards, carpets etc.), and a few simple brackets, are about the only things I can think of that weren't supplied, or available off the shelf in my SWB.

It gets more difficult and time consuming when you decide to do things differently to the typical LR setup. Pretty much every change I've made in the LWB build (and none of them is major) has been a huge time sink. Most things where I just cleaned up old Defender bits and bolted them on have been pretty straightforward.

Happy to answer questions if it helps.

 

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Foers will build the kit to whatever level you want/can afford they have built several upto and including getting them registered. Regarding soft tops I'm fairly sure there is a company they have worked with a recommend. Have a look at there Facebook page there's a fair bit on there and they do seem to answer questions.

Mike

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Thanks for the replies. @miketomcat I'll have to shoot you a PM at some point.

In terms of donar vehicles. We have an MoT failed Td5 Discovery 2 on the farm which I guess would offer some good bits. Although maybe not as keen on the rear suspension setup. I can't remember, but is the Disco 2 gearbox/ bell housing the same as a Defender? Not sure if it would cause any issues.

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I used a disco 1 engine, gearbox, and front axle but my tunnel is not standard foers. 

They have built one using disco 2 running gear and axles etc. Defender wise it's mainly dash, column, pedal boxes, heater, fuel tank (on short wheelbase) and seats (though your can use different ones).

Mike

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I've always rather liked Ibex's - and particularly like the newest shape (Mk4?).

It's a shame their website is so dreadful & gives away absolutely nothing useful. 

When you compare it to most kit-car makers who's sites give indications of cost, time, build options, donor cars - even photos, theirs looks particularly shabby.  It makes me worry that they will be similarly unhelpful if one day I decided to take the plunge!

Is there anywhere in particular, used ones come up for sale?

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The last two that came up on eBay are owned by me and TSD respectively. :ph34r: there may of been a third.....

The factory does sell second hand cars from time to time often on behalf of the owner. 

Mine is a Mk7 the current model is a Mk8.

The current website is considerably better than the previous. I think the trouble is they have so many options that the price varies hugely. When I looked at it back when I built my tomcat a 100" hard top kit was around £8k and David foers told me my kit (as a 118" crew cab) would of been £12k. I doubt you'll have much change from £20k to build one. I believe a base spec short wheelbase pickup factory built was around £30k upwards (don't quote me on that). It sounds quite pricey until you realise a 110 of similar spec and capability will cost you considerably more than £30k to build.

Mike

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1 hour ago, simonr said:

Thanks Mike - that's roughly what I would have guessed.

My thinking on building one was along the lines of SWB with D2 running gear and a Tesla powertrain!

That sounds interesting.

I'm quite looking forward to seeing what Munro do, but the range seems a bit lacking. Having said that it's plenty for day to day.

Mike

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21 minutes ago, miketomcat said:

I'm quite looking forward to seeing what Munro do, but the range seems a bit lacking. Having said that it's plenty for day to day.

I'd seen them - but figured it looked like a slightly ugly Ibex.  Then figured, maybe just build something out of an Ibex and avoid the ugliness.

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7 hours ago, landroversforever said:

Isn't the Munro just an F8 with electric power or have I missed something? 

Yes they are. There test mule has the wheel arches missing and looks like it's only on 31's.

I believe the factory will still make an F7 (like mine) if you ask nicely, but again don't quote me on that.

Mike

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19 hours ago, simonr said:

I've always rather liked Ibex's - and particularly like the newest shape (Mk4?).

It's a shame their website is so dreadful & gives away absolutely nothing useful. 

When you compare it to most kit-car makers who's sites give indications of cost, time, build options, donor cars - even photos, theirs looks particularly shabby.  It makes me worry that they will be similarly unhelpful if one day I decided to take the plunge!

Is there anywhere in particular, used ones come up for sale?

Yes I too think this is a shame. At least for folk like me who like to look stuff up in advance.

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