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Stepho_62
19th June 2006, 05:34 PM
:D

G'day All

As some of you would already know I recently purchased a 110 Defender in Melbourne for my wife and I to go touring this wide brown land that we are lucky enough to live in.

The purpose of this thread is for me to track the project through its various stages and share with you the results, until I get to the position that I have a reasonably comfortable reliable vehicle that I'm confident to use for extended mainland touring.

I'll attempt to put my pics in links from an external site (Photobucket) to keep the server space to a minimum. They might be a bit slow to load but it will be worth it.

Anyone is welcome to comment, critisise, bag :rolleyes: or contribute in anyway they wish but the only thing I ask is please keep to the subject at hand and no hijacking the thread.:eek:.

So on with the show.

A bit about the vehicle. Its an Eastnor Green 1998 110 C/Chassis Defender which I purhcased from Ritter Automotive in Melbourne for the princely sum of $26,500. :o This was a bit more than I really wanted to pay at the time but it only had 33, 848k on the odometer the day I inspected it so i believe it was a reasonable buy. As you can see from the pic it came with a steel tray and a LowLine Canopy and Roof rack attached which will make a reasonable basis for a tourer. Appart from these 2 previously mentioned items it is reasonably standard and whilst not having been looked after terribly well it appears to have been serviced regularly and not thrashed.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/LR2.jpg

The majority of the wear and tear has been caused by its home beside the sea at Lakes Entrance where the previous owner lived. I know very little more about the vehicles history.

15/05/2006
Well I got the vehicle home to Hobart and went through it fairly carefully. I removed the canopy and found that there was a fair bit of severe corrosion in the tray so first job was to have it removed, shot blasted and re sprayed using an industrial 2 pak enamel (Jotun) and a 2 pak Eastnor Green top coat.

The colour match wasn't to bad and definitely an inprovement on the green used by original tray fabricator :rolleyes:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_0621Image0003.jpg

18/06/2006
After haveing discovered during the re registration process in Tas that the tail lights were less than reliable and the back panel of the tray had been hacked a fair bit I pulled ALL the tail lights of the rear and replaced them with LED Jobbys I purchased off E-bay for about $265.00 This included a Tail/Brake/Indicator combo, A 30 LED Reversing Light and a 5 LED white numberplate light. I've fitted these on Sunday morning after cutting a couple of 350 x 100 Alloy plates to cover up the holes in the back of the tray. I brush painted these with the 2 pak Eastnor Green and dried them overnight in front of the heat pump:p

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_0621Image0001.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_0621Image0002.jpg

Grrrrrrr bloody Tasmanian weather doesn't get over 10 degrees some days and of course the sun rises at 0700 and is gone by 1640 so painting etc becomes a real challenge when u don't have a shed. But its all good. I'll post some pics shortly.

BigJon
22nd June 2006, 12:11 PM
That Defender looks good in the green, the new tail lights are very tidy. I think you will have a lot of fun setting up and touring in this vehicle. Make sure you include Alice Springs when you are traveling.

rangieman
22nd June 2006, 08:23 PM
i agree good looking unit and them lights look good as well:p

spudboy
22nd June 2006, 08:55 PM
That is a nice looking C/Chassis. I do like them in dark green.

Are you fitting out the rear canopy and re-fitting it, or are you starting again with your own design?

I'm doing a similar thing with my 130, so I'll follow this thread with interest.
Regards
David

Stepho_62
23rd June 2006, 07:34 PM
Are you fitting out the rear canopy and re-fitting it, or are you starting again with your own design?
G'day David

I've just finished cutting high density adhesive foam seal strips in preparation for a visit from 3 strong boys who are going to assist in the re-fitting of the canopy tomorrow morning. I'll let you all know how I get on :D

BigJon, I used to work around Tennant Creek so the Alice will definately be a mark on the itinary

Stepho_62
24th June 2006, 03:32 PM
:D Canopy is back on and re sealed. http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_0626Image0001.jpg

Today I've put the mudflaps back on using SS fastners and used Sicaflex to seal between the guard and the mud flap. There is a reason for this, when I removed them there was a heap of rust and crap between the guard and th flap and when sand blasted it is now the thinest bit of steel. If I seal between them it should last a little longer.

I've removed the LowLine roof rack http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_0626Image0003.jpg and tomorrow I'll see if the Rino bars will fit onto the canopy. If they do I'll be able to use my old roof rack which is already fitted for my roof top tent. :cool:

Plenty of room inside the canopy. http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_0626Image0002.jpg I suspect this will be the way I'll keep it if only going away for a couple of days. If its for an extended period of time then of course I'll take the rooftop tent.

Next bit of the project is 2nd battery and some wiring in the canopy

Stepho_62
3rd September 2006, 07:06 PM
Hi All

Project is progressing well. I've just purchased 6 Rangie rims and 6 new coopers ST C tyres. I've popped on 4 new rim n tyre assemblies and they look hot.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_0904Image0025.jpg)

I've just purchased a pyrometer, headlight and driving light upgrade (thanx drivesafe) 2nd battery management kit and a low water alarm. I'll put the piezo alarm from the low coolant alarm into the little box that the pyrometer is fitted to. Currently surfing E-Bay for a set of driving lights.

Stepho_62
14th October 2006, 08:24 AM
Well its been a while since I posted anything on the continuing development of "Princess Fiona" as a touring platform.

On Monday she's going to the resident landy expert to have her Rancho RS 5000 shoks and the Tough Dog springs fitted. I was going to do them myself but I got to the stage where I simply couldn't do it safely. Given that the Front bump stop height should be between 87-90 and the rear bump stop height between 112-125 and they currently sit at 50 front and 110 rear I'm expecting to see a bit of lift in the old girl.

4wd1 tell me that they should give me + 35mm on standard so by my calcs the front should rise by at least 72mm and the rear 40mm minimum.

What does this have to do with a 2nd battery i hear you ask, Well absolutley nothing except yesterday I got stuck into the battery box and basically emptied it out. http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_1013Image0005a.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I've built a timber packer and bolted it through the bottom of the battery box after securly wraping it in duct tape as a bit of a waterproof barrier for when it gets duncked. I've used a 30mm battery strap and bolted it under the packer and then put a bolt and 40mm washer through it on the inboard side to fix it of. Next comes the start battery.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Ive not finised it yet as I need an auto spark to cut off the original terminals so I can fit new ones but I've completely re located the relays and fuses for the air con and what ever else is in there.

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

As you can see the 100 amp AGM fits but its tight and I'm not convinced that I like the straps but room is a limiting factor.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

If push comes to shove I'll make a very small stainless bracket to secure the smaller start battery and I'll use double straps on the big one. I've also got to get the VSR in there somewhere.

Let me know your thoughts.

Stepho_62
16th October 2006, 05:49 PM
Well as promised Princess Fiona has been to see the resident Landie Expert (we all know what an "expert" is :wasntme:) and she got new springs n shoks. The ride has improved outta sight and she is now 65mm higher in the front and 35mm in the rear.

Heres a couple of pics to compere.

Before

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

After

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

Stepho_62
30th November 2006, 02:37 PM
Well its finished now.

New boost guage, new pyrometer, etc etc etc.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_1130Image0002.jpg


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2006_1130Image0001.jpg

spudboy
30th November 2006, 03:37 PM
Looking good.

Tell me about the pyrometer. It looks like you can set upper limits or something with the up/down buttons. Does it alarm if you exceed a preset temp?

DiscoDave
30th November 2006, 03:49 PM
Nice report Stevo. :thumbsup: Especially with the clear photos. :)

Stepho_62
30th November 2006, 04:35 PM
Spudboy

Pyrometer is a Thermoguard. I purchased for this bloke here http://www.thermoguard.com.au/

The kit is one of the best I've ever seen, its simple to fit, its NOT cheap but hey it works beautifully. I'll post more after a cruise this evening.

Cheers,

spudboy
1st December 2006, 08:29 AM
THanks - I've taken a look at the website.

Does the gauge sound an alarm if you exceed a pre-set temperature? If so, can you adjust the alarm temperature?

Stepho_62
2nd December 2006, 03:08 PM
Ok, been for a cruise and the instrument all work beautifully. I Went down to Kingston to see JC and blew a 2.8l Lowlux off going up the Southern Outlet in fourth :D. It topped 492 degrees so I suspect it underfueled to buggery.

Spudboy, there are no warnings. Just recordable min & maximums which are reset by the button on the left.

Stepho_62
10th April 2007, 05:04 PM
G'day All

2nd battery is in and going, works like a treat. I thought I had better update you on it.

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

Battery strap had changed. I didn't trust the blue one :p.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2007_0410Image0010.jpg

From Drivers side. I've put a bit of conveypr rubber over the top too just for good measure.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/2007_0410Image0012.jpg

Was cleaning up in the shed and found a buss and 6 8 amp automated circuit breakers so I stuck them on a bit of board with a fluro. Still needs tidying up abut it will do until I get to townsville.

Cheers,

Stepho_62
15th May 2007, 08:07 AM
G'day Again All

As some of you might be aware I've recently put a new CD and a couple of instrument panels into the Jolly Green Giant.

It was not without incident but hey who cares, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

It all started with dashboard removal as usual :o

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

Then came the new mini panel with the power outlet and a new digital clock, new centre panel with the fuel guage relocated to it and provision for an oil pressure guage and probably battery voltage guages of some type.

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

And finally an ElCheapo cubby box. Its a $5 plastic box from a $2 shop. Bottom filled with builders bog and mounted onto a piece of 16mm melamine. Because the base of the transmission panel was 3 - 4mm out of wack in both directions I recessed the screw heads and piled it up with sicaflex. Might prove a bit hard to get off in the event of having work on the box but I'll have come up with a better solution by then.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/Woger_Wabbit/Landy/003.jpg

Cheers,