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Home > My Defender > Restoring a 1985 Defender

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Pike Offroad Member Since: 12 Jan 2015 Location: Amersfoort Posts: 11

Restoring a 1985 Defender Hi, I'm Patrick from The Netherlands. I own a bunch of rare Suzuki 4x4's, a Unimog 404 and a classic Mini. Since I was a kid I always liked the Defender. About a year ago my dreams came true! I found an affordable Defender that seemed to be in good shape. The previous owner had restored it. I just had to put it back together again! Plans are to make trips to Iceland, Norway and Scotland. I picked it up with a friend who owns a Range Rover. This is what happened... I'm no expert so please be kind if I don't do thing the correct way [URL=][/URL] [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] After a big inspection I started to wonder if the Defender was properly restored. So we took off the body. [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] The chassis looked a bit suspicious so we started to dismantle it further. [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] We took the chassis to the sand blaster. [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] After we found some bad spots I also took the bulkhead to the sand blaster. Same story... [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] Not really shocking, but I wanted it done properly! After the repairs were done properly I had the chassis and bulkhead galvanised. [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] [URL=][/URL] After that I had the chassis powder coated. [URL=] [/URL] Because the car was in a thousand pieces now I bought a rear axle with disc brakes. The axles were completely rebuilt and painted black. [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] This how far we've come until now. [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] I took the rear tub to the sand blaster too. The suspicious spots were sand blasted very gently. A lot of corrosion was covered with body filler. We replaced the floor with thick aluminium chequer plate. We replaced the quarter panels too. I know you're not supposed to weld [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] I think I'm going to replace the side panels of the tub too. That's it for now! Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Last edited by Pike Offroad on 13th Jan 2015 8:38pm. Edited 1 time in total

12th Jan 2015 10:39pm

Cuthbert Member Since: 26 Oct 2013 Location: Up North Posts: 1535

Wow! That's one serious project that you are involved in. Great to see such a methodical and thorough approach being taken - not simply a quick 'bodge it' job. I wish you well with your rebuild and keep the progress pictures coming - it may inspire others to raise their game. p.s. Your planned trips to Iceland and Norway sound appealing but I'd miss out Scotland - unless you particularly like awful food and non-stop rain!

12th Jan 2015 11:32pm

Lou Sparts Member Since: 15 Apr 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 1501	Top job  2005 Td5 90 XS Steve
12th Jan 2015 11:46pm

Pike Offroad Member Since: 12 Jan 2015 Location: Amersfoort Posts: 11	Thanks! I agree on the Scottish food I've been to Scotland five times since 2000 (Western Highlands). Every single time the weather was great. Yet I hear a lot of people complain. I always go in May. Maybe that's got someting to do with it or I just might be lucky! Besides that: it's beautiful over there. I must stop now, because this is not a travel forum !
12th Jan 2015 11:46pm

roel Member Since: 08 Aug 2009 Location: Lelystad Posts: 2039	Mooi projekt Patrick. Roel 1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001) 1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009) 2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts. 2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
13th Jan 2015 7:00am

Ellisboy Member Since: 13 Oct 2013 Location: Deep South Posts: 539	excellent job.
13th Jan 2015 7:32am

grafty99 Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: North Devon Posts: 4786	lovely looking range rover classic too  2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon 1990 Vogue SE Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton
13th Jan 2015 10:09am

steve E Member Since: 06 Mar 2011 Location: Tenby Posts: 2073	Looks Awesome would also love to see a pic of your Unimog Steve
13th Jan 2015 10:10am

Venomator Member Since: 25 Aug 2014 Location: Peterborough Posts: 2087	Excellent job... A fantastic and interesting project unfolding... I will be watching with interest as you progress... Keep the updates coming sir...  Rog... The GREEN One... MY2016 Urban Truck Build Thread - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic40548....al[/color]
13th Jan 2015 10:16am

gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5111	Top Job Keep posting the pics as you progress.
13th Jan 2015 2:53pm

Pike Offroad Member Since: 12 Jan 2015 Location: Amersfoort Posts: 11

Thanks! So far it has been relatively easy, because it's very obvious where the big parts go . I'm afraid I'm going to need a lot of help when we get to the little parts, the engine and the wiring. I also would like to make some minor modifications for long distance travel like an extra fuel tank, sound proofing, cruise control etc. I also would like to upgrade the heating system and replace the dashboard.

13th Jan 2015 9:15pm

JAY BOY Member Since: 04 May 2010 Location: Not here Posts: 1706	Nice pics and a great project
13th Jan 2015 9:23pm

X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295

Welcome aboard Pike Offroad Excellent, and good luck on your quest to build an 'overlander' to your specifications. The thing you have in your favour is... your approach Good to see a full strip down... fix, and build it up again. As others have said keep the photos coming and I'm sure the Forum will have some answers to your questions, if you get stuck... but along the way it looks like you will show us a few things. Well done. SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html

13th Jan 2015 9:50pm

Pam W Member Since: 25 Oct 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1169

Great project Pike! We have rebuilt my 1998 90 Defender from chassis up, and it is a great way to get the vehicle you want from the start. My 90 was originally a 300tdi, then a V8, now a Td5. After the rebuild in 2011, we then made further mods to create an expedition vehicle for a 4 month trip around Oz. We had already changed the rear tub for a TD5 one in 2011, and fitted the rear Td5 tank, so that was our starting pointy as far as fuel for the trip was concerned. Have a look at our blog (see link in sig below) for more details on the expedition build. One thing I would say about the 90 as a long distance touring vehicle - Space - or lack of it. You will need to do a lot of working out where to put things/what to take! There are just 2 of us and we struggled! Good luck and keep posting the updates! Pam Our blog - http://landytravels.com/ Yorkshire Off Road Club - http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net

13th Jan 2015 11:19pm

Pike Offroad Member Since: 12 Jan 2015 Location: Amersfoort Posts: 11

Thanks! Nice blog! I would love to discover Australia in the future. I have considered a 110, because it's more spacious. Unfortunately in my country vehicle tax rates are based on vehicle weight. And those rates are insane! For example: for just owning a 110 I would have to pay EUR 2150,- on taxes every year. I hope it's better on the other side of the pond! After the 90 is done I'm considering building a expedition trailer.

13th Jan 2015 11:38pm

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