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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1872
United Kingdom 
My new 200tdi hardtop 'project'
I realise to some if not most this is not a project, but it is to me! So, I thought I would share progress and also ask for much needed help along the way and maybe it will also help some others.

I've had many Defenders but usually much newer (just sold my 2011 110 XS CSW) so I thought it would be fun to gently 'reinvigorate' this old fella sympathetically. I have limited practical skills, as I push paper all day, but it appears generally to be structurally and mechanically sound so far, with an MOT. A total of 3 owners and 84k apparently, though no history Rolling Eyes

I'm keen to keep to a 'classic' style I think in general and do as much as I can myself to keep the costs sensible.

Anyway, here is a 'before' picture, taken today after one whole day in my tender care.


Click image to enlarge

Last edited by CarMan on 3rd Aug 2017 4:59pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #447417 19th Aug 2015 4:39pm
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Enid_Puceflange



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: edinburgh
Posts: 1179
Scotland 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Baltic Blue
Nice standard blank canvas to make it your own.

What's your plans??

G My confidence has been writing cheques that my abilities can't cash for years.
Post #447425 19th Aug 2015 4:58pm
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need4speed



Member Since: 23 Nov 2012
Location: Kilmarnock
Posts: 746
That looks nice and honest.. Thumbs Up
Post #447434 19th Aug 2015 5:19pm
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ashfordsv



Member Since: 13 Mar 2009
Location: Wicklow
Posts: 82
Ireland 2006 Defender 90 Td5 SW Java Black
I love it, keep it original. Don't go wild. Clean the inside, get the wheels re-sprayed, paint the bumper, rear crossmember and front grille and surrounds flat black. Address any rust and mechanicals, and then you have a beauty! Thumbs Up
Post #447439 19th Aug 2015 5:35pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347
United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Fantastic looking truck Thumbs Up

Nice to see more Tdi's popping up and being rebuilt, a Tdi never dies!

I look forward to your updates Very Happy Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #447464 19th Aug 2015 6:05pm
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1872
United Kingdom 
Thanks for the encouragement and nice words - this will not be a rebuild and I think the wheels need to go (maybe to be replaced with white HD?), the bumper is rotten on one side so will be replaced but I want to replace the lights with originals (not led) - but can I use the later one piece items and if so do I need to replace the headlight surrounds?
Post #447526 19th Aug 2015 8:26pm
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Ellisboy



Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Deep South
Posts: 539
1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green
Thumbs Up very nice.
Post #447540 19th Aug 2015 9:05pm
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Dave_S



Member Since: 27 Apr 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 55
Nice find - 200 dti is a great motor - dead simple and if looked after, very reliable. Thumbs Up
Post #447549 19th Aug 2015 9:29pm
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1872
United Kingdom 
So, do I remove the decals from the sides and replace or not?
Post #447554 19th Aug 2015 9:42pm
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bluebottle



Member Since: 08 May 2015
Location: Not in my Landy enough!
Posts: 705
United Kingdom 
Keep your decals - they're part of what makes the character of a truck like that. 2005 110 XS - Cairns Blue "Bertha" - Gone, and sorely missed
Post #447624 20th Aug 2015 8:13am
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sgilmour



Member Since: 21 Jul 2015
Location: Essex
Posts: 232
United Kingdom 1994 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Nice looking truck! Thumbs Up

Mine is very similar to that and I have exactly the same thoughts about keeping it classic. Keep the decals, or replace if you want but they do add bags of character that you don't see everyday. I'm half tempted to put them on mine...

If you do get shot of the wheels I might be interested in taking them off your hands Very Happy

Look forward to seeing more pics and following the progress!

SG
Post #447636 20th Aug 2015 9:05am
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1872
United Kingdom 
Please can someone tell me what colour he is?
Post #448110 21st Aug 2015 6:38pm
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grumpy old git



Member Since: 16 Nov 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 153
United Kingdom 
I'd hazard a guess at Arles blue, it looks the same as our 300tdi.
Post #448119 21st Aug 2015 7:10pm
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1872
United Kingdom 
I've starting polishing and I'm quite pleased with the results without tooo much effort - think the roof might be a different story though, but we'll see.

Anyway, I got sidetracked last night and had all the front seats out to clean underneath and I must say I am very pleased with the condition of the metalwork and it's cleaned up really well. Middle seat back-in (for my 83 year old Mum!) and the two outer seat frames scrubbed ready for the attempt to fit Exmoor seat covers (that came with it still boxed) this evening, all being well.

I have decided for certain to go with HD Wolf rims in white, but i am still looking as I keen not to go too mad to keep the cost sensible and so they hopefully don't look too shiny. I guess tyres will have to be 235/85's

But, I have a serious question Question I have a new front bumper, that also came with it still in the box but I was hoping not to change all the front end - headlight surrounds, grill and lights but I can't see any alternative now as the grill is misshapen, the surrounds will need painting, the headlights are rusty inside and the light plinths corroded.

So, should I go cheap aftermarket TD5 grill and surrounds from eBay, plus take-off later style indicators and side lights and crystal headlights. That's my thinking but will it all go together and will it be a nightmare to sort the wiring connectors going from old style two piece lights to the later style one piece items Question

Any comments gratefully received so that I don't start ordering the wrong bits Rolling Eyes

Last edited by CarMan on 8th Sep 2015 7:18pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #448988 25th Aug 2015 10:59am
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1872
United Kingdom 
Front end looking a bit tidier?



Click image to enlarge

Last edited by CarMan on 31st Jul 2017 9:32pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #452917 6th Sep 2015 9:36pm
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