New to Td5 Defender

[rijidij]

I just bought a Td5 Xtreme at a clearing sale on a farm. I've been a bit reluctant to have any vehicles with too many/any electronics on the engine, but I picked it up cheap so I'm willing to give it a go.
My County 4BD1T will certainly remain as my 'good' car, but the Defender will probably make a good daily driver. It has a bit of body damage, but it's generally in pretty good nic, just needing a few very minor things done before I book it in for a roadworthy test. I talked to the owner at the sale. He's maintained it well mechanically and never used it off road except for around the farm. In fact, the body damage is from hooking a farm gate.
The first thing I've done to it (after these pics) is change the front springs so it sits more level. I've never liked how Xtremes sit so low at the front. I was also tempted to pull the 'Xtreme' stickers off, but decided to leave them for now. Also, I changed the serpentine belt on the engine......I'm glad the previous owner supplied a new belt as it had the receipt with it..... $269.85.....WTF ?
Anyway, I'll see how it goes, and most likely extend my knowledge of Land Rover products along the way. I already know how to change a serpentine belt on a Td5 :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1220.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1221.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1222.jpg

Good to see Land Rover are keeping up with a couple of traditions....

Rusty bolt heads.........
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1223.jpg

and electrolosis under the paint (even the nice shiny metallic of the Xtreme)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1224.jpg

[wally]

Ah yes, it's amazing what turns up at farm clearing sales. I'm waiting for a good 130 crewcab to show up at one. It could be a long wait though. It sounds like you've done well. What springs did you put in the front? My Xtreme finished up with 130 front springs, but then it also had the weight of a Warn M10000 winch over them.

[solmanic]

How old is it? Land Rovers have a six year anti-corrosion warranty so it might pay to have the bubbly paint on the body panels looked at. You may get repairs done for free through a dealer.

[Psimpson7]

looking at the back door, rear lights, and back body mounting on teh x-member its 2001 or earlier

[rijidij]

Ah yes, it's amazing what turns up at farm clearing sales. I'm waiting for a good 130 crewcab to show up at one. It could be a long wait though. It sounds like you've done well. What springs did you put in the front? My Xtreme finished up with 130 front springs, but then it also had the weight of a Warn M10000 winch over them.

Ah yes, it's amazing what turns up at farm clearing sales. I'm waiting for a good 130 crewcab to show up at one. It could be a long wait though.
Yep, I've picked up some bargains over the years when the odd farmer decides to call it a day and move into town.

What springs did you put in the front?
I had a pair of Kings that used to be in my County V8 with winch and bullbar before I put the Isuzu in.

[rijidij]

How old is it? Land Rovers have a six year anti-corrosion warranty so it might pay to have the bubbly paint on the body panels looked at. You may get repairs done for free through a dealer.

It's a '99 model.........well out of warranty unfortunately.

[The ho har's]

nice find...you didn't happen to see a nice 90 on the farm:D

well I can't afford the FC 101:mad:


Mrs ho har:angel:

[Defender=1st]

Nice looking Fender...looks the same as my old one

[rijidij]

What springs did you put in the front?


Standard Springs

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1210.jpg

2 inch lift with the King's.......that's better

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1211.jpg

[C H T]

Standard Springs

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1210.jpg

2 inch lift with the King's.......that's better

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1211.jpg

Much better!

[Blknight.aus]

if you didnt change the shockies good mod, I havent done it to big red yet as I need the carpark clearance (air springs are on the cards when these ones finally give out) if you changed the shockies then watch for the front propshaft rubbing and the brake lines.


They're a good bit of kit.

enjoy it.

[extreme]

nice looking landrover:)

[rijidij]

if you didnt change the shockies good mod, if you changed the shockies then watch for the front propshaft rubbing and the brake lines.

I didn't change the shocks. I checked the length to see how they match up to the new springs. Actually, they're probably about 40 to 50mm to short, but I don't intend to use this car for much off roading, nothing extreme anyway, I've got the County for that stuff. As long as I'm aware of the shocks, no harm will be done.

[rijidij]

Land Rovers have a six year anti-corrosion warranty

I found out why the warranty is only 6 years. I pulled the door trims off today to see what the door frames were like as there was some rust evident on the very bottom of each door. It was dissapointing to see what they were like inside. As far as I know, the Defender has been regularly garaged at least for the last several years.
You would think that a company that boasts that 70% of their vehicles are still on the road would take a bit of pride in giving their newer vehicles a bit of longevity by rust-proofing them, but I guess production costs, and therefore the retail price takes priority over quality.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1098.jpg https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1099.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1100.jpg


Also, the soundproofing on each door looked like it had half melted and dropped to the bottom.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1101.jpg

[Psimpson7]

Thankfully they have finally sorted out the doors..

from 2002 onwards they have a 1 piece pressed steel, galvanised door

from @2005 onwards, the front doors are also done.

[spudboy]

That's pretty horrifying. Been dunked in salt water perhaps?

[rijidij]

Having only just bought the Defender I haven't yet shopped around for service parts.
Is $75 a fair price for this filter kit on Ebay ?

Land Rover TD5 Full Filter Kit - eBay, Other Car Parts, Accessories, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 15-Dec-08 21:55:57 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=220327469988)