Defender questions

Hi all,

I'm a carpenter based in Devon, England. I'm currently driving a big van but more and more of my jobs are taking me into the wilds so I was thinking of getting a 4 x 4. I've always loved Land Rovers and so basically I'm looking for a long wheelbase defender van with a high top (if they exist). Before I start looking at the local ads and visiting local dealers, can anyone tell me what's available, what to watch out for in the used market, and what sort of prices we're looking at second hand? Budget is limited so what are the things to look out for at the cheaper, higher mileage end of the spectrum? Another thing, I use my van as a mobile toolshed so it's got those big circular padlock thingies fitted to the doors for security. Anyone fitted these to a defender? Also I was wondering what sort of speed I'd expect it to be comfortable at on the M-ways. Anything above 60mph would suit me fine, my van's an old LDV...

Many thanks!

Simon Marshall

my email is a spamtrap. All replies to group please.

Reply to
simonmarshall
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How about a 101FC ? Quite a few craftsmen use them for transport - I can think of two builders, a dry stone waller and one chippy already.

Steve

Reply to
Steve Taylor

Fails on the speed IMO - 60+ in a 101's an *interesting* experience :-)

My 110 will cruise happily (if rather noisily) at 70 all day, well it would if the fuel lasted that long. I try to keep to 60 on the motorways to keep the consumption reasonable (manage 30-32mpg on a run, 25ish day to day use).

I'd not swap mine for anything - the best vehicle I've ever owned, great load carrier, tows anything and goes almost anywhere.

Not looked at current prices for a while, but they tend to hold their value well. High mileage is not too much of an issue if it's been serviced regularly for the diesels (should be good for at least 250,000 miles), and the V8s are rather thirsty for an everyday vehicle.

It could be worth looking at 130s if you've a lot of kit to carry, you find ex utility company 110s and 130s up for auction now and again - they'll have been worked hard but maintained well (usually), so a good deal can be found.

Will

Reply to
Will Wilkinson

On or around Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:57:30 -0700, " snipped-for-privacy@tiscali.co.uk" enlightened us thusly:

You'll not get a high top one unless you do it yourself.

the most likely vehicle is a late model 110 FC, but they're really hens-tooth.

the other useful possibility is a 130, which do crop up; some of them with a box body like the utility companies have. There's a price premium on 'em, though.

Reply to
Austin Shackles

"Austin Shackles" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

There is a 110 Van for sale near us for £5500, looks pretty tidy too

Its at car e-quality at Idle Bradford, they specialise in import Discoveries so I guess this is a p/ex, they know there stuff.

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Andy

Reply to
Andy

Granted :-)) Though we have one member who was clocked at 90....

Steve

Reply to
Steve Taylor

Bloomin' heck that's FAST. I assume it's been modified somewhat from original, my 110 just tops 80 on a good day.

Will

Reply to
Will Wilkinson

Coppers didn't believe it either - and let him walk away !

Steve

Reply to
Steve Taylor

Would it be safe to assume you're talking about a gentleman with an unhealthy preoccupation with the colour purple?

Reply to
EMB

Granted but they tend to be much cheaper.

Currently I'm commuting 100miles/day round trip and mine is a bit worrying above 65 but then most of the time the traffic doesn't allow even that.

From your figures I'd say fuel cost wise on the long, fast trip my 16mpg on lpg is comparable, shorter journeys a lot worse as it drops to 14mpg, basically its only on tune at 3000rpm. Mind there are disadvantages to lpg, like finding the lpg station without diverting off route, then finding an unoccupied pump, taking twice as long to fill and 3 times as frequent fill up stops.

AJH

Reply to
andrew heggie

Nope. I don´t think Martyn would be daft enough to even want to try it.

Steve

Reply to
steve Taylor

Stupid if you ask me in a 101. I hope it wasn't on the 50 mph rated tyres and if I saw someone doing that in a 101 I'd knock them off before the kill someone.

Of course I'd imagine it was on an autobahn... or the moon ;-)

Lee D

Reply to
Lee_D

You're right but I did regularly commute in mine down the M3 and 60 was OK, I don't think it would exceed 75 on a standard gearbox and tyres.

What stopped me using it was the arrival of the 110, in exchange for a debt, and the 8mpg hurt even 12 years ago. It's a bit sad now as it failed MOT on corrosion by a spring hanger, last Tuesday, and the long period of lack of use had done something to the axle oil seals, contaminating the nearside front drum.

I other circumstances I'd be taking the plunge to the Zeus conversion but now I'm seriously considering whether it's worth keeping.

AJH

Reply to
andrew heggie

To be honest, he isn't sure if it was "real" or some rogue reading on the radar gun - certainly this was an absolute stock vehicle, so it would have been a bloody good trick !

Steve

Reply to
Steve Taylor

I had a look at it, not bad actually.

Reply to
Nige

In message , Lee_D writes

Or downhill on Sutton Bank nr Thirsk

Reply to
hugh

Many thanks for the replies! I'm going out this weekend to test drive a 110 van, its a TD5 ? I'll see how I get in with it.

Simon Marshall

Reply to
simonmarshall

The TD5 is a great engine but it's got a lot of electronic trickery making it do it's thing (and in time is likely to give lots of electrickery problems). It's also not particularly veg-oil friendly which may change your overall view of it's worth.

You say that your budget is limited in which case I assume you're looking at a high-mileage TD5. For the same sort of money I'd rather have an older but lower mileage TDi engined 110 (or even a high mileage one and spend the money saved on a rebuilt engine).

Reply to
EMB

I reckon it could be really done. Since i could get close to 70 on the gps out of my ambi with the stock 3.5 with a flat cam and a leaky headgasket I should think that 90 in a gs with a good condition engine would be achieveable.

I think the man in question has michelin XZL's (or whatever they are called) on the truck so moderately better than bargrips.

Once i get some new tyres on the ambi and have the brakes top notch again I reckon the only thing stopping me from doing 90 would be the gearing. If i can get the overdrive on there then I should think it would cruise at 80-90 (not that i would want to but i should think it will!)

Reply to
Tom Woods

and what about the noise????!!!!!

-- "For those who are missing Blair - aim more carefully."

To reply direct rot13 me

bURRt the 101 Camper

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200TDi Disco with no floor - its being fixed at last! 200 TDi Disco, "the offroader" 1976 S3 Lightweight
Reply to
Simon Isaacs

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