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| jaredkove Member Since: 09 Mar 2025 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 3   
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A defender has always been on my bucket list, and I've now made the leap after winning this at auction.
https://www.manorparkclassics.com/auction/.../?lot=3380 It's originally a blue 1991 defender, but its been through a couple of transformations since then, now being black (half done, interior and engine bay still blue  ) with a TD5 engine, dash(?) and a list of modifications as long as my arm.
The game is now to sure up what I've got, fix the bits I don't like and turn it into the dog transporter and horse tower that my house needs. Took some photos today as I started on that job list. Already have a load of questions that I'm sure you guys can help with. A) Am I right in thinking I have a R380 gearbox with the position of that hose at the top? (Gif attached, apologies for bad camera action it's tight up there! 
Click image to enlarge B) Door handle... passenger side was missing but they included spares. Have tried wd40 and a clamp to pull what is left on the door off - am I missing brute force or am I missing the trick of how to fix this new one? Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge C) I know everyone jokes about land rovers and leaking fluids everywhere, but this does seem excessive.... does anyone agree or and I being dramatic and this is par for the course - just top it up and move on - seeing the underside of this machine atm makes me want to rebuild the engine! I'm sure theres plenty more to come.. But nice to meet you and lets see how quickly I can bring this defender up to the job  |
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9th Mar 2025 4:32pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20694
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Welcome.
 TheThunderRolls🇬🇧🇺🇸
⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰💪 |
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12th Mar 2025 10:32pm |
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| Evil Elsie Member Since: 25 Feb 2023 Location: Cumbria Posts: 206 
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Hello mate,
I'm no expert but I believe that Reverse gear on the earlier 'LT' gearbox was top left (to the left of 1st gear). On the R380, reverse gear is bottom right (to the right of 4th gear or directly below 5th if you prefer 😀). Window winder clips are pure evil. Sometimes I can remove/refit the spring clip with no fuss, sometimes I have to give up, walk away and try later. At a guess, if your clip is already missing and the winder boss still won't come off then I'd say someone previously gave up and glued/loctited it on..?? I have now drilled a clearance hole through the winder and tapped the mechanisms splined shaft M5. No more stupid little clips for me - just a cheese head Allen screw to undo....😈 Good luck, Dave... 2002 Land Rover 110 Td5 Utility 1990 Suzuki GSXR 1100L 1980 Yamaha RD 350LC 1976 Yamaha RD 400C |
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14th Mar 2025 1:04pm |
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| jaredkove Member Since: 09 Mar 2025 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 3
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This sounds like when I first met circlips! lol. Progress is happening with the Defender. First engine oil change went alright - first coolant change only let out about 2 litres but I read we missed that there is a block drain plug. in other news, we'd taken off the dash in preparation for a new double din head unit and fitted an optimill camera. Never in my life have I had such a frustrating experience!  48 types of screw followed by there needing to be a strict order for how it goes back together, along with the immobiliser the PO had fitted getting in the way. Finally got the win moment of seeing it all work for the first time yesterday evening.
Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge The jobs list has gotten bigger, and in an attempt to not have to take it all apart a load of times I'm trying to do things all at the same time, which means not completing many jobs end-to-end. Dash off for camera cabling, wire wheel and rust treat behind dash, sound proofing behind dash... each delaying each other - but progress is happening. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge In other news - spent Sunday at the NEC classics show and picked up some checkerplate rubber matting for the loadspace for the dog that I hope to fit in the back, and some material to make the headliner. Got a load of cans of contact glue but also ordered some headlining clips that might help secure it. Also met a great chap called Atkinson Bespoke Engineering who had loads of awesome bits that I needed and was very knowledgeable - would recommend. Next steps are finish putting the dash back on - I gave up last night after getting to the last couple of fixings and not managing to find the right screws - gah - before finishing stripping the old brittle covering from the roof in preparation for more dynamat and carpets/trim. Not sure if anyones come across this stuff before but its not soft like the dynamat but is hard and brittle when cold. We've been heatgunning and scraping but feels like high effort low reward. Click image to enlarge Mechanically I still need to service the diffs and gearbox/transfer case, fuel filter, and bleed the brakes in the hope that is the reason they're v bad before she's commissioned and ready to be a dog wagon. loads and loads of parts and jobs to do - the list does keep getting longer. Click image to enlarge |
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25th Mar 2025 9:47pm |
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10934 
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Thank you for the update and the list always gets longer, never shorter
 Clayton.
1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper. |
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27th Mar 2025 9:56pm |
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