Defender/County ??

[pop058]

I am but a mere military Series nut, and have been looking for an RRC/Disco as my daily. I have looked at a few Defenders and County's out of curiosity more than anything, but have never quite figured out the models / differences / options / etc. I need something that can tow 2.5 + tonnes, 4 doors, petrol, auto preferred but not manditory. Creature comforts are nice which is why the RRC is top of my wish list. Could someone please enlighten me on the Defender / County years,model, etc as this would open up a few more options for me (and w.i.f.e.)

tks Paul

[Mick-Kelly]

All Countys and Defenders are manual except for aftermarket modifications which are pretty rare. They are the real deal though and my idea of the perfect vehicle would be a County V8 on gas with a galvanised chassis.

[Psimpson7]

Couty's were I believe available with the Isuzu 4bd1 and also the Rover 3.5v8. No automatic option.

Defenders were so named with the arrival of the 200tdi. 300tdi was introduced in about 1994, and then the TD5 in 1999. Puma in 2007. Again all manuals.

County's, and some Defenders have a Salisbury (nearly identical to a Dana 60) rear axle. Later ones have the P38 rover 4 pin diff which isnt as strong.

Hope this helps
Pete.

[dobbo]

Sad to say, but if the w.i.f.e is used to her creature comforts she may find the defender a tad noisy....RR's and Discos certainly have more quiet and comfort...plus they come in auto, which as Mick said, defenders/counties/110's don't


I don't find my County noisy






anymore

[Mick-Kelly]

I don't find my County noisy






anymore


WHAT.....................SPEAK UP LAD. :twisted:

[Shonky]

The Land Rover 110 or "County" as we call 'em, was available from '85 to '88 (I think?) and could be had with either the 3.9L 4BD1 Isuzu Diesel or the 3.5L (I think?) V8 Petrol.

Defender was available from '92 to '94 with the 200Tdi, from '94 to '99 with the 300Tdi, from '99 to '07 with the Td5, and now with the Puma (Ex Ford Transit)

Neither were ever offered with an auto transmission, and as you can see from the above, Defenders have only ever been available with Diesel engines.


I would say a RRC or D1 would do you well, as it is available with the engine you want, the transmission you want and is comfy enough to appease the minister for warfare and finance. ;)

[Psimpson7]

Neither were ever offered with an auto transmission, and as you can see from the above, Defenders have only ever been available with Diesel engines.



Hey Shonky,

In Aussie markets thats correct, but overseas its not so..... In the UK and states (and maybe others) the 3.9 rover v8 was available 50TH anniversary special edition in the UK), with an auto actually, and in South Africa you could get a Defender with the 2.8l 6cyl BMW engine.

Cheers
Pete.

[Shonky]

Thanks Pete. I seem to remember hearing that, but as per usual it seems to have gone in one ear and out the other. :p

[JDNSW]

Just adding to and slightly correcting shonky's post.

The Coil sprung Landrover 110 appeared in Australia in 1984 in several forms, including the four door version which you are interested in, which was only available with "County" trim, with either the 3.5 carb V8 or Isuzu diesel (ignoring the other models, most interesting being 6x6 and 120" cab/chassis). This continued until 1989, going from a four to five speed gearbox in 1985/6 (depends on engine). No automatics. A very small batch (about 20) of dual cab V8 110s were produced for the Bicentiennial Authority in late 1987, and these sometimes come on the market.

With the introduction of the Discovery in 1990, all versions of the traditional Landrover were dropped, being replaced eventually in 1992 by the Defender, which was a rebadged 110 with a new diesel engine (200Tdi). In the Australian context, since then Defenders have had only diesel engines and have only had five speed manual boxes. The five door wagon has continued, in a variety of trims and with progressive development. The 120 and 6x6 were dropped, the 130 introduced in both single and dual cab versions, and for a brief period the 90 was available, two seat hard top only.

All are capable of towing the loads you require, but to get a V8 you have to go back to 1989 or earlier, and to get an automatic you have to look for a conversion, and there are a few about, of varying quality.

John

[Shonky]

Thanks John. Almost had it! :)

[jimbo110]

If you have the money, this may be what you are after:

Japan Auto Direct : Used Cars : 1997 LAND ROVER Defender 90 LHD Perfect 4WD!!! (http://www.japanautodirect.com/auto.specsheet.cfm?id=3020)

My Landrover parts guy got one a few years ago from Japan, and did the conversion to RHD. You would need to be a millionare to get him to part with it:p

A RHD one of these sold on Trade me a few months ago for around $30,000

[Michael2]

Given your criteria, I'd say go for a RRC, which will also be a lot cheaper than a Defender / County. However I must add that my Defender (1997) is a much superior tow vehicle to my RRC (1988), and my wife still tells people it's a comfortable ride, even after a 12 hour drive.

The RRC is a nice car to drive though, make sure you get a HiLine (later called Vogue) model with the arm rests.

[pop058]

If you have the money, this may be what you are after:

Japan Auto Direct : Used Cars : 1997 LAND ROVER Defender 90 LHD Perfect 4WD!!! (http://www.japanautodirect.com/auto.specsheet.cfm?id=3020)

My Landrover parts guy got one a few years ago from Japan, and did the conversion to RHD. You would need to be a millionare to get him to part with it:p

A RHD one of these sold on Trade me a few months ago for around $30,000

nice looking unit but someone stole the other 2 doors I need

tks paul

[Offender90]

I just happened to come accross this V8 AUTO county on eBay

Land Rover County 1987 rare ZF Automatic Conversion - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 25-Nov-08 22:39:23 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Land-Rover-County-1987-rare-ZF-Automatic-Conversion_W0QQitemZ230304080371QQcmdZViewItem?has h=item230304080371&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1308)

No affiliation with the seller, but might be what you're looking for.

Cheers

Bojan