Thread: Jag's Defender Build/Restoration/Adventures

Thanks to Brett's tutorials I took the decals off the old girl.

Brett's video will show you how - but as I added to his the only thing I'd also like to mention is when I concentrated on heating up the next 2-3 inches of decal, it seemed to heat up the glue too and so once I worked that one out their was only a couple of very small glue streaks left.

I played with the first photo so you could see the glue still left on. It's not real obvious on the white truck.
But the second one will demonstrate when it comes off with the glue.

Last two photos - As Brett said "Takes 10 years off the truck".
Also these last two photos make the truck look way better then it is
It's definitely NOT that clean !!!

Still got to take off the glue left in spots.

Funny about different likes/dislikes. Right now your Defer looks like mine.... I'm keen to go out and buy some decals to put on him!
Following the thread with interest!

Originally Posted by bryco

Funny about different likes/dislikes. Right now your Defer looks like mine.... I'm keen to go out and buy some decals to put on him!
Following the thread with interest!

Yeah I was actually thinking a brand new set of matt black decals, with some charcoal lines through it ....
But I do like a debadged vehicle.
I guess I'm a sucker for less chrome - More matt black

Mate, it's amazing the difference some wheels and tyres can make to a rig. I was going to buy that deefer after mine was destroyed. Settled on the 130 instead. Was glad to see it go toa fellow member of the forum and even bladder that you're putting all the effort into it too!
Looks really great and it should give you plenty of service!

Originally Posted by Wicks89

Mate, it's amazing the difference some wheels and tyres can make to a rig. I was going to buy that deefer after mine was destroyed. Settled on the 130 instead. Was glad to see it go toa fellow member of the forum and even bladder that you're putting all the effort into it too!
Looks really great and it should give you plenty of service!

You didn't pick up the 130 from Tennant Creek did you ??
I looked at a 130 there too. Great price, mechanically well looked after but too much panel damage for me.

Yeah there's still plenty to go. Got a leak on the box that you'd think would be easy to find, strangely I haven't yet. Been putting cash aside for a injector pump overhaul/timing belt change while the timing is locked up.
Then I'm hoping to hit the dirt for a decent 3/4 day trip into the gulf maybe ??
See what happens ...

Today is my 6th day off in 6 weeks - Joys of starting your own business.
So long story short not much happening with the build.
Just a poser shot from last Sunday.

Well it’s been all action over the last week.
The NT rego was at its end and I’d been saving for the injecting pump and timing belt….
Timing Belt done and Injection Pump back in and I was really hoping it would sort out the very sluggish Land Rover problem I have. It didn’t. Timing was out, and obviously the injector pump was leaking but neither made any significant difference and so I asked the mechanic to have a peek at the turbo. Worst fear – Turbo was shot. Turned out waste gate was left open and a turbo feed pipe disconnected. Now I don’t know too much more than how a turbo works but the mechanic messed around and she’s a different truck now !!! He still feels it’s really underpowered and so it’s off to a turbo shop after she’s on Qld plates. Cutting in WAY too late, … but hey, it’s actually spinning now !!
Had to look at the clutch pedal – Which was staying on the floor. Now everything I could read told me two things. Pedal pivot and master cylinder. Greased up pedal pivot and didn’t help. Bled the MC and had a new clutch for a day, before she went back to sticking on the floor. So I replaced the MC for $90 and a painful 2 hours fitting and bleeding. Found only the top bolt even holding it on. But it’s working 3 times better then what it was.
Lastly had to look at a transfer case leak. It had been leaking for a while and so it took forever to clean the thing of hardened oil and dirt. Found the source of the leak at the intermediate shaft. I intended to take a photo but forgot. Out came the gasket glue to get me through the roadie, but its booked inn after Christmas to have the transfer case out and seals done.
Long story short, looks like I just might be able to push her through a roadworthy first thing tomorrow morning ….

Well she made it onto Qld plates .... just.
Then the clutch went a week later.
First mechanic adjusted the pedal free play and was convinced I'd created a pressure lock when I fitted the master cylinder.
So he pulled out the clutch pedal box from the engine bay and adjusted everything up.
Only as soon as I drove up the first hill the clutch started slipping again.
So I found a second mechanic and noticed brakes were permanently on and chewing the battery.
Second mechanic replaced the clutch, changed the intermediate seals, output input seals and also the seal from transfer to park brake. Very happy to say hit a few birds with one stone.
They also fitted a heavy duty clutch fork and warned the standard always push through.
Got it home Friday arvo.
Saturday morning's job was to address the brake light switch.
It had been snapped off by mechanic one who would have been pulling at things to get the clutch pedal box out.
All Landy shops shut, and Repco was a long shot but failed non the less.
So I stopped in to the brothers County believing surely the part would be identical after I found out the door seals have not changed in 30 years.
20140201_113123.jpg
Picture 1 - 97 Defender brake light switch beside 85 County brake light switch.