 | Home > My Defender > Back Puma 90 |
 
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| Fat Cog Member Since: 19 Mar 2012 Location: Oxfordshire & Devon Posts: 502   
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Beautifully presented...SVX are still my favourite wheels. Since 1973...S1, Air Portable's, Defender's, but only my Wolf TUL HS GS remains
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8th Feb 2021 10:17pm |
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10772 
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Yep great intro pic
 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.
Keeper. Clayton. |
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8th Feb 2021 10:20pm |
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| Black Puma Member Since: 31 Jan 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 197 
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Thanks Fat Cog and Clayton. I'll try to post pics as much as possible. I love seeing pics on the forum.
I don't think LR made a bad looking wheel for the Defender. I may be wrong though. Standard steel, Wolf, Boost and Sawtooth, all look right on the car. The SVX rim is great, in person when clean, pretty nice. I have never worked on the vehicle myself. And up until the 'pandy', it was rarely washed, if at all. Over the last month, I have replaced a rear indicator, the front floor mats, front rubber that covers the gearbox tunnel. Plus new gear lever, which I have to say is a great way to make your car feel new. Surprisingly most made in UK, front mats made in Sweden. If parts are made in UK, makes it ok to spend more on genuine - to a degree. I also have a drivers seat foam ready to go in, for the bolster issue. First one was replaced under warranty a year into ownership, next one kept it's shape for about 6 years.  Click image to enlarge |
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8th Feb 2021 11:28pm |
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| Black Puma Member Since: 31 Jan 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 197
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Advice needed on replacing windshield. Popped the question on another part of the forum:
https://www.defender2.net/forum/post884065.html#884065 |
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9th Feb 2021 12:56am |
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| Black Puma Member Since: 31 Jan 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 197
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The slippery slope....
Had the pleasure of dealing with Bowler. Considering everything going on in the UK with 'Rona', it all worked out and parts arrived quickly. Thanks Bowler. My original steering wheel is a bit twisty in the hand, from the sunlight and heat here. It is possible to play motorcycle throttle when driving - I don't make the noises though... Anyway just thought I would grab the one from Bowler into my shipment, as it's about the same price as a genuine LR replacement. Hmmmm not sure what I think, I'm pretty sure I'm not driving a race car. So might be replaced by a Prototipo, or Moto Lita. We will see. I would say that it's the most utilitarian of the wheels out there, apart from the yellow logo. Compared to my other options, it's not very fancy or retro at all, it's just plain minimal. I might just cover the logo and see how it looks. Click image to enlarge |
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11th Feb 2021 8:26am |
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10772
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Once you start on the slippery slope, it's hard to stop
Nice steering wheel, bit like mine, plain but i have no leather  i agree that you should go the way of covering the yellow to see how you get on  1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.
Keeper. Clayton. |
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11th Feb 2021 8:25pm |
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| Black Puma Member Since: 31 Jan 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 197
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Windscreen diaries.
4 years ago, had a couple of nasty chips in the front screen. Amazingly they held and didn't deteriorate too much. Time to replace, and I literally could not find a single person who would entertain using genuine LR glass. In fact the whole process became a huge chore. From finding recommendations, to getting quotes, so many emails calls and texts ignored. I'm going to put it down to the stress of 'Rona' Luckily the forum answered. And some solid advice given. I had a plan. At the final moment, having a place to fit a new screen and everything all good. With one stipulation "Can you source and fit Pilkington glass?". When i arrived for fitting, I was told Pilkington not available, but they had the best quality glass anyway. It was then I should have got back in the car and driven away. Anyway, stayed and had the work done. Driving away, impresses with the speed and service, happy with the cost. It was a perfectly sunny day with a blue sky. I was very pleased to not to see those familiar chips in the middle of my view. Until I pulled into a place without blue sky, I noticed... an 80's tint across the top of the glass! What the?!? I mean, should I have Tracy and Trevor in bold white typography across this band for full effect. Anyway, phone calls made, another trip back days later, all replaced with a new one. Owner of the windscreen shop said it was standard to have blue band, and fully clear screen is a special order! Crazy ordeal. My take away is, when the forum answers with a solution... STICK TO THE PLAN!!! 
Click image to enlarge |
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18th Feb 2021 5:59am |
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| Black Puma Member Since: 31 Jan 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 197
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(Cue Star Wars)
THE TARMAC STRIKES BACK The story so far..... In an unfortunate lack of romance, I do remember Land Rovers back in my formative days in the UK. Always cool, but never top of mind. But after many fast'ish cars in AU, it was obvious... as much fun as they were, paddle shift, luxury and all that other junk, they would not cut it on dirt roads and all that fun stuff that kept cropping up. Frequently during work and play. And the utilitarian pull was strong. So the desire for a minimal non-car like 'box' was born. And the opportunity arose. I dropped the handbrake off at the airport one blue skied Saturday morning, for trip to see her family. Straight to the LR dealer with the other family directors (young kids). All approved. Purchasing a 90 would work, and the lovely better half approved. Ironically once my 90 was delivered, all the off road chores and fun dropped off a cliff... way off the radar. But as it stands. A handvfull of times a year there are dirt road adventures, and at least once or twice a year there is, "ok we can go in your car" which eventuates in an up to the bonnet, river crossing or two. So yes, the Grenadier may be the bigger next option for the longer family adventures. But I can't bear to see my little Black Puma 90 go, it's such a keeper. Because as much as you hear complaints about defenders being a horror car to live with, it's the most un-needy car I have owned. It doesn't mind a few punches and scratches. And above all, I'm happy to city drive it for days, and it always has the answer ridiculous bush adventures, which willingly appear when I least expect them. Pics: last work chore / adventure of 2020 Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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20th Feb 2021 12:42pm |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3418  
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Very cool introductory picture. I like them in black.
 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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24th Feb 2021 8:02pm |
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| Black Puma Member Since: 31 Jan 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 197
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Thanks Dinnu. Black looks good. But have to admit, I find Defenders looks great in every colour, I'd like one of each
Onto wheels now. For discussion. As much as I love the duel finish SVX wheels, including the apparent trend for diamond cut dual finish wheels appearing everywhere on new cars coming out. I kind of what to try another option, under a faint guise of performance improvement. Either lighter in weight, or safer road handling. After all better to keep one wife, one car and just dabble in a few accessories. OK, now I'm really talking rubbish. The reason for my story earlier. Most of my Defender use became urban, with a small amount of freeway/motorway, and off road a few times a year. Best logic would be for me to get 18" with AT 265/65R18. Good handling, wider surface for emergency braking in the wet. And, I can throw my SVX wheels on if I think I may go off road. The only downside for me is that my off road adventures are never planned, and just happen. Literally, out of nowhere, I'll have to cross a river and descend ascend muddy banks. Click image to enlarge There is something about a 90 with 16" wheels though. And a ridiculous part of me enjoys the utilitarian truck look of the 16". I can also up from my MT 235/85R16, to a AT 265/75R16. Only downside, is that I have not seen a Defender 90 on 18" wheels in the flesh, it may look great. Plus the handling of the 18" wheels may be better. (I'm not looking for a race car here, just added road confidence). Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge If anyone has any comments, advice, feel free. Last edited by Black Puma on 18th Mar 2021 5:06am. Edited 1 time in total |
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25th Feb 2021 2:24am |
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| ozzie1989 Member Since: 25 Feb 2009 Location: Wales Posts: 282  
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Quite a few recent threads on 18's in the wheel and tyre section, may be worth reading a few of those
https://www.defender2.net/forum/wheels-tyres-vf48.html If your off roading is generally flat tracks/ruts and mud etc. (even on an incline) then you'll be fine. If you do a lot of rocky terrain you may find you miss the extra flex in the tyres. Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition) |
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25th Feb 2021 7:53am |
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| FD7 Member Since: 16 Feb 2021 Location: Midland Posts: 170 
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What a tremendous difference the wheels make to the overall style approach.
Although, with that background and that nice of a 90, it's hard to make a wrong move. GOOD JOB |
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26th Feb 2021 10:23am |
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| Shroppy Member Since: 25 Feb 2016 Location: Shropshire Posts: 866 
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Crikey that is some impressive photoshop and a great looking 90!
Personally I'd stick with 16s, there is a lot to be said for having tall sidewalls when you accidentally catch a kerb/rock and they just look better IMO.  1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109" Series 1 80" |
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26th Feb 2021 6:49pm |
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| Black Puma Member Since: 31 Jan 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 197
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Thanks for the feedback. Really appreciate it, almost all, or 98% Defenders I see locally are stock, as from factory. So I have no reference what things look like. Don't want to make my car look worse, or badly effect how it works.
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27th Feb 2021 6:47am |
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