Defender Body work repairs - Urgent

[GyroLandy]

Hi All,


Over the weekend my Land Rover Defender ran of the road and took out some trees. There doesn't seem to be any damage to the chassis but the left and right front panels (everything infront of the front doors) will need replacement. Funny enough, the bonnet omly have 2 dents but the grill and front centre is undamaged.

As with a lot of tehse vehicles, I have spent more on the vehicle than it is worth so the insured amoutn is relatively low. In order to prevent the vehicle being written off, which will result in all my effort over 18 months in re-building going down the drain, I need to find a reliable, licensed and reasonably priced repairer to spray and fit the new body parts and also to do some panel beating where required.

While teh vehicle is in teh shop I am also considering doing a total respray seeing as the existing paintwork won't match the newly sprayed front sections.

Has anyone got a name of a repairer in the Sydney or North West Hills district area. Maybe even Penrith way.

Please let me know ASAP seeing as I need to get back to the insurance company quickly to see what I can do to save my beloved Landy.

Does anyone know where I can source new or used body panels?

Thx

[scott oz]

First up

If your vehicle is under insurerd then you should discuss this with the insurer as they may pay out the sum insured and allow you to buy back the salvage.

The only bloke in Sydney that Id recomend is Frank Caldwell
2 Harris St
Condell Park
NSW
2200
Ph 97736566

He was doing work for LR show vehicles. He's replaced the roof and some other work on mine and very good. I take my car from the northern beaches to him. There are some very good local blokes but not as good on LR's.

[GyroLandy]

I've raised this with them but it seems they may actually pay to repair, but I need to provide a name of a repairer. Is Frank accredited still and is he expensive?

[Scouse]

I'd definitely hunt around for some 2nd hand panels as I just priced up front guards for a mate today.
You're looking at least around $1400 for EACH guard (upper & outer sections) for new from a dealer.


There's a guy on here doing up a 130 at the moment who might have some panels around the place. Now, what was his name........


**Just saw your post ^^^.
Frank is an authorised LR repairer so no problems as far as being 'accredited'.

[GyroLandy]

At those prices they will definitely write it off. What about imports from Britian?

[scott oz]

I've raised this with them but it seems they may actually pay to repair, but I need to provide a name of a repairer. Is Frank accredited still and is he expensive?

Mate haven't had to use his services in over 12 months but he does all the major insures work.

Don't know about expensive. I think if your having the money come out of your own pocket no matte which repairer you select you will save money going to see them and talking rather than phoning.

[scott oz]

Just saw your panel price and S**T.

"OzExplore" one of the site advertisers makes heavy duty panels,. no idea of the price but since he has them made up they may be cheaper?

[mark2]

What about used panels -British Off Road will freight them, also try Gympie Land Rover Spares - he is wrecking several Defenders atm.

If it all gets too hard with the insurance co, it may be better to leave them out of the picture and just repair it yourself with used panels. If the chassis is straight, it should be straightforward.

Do you have a big insurance excess?

[djam1]

Photos??

[GyroLandy]

Thx for everyone's help. I'll try and post some photo's tonight. I'm still looking for some body panels and both Gympie and British Offroad don't have. Any other ideas?

Scouse - You mentioned a guys wrecking his 130, do you know who that is?

I'm looking for the following parts:

L/H Front Door
R/H Front Door
L/H Guard (Upper and Outer)
R/H Guard (Upper and Outer)
Bonnet
L/H Front Splash tray / inner wheel arch
R/H Front Splash tray / inner wheel arch

Thx

[Shonky]

The guy rebuilding (not wrecking) a 130 is Erich - his AULRO name is "Bundalene".

He will know where to find bits if he doesn't have them himself. ;)