Land Rover Defender 90 question

[Spacemonkey]

For all those owners of the Solihull Spawn Of Satan, I have a couple of questions.

Does the 200TDi have a foldable front window like the earlier TD models? I understand the 300 TDi does not?? How does this work? If the doors were removed, would this leave a frame upright, or would the windscreen just drop forward leaving nothing?

Is it easy to remove the doors, and can just the top window bit be removed leaving nothin else?

Do the roofs unbolt or easily remove on all 90 models of TD or 200TDi vinrage? can it be easily replaced if need be?

Basically, I'm toying with the idea of a 90 TD/200TDi (preferably 200 TDi) set up like the old style Jeep with folding screen, no doors or roof. Bit like an RDV.

Is it possible and what do you think?

[Spacemonkey]

Forgot to ask, does the windscreen fix securely when raised if it doesn;t have a side window or roof to rest on, ie it is freestanding??

Thanks guys!

[wingstoo]

For all those owners of the Solihull Spawn Of Satan, I have a couple of questions.

Does the 200TDi have a foldable front window like the earlier TD models? I understand the 300 TDi does not?? How does this work? If the doors were removed, would this leave a frame upright, or would the windscreen just drop forward leaving nothing?

A lot of the windscreens are removable by undoing a couple of nuts inside the cab, but you need a windscreen support bracket or two on the bonnet unless you remove it completely. If you check the external bulk head below the wind screen and by the door pillars you will see hinges at each side.



Is it easy to remove the doors, and can just the top window bit be removed leaving nothin else?

Most doors are easily removable with just 4 hinge screws/bolts to come out.
Doors are generally one piece, except the military versions.



Do the roofs unbolt or easily remove on all 90 models of TD or 200TDi vinrage? can it be easily replaced if need be?

Depends on the model, CSW, Truck cabs etc etc but you might need an angle grinder on some of the fixings


Basically, I'm toying with the idea of a 90 TD/200TDi (preferably 200 TDi) set up like the old style Jeep with folding screen, no doors or roof. Bit like an RDV.

Is it possible and what do you think?

Most things are possible with a Land rover, and make sure you get a roll bar over the top to protect your head and a pair of goggles to save your eyes.

Above all, have fun and enjoy.

LS

[Spacemonkey]

Thanks for replying. Appreciated..

Yes, I agree about eye protection for screen down action, and the roll bars. Undecided between RDV style rear cage (without mount ring of course..) or twin roll bars behind front seats like I have seen in the Landy mags. My MX5 doesn't have a roll bar, but I don't take it off road much! (Have gently green laned it a little bit though!!)

So does the 200TDi have the folding screen that you know?

[swyn]

The 200 series had some folding and some not depending on the age. Along with the split doors. If not, hinged replacements are common at such places as The Old Sodbury Sortout nr Newbury. £5 for the pair and presto the screen folds.....Although I can't remember about the wipers sitting here! No, it won't just drop forward if the roof is unbolted (easy if all the bolts undo). It is held with two turn down bolts on the bottom corners. Other parts will fit as they are common, in particular the army 90 rag top clips that hold the canvas to the screen etc. It is just a question of finding a good stockist. I can recommend Dingocroft in High Wycombe as I get my spares from them (business relationship only)
I think the only snag would be the one piece doors with the roll down windows as the top frame would not be removable. The door could be removed completely and perhaps replaced with a chain to stop occupants falling out! Split doors are a rarity for this reason.
An ex army 90 non turbo is a slow old thing but interestingly when driving a friends out of London along The Embankment last year with the headlights on some vehicles moved out of the way!! And no it was not my terrible driving!
If you do not do long journeys and do not want to get somewhere in a hurry I would consider an ex army rag top 90 as they are common, cheap and usually in reasonable condition. The gearboxes do not suffer with the problems that their more powerful cousins have especially the high milers say 140,000+ ie a rebulid with £500 worth of parts alone without labour.
But, horses for courses. Hope this helps a little...
Swyn.
PS. The 200 engine was the best apart from doing the timing belt! S

[wingstoo]

The 200 series had some folding and some not depending on the age. Along with the split doors. If not, hinged replacements are common at such places as The Old Sodbury Sortout nr Newbury. £5 for the pair and presto the screen folds.....Although I can't remember about the wipers sitting here! No, it won't just drop forward if the roof is unbolted (easy if all the bolts undo). It is held with two turn down bolts on the bottom corners. Other parts will fit as they are common, in particular the army 90 rag top clips that hold the canvas to the screen etc. It is just a question of finding a good stockist. I can recommend Dingocroft in High Wycombe as I get my spares from them (business relationship only)
I think the only snag would be the one piece doors with the roll down windows as the top frame would not be removable. The door could be removed completely and perhaps replaced with a chain to stop occupants falling out! Split doors are a rarity for this reason.
An ex army 90 non turbo is a slow old thing but interestingly when driving a friends out of London along The Embankment last year with the headlights on some vehicles moved out of the way!! And no it was not my terrible driving!
If you do not do long journeys and do not want to get somewhere in a hurry I would consider an ex army rag top 90 as they are common, cheap and usually in reasonable condition. The gearboxes do not suffer with the problems that their more powerful cousins have especially the high milers say 140,000+ ie a rebulid with £500 worth of parts alone without labour.
But, horses for courses. Hope this helps a little...
Swyn.
PS. The 200 engine was the best apart from doing the timing belt! S

Does it look like this one? Do you see the hinges to the side of the front passenger air grilles?
If it has these the wind screen will drop.

LS

[swyn]

Yes, these are easily replaced with the older version and this will allow the screen to hinge forward. NB in removing the hinges and replacing with solid pieces there was also a move to not fit the turn down bolts that hold the screen upright although the lugs remain!!!! this seemed to be a rolling programme so can't do the dates!
I see this is 92 J so there should be lugs on the inside and possibly the turndowns.
It sounds complicated but in reality is just getting the right bits fitted!
Swyn.
PS just another thought. Remember that if you do have hinges fittwed they may well be seized so be careful.

[Spacemonkey]

Thanks Swyn, that really helps. So it seems that even a 300TDi which definitely do NOT have hinges, could have hinges retro fitted, including the inner turn down bolts?

[swyn]

I have just looked at a 300 series c'95 and yes the lugs are there for the turn down bits and I know they are there on a 200. The non-hinges are held to the screen with one bolt through them and the bulkhead by two so three in all each side. The retro fit hinges and turndown bolts will have to be sourced from either your wanderings or through people like Dingocroft.
With the hinge parts being aluminium and steel mix be careful as things will almost certainly be seized. This is one of the rust areas on LR's it is also an opportunity to spray in some rust preventer too, ditto when you get the door hinges off as this gives good access to the innards of the bulkhead.

About the split doors. There is a company that makes the tops as the original ones dissolve over the years and then the glass falls out! I saw them at Sodbury Sortout some years ago and was impressed with the quality. They are made for all Series and the 90/110 split door models. So perhaps this idea is not as difficult as I thought. Just legwork oh, and glass..... etc!

Finally as L.S importantly sugested, fit a roll bar. The military ones are obviously the easy option as the seatbelt mountings are then all in place and the bits and pieces to fit the roof frame. This is fitted to my friends one.
Which I have also remembered does NOT have power steering!

Have fun with this Spacemonkey.
Swyn.

[Spikey DaPikey]

Me want this one

[British Red]

Me want the driver of that one

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

Me want this one

Is that the Tomb Raider Landy??

If so British Red is quite right about the driver

Phil.

[Spikey DaPikey]

Yup, its the tomb raider one

Had one in the Coventry Transport Muesum once, ita a loverly bit of kit. Shame the driver wasent there as well

[Spacemonkey]

I like that one... but i want this one:




Not fussed about the driver though...

[Spikey DaPikey]

I do like Landrovers, always have, just shame there too thirsty on the juice..

One day.....

[Scuba Pete]

I would love a LR 90. Too skint thou. Just wondered whats a good price to pick one up at, and what models are worth getting?

[Martyn]

I do like Landrovers, always have, just shame there too thirsty on the juice..

One day.....

I'm a convert.

After what can only be described as an enormous amount of emotional gymnastics, my brain gave way to my heart and I bought one. This was a really big thing for me, because I've wanted one for as long as I can remember, but at the same time they are not the most environmentally friendly of vehicles and I have had a hard time rationalising the purchase. I've even been quite anti-land rover on these forums, I learned something about myself, I am indeed a world class hypocrit.

It came down to this....

You have one life, then you die and it's gone for ever!!!!

My new toy as of 3 weeks ago...



I'm getting about 28mpg round town, but it depends very much how you drive it. I believe the Tdi's are more economical though not as powerful.

[swyn]

That is very nice Martyn! I bet you have grin factor ten even when you are asleep! Remember to keep a toothpick close by to remove the flys!
Swyn.

[Martyn]

That is very nice Martyn! I bet you have grin factor ten even when you are asleep! Remember to keep a toothpick close by to remove the flys!
Swyn.

I havent stopped grinning since I bought it mate, I havent stopped spending either.


I'm very surprised by how civilised it is, though the turning circle is much bigger than a car, making parking a bit harder and the clutch - my god the clutch - do all Land Rover owners walk in circles.

On that point, If anyone knows any tricks for easing off the clutch a bit, I'd be eternally grateful.

I havent (seriously) off-roaded it yet, though I've been driving for 22 years I'm as green as grass with off road stuff. I'm gonna have a couple of propper off-roading leassons in the new year just to put me on the right track.

[davef]

question is what did Lara Croft want with a load of copper water pipe in the jungle??

or was she some sort of ultra hardcore SAS plumber on the side??






if you're confused look at the side of the rack next to the roof boxes

[wingstoo]

Nah

thats the carrier for the roll up stretcher for picking up all the guys who swooon when they see her driving it...Lol

I got one of those as well...Hmm will I get it to fit, have to try on the weekend...

And just for BR



And from the rear...ooooer



Happy drooooling lads

LS

[moocher]

just found this thread and flicked through it.my series hardtop is 17 bolts to completely remove the roof and only a handful for the 2 sides,then its the rear door.my e reg 90 i used to own was the same.about 2.5k should get a good one take a hammer to the chassis to check the rust.once chassis gone its not viable to replace unless you do it yourself.there good fun.the 200tdi was a bit noisey when wellied but easy to diy the 300 tdi similar.if you want to run on a budget a sherpa 2.5d engine can do the job but not if your into speed /quietness or running oversized tyres.i love the twin truck cab models but very pricey as is the roof panel if you want to convert a 110 into one.i would like a tax exempt ex military 109 " with a full soft top,and a tdi diesel if i could build my ideal truck.

[swyn]

It may pay to bleed the clutch. If you are not used to it it may seem stiff. Simple job to bleed and saves all sorts of niggles in the long run. You will be surprised at the colour difference of the hydraulic fluid when doing this change.
Swyn.

[Spacemonkey]

Martyn, I was expecting you to crop up soon to tell us how much we were killing dolphins in Timbuktoo or something, but i never expected this!! Excellent choice, looks a stunner mate. What engine is it?

[Martyn]

Martyn, I was expecting you to crop up soon to tell us how much we were killing dolphins in Timbuktoo or something, but i never expected this!! Excellent choice, looks a stunner mate. What engine is it?

What can I say, the pull of the dark side was strong Luke.

Anyway, I went for as newer as I could afford, it's an '04 td5 with 13700 miles on the clock as of today. It's immaculate - bit weird seeing a dent-free landrover.

[CLEM]

Coolest motas in the world and no mistake.

[Spacemonkey]

Dent free?? Surely you jest. sir... Get some mud on it...

[Martyn]

Dent free?? Surely you jest. sir... Get some mud on it...

...am gonna.

Was on me was to the oldies last week, they live in the sticks and one of the roads was deeply flooded. Most cars were turning round, rather than risk it. Absolutely no issue for the 90 though.

One thing, other people driving land rovers wave to you - all of them! It's like being in a club or something.

[Spacemonkey]

It's the same when I'm in my MX5. They appreciate your madness i think..!
How do you find it comfort wise on a trip? And mpg for a rural trip?

[Martyn]

It's the same when I'm in my MX5. They appreciate your madness i think..!
How do you find it comfort wise on a trip? And mpg for a rural trip?

SWMBO has got a mini and you get it a bit with them, but I dont think I've passed another land rover yet where the driver hasnt waved.

The mpg thing is very dependant on how you drive. I had to adjust my driving style a lot. first second and third are very short gears - it's about getting it into 5th as quick as possible and then just bimble along with fairly low revs keeping it under the turbo all the time seems to get the most from it. It seems to love this style of driving. But the td5 engine is surprisingly fast. There is some turbo lag, but when it kicks in, the engine roars into life, the turbo screams and it thunders off at quite an alarming pace, but the fuel consumption goes into orbit as well.

Comfort wise, it's surprisingly comfy as far as is limited by the fact it's a land rover. It's a bit bouncy round town, with better manners on an open road. But then it's only 26 months old and with low miles on the clock, it's almost a new car.

I've had it in low range a couple of times, really just to get a feel for it, but I havent actually encountered anything yet where high range wasnt perfectly adequate and I've not needed the diff-lock at all. I'm hoping to get some leassons in the new year on a 4x4 driving range where I can learn the limits of the car and hopefully some driving skills.