uninformed Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 hey all, I seem to remember reading an article in LRM 1998??? by Tom Sheppard. He was discussing the then down falls of the 90/110s and some mods he did to his own 90. If anyone has info on his rig that would be great. Some things he did were: Disco binnacle replacing defender Roof mounted speakers Transfer case shifter guide plate tie down points in rear cargo area roof top vent for cab. Im particularly interested in the roof top vent. Love to know make and model cheers Serg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 IIRC the dash was completely rebuilt, he kept/modified the lower heater duct to get some shelf storage & the Disco binnicale, there are photo's of the cab in his The Land Rover Experience books, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 Found these somewhere, from LRO March 1995 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 And one more: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 that's the one, lots more storage on the dash, LR could have used it easily. I wonder if Mr Sheppard still has the 90 or if it's even still exists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptCarrot Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 ...Some great ideas in that article, thank goodness it's not available for the aftermarket or I'd be daydreaming about fitting that all day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Twig Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 That looks brilliant. There's a serious aftermarket opportunity right there! I'd buy it! On a simpler note I've often wondered about using a Series III dash as a base and going from there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uninformed Posted May 6, 2013 Author Share Posted May 6, 2013 excellent info guys. Thank you very much. So sad LR could not see the light in his brilliant ideas. Even for a base model!!! It is no wonder Tom has left the LR marque and now owns a G Wagon. Not a silly AMG type, but a van body functional and set up for business. Shame on you LR!!! PS still like to know brand of roof vent. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptCarrot Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 ......from how I've read this link it was made of mdf?? http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11709.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulnb57 Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I believe Tom severed links with LR as aprotest at the ammount of technology being put into them/quality issues....I think he moved over to Mercedes GWagens......ll.but then again I may have dreamt it....... Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I believe Tom severed links with LR as aprotest at the ammount of technology being put into them I think he moved over to Mercedes GWagens Makes total sense, those are well known for being devoid of all fancy toys after all Quality issues fair enough though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 good to se the 90 is still in use & looking quite well with it's new owner, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I believe Tom severed links with LR as aprotest at the ammount of technology being put into them/quality issues....I think he moved over to Mercedes GWagens......ll.but then again I may have dreamt it....... He talks about that in his latest book (Quiet For A Tuesday). He dropped LR's after the 300TDi cambelt tensioner issues (I think), citing LR's poor attitude to the problem (initially denying it) as being dangerous if you're about to cross the desert in one and LR know about an issue but wouldn't admit it. He now runs a van-spec LWB G-Wagen auto which he raves about despite some issues - like having to drive from Morocco to Munich in "Limp Home Mode" because no merc techs could work out what the problem was. He also raves about the fact it has difflocks, despite the total lack of articulation which they sort-of make up for. TBH the G-Wagen is much better engineered (just ask DirtyDiesel, he will bore you for hours on how nicely they're made) but I don't think it's as clear cut as he makes out. Edit: also mentioned in the link above: Tom was getting rid of it because he was seriously peeved that Land Rover didn't do a recall on the pulley alignment issue and he rightly argued that when you are in the middle of the Sahara in a well maintained vehicle you cannot afford to have the timing belt to fail and right off the engine! Thats when he went over to g-wagons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 IIRC G wagens were made by Steyr of Austria under licence from MB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Steyr make all the good stuff - Pinzgauers, G-Wagens, Panda 4x4's and Freelanders... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Don't be too sure he still has the G-Wagen. I understand there were electrical problems in the gearbox area, something to do with a modified loom. Last I heard he had a Subaru Forrester. Can anybody confirm or deny ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPLP Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 From what I know he has sold his G-wagon. I saw it for sale on a MB specialists website a while back. Dont know if hes still traveling much etc. I got a signed copy off him when I ordered one of his books direct. Never knew it was him on the phone! Hugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 all vehicles have "issues" I havent found the perfect vehicle in more than 50 years , about the closest from my point of view , at the time was the Stage 1 V8 SW , but the factors at that time dont apply now . Usually I have found that the vehicle gets nearest to being its best just before they discontinue and come out with a new model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uninformed Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 some more great info. I read the link on the defender2 forum. Do you guys in the UK calll MDF medium density fibreboard? Like fine particle board? If so, what the hell is it doing on and in a defender? There is no way in hell I would ever make a roof vent or dash out of this stuff. Hell, it fails in kitchens even when covered with 2 pac paint and only being mopped against! I thought I read somewhere the vent was off a truck or a aftermarket rally race type thing?? I would have thought molded plastic be much better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.