I_am_Diesel Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Well, as is always the case when I have banned myself from buying anymore shite, what happens? I buy some more shite. It was too good an opportunity to pass. One of my military work colleagues bought said vehicle earlier in the year with vision to restore and sell on. Initially he was very keen, stripped it down, de-corroded the chassis, did a lot of work to the engine and rebuilt the front axle, including the swivel housings and fitted vented discs and new calipers. Recently his interest waned and he is going on a South Atlantic holiday for 4 months courtesy of Betty Windsor's Flying Circus (The RAF) next month. I asked him if he wanted to sell it. He wasn't sure, said he'd let me know. Next day he came back said he wanted to sell, I offered him £2500 which he accepted. As I want to turn it round quick I have gone into partnership with my mate, with a view to split any profits. The rear number plate is GR9. I will attempt to update progress as it happens. danthecapriman, DeeJay, Bren and 12 others 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_Rocket Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Bargain. I spy a 300TDi. Going R380 too? I_am_Diesel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Diesel Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 Yes, 300Tdi. Not sure about the gearbox yet, I might have an opportunity to upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_Rocket Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Nice, chassis looks excellent, good luck! purplebargeken and I_am_Diesel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Diesel Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Top marks to your mate, that looks very very clean! I_am_Diesel and purplebargeken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Nice ! Always a shame to take the original motors out tho I think scruff and Sigmund Fraud 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrel2 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Nice 90 and a good project. Are you able to keep and work on it indoors? This is a great thread already. Makes me embarrassed about that pile of green, slimy rust that resembles a 1994 110 on my driveway which I haven't touched in a while... Squirrel2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Am I the only one that gets irate when people call the old 90/110 ‘s defenders? SamR380 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asimo Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 ^^^ No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Being the owner of an 87 90 I get it all the time from customers - “nice defender” grrr! I’ve taken to saying “ where” while looking round the yard. #pedant purplebargeken, Dirk Diggler and Lacquer Peel 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Diesel Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 As I am working in partnership with my boss so keeping it indoors won't be an issue. As a B plate it's one of the early 90's. In an ideal world I'd love to restore it back to original as possible, but it's not an ideal world so I am restoring it to as best I can to a budget. Looks like my Defender won't get any love this winter. SamR380 and purplebargeken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 That’s one seriously tidy workshop stephen01, I_am_Diesel and fraser.innes.3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiperCub Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 & one clean chassis too! Every one I've seen is somewhat more (how can I put this politely?) rust coloured.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_Rocket Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Am I the only one that gets irate when people call the old 90/110 ‘s defenders? I have a 1990 110, everyone refers to it as 'the Defender'... and so do I now , way too difficult to explain to non-mentals why they were re-branded in 1991..However, calling a series vehicle 'Defender' is NOT ACCEPTABLE, ever purplebargeken, Lacquer Peel, I_am_Diesel and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Don’t read Ben Fogles book on landies ffs I_am_Diesel, NorfolkNWeigh, scruff and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuboy Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 well played.. I_am_Diesel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Oh very nice indeed. Very, very nice. Great 90 too. I_am_Diesel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Diesel Posted December 20, 2017 Author Share Posted December 20, 2017 A bit of an update on how things have been progressing with my 90. Whilst I was languishing with the in-laws weekend before last my buddy removed the roof ready for prep for re-spraying. The bulkhead had a bit more welding done and the off-side engine mount had it's somewhat dubious welding strengthened. I was able to get back at it on Monday after a romantic weekend away with the missus in Beccles. The rear axle was removed. We discovered that as a drum brake axle we can't convert it to disc brakes so I hope to get a Discovery axle in the new year. I have spoken to a man who has one he is willing to let me have. The rear spring upper mounts had more patches than a boy scouts jumper so I cut them off and I now have 2 brand new replacements. Whilst they are off I am going to tidy up some of the previous welding which although solid is not too attractive. We are now going through the laborious task of rubbing down the paintwork. Today I have done the side panels, rear door and one driver's door which is a solid replacement from a later model. It's a time consuming process which isn't helped by the fact that I have to look after the dog this week and he hasn't taken to the racket of the angle grinder or any loud noises. Tickman, Dirk Diggler, DeeJay and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNWeigh Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Don’t read Ben Fogles book on landies ffsThat's ok, it's pretty much unreadable anyway.I used to think he was a mildly annoying posh media twat, since reading about a quarter of his shit book, I he is now on a par with Trump and Jeremy Vine on my list for lining up against a wall when the revolution comes. Asimo and Lacquer Peel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Diesel Posted January 27, 2018 Author Share Posted January 27, 2018 Progress on the 90 has been fairly glacial lately but I thought I would bore you all with an update. I have attacked what was left of the rusty spring brackets with an angle grinder and found a couple of spots on the chassis that require a tickle. My mate who is helping me with this has drafted his brother in to do the welding as he is more proficient than we are. Only problem is that he is dragging his heels to get it done. He has promised to do it Monday, so fingers crossed. The guy who promised me an axle after Christmas has gone off grid and won't respond to messages or phone calls so I guess he's a bit of an arse. I scoured a popular internet auction site and bought one for £180 with free delivery. I receive a call on the following Monday informing me that that they have 'lost' the axle during a move of premises and refunded my money. Mk1 Discovery rear axles aren't in abundance so after a bit more searching I find one nearby for 20 pence less than a ton. I took a trip to Dereham on Thursday and collected it. It's not too bad, I have cleaned it a bit with a wire brush and stripped it down. The diff is sound so I will replace wheel bearings, seals and brake discs and give it a lick of paint. My mate has pulled in a favour with a painter and we are getting ready to get some panels over to him. He finished the roof this week and has done a splendid job. The only concern we have is that Dr Who might want to steal it. I am going to order the 2K Coniston Green paint this week which will be about £145 delivered. I have managed to source a reconditioned steering box pretty cheap as we are going to convert it to power steering. I will update again soon and hopefully show you some green panels. Skizzer, Dirk Diggler, johngarty and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wack Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Given the amount of work you're doing I'm surprised you aren't rebuilding it on a Richards chassis , you'll easily get the money back at resale From bitter experience I know the chassis rust from the inside out , a rebuilt 90 on a new chassis will be a valuable thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_ZTT Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Great work on this, looking forward to seeing how it turns out I_am_Diesel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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