Originally Posted by
JDNSW
The Landrover 110 was introduced in 1984 (and the 90 a year or so later, but since almost none have been sold here, no further notice will be taken of it). In Australia it came with only the V8 or the Isuzu 4BD1 diesel. A few years later the 130 (actually 127 wheelbase) was introduced, but they are quite rare. Before this there was a local variant the 120, which came only as the diesel cab/chassis.
At the same time as these the Perentie project manufactured somewhat modified 110s in 4x4 and 6x6 form (with 4BD1 and 4BD1T respectively). As an offshoot of this, a relatively small number of civilian 110 6x6s were sold, all were cab/chassis and fitted with the 4BD1T. They share the Perentie 6x6 drive train and suspension, but have the standard cab. Most were sold to mining companies etc and thrashed to death, and rarely come on the market.
Apart from the 6x6, the 110 was sold as full length hardtop, cab/chassis, possibly high capacity utility, although I can't remember seeing one, and probably most commonly, as a "County" trim five door wagon. In addition there was a small batch of dual cab 110 V8s made for the Australian Bicentennial Authority in 1987. Because the wagons were prominently labelled "County" on the doors, the name seems to be widely if incorrectly used to describe the coil spring Landrovers pre-Defender. ("County" was, and may still be, a term used by Landrover to describe their top trim level for Rangerovers, Series 3, 90/110 and Defender, but seems not to have been used in Australia to any extent except for pre-Defender 110s - but note that only the wagon (and the few 110 dual cabs) had this trim level)
As mentioned above, original engines were either the Isuzu or the V8. Gearboxes were the original Rangerover LT95 four speed and after 1985-6 (depends on engine) the LT85 five speed. Countys had a rear sway bar and Boge self levelling strut at the back. Airconditioning was optional, and replaced the under windscreen vents. All Countys were nine seat (except of course the dual cabs).
In 1990, with the introduction of the Discovery to Australia, the 110 and 130 were discontinued, to be re-introduced over a year later, by then being renamed "Landrover Defender" rather than simply "Landrover", to allow the Landrover name to be also used by the Discovery, and now fitted with the 200Tdi engine developed for the Discovery.
The cab in dual cab 110s and 130s is essentially the front part of a station wagon, so the foot room is identical. This applies as well to Defenders as to the earlier models. It also means that the difference between the 127 and 110 wheelbases is entirely in the tray. 110 dual cabs (either Defender or pre-Defender) are quite rare, and a number of them, including the one in question, are conversions of the wagon.
To summarise, the differences between the Defender and pre-Defender 110 and 130 are the results of a continuous development process, not any sudden change, and, for example, there will be less difference between, say a 1988 110 and a 1992 Defender than between that Defender and the current one.
Some of the changes from the earlier 110 that are considered retrograde include lighter CV joints (for uniformity with Discovery) and grease instead of oil lubricated wheel bearings (to stop leaky seals, but makes bearing failure more common and introduced drive flange to axle spline wear as a serious problem).
Hope this helps
John
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