I've been searching for nice, classic Defender 110s. I've found a few places that sell them like Hemmings.com but they are all over the map....$20k to $250K, LOL. They are very forthright with the descriptions....the cheaper ones are obvious rust buckets. The super-clean ones are pushing 6 figures. I'm trying to see what I can get into for about $70k. All I've found is pretty-well restored and sorted trucks with rebuilt 300 TDIs. What I'd really like to find is a good body truck (little rust or restored and repaired rust) that needs a new engine and new interior. I'm just not going to settle for one of these weak-ass TDI tractor engines. The truck would need a gas V8 swap. I also don't want to buy someone else's quilted Charmin interior nightmare.
Any ideas on where to find a good 110?
- Thread starter Blue
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Are you on defender source and NAS-row? Look for a guy named Johan. He’s very reputable and has helped a bunch of guys get solid defenders into the states. I’d stay away from the shiny lipstick trucks, there are tons of horror stories out there. A 200 or 300TDI with a VNT turbo is actually quite fun! Here’s mine, it’s a work in progress, but I love it!
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NAS-ROW (dweb's sister site, but for the landed gentry) is the way. IMO the best values are found through private sales and from reputable importers. Primarily, I'd look for one with as little rust as possible, and a galvanized chassis preferably. Everything else is easier to fix or modify. Chasing rust is miserable, expensive, and time consuming. Engine swapped trucks are typically much more expensive. RV8 swaps are relatively easy into 300Tdi trucks. Of course, there are many other options.
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I’m on the east coast and I’ve seen vineyard rovers on ig post a couple nice looking ones in that 70k range. I don’t think they are the sellers just advertising for others
The 110 we had in Brasil had a 300Tdi engine. It was gutless at low rpms before the turbo kicked in. Actually had to go into low range one time to get out a parking garage. Fully loaded it could cruise at 135km yet really didn’t like much above that. However off road in low range it shined and range was very impressive.
As mentioned NAS-ROW sometimes has them for sale. Seems that https://riverhousemini.com/ has received favorable reviews as well for ROW ones. Good luck!
Thanks for the tips!
I know I'm going to desecrate a 110 and offend the Snow Peak crew if I ever actually did have a LS conversion done. Oh well. I'd like something that could actually be a comfortable daily driver (even with air conditioning) rather than a farm tool and Sunday drive oddity. Your recollection of having to go into low range to get out of parking garage is awesome and makes my point perfectly. These are tractors in their pure form.
I know I'm going to desecrate a 110 and offend the Snow Peak crew if I ever actually did have a LS conversion done. Oh well. I'd like something that could actually be a comfortable daily driver (even with air conditioning) rather than a farm tool and Sunday drive oddity. Your recollection of having to go into low range to get out of parking garage is awesome and makes my point perfectly. These are tractors in their pure form.
Great question! I’ve never seen a diamond stitch interior that looked good. Not to mention, there is nothing “old Land Rover cool” about it. You quilted charmin reference is perfect!!
Euro influence.
Here is one that has a more typical interior:
Riverhouse Mini | 2000 LHD Defender 110 Td5 Stationwagon White with Aircon
riverhousemini.com
I’d reach out to Will Hendrick - https://www.defenderofdefenders.com/. He knows all the ins and outs of importing and think he does some truck sourcing too. He’s based in NC and think primarily shipping to east coast ports but can’t say for certain