85 County Price

[marty82]

Hi all,

I have been looking to buy a defender for a while now, having missed out on a couple so far I am getting more and more keen to purchase!

I have found a 1985 county for sale, with a reconditioned 4DB1Izuzu, ARB diff locks, bullbar, 4" suspension lift and 2 sets of tyres for $8000. The body looks in good condition, as does the interior (judging from the photos) What do you guys think of the price? I'm thinking its a couple of grand too high, but then again it looks in top nick.

Is there anything I should particularly looking into? given that I'm going to need to travel to purchase, a lot of questions need to be asked before, if, I head over to see it.

Cheers, in advance!

[isuzutoo-eh]

If its top notch condition then it could well be worth it, others in great condition have gone for more, plenty for less though. It does have some pricey fruit, the ARB diff locks in partics.
Thinking about the mods, it sound like a tuff trip vehicle rather than a tourer.
Look for rust in the rear crossmember, front dumb irons and firewall. On mine the firewall shows rust around the vents/aircon blanks, just under the windscreen hinges and in the footwells. It can all be fixed but its a job to do and reduces the value.
Doors also get rust in the steel door frame, and if the Ali skin has bubbles in the paint around the bottom of the door, then there is corrosion going on between the different metals. Doors cost a bit to replace, some can be fixed.
What gearbox is in it? Should be an LT95 (4 speed) judging by the year, anything else Rover is weaker and most likely won't survive too well behind the Isuzu.
Why was the Isuzu rebuilt? Its a pretty rare thing to need to rebuild those engines as I understand it. Odo reading on these is a small factor, but the more km its done, the more time the Isuzu has had to rattle everything apart. Is it an original Isuzu County or v8 conversion? How well is the conversion done.

Well thats what I figured was important when buying mine, hope that helps.
Oh yeah, the insurance mob I am with said their book value for an 85 Isuzu County is around $7k.

[abaddonxi]

That's an excellent price if all the work has been done.

[JDNSW]

The short andswer is - it might be worth it. As with almost any vehicle this age, condition is the all important factor.

Also note that the 4" lift certainly will require engineering approval in most states, and if it does not have this for your state factor this in.

As mentioned, it should have the LT95 four speed box, and any other box is likely to be shortlived. If it is a conversion from a V8, you should ensure it has the correct transfer high ratio gearing for the Isuzu.

Apart from the usual things with any Landrover this age (rust, rust, rust) and for any car(mechanical condition), some ot the things to look for are:-

1. Loose rivets, particularly on the bonnet.
2. Cracked or disintegrating plastic bits - grille, instrument cluster, trim. Some of these are hard to find.
3. Upholstery - it is probably getting pretty tired if it is original.
4. If it has original airconditioning, make sure it works - no ventilation otherwise, and it is likely to be a big job to fix it. Same with the heater (required for roadworthiness)
5. Make sure everything electrical works properly - in particular the headlight switch and multifunction stalk, these tend to get damaged by fitting higher wattage bulbs.

John

[marty82]

The car has done 244,000km and had the reconditioned engined fitted at 205, 000km. It has a 5 speed gear box, so I assume then it is something other than the LT95, something that I'll investigate. I'm not sure of the exact story about conversions from V8 etc, nothing has been said.

It certainly does look like a tough rig, but I would think it will still be fine to travel long distances, and easily altered if not.

The car is in victoria, I'm in Adelaide, it is being sold with a rwc so I assume the heater etc still works but it is definitely something I'll ask before

Thanks again for the advice

[rovercare]

2. Cracked or disintegrating plastic bits - grille, instrument cluster, trim. Some of these are hard to find.


John

New genuine LR grill, $55, all these bits are readily available and well priced

I was suprised when I started replaceing alot of stuff on my 120

[JDNSW]

New genuine LR grill, $55, all these bits are readily available and well priced

I was suprised when I started replaceing alot of stuff on my 120

Yes, I know the grille is available and cheap, likewise the instrument cluster - but the bits that are hard to find are the ones that did not keep on into later models, for example, the plastic bits for the lift up handle doors (which this one should have).

John

[DeeJay]

Is this the one from Bendigo?
It is a deceased estate job & someone on here test drove it & said it had a noisy 2nd or 3rd .
Not too sure where I read that though.
Its advertised in LROCV website but klm's are 270,000 & no mention of recon motor.

[rijidij]

This is the Bendigo one. No mention of diff locks, lift etc etc

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[marty82]

This is the Bendigo one. No mention of diff locks, lift etc etc

http://www.lrocv.com.au/images/Coombes2010-133c.gif
This isn't the one I'm looking at, the one I've been talking about is on carsales.

[rovercare]

1985 LAND ROVER 110 COUNTY Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8756239&__Qpb=true&Cr=0&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_PriceSort_D ecimal%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Mod el_String%7c0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294965541% 20408%204294960683&SearchAction=N&silo=1011&PriceTo=408&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=1&__sid=123EDCDE5ADA)

[abaddonxi]

Shiny! Really ugly flares.:D

Wonder how much to take the lift out?:angel:

[MacMan]

Definitely not the Bendigo one. The owner's widow said that everything was original and untouched other than some new seals and a paint job. Definitely no lockers. I drove it and the motor was strong, but the drive shows symptoms of a life of heavy towing. It's hauled a touring trailer at times, and rocks and firewood. Essentially she just wants more than it's worth when you factor in that to make it a long term proposition it still needs a lot of work.

[jerryd]

This isn't the one I'm looking at, the one I've been talking about is on carsales.

I think the one from the deceased estate looks a better proposition, that would be my choice

[JDNSW]

I think the one from the deceased estate looks a better proposition, that would be my choice

So do I! I do not know what the SA rules on lifts and tyre sizes are, but looking at the pictures, you would have problems with the carsales one in NSW!

John