Thread: Saving the defender

Well, this thread went silent for the last month or so as i've moved to Tamworth from Sydney.

First move in 12 years, bit of a nightmare really.

Anyway, delighted to be here, and as a result of the move the 130 rebuild was on hold.I've gradually moved all the parts up here over the last month and brought the stripped truck up on Friday night.

Still one more load to go. its a long day when its 5 hours each way from the old garage to the new one.

Speaking of which, I now have a double garage under the house, only downside is the defender did not fit in until I took the roof off

I probably wont be back to my regular posts for a few weeks as there is all the sorting out lifes other distractions that come with a move like this.

Tamworth is a great town - why the hell did I live in Sydney for so long LOL ?

Know them feels mate.
Been here 5 years now. It's not as bad as the surburbanites will make you think
A few of us do a monthly catch up at the pub for an afternoon beer. I'll send you thru some details.

ha awesome, look forward to it!

[QUOTE=Andy130;2520512]

Speaking of which, I now have a double garage under the house, only downside is the defender did not fit in until I took the roof off

Time to raise the house stumps by the sounds of it..

Not sure the landlord would approve

[quote=blackapache;2520594]

Originally Posted by Andy130

Speaking of which, I now have a double garage under the house, only downside is the defender did not fit in until I took the roof off

Time to raise the house stumps by the sounds of it..

well, its been a while since my last update, but relocating to a new life has got in the way and there has been no time for side projects.

But along the way I have managed to pick up a old 4bd1 from a county for a price too good to refuse - so there is now a big twist in the 130 rebuild project.

I'm now going to pull out the 300tdi and put the 4bd1 into it ( plus I'll add a T for Turbo)

So this means I'm now going to doing a full strip back to the bare chassis, get it sandblasted and rebuild from the ground up.

I'm also going to strip down the 4bd1.

And i've got to decide if i use the R380 gearbox or the lt95 that came with the county motor.

No idea where I will get the time for all of this, but on the plus side, we are settled into our new home and not going anywhere for a while, so the urgency has come out of this project for now.

happy days though, totally stoked I got the 4bd1.

Good stuff. You've got a lot of fun ahead.
Seriously though, do you know the history of the 4bd1? Unless you know it's got issues or has done over about 500K I wouldn't bother pulling it down. Replace the rear main seal, pull the sump and have a quick look at the bearings if you feel the need (comfort factor mainly as they will likely be ok), throw the turbo on it and drive it!!!
Spend the time and money you saved on giving the ancillaries like starter, pas pump and alternator a birthday as they do require it.

And just run the LT95 for starters. Get a tapered roller intermediate shaft if it hasn't already.
Once you've driven it for a while if you are really that unhappy with it then look at the options.
Turbo, Lt95 and 255/86-16s are a really solid practical combo.

Steve

Originally Posted by Andy130

Speaking of which, I now have a double garage under the house, only downside is the defender did not fit in until I took the roof off

let the tires down (unless you're working under it) it is much easier to work on that way anyway.