1987 Defender LWB Pickup
Discussion
Just because it's an ex-MoD truck doesn't mean the doors don't lock. It's also no guarantee that it's it sound mechanical condition, especially as it looks like it left the Army (or more likely the Royal Marines as they were the biggest user of truck cab pick-ups) a while ago.
I'd keep the doors as they are. The later push-button version are more prone to rot and have more to go wrong/fall apart, Sliding windows can rattle a bit but there are way around that.
All that aside, only you can decide if it's worth it. For what you describe needing there are far cheaper options out there (in terms of cost, work and running costs) but then if it's a Defender you really want then only a Defender will do.
Older Land Rovers and "rarely used" don't go together that well though.
I'd keep the doors as they are. The later push-button version are more prone to rot and have more to go wrong/fall apart, Sliding windows can rattle a bit but there are way around that.
All that aside, only you can decide if it's worth it. For what you describe needing there are far cheaper options out there (in terms of cost, work and running costs) but then if it's a Defender you really want then only a Defender will do.
Older Land Rovers and "rarely used" don't go together that well though.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 10th April 09:45
First up, just as an FYI, that is not a Defender. Defender's where only introduced around 1990/1991 with the introduction of the 200Tdi engine.
That is a One Ten.
A minor difference, but it is a difference.
Most MoD Land Rover's do not have PAS, at least not of this vintage. So you may want to check what engine it has, someone may have retro fitted a later engine. As an MoD vehicle is most likely has the 2.5NAD (no turbo 2.5 litre diesel).
I suspect the truck cab is not original, as it looks to be blue and not rubbed down. While there have been other colour MoD vehicles, most are Olive Drab, unless specific for use on an airfield or marine use. But that colour doesn't look like a Mil colour to me.
The bull bar also doesn't look army issue and the wheels are aftermarket. None of this is bad, or unexpected on a vehicle of this age.
The good things are, every part of a Land Rover is replaceable. So as long as you have the time, money and determination. They are always restorable.
Chassis rot is the biggest thing to fix. Many people do do chassis replacements. But it's a big job. If the chassis is sound and you think you can sort the rest. Then it could be a good buy. I don't think it is a bad buy, even if it needs work. But it's more if you are prepared to spend the time and money making it usable.
Prices are steady on LR's, so financially, as long as you are sensible. Anything you spend on it, you'll probably be able to get back come resale time. Although a pick up 110 is one of the more niche variants.
I suspect the biggest thing, is how much of the work you think you can do yourself. If you've got to pay top dollar for labour to get it back working and tidy. Then you may find it cheaper to buy something tidier. If however you feel up to doing a lot of the work yourself, or have mates who will help. Then it could be a winner.
I would as a precaution expect there to be other things to fix or solve. If you can't test drive it, you have no idea what else might need looking at.
That is a One Ten.
A minor difference, but it is a difference.
Most MoD Land Rover's do not have PAS, at least not of this vintage. So you may want to check what engine it has, someone may have retro fitted a later engine. As an MoD vehicle is most likely has the 2.5NAD (no turbo 2.5 litre diesel).
I suspect the truck cab is not original, as it looks to be blue and not rubbed down. While there have been other colour MoD vehicles, most are Olive Drab, unless specific for use on an airfield or marine use. But that colour doesn't look like a Mil colour to me.
The bull bar also doesn't look army issue and the wheels are aftermarket. None of this is bad, or unexpected on a vehicle of this age.
The good things are, every part of a Land Rover is replaceable. So as long as you have the time, money and determination. They are always restorable.
Chassis rot is the biggest thing to fix. Many people do do chassis replacements. But it's a big job. If the chassis is sound and you think you can sort the rest. Then it could be a good buy. I don't think it is a bad buy, even if it needs work. But it's more if you are prepared to spend the time and money making it usable.
Prices are steady on LR's, so financially, as long as you are sensible. Anything you spend on it, you'll probably be able to get back come resale time. Although a pick up 110 is one of the more niche variants.
I suspect the biggest thing, is how much of the work you think you can do yourself. If you've got to pay top dollar for labour to get it back working and tidy. Then you may find it cheaper to buy something tidier. If however you feel up to doing a lot of the work yourself, or have mates who will help. Then it could be a winner.
I would as a precaution expect there to be other things to fix or solve. If you can't test drive it, you have no idea what else might need looking at.
Didn't even notice the cab was blue before....was viewing on a phone.
Thinking about it, the one in the photo has Jerry can side lockers and I'm not sure if the RM truck cabs had these. Might be wrong.
The bull bar looks very similar to that fitted to Snatch wagons but overall I'd say it's so old now a lot of it will be non-original.
Thinking about it, the one in the photo has Jerry can side lockers and I'm not sure if the RM truck cabs had these. Might be wrong.
The bull bar looks very similar to that fitted to Snatch wagons but overall I'd say it's so old now a lot of it will be non-original.
Mpg will depend on the engine. 2.5 NAD (naturally aspirated diesel) should offer mid to low 20's. They are very good strong motors, which is why the army used them. And perfectly usable, but not speedy. And if towing can be more of a pita. But if it's easy to get running, there is no reason why it isn't a suitable power plant.
As for engine swaps. The easiest would be a 200Tdi most likely and offer good performance gains. And should return mid 20's +- 2-3mpg. While engine swaps are pretty easy, do bear in mind it's never as simple as people say on the Internet. You'll probably want to budget £500-£1000 to swap in a Tdi.
As for engine swaps. The easiest would be a 200Tdi most likely and offer good performance gains. And should return mid 20's +- 2-3mpg. While engine swaps are pretty easy, do bear in mind it's never as simple as people say on the Internet. You'll probably want to budget £500-£1000 to swap in a Tdi.
rambo19 said:
Thats worth about £500 top whack, imo.
You are either fishing for a bargain or have no concept of the modern motoring market at this end of the market. And specifically Land Rovers. Thus far Ninety's, One Ten's and Defender's have never dropped that low. £1500 is about the cheapest you'll find them. 300bhp/ton said:
rambo19 said:
Thats worth about £500 top whack, imo.
You are either fishing for a bargain or have no concept of the modern motoring market at this end of the market. And specifically Land Rovers. Thus far Ninety's, One Ten's and Defender's have never dropped that low. £1500 is about the cheapest you'll find them. Having said that, if your mate is going to help you out with the work for free, then £1500 may be more palatable.
Edited by CY88 on Friday 15th April 15:02
The latch doors are also a lot easier to adjust to get a perfect close as well.
The 2.5NA engine can sometimes start to breath heavily, can be checked by removing the oil filler cap while running or look for oil on the air filter depending if it has the newer or older breather system.
The Military ones I used to drive when they were in service would all sit quite happily, if noisy at 60-65 mph and a few of the good ones would top 80! Although I never measured it as I wasn't paying for the fuel, they always seemed to use relatively little of it!
Check the bulkhead for rust as well and all the suspension bushes, although not technically difficult, can be time consuming to change. There are also the opportunities for oil leaks in every part that holds oil which can be frustrating to try and sort!
The 2.5NA engine can sometimes start to breath heavily, can be checked by removing the oil filler cap while running or look for oil on the air filter depending if it has the newer or older breather system.
The Military ones I used to drive when they were in service would all sit quite happily, if noisy at 60-65 mph and a few of the good ones would top 80! Although I never measured it as I wasn't paying for the fuel, they always seemed to use relatively little of it!
Check the bulkhead for rust as well and all the suspension bushes, although not technically difficult, can be time consuming to change. There are also the opportunities for oil leaks in every part that holds oil which can be frustrating to try and sort!
300bhp/ton said:
CY88 said:
I paid £2k for a fully functional 1986 V8 Ninety that was a world away from what is shown in the picture.
Either not recently, or it was a stroke of luck that would be hard to replicate.Look, 2 mins on google and here is the car the OP is talking about advertised on the Bay. Its done 135K miles and "needs to be trailered away". I 'd be cautious about that the black paint all over the bulkhead top corners in case it hides some sort of repair / bodge to the usual corrosion issues on a LR of this age in that spot. The seller wants £1400 or offers, so the OP is already paying over the odds (unless the 1500 includes the seller's time in helping fix things). Faced with that advert, I stand by my advice of offering £1k or less. 66 people watching and still no takers tells you something.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-110-ex-milita...
Or, to illustrate my point, there's a 1984 110 advertised next to it, starts and drives with a hardtop, galvanised cappings, usual bulkhead corner rot, in need of floor panels and no doubt other things too - for £2200 or offers. I'd be offering £1500-1750 for that.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-landrover-defender-...
Edited by CY88 on Friday 15th April 18:57
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