Defender Wannabe

[Floridadan]

I don't know much about defenders but I really like them. As I begin to look for one, what are the Defender's major issues? What should I be wary of? Is there something I should know now before I get into one? Thanks Guys....

 

[Obie]

www.d-90.com is to Defender what discoweb is to Discovery's

 

[EricSiepmann]

I don't know much about defenders but I really like them. As I begin to look for one, what are the Defender's major issues? What should I be wary of? Is there something I should know now before I get into one? Thanks Guys....

D-90.com on the FAQ section.

It's like any other car out there. If the PO took care of it well then you will generally get a nice truck.

Some major issues to look for are rust at the cross member, bulkhead, and on the frame.

What type of D are you looking for. I am putting mine on the market soon and it's a sweet truck 97 SW.

EwS

 

[Glenn_Guinto]

I don't know much about defenders but I really like them. As I begin to look for one, what are the Defender's major issues? What should I be wary of? Is there something I should know now before I get into one? Thanks Guys....

This D90 link and this D110 link will make you a Defender geek in no time. Also, follow what others said above. Good luck!

 

[Floridadan]

Rust?

I will check d-90.com out...I appreciate the info

Eric what about the rust...Surface only or are we talking about parts weakening rust? I would take most any defender if the price is right which is somewhere near $25,000 I think...I realize that puts me in 94/95 time frame...Is there something better about the 97s other than they are a few years newer because there sure is a significant price difference....
Hey while I've got you - Do all hard tops come off or am I seeing soft tops with hard tops added after...Is it hard to take a hard top off?

 

[Floridadan]

Geek

This D90 link and this D110 link will make you a Defender geek in no time. Also, follow what others said above. Good luck!

Glenn...I am now a geek..Thanks for the links...That answered a crap ton of questions..

 

[RangeRoverHP]

......Some major issues to look for are rust at the cross member, bulkhead, and on the frame......

EwS

And check/replace the oil cooler lines. Their failure has caused the demise of many Defenders.

 

[Glenn_Guinto]

I second what RangeRoverHP said above about the oil cooler lines. They are known to be the culprit of engine fires. Search the forums on D-90.com, there are quite a few discussions there about the oil cooler lines. Educate yourself as much as you can.

Glad I could help turning you into a Defender geek. Good luck and be patient when looking for a Defender, the right one will come along if you wait.

 

[EricSiepmann]

I will check d-90.com out...I appreciate the info

Eric what about the rust...Surface only or are we talking about parts weakening rust? I would take most any defender if the price is right which is somewhere near $25,000 I think...I realize that puts me in 94/95 time frame...Is there something better about the 97s other than they are a few years newer because there sure is a significant price difference....
Hey while I've got you - Do all hard tops come off or am I seeing soft tops with hard tops added after...Is it hard to take a hard top off?

97's have Autos and are distributorless. Aside form that I don't think there are any major differences.

Rust is rust. You can either leave it and let it grow or fix it. But in the context of my advice, it usually requires welding and is an issue.

Oil cooler lines are great advice as well.

HArd tops are just that Hard tops. They do not come off like a jeep. It's either or. Some soft tops came with fiberglass hard tops. Some did not.

 

[Blueboy]

HArd tops are just that Hard tops. They do not come off like a jeep. It's either or.

that's not exactly correct.

there is a section on D90.com that shows how to do this albeit its not an easy or quick switch.

it can be done though.


Jaime

 

[Discodon]

hard top off, tilt on, is a 2 hour job for 2 people.

 

[Obie]

just fyi ... the soft top alone is a pain in the ass ... it's a planned event, taking it off, but especially putting it on. and if you put it on when it's cold outside ... forgetaboutit!!

 

[WCURoverD90]

I waited to long this year to get my soft top back on. You are right-Once it gets cold, forget about it. I will probably not be driving my defender until its gets warm in april since the top will not stretch out enough to go on the 90.

 

[flippedrover]

i use to take two of the electric radiators and sat them in the back for the truck for about 30-60 mins with the top on as much as i could get it. It was warm enough to get the rest of it on.

 

[EricSiepmann]

that's not exactly correct.

there is a section on D90.com that shows how to do this albeit its not an easy or quick switch.

it can be done though.


Jaime

That refers to a complete change from SW to ST. Not like your going to spend 10k or there abouts just to do this every fall. Add to the fact that Safety Devices is in Bankruptcy you'll be very lucky indeed to even get the parts needed to do it.

 

[EricSiepmann]

hard top off, tilt on, is a 2 hour job for 2 people.

Not for an NAS Defender. No Soft top made for them and the Cage from a SW won't work with the ST. You need to replace the front hoop.

UK is entirely different.

 

[leafsprung]

Looks like the computer situation is improving in Prague.

 

[Blueboy]

That refers to a complete change from SW to ST. Not like your going to spend 10k or there abouts just to do this every fall. Add to the fact that Safety Devices is in Bankruptcy you'll be very lucky indeed to even get the parts needed to do it.

Perhaps you didn't see the final remarks section:

"Final Remarks: The reverse direction of this project, as in SW to ST is just as difficult. Thus I recommend taking TONS of pictures like I did, and bag and mark each and every bolt. This made my ST to SW conversion pretty easy. When I went back the other direction I had very few problems. Each direction, SW to ST and ST to SW took about 2.5 full 8am to 8pm days, allowing for meals and sleep. It is a long project."


again, maybe tedious as written, however, it can be accomplished.


Jaime