First time defender, long time admirer

[Whistle]

Hi all,
Just purchased my first defender. It is a 96 130 single cab. Pretty stoked with it , only done just over 200 000km, no rust what do ever and any leaks. Just have a few questions bout maintenance and upgrades.
# The A frame bushes need replacing. Is this a hard job to tackle?
# Trying to find out when the camshaft timing belt was last done. Is there any way of telling when it was last done? Definately not going to attempt this myself. What should this cost and any good land rover mechanics around the southern highlands?
# It has a two inch lift. But I don't think it has had any caster correction, is thus necessary to do?
# Is there anything I should be looking at doing I don't know about?

Cheers Caleb

[tonic]

Never done the A frame bushes.


No way of telling if timing is due.


I replaced my radius arms and put in cranked trailing arms with my inherited 2" lift. Took away some vibration but mainly made it smother to drive, speed humps etc. Time again, would have gone back to standard springs.


I would do the timing, replace gear box fluid with Castrol Syntrans, replace diff oil, check all other suspension and ball joints, uni joints, radiator flush and give a full service, then your starting from scratch.


I personally have been building up a parts stores as we intend to travel. Lift pump, water pump, all hoses etc. I also upgraded my clutch and radiator and put in a bigger intercooler.


Have fun, don't be in rush, drive it for a while and see how you go.

[redrovertdi]

I did the cranked radius arms same as tonic with 2inch lift, made the car much quieter and smoother[if i had known the improvement was that good i would have done it sooner]
Plenty of info on the net changing the timing belt and its not hard[i take out my radiator assembly so i can see straight through for line up pointers], need a large two legged puller to remove harmonic ballancer, do it so you know its done...
A frame bushs are straight forward but also check a frame ball joint for slop

[Jode]

Replacing the A frame bushes isn't too difficult, but you need to keep the axle from rotating when reconnecting the radius arms, so it's easiest if you have it up on axle stands. Removing the bushes is a pain, however, as they tend to "weld" themselves to the radius arms. I've fit polybushes in part because removal and replacement is to much easier.

[Whistle]

Thanks guys. Let the work begin.
Can anyone recommend a landy specialist around the southern highlands