 | Home > My Defender > Mine now - 2003 TD5 90 HT |
 
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| chiefstoker Member Since: 11 Oct 2010 Location: Weston-super-Mud Posts: 897   
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Been driving vans and cars all my life and the privacy and darker internals of a nice van always wins over for me! A good driver can deal with the lesser visibility    
love stoker x 2005 TD5 90 Hard Top Beer 'n Sex 'n Chips 'n Gravy  |
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13th Jan 2012 7:34pm |
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| RRUK Site Supporter Member Since: 31 Mar 2010 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2025 
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Thanks for the Love Stoker. Means a lot.
 2016 D4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF 1982 Series 3 SWB Petrol |
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14th Jan 2012 8:36am |
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| RRUK Site Supporter Member Since: 31 Mar 2010 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2025
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The cold weather has put a halt on some of my improvements, namely painting the chassis and Waxoyling, but I am started to stock pile parts to bolt on and fit, so in the wings I have the following tasks to do:
Paint chassis with black satin Hammerite Waxoyl all chassis Fit front and rear mudflaps Fix new cubby down down to seat box Fit foil backed sound proofing material to rear interior panels Choose a rear side panel (Mud Stuff or TGE) and fit Fit full length La Salle headlining (on order) Diagnose why radio keeps going on and off (probably a loose connection I hope) Fit 4 roof mounted speakers into new headlining Fit more interior lights, for the rear section Fit Paddock seat riser rails for the passenger seat (Done the drivers side -well worth doing) My summary of the TD5: I am a little surprised that a TD5 isnt much nicer to drive than my old Series 3, its most comfortable at 50mph (Still! ) which is not exactly a great improvement. Maybe it's because of the 2" suspension lift and MT tyres but at anything over 60MPH its skittish on the roads and jumps about, quite hard to keep in a straight line and just not worth the risk, plus the increased noise level is pretty harsh. I know this is made worse by having a van version and no interior fabrics and sound deadening right now, but its just not pleasant
Also, I have found its got a K&N filter and a stainless De-Cat pipe, so should be marginally better than a stock vehicle, but is this really all I can expect? I did get it to 70mph one day but it was too scary to keep it there. They stuck this engine in the Discovery too, so surely it can do better? 2016 D4 HSE 1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF 1982 Series 3 SWB Petrol |
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26th Jan 2012 11:08am |
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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044 
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Might be worth getting that checked (engine - drivability) My 90 was a great improvement over my series 3, power steering, springs, working heater etc.
It has a 200tdi conversion with disco transfer box (well worth the effort) and will cruise comfortably at 65 (checked against satnav) all day - fully loaded. Drove all the way from Andorra to French port in one day no problem. It was IIRC over 500 miles, did take all day mind and we got there late evening. I did change the mud (tractor) tyres that came on it for some BFG at's and that made a big difference to ride and handling. Kept the 2" lift it came with though. I'd have thought a td5 would be a huge improvement over a series3. Probably down to tyres, and suspension. I changed my shocks as one was leaking and that also improved things dramatically. Good luck with it. DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
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26th Jan 2012 11:49am |
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| SteveT247 Member Since: 21 Feb 2011 Location: Central Posts: 491 
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Can't comment on the Td5 (still saving
 ) but my previous 300Tdi on MT and the 200 Tdi on Firestone SATS could both reach and hold 70+ without any dramas. Both were a massive improvment over a series. Could be a matter of expectations, could be somethings not quite right. As DJ said, maybe ask someone more familiar with the Td5 to have a little drive in it. |
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26th Jan 2012 11:55am |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5009
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Tyres and the two inch lift will make a big difference to handling of course. Try a nice one that hasn't been used for off-roading and messed about with. He may have fiddled with the engine or it may just need a damn good service if it's been ploughed through water/mud etc bunged up filters and god knows what else. Certainly worth getting a decent firm to check the past work and get all the fluids changed at the same time just in case there are nasties in their from wading etc.
Plenty of nice sweet standard ones around that haven't been taken off road and just used as cars to try for comparison. My Series is happy at 50 my old TD5 was happiest at 55- 60 mph so don't expect too much, it's not the engine it's the gearing Last edited by Zagato on 26th Jan 2012 12:19pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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26th Jan 2012 12:11pm |
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| twopoint6khz Member Since: 18 Aug 2011 Location: North Lakes Posts: 654 
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As above, the engine has enough grunt, it just doesn't have the gears. My old Td5 was identical but on more standard rubber (AT2s). I tended to cruise at 60mph. Being a 90 it will pitch about a lot more than a 110 - due to the shorter wheelbase and softer rear suspension.
If you want road handling, I'd go for anti-roll bars, although you may have to weld brackets on to accept them. I'd also go for a 1.222:1 transfer box (over the stock 1.4:1) as the 90 isn't heavy and the engine will pull it no trouble. De-cat and straight through is what I had too, and while it gives a bit more oomph it makes things a lot noisier. Some sound insulation in the back would definitely be a good place to start, it's like driving a drum kit otherwise. I'd also go for an AT pattern if you're going to be spending long periods of time above 60mph |
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26th Jan 2012 12:17pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10378
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Big tyres can create hell as well as any lift, screws the drive-ability no end.
My what was standard 90 was 'skittish', hit a bump going round a bend and it used to 'skip' sidewards. A set of 'proper' dampers soon sorted that out. It's worth checking bushes too. Don't forget you drive the most luxurious vehicle on Earth too |
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26th Jan 2012 12:23pm |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2618 
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RRUK
Good looking 90 there - but then i am biased!! With the 2" lift, did the previous owner change the radius and trailing arms for the castor currected versions? My 90 (see my gallery) has heavy duty Land Rover springs, Gwyn Lewis 1" spring spacers, + 2" Terrafirma shocks. I have removed the re anti roll bar to free up articulation and never felt the need to remove the front one as i get all the articulation for what i need. Mine has a stage 1 IRB re-map, egr removed, no cat, straight through centre pipe, K+N filter. I have had it up to 90 mph (Disco transfer box) but the noise (including trying to balance that out with a spot of Metallica on the jukebox ) does in fact hurt my ears!!!! 65 / 70 is my prefered motorway cruising speed - it is a box after all Have fun Mark |
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26th Jan 2012 12:59pm |
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| JSG Member Since: 12 Jul 2007 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2412 
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That is your answer - Big tyres / MTs and suspension lifts will not help the on road experience. I've had two TD5 manuals plus an auto and they were all a big improvement over a Series. TD5 with overdrive or Disco transfer gears will cruise happily at 90mph (without it revs a bit over 70mph). John http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk 2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS |
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26th Jan 2012 3:21pm |
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| RRUK Site Supporter Member Since: 31 Mar 2010 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2025
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Thanks for all the useful comments, perhaps I am being a bit harsh. Of COURSE it's better than my Series 3, as it has the coils, PAS, nicer seats, a cracking heater, good headlights (impressed with full beam on their own at night), I think I can conclude that what with the standard gearing, the off road setup, its not going to be the best handling vehicle ever, and I haven't bought it to do motorway miles anyway.
I think the noise is the worst thing, but I am already on the way to sorting that out. Regarding a full service etc, it was bought from Nene Overland (who as far as I know and can tell are good reliable guys), and it was fully serviced before I bought it and had a new clutch kit and slave cyclinder too. I guess all the years of driving nicer cars have eroded my memories of sufferage with the S3, and this brings it all back with a bang. It does make you appreciate just how good the Range Rover TDV8 is, especially as mine has been remapped by JE, it's so smooth, pulls like a train and can waft you anywhere at tremendous speed. (Remapped its 313BHP and 800Nm). There couldnt be a more distinct comparison between 2 cars from the same stable 
I shall continue to focus on improving the creature comfort side, lowering noise levels etc, and then in the future look at things like gearing if it's still bothering me. Regarding the castor corrected arms, how would I tell? What will the effect be of NOT having them and just being on Std ones? When these tyres finally look like they need replacing I'll get something less aggressive such as the Cooper Discover ST Max pattern, or an AT pattern like the BFG. 2016 D4 HSE 1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF 1982 Series 3 SWB Petrol |
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26th Jan 2012 4:14pm |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5009
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Nene have been and are discussed many times on LR forums about misdemeanors and problems  Apparently the current business is in his wife's name from wrong doings with his previous business then this happened http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/lo..._1_2313154
Lots about Nene if you Google. They are very lucky because the LROI offices are close by so they use Nenes vehicles in their magazines a lot! They get a lot of publicity! However dodgy some firms may be it all comes down to the motor in the end. As long as you are happy with it and feel confident it has been checked and serviced properly then that's all that matters |
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26th Jan 2012 4:30pm |
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| RRUK Site Supporter Member Since: 31 Mar 2010 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2025
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More supplies arrived today, the second set of adjustable seat risers for the passenger side, and the Autograph rubber mats for the front.
Seat risers to do on Sunday, and the mats went in tonight, a lovely fit, half the price of OE and good quality. 2016 D4 HSE 1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF 1982 Series 3 SWB Petrol |
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27th Jan 2012 9:25pm |
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| RRUK Site Supporter Member Since: 31 Mar 2010 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2025
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Fitted the Paddock adjustable seat rails on the passenger side, fixed down the cubby box, new rubber mats in.
Click image to enlarge Finally started fitting the sound proofing/insulation material, in preparation for getting a La Salle headlining. and Some side trims. Click image to enlarge 2016 D4 HSE 1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF 1982 Series 3 SWB Petrol |
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29th Jan 2012 6:29pm |
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