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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2238   
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Afternoon all,
Sadly the time has come to replace the chassis on my DCPU. It is a shame as the front end of the original and all the outriggers are in great condition but the rear is in fairly poor shape having already replaced the rear cross member with a Blacksheep one a few years back. So obviously a new galv one is on the cards but the choice is fairly large and i have read countless contradictory reviews on pretty much all the brands so looking for a little steer, especially from anyone who has purchased/used any of the brands. As i see it the choice is: 1. Shielder - Quite a bit of mixed feedback on them and not as competitively priced as they used to be; 2. XD - Very tempting as they have either an OE style folded construction or a HD S355 chassis and are quite competitive priced. Supplied via Bearmach; 3. Marland - Seems to be the best regarded as 'Genuine' GKN type. High priced unless bought from Terrain Tech who seem to be an 'avoid' type company. Very few negative comments relating to their Defender chassis although their none OEM Series ones seem to be a lot worse; 4. Richards - Generally well regarded but quite a few negative reviews around for alignment issues. They are fairly local to me and used one previously on a 300TDi build. Seemed qood quality but was missing the front brake hose mountings totally. I am not considering a Shielder one but i am fairly torn between the other three, prices currently look like; 2. £2400 incl VAT in HD form or £2910 for the retro style one; 3. £3000 incl VAT from Terrain Tech or £3300 from KD LR; 4. £2580 incl VAT direct I believe all of them now come with the gearbox cross member now too. Appreciate your input. Cheers, Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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3rd Aug 2020 12:44pm |
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| strang Member Since: 16 May 2012 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 1386 
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How about giving Matthew at Alpine Restorations in Sowerby Bridge a call - he specialises in Defender chassis swaps, and see which ones they fit. They seem to use both Richards and Marsland
https://www.alpine-restorations.co.uk/galv...placement/ 07896 595192 Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond..... |
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3rd Aug 2020 1:16pm |
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| Nidge Member Since: 27 Jan 2008 Location: Kildare Ireland Posts: 821  
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Give Terrain Tech a wide Berth.........I still haven't received a pair of rock sliders ordered on 21 April and others have had issues too.
I've fitted both Shielder and Richards chassis, Richards was miles better..... but I'd be tempted to try the heavy duty XD one next time round. Nidge |
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3rd Aug 2020 2:21pm |
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| Harry.O Member Since: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 717 
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6 or 7 years ago I had a Richards and no complaints other than minor alignment issues with the rear tub. That said it wasn't the same rear tub that came off the old chassis so can't be certain it was an issue with the chassis. They were great to deal with and at the time offered a very competitive price.
I chose Richards because they were the only outfit that would undertake a few modifications prior to galvanising such as a 2nd set of engine mounts for a pending LT77 to R380 conversion, trimming/plating the dumbirons and roll cage mounts. The only thing that they didn't offer back then was the adjustable tab for the rear x-member/tub mounts which would have been a nice feature. 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop 1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top 1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles |
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3rd Aug 2020 2:27pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2712 
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I’ve had a Richards and two Marslands - the latter for me every time.
You should be able to buy it through your local 4x4 place cheaper than the online ones. But you may need to wait. |
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3rd Aug 2020 5:08pm |
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| rockster57 Member Since: 15 Nov 2014 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 944 
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+1 ^^^ Matthew currently doing a replacement for me.  Click image to enlarge |
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3rd Aug 2020 7:24pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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I physically couldn’t bolt old rusty dampers and fuel filter bracket onto a new chassis....
Which is why the v8 cost so much... especially as i only wanted a bulkhead  |
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3rd Aug 2020 7:30pm |
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| rockster57 Member Since: 15 Nov 2014 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 944
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I know what you’re saying Greeni. It irks me too but needs must! This is an insurance related replacement, not something I’ve planned and been able to budget for. There’s life left in those old parts and I don’t have the finances to replace them for appearance’s sake. Plenty of other old stuff will be bolted back on too but I’ll be tidying it all up myself once I get the vehicle back.
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4th Aug 2020 6:43am |
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| Lwb97 Member Since: 10 Sep 2015 Location: Powys Posts: 75  
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The couple of Richards I’ve fitted were not bad at all but the marslands I’ve fitted are by far the better fitting chassis, everything lines up as it should. I’m yet to try an XD but may be on the cards as there a bit cheaper then the marslands.
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4th Aug 2020 7:03am |
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| jimbo55 Member Since: 15 Jul 2020 Location: Midlands Posts: 400
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I’ve gone for an XD heavy duty, currently painting it up before I fit it. Was never going to touch a shielder after seeing so many horror stories and having fitted a few Richards, the fitment has been pretty poor. Which left me the choice of XD or marsland.
Made my choice based on recommendation and price, with the XD being nearly £1000 cheaper than a marsland and Is meant to be a good fit it was a bit of a no brainer. will see how fitting it goes later this year |
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4th Aug 2020 10:36am |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2238
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Some good feedback thanks,
Jimbo, would be very interested to hear your feeback on the XD HD one as it is very tempting. How does the quality look initially? I cant believe there is so little feeback on them as they have been around a while and price wise are very competitive. Maybe no feedback is good feedback Cheers, Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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4th Aug 2020 10:48am |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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A friend just built one on an XD chassis, I don't think he had any issues.
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4th Aug 2020 10:51am |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2238
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Also good to hear thanks GREENI
Cheers, Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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4th Aug 2020 10:55am |
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| jimbo55 Member Since: 15 Jul 2020 Location: Midlands Posts: 400
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Rallysteve, all of the welds and galv covering looks good. Only things I’ve noticed really are the tow bar and anti roll bar mounts don’t have the nuts welded on and there’s no sleeve through the chassis for the front lashing eyes, neither of which I’m too bothered about.
Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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4th Aug 2020 11:02am |
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