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Thread: best defender to buy?

  1. #1
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    best defender to buy?

    If I had a choice between defender models, the idea being to buy at a good price, then slowly repair/ modify to produce a very capable off road vehicle, which would be the best base model to start with? [ I think I've been infected with the Land Rover virus ] Bob10

  2. #2
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    how long is a piece of string......what do you define as off road?

    i have a 95 defender that i think is pretty capable (twin lockers, MT tyres, PTO winch, standard suspenion) other would think otherwise

    engine performance could be a factor that you need to consider first

    300tdi
    td5 or
    tdci puma

  3. #3
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    defender

    Thanks, weeds, I think engine performance would be important, I am leaning towards one with minimal electronic black magic, one that can be worked on by the average punter.Fuel consumption is important, as is reliability . If I was to buy one, it would be used for trips to the cape, the gulf, and bush trips where I would not lose any sleep over minor body damage. A PTO would be a consideration - good thing or not? Bob10

  4. #4
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    You have just described an isuzu county. One with a hairdryer attachment.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by ScottW View Post
    You have just described an isuzu county. One with a hairdryer attachment.
    availability is low for a isuzu county, tdi's are easier to come by

    i have a tdi which has no electronic, can be worked on by the averager punter and can be tweeked a little for better performance

    i would head off in any direction confidant i would get back without major mechanical issues

    pto winches are hard to come by

    if you have never owned a defender pop across the hi-way if you want to have a look at mine if you like

  6. #6
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    My Tdi has been everywhere but then so has many Td5's,either is good.I would buy whichever model you find in the best condition. Pat

  7. #7
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    Your budget would be a good place to start. No electronics means a Tdi 300 or earlier. They all seem to use a similar amount of fuel (except for the V8 Counties) and are all pretty much reliable as one another. It will mainly come down to how well it was looked after. I looked at a few cars, and in the end bought the best one I could. It just so happened that the isuzu I looked as was in much better nick than the tdi's, but not too many are.

  8. #8
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    300tdi would be my pic, can fix it yourself, no ecu, reliable, and has a distinct sound

  9. #9
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    There is also another possibilty, V8 Counties are very cheap, IF you can find a good one, a Tdi conversion is a good option. IMHO the early 110's, 1985 etc, are made a little stronger in the body etc and are full of character

    Of course a Isuzu 110 would be ideal, but hard to find a good example now.

    JC
    The Isuzu 110. Solid and as dependable as a rock, coming soon with auto box😊
    The Range Rover L322 4.4.TTDV8 ....probably won't bother with the remap..😈

  10. #10
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    Wait a few months and buy 2 of the ex army defenders when they are sold at auction, that way you can build one to good nick and use the other for spare's. Or buy a writen off fullbody wagon from a flood or engine bay fire and use the body on the army chassis.

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