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Home > My Defender > 1988 Shire Blue Landrover 90 Restoration

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Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3418

1988 Shire Blue Landrover 90 Restoration Here I start a post with the restoration project of my 1988 Land Rover 90, ex E reg. The restoration is actually ongoing for more than 1.5years (started September 2018).. I targeted 2 years to completion, but my estimate seems to have been a bit off!! So some history first, I acquired the 90 back in 1994, where it was driven from the UK to Malta. Still have the original UK plate, which shows that it lived its first few years close to Liskeard (Cornwall). It was bought with around 36kmiles on the clock, and the odometer now reads 128kmiles. Have not done much to it other than the yearly oil change and rust repairs to the doors, and top corners of the bulkhead when it was 'new' to me so it is very original (apart from the wheels). All mechanical issues were always sorted at once, still with the original 19J engine, although it did come out once to replace a clutch fork. Other than a boost diaphragm, nothing has been to the engine. It always breathed heavily though. Thanks to the dry weather it has lived in the past 26 years, rust has been at bay. No welding has ever been done to the chassis. But the bodywork paint has faded heavily and became chalky from the UV, leading to panel corrosion. So the need to repaint lead to the restoration. The plan is to keep it as original as possible as it was in 1988, although I will not keep the 90 decals on the sides, and will fit wolf wheels, painted in Shire Blue to match the bodywork. A bit of a Heritage look. Pictures of the 90 before the restoration: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black Last edited by Dinnu on 7th Oct 2022 2:57pm. Edited 2 times in total

11th May 2020 8:12pm

Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3418	Some pics after returning from the body shop. There was no one panel that did not need straightening back! Only minor body filler required. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
11th May 2020 8:17pm

Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3418

Due to lack of space, body can only come out of the chassis bit by bit, restore, and put back. Decided to start with the rear section first, so tub off, and restore rear part of chassis, axle and suspension components, and the tub itself. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Lots of cleaning and sanding later, start with priming and finishing each part. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge I am laying the paint a bit thick. A few dust particles that will require sanding back and polishing back. No luxury of a spray booth. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black Last edited by Dinnu on 11th May 2020 8:51pm. Edited 1 time in total

11th May 2020 8:27pm

jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8049	Good work there. That's Alot of man hours in those pics! Cheers James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop
11th May 2020 8:40pm

Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3418

Preparing rear suspension components. All items has been spray painted with 2K paint and new bushings. Click image to enlarge Cappings ready from the galvanizers. But these will get painted, after all it is not a Series. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Preparing to take the seat base out: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Transfer box out. Amazed with the LT77 mainshaft splines, not too worn. Lack of power from the 19J probably. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Mid section primed, and painted. and tub back on to free garage space. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

11th May 2020 8:42pm

Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3418	Indeed @jst, lots of man hours. I did not mention that all of the small items that can fit in my DIY zinc plating bath are being plated with zinc before they are etch primed, and 3 coats of 2K paint. I am not in a hurry to finish the project, although I miss the character of an older 90. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
11th May 2020 8:47pm

Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3418

I actually did the rear diff before fitting the rear tub. Checked backlash, preloads.. all good to re close. New oil seals of course. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Finishing some more hardware: Click image to enlarge And it goes back together again. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Here installing the painted cappings after I installed the tub. Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

11th May 2020 9:00pm

ashfordsv Member Since: 13 Mar 2009 Location: Wicklow Posts: 82	This looks great, glad you stuck with the original colour
11th May 2020 9:18pm

Co1 Member Since: 19 Aug 2018 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 3677	Great work!
12th May 2020 5:07am

JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7906

Great to see these early Defenders restored and kept original, well done! I might be biased but with a white roof I like white rims. Colour coded is cool too. Can't wait to see more!  James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers

12th May 2020 5:35am

Barneyboy Member Since: 19 Nov 2014 Location: Exmoor Posts: 1626	Excellent work there, great pictures as well, looking forward to seeing this progress cheers Paul
12th May 2020 6:52am

LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324	That looks fantastic work and a great colour! Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
12th May 2020 7:27am

Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3418

Thank you all for your positive feedback. Colour is Shire Blue, LRC392. As I searched about the color, it looks like it was only offered for about two years, in late 80s. I tried to do a cheap photo editing with white wolf wheels, but I did not like it too much. I am also not sure about the wheel arches, if I should colour match or keep mat black. I am so unsure, that I purchased an extra set of wheel arches, one will be blue and the other will remain black, and have the option to switch Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

12th May 2020 2:34pm

JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7906

It's difficult decision whether to keep 100% original or modernise a little with colour matched arches. Personally on my Ninety I colour matched arches, grille and light surrounds and white rims, and I'm really pleased with the result. But mine wasn't very orignial to start with after a CSW V8 conversion. Either way it is going to look amazing! James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers

12th May 2020 2:42pm

CarMan Member Since: 29 Nov 2010 Location: Cotswolds Posts: 1862	Similar age and colour (actually Arles or Windjammer) with Wolf's and gives an idea for you Click image to enlarge Rob 1993 200tdi 90 hard-top 1998 300tdi 90 soft-top 2016 2.2 XS 90 hard-top (sold)
12th May 2020 3:48pm

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