low down on what to look for on a 130 dual cab ute

[5teve]

G'day guys

Just been to look at a 1997 130 Dual cab ute. It has bull bar spotties etc etc..

its covered 194k k's and service history im not too sure on.. but will check out.

Im more interested in whats normal.. ?

the front doors dont close well (im not surprised) and rust wise the doors seem ok at the bottom (a bit but not loads) the footwells are clean but the area where the door seal is has sand in it and surface rust but no holes.

the body has the usual dents in it.. factory fitted ones

we have had some heavy rain and there are pools of water in the drivers footwell (dunno if window was open)

the chassis has been blacked (why the hell do they do this?) but cant see any obvious corrosion. i hear they crack but where does this occur?

underneath the engine / gearbox look fairly dry.. a few weeps knocking around and the sump looks like its been off as there is plenty of goo around the sealing face.

engine doesnt look dirty but doesnt look steam cleaned

the back has no cover on it but does have the rails..

tray is scratched up but nothing too bad..

oh.. and the price is 14995

so what else do i need to know.. (yes i know about the cam belt!)

any help would be appreciated as per usual!

Thanks

Steve

[spudboy]

There is a similar thread running for a newer 130 which might be worth a read: 02 Defender 130 TD5 CrewCab

Price sounds reasonable to me for the year and KMs.

Water in footwell can come from a few sources (vents/roof) so probably not from a window being left open. LR quality! You can be pleased about the gaps under the doors so it can find its way out again

[5teve]

Thanks Spud

i had read that thread but with this being older i was a bit more concerned plus i dont know the 300tdi very well.

Been back to have a look today with a bit more time and took it for a drive.

firstly it has no history provided, but has just been serviced (probably by dealer) no history of cam belt change just a few receipts for the odd part. This is a worry but the dealer said he will get the cam belt done and the 2 tyres replaced.

it was bought by mainroads in geraldton from new and it looks like they may of only kept it a year or 2 and then it looks like it came down to perth and has been used by a mowing company..

the rust is a but more that i thought initially.. its the drivers and passenger footwell. its not holed, but im wondering if its not far off? how terminal is this usually?

driving wise i found the clutch stiff and difficult to use (probably cause im used to a poncy auto ) but it seemed that because of that the drivetrain clonked a bit.. there isnt much if any play on the rear prop shaft tho.

its not a fast machine and the accelerator has a long travel so im wondering if the 300tdi issue of cable needing adjusting is required. it puffs a bit of smoke on startup (black) and if you drive it hard it smokes a bit too.. im guessing this is normal..

its basically a bit rough but seems ok... im very impressed at the ride. very smooth compared to a 79 series v8 deisel... (suspension wise!) i noticed it has coils in coils on the rear and what i guess is a sailisbury diff too..

i guess my main question is ... should i walk away?

Thanks

Steve

[spudboy]

Lack of service history is a downer, for sure.

The 300TDi motor is one of the best ever produced. Simple to fix and as long as you get the belt done every 80,000Km extremely reliable. Not a huge amount of power though.

The black smoke on startup is normal. Black smoke on acceleration may mean the pump has been tweaked to try and get more power.

Drivetrain clonk could either be worn driveshaft flanges, or worn 'A-Frame' bolt/hinge thingy. Land Rovers are usually pretty clunky in the transmission.

The lack of service history and the rust would have me backing away from it. 130 dual cabs are not so rare (although they may be over in WA) and another one will come along soon enough.

Alternatively, make a stupid offer on it and budget a couple of grand to get it fixed up. If you got it for $10K or $11K then it'd be worth fixingup.

Dunno - I'd tend towards "walk away and wait".

[Benny_IIA]

the rust is a but more that i thought initially.. its the drivers and passenger footwell. its not holed, but im wondering if its not far off? how terminal is this usually?



Steve

Rusty Bulkhead is not terminal as such for the vehicle, but it will require a fair bit of work to change over, basically a full strip down to a rolling chassis. The biggest problem is not the actual work but finding all the bits again



Bulkheads normally rust from the inside out and also were there are 2 or more folds of steel.


Ben

[Cliffy]

Ring him up and offer him 10K!!!!
But make sure the donk and gearbox are good, the rest is "easy".

[5teve]

Lack of service history is a downer, for sure.

The 300TDi motor is one of the best ever produced. Simple to fix and as long as you get the belt done every 80,000Km extremely reliable. Not a huge amount of power though.

The black smoke on startup is normal. Black smoke on acceleration may mean the pump has been tweaked to try and get more power.

Drivetrain clonk could either be worn driveshaft flanges, or worn 'A-Frame' bolt/hinge thingy. Land Rovers are usually pretty clunky in the transmission.

The lack of service history and the rust would have me backing away from it. 130 dual cabs are not so rare (although they may be over in WA) and another one will come along soon enough.

Alternatively, make a stupid offer on it and budget a couple of grand to get it fixed up. If you got it for $10K or $11K then it'd be worth fixingup.

Dunno - I'd tend towards "walk away and wait".

Thanks Spud, yeah i guessed the black smoke on startup was normal and when i say black smoke when accelerating i meant with foot to the floor

the disco is a bit clunky but i guess the auto on that takes the major clunks away..

service is the big one for me and also the footwells.. i dont think he will drop to that kind of money.. he said 14 including having the cam belt and the tyres done.. i havent pushed him yet tho.. . time is also an issue with us as we are trying to make the most of this fantastic place so rarely have any free time!

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]

Rusty Bulkhead is not terminal as such for the vehicle, but it will require a fair bit of work to change over, basically a full strip down to a rolling chassis. The biggest problem is not the actual work but finding all the bits again


Bulkheads normally rust from the inside out and also were there are 2 or more folds of steel.


Ben

thanks Benny.. i know most things can be unbolted and rebuilt in these things but as i mentioned above time is an issue.. if its not holed im guessing it could be repaired.. just depends on how solid it is!

Ring him up and offer him 10K!!!!
But make sure the donk and gearbox are good, the rest is "easy".

thanks too cliffy... im tempted as i think a fair few people have looked and walked away from it... the only issue is the motor.. its sounds ok but no receipts and no history.. well makes it a bit if a risk... i know i could get a new motor fairy cheaply... but i'd like to avoid that if i can the gearbox feels tight enough with minimal 'wobble' on the stick...

if it turns into a money pit.. well... im in trouble! but i'll get it checked over by someone beforehand if we decide to go for it!

hmmm decisions decisions..

Thanks guys

Steve

[wally]

Rust in firewall + no service history. I would be giving it a miss. Another one will come along.

[Cliffy]

I think the going rate at the moment for a DC 130 is 11-13K for one in reasonalbe nick but in need of a tidy up.
They are out there though.
I was really weighing up if a 130 would suit me but now I have mine I LOVE it (bar getting BS'd by the previous owner re it's donk).

[malsgoing130]

Hi steve,
after nearly 9 months of looking I found a fairly rough one in my price range, a couple of grand cheaper than the one you are looking at. Be prepared to throw lots of money at it if you want a good reliable long distance machine. Mine had a new motor put in 30000 before I bought it or else i would have walked away. Even having said this I have put 1000s into it. Some one once wrote here that there is no such thing as a cheap defender.
200K if its been abused may be the end of the line for the motor, gear bag and transfer box. Total for the 3 is $9500 min if you do the work your self with reconned bits. Just go into with your eyes open and not land roverrised.
Good luck
Mal