Thread: Major advances/Changes in Defender Models?

Originally Posted by NT5224

Very interesting thread.

I've read owners of early model Land Rovers lambast newer models with the accusation that chassis and panel sections have been thinned to save weight and construction costs. When did this happen- within the timeline under discussion?

Not sure, or exactly when it happened. But a point that should be mentioned is that of doors. Earliest doors were the same as Series 3, changed to windup windows in 1984. Change to push button door handles in 1987 - these doors are thicker, mandating moving the front seats inboard about 25mm, a smaller steering wheel, and generally less room. But the new doors are more robust. Should be noted that at the same time galvanising of body cappings was stopped.

To be honest my Puma doesn't seem to feel so different from how I remember the old Series, V8 and Tdi's I used to drive. But it could just be my memory is unclear.

And don't forget the iconic bonnet mounted tyre! What a bitch it was to lift the thing with a spare in situ . My 110 V8 bonnet's were always cracking and deflecting from the stress. But how cool did it look?!

Were tyres taken off the bonnet with the switch from 110/90 to TDi?

cheers

Alan

Bonnet mounted spares were always an optional extra, even from 1948, although fitted to the vast majority of Series Landrovers, at least in Australia. Rare on coil sprung Landrovers, and probably not acceptable under ADRs referring to obstructions to drivers view from about mid nineties (guess). Bonnets seem to have got lighter somewhere about then too. TDCI engined Defenders cannot accommodate a spare on the bonnet due to the hump. Generally speaking, fitting larger tyres and softer drivers has made this option unpopular from the 1990s on.

John