 | Home > My Defender > My First Defender TD5 Progress |
 
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| Rusty380 Member Since: 20 Jun 2017 Location: Nottingham Posts: 81  
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So after buying my first Land Rover Defender I thought I’d get a progress thread going to keep a record of all the changes and get help and advice a long the way from those with more knowledge and experience.
So yesterday I travelled to Southport to meet Phil of Auto Expert in Lytham who had an advert on AutoTrader for a 2003 Land Rover TD5. The Land Rover was parked outside ready and waiting had a good look around and soon realised I’d found for my budget an absolute minter as described in the advert. Highly recommend Phil at AE he’s a lovely genuine guy who has owned a few land rovers himself and seems to pride himself on getting high quality motors in stock. Phil reversed the land rover on to the ramp and handed me an LED torch and a screwdriver and said I’ll leave you to have a look just let me know if you have any questions. It was immaculate underneath having had protection from new with receipts as proof, it had also had the treatment injected into the chassis to prevent it rusting from the inside/out. The only corrosion visible was the exhaust which is to be expected, nothing bad just the obvious surface rust but still in very good nick nevertheless. I took it for a test drive having been told it had been remapped and I was very impressed, gear changes very nice, pulled well and no rattles knocks or worrying sounds. Was lovely driving down the seafront at Southport for the test drive! I had fallen in love right there, handed over the cash and drove home doing 70mph all the way home for 3 hours and it didn't skip a beat it felt like i was driving for half hour, some beautiful scenery that way. I couldn't stop smiling, music on to drown out the tyre noise and wind in my hair, i felt like a ten year old!! The interior was immaculate to having had seat covers from new, which were also given to me so I can wash these and re-use when going in for a service etc. to keep them tip-top! Anyway so here are some pictures of it from yesterday and today along with a quick run down of general description, i’ll try get better ones I've just been so busy since picking it up. 2003 Land Rover TD5 71650 Miles Service 3 Months ago (750 Miles ago) Full LR Service History all stamped in the book. 9 Months MOT Loads of receipts, very well looked after. Economy Viezu Remap Spacers (The wheels seem to be flush with the arches more than my girlfriends, brothers td5 at least) I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking, ill be getting a new stainless exhaust on at some point in the near future so i’ll get some shots of the underneath as I forgot whilst there, I was too focussed on not getting excited and making sure i didn't miss anything. Need to get some in the engine bay which is also lovely and some closer up of the front, I want to try and bring the front alive a little. The grill and light surrounds are like a dull black plastic think they need painting gloss black to bring them to life. Exterior:  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Interior: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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2nd Jul 2017 3:00pm |
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| Rusty380 Member Since: 20 Jun 2017 Location: Nottingham Posts: 81
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Progress wise I have quite a few plans for this but wish to keep it subtle initially my priorities are the following:
Car Security Powdercoat Alloys Satin or Gloss Black Powdercoat front grills and light surrounds Satin or Gloss Black Powdercoat the wing mirror covers to match the grey paintwork Smoked Side repeaters Stubby Aerial Wind Deflectors Exhaust and decat. Lots more plans but they will be done in due course. I also want to replace these metal trims that hold the mud flaps in place they have rusted through and could do with replacement. Any suggestions on where to look? Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Actual Progress: I also decided today to replace the head unit. It didn't pick up radio stations great and I prefer to have music on my phone than to clutter the car with cd’s so I had a look what was available online. £40 from Argos seemed a bargain as I can use it to charge my phone via the usb port also so winner for me Old Stereo Which was in the car when I bought it: Click image to enlarge Picked up this one for £40 New (Argos has its uses at times) Click image to enlarge Old and New. Smaller as no need for CD's! Click image to enlarge New one fitted, Not much in the way of progress but it’s only day one and I can now tune into every radio station rather than just one. Click image to enlarge I have my eye on so many things already but these will flow once i’ve had the new security fitted. I’m assuming its the standard alarm as receipts for anything and everything else were provided. It central locks, the alarm goes off if lock and leave windows open. It also seems to have internal sensors near the drivers door, can be seen in the interior photos. |
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2nd Jul 2017 3:02pm |
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| bankz5152 Member Since: 02 Feb 2017 Location: South London/North Kent Posts: 2145 
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Looks good bud! Nice example too!
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2nd Jul 2017 3:39pm |
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| Clive Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Littleborough Posts: 467 
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Very tidy looking 90, nice
Like yourself I like to keep the mods subtle and keep the car looking reasonably standard. Are you intending keeping the middle front seat or replacing it with a cubby box? My first 90 had a centre seat and it was a real pain for a full size adult to use it. My current 90 has the cubby so I've done a little mod to move the handbrake lever to the top of the seatbox which makes it a lot more accessible and easier to use. I think you might have trouble powdercoating the grille, light surrounds and mirrors, they're all plastic - well, except for the mirror arms, but yes, gloss black (paint) is a good choice. |
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2nd Jul 2017 4:47pm |
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| mini Anaconda Member Since: 23 Aug 2016 Location: Thames Valley Posts: 778
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Fantastic Landy Rusty - I was following your original thread, so I am pleased you have found yourself a nice Landy.
What size tyres do you have? Looks like 285/75/16? Like the look of them. P.S. - a cubby box is a good mod if you don't intend to use the middle seat. Really good storage area (the only storage area!), I certainly wouldn't be without mine. Somewhere to rest your elbow too.  BORG - Bucks & Oxon 4x4 Response Group
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2nd Jul 2017 8:22pm |
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| Specialbikejames Member Since: 03 Mar 2013 Location: Bristol Posts: 47 
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Looks like a good one, but I'd want to know what's lurking under the chequer plate on the rear cross member. That's usually only fitted for one reason in my experience.
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2nd Jul 2017 8:27pm |
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| Mdm Member Since: 11 Sep 2013 Location: Sunny Lancashire Posts: 1583
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as above rip off the x member plate and fix what ever is lurking behind it before you spend money on shiny bits.
if the brackets are that rusty so will be the rest of the back end.if you leave it whatever is there will only rust faster |
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2nd Jul 2017 8:40pm |
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| VVS210 Member Since: 12 Nov 2016 Location: Hampshire Posts: 953
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If the mud flap brackets are rusted through I would be very surprised if the cross member was not also in a similar state. Mud flap brackets were fine in my old 90 but the cross member had to be replaced.
Last edited by VVS210 on 2nd Jul 2017 9:34pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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2nd Jul 2017 9:33pm |
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10731 
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Really pleased for you Rusty
but as above and above that ^^^  1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.
Keeper. Clayton. |
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2nd Jul 2017 9:33pm |
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| Profyaffle Member Since: 03 Oct 2016 Location: N Yorks Posts: 527
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Happy New Defender @ Rusty.. Looks great.. Looking forward to seeing your improvements
1993 200Tdi Defender 90 |
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2nd Jul 2017 9:34pm |
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| Rusty380 Member Since: 20 Jun 2017 Location: Nottingham Posts: 81
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Cheers for the comments! I'll do some investigative work on the cross member next weekend. I really like the look of it though so after an inspection I'll be re-fitting it and give it a nice bead of marine grade silicone along all the relevant edges to prevent water ingress.
Better to be safe than sorry however the rest of the cross member and chassis that are visible and clear of surface rust and corrosion so hoping its purely aesthetics. Regarding cubby box I really want one however it looks like the middle seat is staying for rusty the dog. He has a harness which keeps him in place and he likes sitting in the front admiring the view! So whenever he's in I think it's a seat covers on job, harness him in the middle and job done! In the back of he's dirty or been swimming mind! Don't want any benches in the back either, people only ask or expect lifts! Just me the dog and lady! My best friend is a cracking joiner so will be doing something nice with the back in due course. I really want a pull out draw but he's a perfectionist so it will be a top job and then get it upholstered by a local company to myself. Need a new shotgun before any of that! |
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2nd Jul 2017 10:29pm |
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| Rusty380 Member Since: 20 Jun 2017 Location: Nottingham Posts: 81
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I'll check the tyre size later and confirm I do really fancy a Cubby Box but the dog has to come first (for now at least)
Impending Progress: Aside from the important yet boring stuff (car security and checking that rear cross member) i'm going to buy buying these few bits over the next few weeks. - KBX High Force Intakes (Santorini Black) - KBX Front Grill & Light Surrounds (Santorini Black) - KBX Wing Mirror Covers (Santorini Black) - Powdercoat Alloys Satin or Gloss Block (Undecided) - Black Locking Wheel Nut Set and Black Wheel Nuts I'd really like to upgrade the front lights also to like a smoked set of lights, wouldn't mind changing the DRL's to a smoked typed of light fitting either if thats possible? Anybody have any suggestions? |
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3rd Jul 2017 7:07am |
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| Rusty380 Member Since: 20 Jun 2017 Location: Nottingham Posts: 81
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This is addictive already.
Bought 4 x Black Locking Wheel Nuts 20 X Black Locking Wheel Nuts (Never hurts to have spare) 4 New Black & Silver Defender Centre Caps RDX Gloss Black Wing Mirros RDX Smoked Side repeaters AND Booked in for powder coating on Friday, drop off early morning pick up in the same afternoon £240 (Bargain IMO) very good workmanship too as a few friends have had work done there! Should be transformed for the weekend
Think I'm just going to keep it simple and go gloss black with the wheels! Any recommendations to ponder on before Friday, any other shade of black to consider I'm thinking satin just looks like gloss with brake dust on hah ?? |
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3rd Jul 2017 12:49pm |
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| V8GPC Member Since: 18 Jul 2016 Location: Manchester Posts: 289
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Nice looking LR, I've been looking to replace the radio in mine; its not the original unit and I can't turn it off; other than taking the front off; and I like the look of the Sony one you have and the USB port is a bonus.
How does it work with the LR aerial for radio reception / FM? is it ok Think I may copy |
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3rd Jul 2017 4:23pm |
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