Thread: Q+A defender (what can go wrong)

Originally Posted by pickstock

Im thinking when i get one ill do some basic mods, like the bar work and mild lift kit, ATW intercooler. Stuff more for protection of the equipment than for outright power.

For 10-20 big ones you will get a Defender with every modification you could possible want. One thing i will say about mechanics that won't work on a Land Rover........................ they must be pretty useless, Rovers are one of the easiest vehicles to work on, especially a Defender. Their limited Rover experience is matched by their limited skill.

You will get every single part on the net, all at reasonable prices and the help you will get on here will solve any problem you have. You will even get offers of help from inmates close by if you are really in trouble. Don't hesitate to buy, but do check history first.

Rick

Originally Posted by Didge

Wow, that's a serious amount of clicks for any motor but it's the isuzu isn't it?!

yes.

John

For almost all people a lift is quite unnecessary and simply an unnecessary cost and source of future problems. Same applies to oversize tyres.

There are however some worthwhile modifications - bullbar - but you will be hard pressed to find a s/h Defender without one; headlight relay (absolutely necessary in my view); long range fuel tank; radiator chaff guard.

Modifications to mine include all of the above plus driving lights, central locking, cruise control, water tank, folding side steps, four gear front diff (as in 6x6, good idea for Isuzu engine).

John

JD, can you elaborate on the 4 gear front diff please
Cheers gerald

Originally Posted by pickstock

i was under the impression the td5 was less powerful than the tdi200
.

200tdi and 300tdi are probably on par, TD5 has more killerwasps

My Td5 has been faultess really and have kept it longer than any other car.... and i've had many like 20 + cars in the last 12 years or so!

And yes, very easy to work on and plenty quick, especially when chipped/remapped

Originally Posted by pickstock

...

i was under the impression the td5 was less powerful than the tdi200

...

It is the other way around. The Td5 is ~125 Bhp vs 111 for the 300tdi and 107(?) for the defender version of the 200tdi.

Power can easily be increased in all 3, but the TD5 is by far the stronger engine, and capable of huge power outputs with the right upgrades.

200tdis are uncommon.

If I were you I would buy one of the perenties currently being sold by the army (assuming you can live with the lack of creature comforts). They are fitted with the Isuzu 4BD1, which can readily be turbocharged to produce even more output than the above engines, and will outlast them as well.

The added advantage is you can probably find more mechanics willing to work on them.

If you want a tow vehicle towing larger than a camper van consider the newer CR diesel utes (Navara, Triton etc) or a 100 series LC. As much as i love my defender i wouldn't consider it a tow vehicle.

I've spent way too much money on mine. I'm too far down the trail to return to stock, but there is a-lot to be said for a set of lockers (+ axles), standard sized mud tyres and stop the modifications there. That set up will take you everywhere you would want to go (even if you might have to take a different line or approach to the modified trucks). Keeping it simple should avoid undue stress on parts. I flog out suspension bushes on a regular basis (roughly every 6 months) and that's on a modest 35mm lift. There old adage rings true, a modification to one item shows up the deficiency in another. You start chasing solutions to problems created by modifications.

Otherwise my defender is pretty reliable. What goes wrong is generally stuff i've ignored in regular maintenance or items that are stressed because of modifications. Rarely are they a show stopper, merely an inconvenience during a trip. TD5 with 375,000 kms on the Odo and no signs of slowing up.

ps: Don't listen to Mike. He has a misplaced interpretation of 'plenty quick'. No land speed records will be set by a defender, nor will you lose your licence for speeding. Expect to cruise at 95 / 100 km/h and be content to get to your destination 10 min later than if in a normal car.

MLD