Back in the Land Rover Family

[Cruiserlux]

Years ago I bought one of the first TD5 Disco's. Loved that car except for the excessive maintenance costs. After it was written off in an acccident it was replaced with a 100 series Cruiser (This made the Disco maintenance look cheap). Anyway I have always wanted a Defender, so when my wife bought a Jeep, Yes she bought a Jeep. (Good ads those) I finally had all the ammunition needed to get a Defender.

Tomorrow I pick up a 1995 Defender 130.

Will post pics once I get it home. Have to fly to Canberra and drive 7 hours home. Should be a good test run for it.

No big plans for it yet, but dream about setting it up as a tourer and doing the lap.

[Bess]

Hope she is a great Defender for you. They are quite different to the Disco's but become a labour of love.;)
:)
All the best Chris & lisa

[tonyci]

Hi Cruiselux

Like you I have just returned to the fold, with a 110.Nearly went for 130 but SHMBO drew the line at a 110. She wants some creature comforts not sure there is a lot more in the 110.
Good luck with the mod's.
Tony

[Skiboy]

Welcome back to the fold - had same experience with my 100 series Diesel Cruiser - however it did hold value much better so capital loss less.

100 Series was a nice truck to drive - but too nice to use seriously

Hence I got a Rangie and have used it extensively!

Hope Defender runs well and creates some great moment on the lap.
Skiboy

[VladTepes]

Tdi Defender 130 - you'll LOVE it.

[easo]

130's Rule!

They will pull a Tank,

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/02/1052.jpg

[Cruiserlux]

OK, Up at 5:20 on Saturday, 6:01 train to Melbourne. Track works in progress so the train stopped at Flinders Streets, no trams or taxi's about so a brisk walk to Southern cross station, Jumped on a Skybus for the trip to the airport. Now we are running late due to the walk, but make it to the airport, electronic check in (no Queue) and a quick walk to the gate lounge, Straight throught the boarding gate and onto the aircraft. Sit down, breathe and immediately the preflight announcements start. That's cutting it a bit fine. Arrive in Canberra on time and the seller is waiting for us. We have a look around the vehicle making sure it is all as described. The off for a test drive around the suburbs of Canberra for 30-40 minutes. It's all good, so we go back to his place sign the papers and hand over the cheque.

I now own my first Defender!

The guy had even filled it up for us, so we hit the road for the long trip home. No air-conditioning, hot day, noisy car, 8 hours driving.

I don't care.... I love it!

When we got home my face was aching from 8 hrs of grinning!!!! (Is this normal or am I a little weird?)

Made it all the way home to Traralgon without filling up. 765km on 70 litres. Gotta be happy with that after a 100 series V8 Cruiser on Gas.

1st mod will be to sort out the headlight so some light actually comes out of them. Saw some neat LED headlight somewhere online might look into them.

Second mod will be to fit a winch, already have a Warn 9000lb so will just fit that up. Already has a winch bar just need a cradle.

I'm away during this week so will try to get some pics up next weekend.

[series2110]

Its funny how the defender and Land Rovers can give more vehicle satisfaction than most vehicles. I grin every time i get in my defender its just how it is

[Skiboy]

Cusierlux - sounds great - there is something unique about the defender/series shape.

Cruiser has more comfort though

Re lights - before you spend a lot try simply bypassing the wiring loom and run lights via relays (proper headlight ones). I just rewired my 80's Stage One v8 wiring using Traxide's (see adds on here) relay set up (can make own but he has a whole kit pretty reasonable and all ready to go).

See Headlight Kits (http://www.traxide.com.au/HL_kits.html)

Got to tell you lights are bright as! Standard old headlights with no voltage drop makes a huge huge difference. Did the same to our 89 Rangie ute - had the dullest headlights you have ever seen. Could barely drive by them - they looked yellow as were so dull. Again rewired via a traxide headlight loom - night becomes day. I do not really need all the spot lights now.

So try a simple bypass wiring one night as a test with a battery and decent thick wire and you might be surprised.
Skiboy

[Cruiserlux]

Thanks Skiboy, I'll give that a try first.

[gusthedog]

1st mod will be to sort out the headlight so some light actually comes out of them. Saw some neat LED headlight somewhere online might look into them.
.

Ask 'Goingbush' about his LED replacement headlights and light bar. I think he's rather impressed with them.;)

[Cruiserlux]

Well, like all good Landrover should, he now has a name. Thanks to the local youth group kids he is now known as Cletus (courtesy of the Simpsons)