New member intro from the gold coast

[Troyrotor]

Hey guys my name is Troy, I've always had an interest in defenders but never had the chance to own one.
I'm currently trying to sell or swap my current car a holder gemini panel van, in order for me to get a defender as a project.

A bit about me.....
Currently in my forth year at uni studying Mechatronic engineering, I've got plenty of experience rebuilding both petrol and deisel engines, my Gemini has taught me alot over the years. From fixing rust, custom fabrication and figuring out I should not be a painter.

So my aim is to replace my Gemini with a defender 110 wagon, i unfortunately don't have a spare car so I need something close to rego but I want a project I can slowly restore.
As my uni degree is close to completion I will be looking for industry placement and I'm expecting to have to travel for the right workplace, so I'm going to need something reliable.
I don't really have any interest in v8 models and ideally I would like a turbo diesel. If I had a spare car I would be happy to do an engine swap but unfortunately that's not possible.

I have posted a wanted add in the markets section, just wondering if anyone can help me out.
Here is a link to my Gemini add for sale.
Holden Gemini TD panel van 1979, high compression g200z motor | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Gold Coast North - Runaway Bay (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/runaway-bay/cars-vans-utes/holden-gemini-td-panel-van-1979-high-compression-g200z-motor/1019016148)

Thanks guys hopefully will be meeting a few of you in person on a cruise in my new defender

[The ho har's]

Welcome to the forum Troy:)

Vehicles always about, just need to look;)

[laurie02]

from one newbie to another .......hi troy!

[chewy7]

Welcome aboard mate!
I just joined and funnily enough i'm in the same situation and bought a 130 for the same reasons you're looking to buy one! haha
I'm a 4th year mech eng at QUT. i'm guessing you're at griffith?

Have a look on Gumtree and eBay every few hours, i picked up my 130 from gumtree for a good price considering the condition.


Cheers,
Shane

[Aaron]

Welcome!

I might be heading to the Gold Coast soon if you want to take a Puma 110 for a drive :)

[Troyrotor]

Aaron I would love to take it for a drive if you want to take mine for a drive back to your place haha.

And Shane yer I'm at Griffith, Griffith only just started mechanical last year so that why I'm doing mechatronics, although I'm happy I am now.

I've been browsing gumtree, eBay, here, 4x4action, boostcruising and car sales. But I find myself looking at the pictures getting excited and then seeing a $50,000 price tag haha. Even in the older ones I've been seeing huge price differences despite the age and kms.

Can anyone tell me the difference between a defender, puma and county?
I think the puma is a model of v8 but not sure

[Aaron]

Puma is the code name for the new models 2007 onwards. 2.4 turbo diesel and now coming in a 2.2 turbo diesel. (they're still a defender)

County came out before the Defender. Engine in these change depending on age.

They're all good but :)

[29dinosaur]

Mate my 17yo son purchased a 300tdi 1995 110 Wagon 12mths ago for about $9500. He's modifed it wrt suspension tyres and has repaired much of the steering, axles, hubs, etc himself. Fantastic learning experience. Fantastic truck! This forum is very helpful and you can obtain really inexpensive parts for the deefa both here and o/s.

It sounds like you need to do a bit of internet seaching on the various models of deefa - but that's ok - we all had to at some point.

Have a look at carsales for some in your price range. (http://www.carsales.com.au/car/bncis/demo/dealer/demo/private/LAND%20ROVER/DEFENDER?eapi=2&sort=default&vertical=Car&silo=Stock&base=1216&Range=Price:5000,10000~0.5)

[Troyrotor]

When you say cheap parts I don't think it will compare to the Gemini market.
$20 alternator
$100 complete engine
Full exhuast for $50

Yer I'll continue my research otherwise my next choice is a landcruiser troop carrier

[Loubrey]

When you say cheap parts I don't think it will compare to the Gemini market.
$20 alternator
$100 complete engine
Full exhuast for $50

Yer I'll continue my research otherwise my next choice is a landcruiser troop carrier

Hi Troyrotor,

No not that cheap, but you are talking a completely different class of vehicle (by a country mile!).

Obviously I"m biased, but there is no comparison between a Defender and a Toyota Troop Carrier. Comfort, driveability, off road performance, cost of spares etc. They are horribly expensive to run on diesel and while they're spares and mod option are plenty full in Australia, it is not cheap by a long shot.

Hang in there and you'll not be dissapointed that you've keep looking to find a Defender.

Cheers,

Lou

[Troyrotor]

wow this forum is pretty damn active. and a good crowd too.
im not really in a hurry so i think ill wait. if i can sell it im looking good but no one has money so thats why Im trying to swap.

i suppose every car has their good and bad points and a few lemons to give them a bad name. Im at a bit of a dilemma as im tempted to get a newer comfy car like a pagero or cherokee because they are cheap. but i dont really want to go down that route as it wouldn't suit me.

110 with aircon and ill be happy

[slug_burner]

Welcome Troyrotor,

You might have to put your airbrush away. Defenders look fine in a single or two colour paint job, most in just a flat colour (not metallic etc). Then again might just be the canvas you have been looking for.

Roughly speaking you have a choice of vehicles with shed like aerodynamics starting from 1948 through to about the sixties they are all restoration jobs for collectors, some make daily drivers. In the sixties you have the series 2/2a, more often found as still working for a living either on farms or daily drivers going up in the collector stakes. Then you have your series 3 somewhere along there came the Stage 1 (first of the V8 petrol engines). Then came coil sprung vehicles. Around the 80s is when you get your Countys, either V8 or Isuzu diesel 4 pot. 90s saw the first of the turbo direct injection landrover engined diesels in the 200 Tdi in 94/95 the 300 Tdi came to Australia, V8 petrols did not get out to Aus at this stage. The Td5 came in 98 through to 2006 then in 2007 came the or puma engine.

So unless you build your own engine transplant job you are likely to be looking at a turbo diesel direct injection/intercooled defender or going back to the County.

Best catch up with a few people from the forum before committin. Have a look at what they have, see what they say, there are plenty of Aulro members up SE QLD .

[labrado]

why not consider one of these isuzu-engined defenders?:D

Ex-Military Unimogs, Trucks, Land Rovers, ATV's & Bikes (http://www.graysonline.com/sale/5006257/motor-vehicles-motor-cycles/unreserved-ex-military-unimogs-trucks-land-rovers-atv-s-motorcycles-trailers'spr=true)

[Troyrotor]

I would definitly be happy with the Isuzu motor coming from my Isuzu powered car.
The ex army look good but the hard tops are so expensive, well maybe not expensive but more than I've got.

As for body shape, I wouldn't be going a series model as I'm not a fan. A tiny bit too old for my liking.

This just came up, has some potential for me but I would rather a wagon and it's too far away.
1993 Land Rover Defender Ute | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Coffs Harbour City - Boambee East (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/boambee-east/cars-vans-utes/1993-land-rover-defender-ute/1019649757)

[patclan]

Welcome! And good luck with your search, I have had me Defender 3.5 years now, I have a 2009 Puma, but the help and assistance from the other forum members has been brilliant, just remember when reading through posts there is good and bad with every vehicle, and sometimes people need answers to issues so there may seem to be more posts relating to "issues" rather than "can you help me find out why my Defender is running so well", or "why do I not have any squeaky noises" but you seem to have made your mind up on a defender so that is the biggest leap sometimes..

There is also a GC club, (which I have been too lazy to join) and you will inevitably find a mine full of help and assistance from these members also.

Enjoy the journey!!

Pat