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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

My 1994 300Tdi SW
Hi folks,
So in another post I said I'd do a short introduction to my Landy. It's a 1994 300Tdi.

There will be some rebuild-ish photos here; and some simply gratuitous photos of a Land Rover in its natural habitat! I think it makes sense to start at the back and work forward...

So - not long after I got the car:


Click image to enlarge


I'd got it in early 2002 from a dealer who handled ex-stock from the local airports. It still had the 'Airport Fire Brigade' decals on the front doors. Even now, when the paint's faded and dry in the sun, you can still see the outline of the sticker, and the specific airport location. It seemed pretty sound, but there were some issues to be dealt with.

Not long after I got the car, ca. 65k miles, I had a new Ashcroft gearbox put it. Still doing OK, about 150k miles later. This is one of the main reasons I got a Defender though - heavily into scuba diving a the time. This pic is a bit out of sequence - I'd obviously changed the wheels by then. This was more than just cosmetic - I had been running tubed 7.50's on the steel wheels, and I was forever coming back to flat tyres. I got to be the LR equivalent of a F1 pit team - changing wheels in double quick time. But that got old pretty quickly, so onto the alloys. And they've been brilliant, along with the BFG ATs


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So, roll on 2004 and it had the chassis replaced with a galvanised one. I wish I had the space and time to do a job like that, but it was done at a local independent garage.

Then in 2008 it was time for a bulkhead swap. I had a month in between jobs - and spent too much of it in the garage with the Landy in bits.... I'm not a mechanic, but I've a decent tool kit, and have always been one for taking things apart carefully, seeing how they work, and putting them back together again. By the time I got this car I'd already had 3 minis, a brand new Discovery, and 2 RR classics.

This was about the 'low point' of the strip down


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Somewhere I have a pic of the front wiring loom lying in a heap on the floor - and I distinctly remember thinking: "I'll never get this going again!"

But... the engine started on the first turn of the key! This is the day it rolled out of the garage. Probably the one and only time it's been so well polished. Looking at these pics now, I think it looked great!


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After doing this job I said, "never again", but only a couple of months later I had a mate's 110 in the same spot in the garage, while he did his. At least this time I knew which jobs to walk away from and say "over to you...."

Roll on nearly 10 years.... not so shiny today.... Sad but this is actually after I'd washed it....



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The rear door is just about hanging in there. I've had a new galv one from SP Landrovers for well over a year now, waiting to get fitted. Definitely has to happen this spring. The MOT tester observed in October "rear door corroded".... pretty sharp, I thought!


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Other bits and pieces:
I've replaced both axles over the years - I think both might have been corrosion related, but I can't really remember. The head gasket has gone a couple of times, and the usual waterpump, vacuum pump, brake servo kind of stuff - but the engine and turbo are original and untouched. Still pulls like a train.

SVX headlights and LED side/indicators etc. - like these a lot. Especially with the Landreiuziger loom mod giving full alternator voltage - a huge difference to driveability in the winter.

Probably one of my most-used mods - the radio and the specifically the ipod cradle mounted just below it. I used to have a minidisc player in the car (remember them?) but being able to get all the content of an ipod, plumbed directly in via the aerial cable has been brilliant. Still use this, but more recently I've been plugging the phone into the aux. socket for some 'tunes'.


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Also, a very recent thing has been the Optimill boss and 'boss lock'. I just didn't fancy any of the newer, smaller, 'go faster' steering wheels. I thought they'd look well out of place on a 23 year old car, so I found this Momo, leather one on ebay - 380mm diameter. So a little smaller than the original, but not so much that it looks out of place.


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I've also replaced the 'upstand'/rear floor underneath the 2nd row seats. It was in a pretty bad way....


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Half way through the job. I don't actually have a pic of the finished thing - but I'm pretty happy with it. At least I'm not getting great gobs of that evil looking white gunk oozing from the holes in the old, knackered floor.


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Worklight mod - a waterproof plug on the rear of the car, and a lamp on a clamp that I can move to wherever I need it. It's now an LED thing, but it's been handy once or twice for replacing wheel bearings on boat trailers in the dark...


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XS seats (these have the heated elements, just haven't got round to it.....) and a 'barebox' lockable cubby. I have one of their 80mm boxes in the back, keyed alike for convenience.


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Just a pretty pic of a LR hunting in the bushes....


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At the end of the day though, this is what you have a Landy for.... it can handle 4 people, luggage and diving kit for a fortnight, canoes, bikes.... that's a Sport Utility Vehicle!


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What's next...?
A new galv chassis in January. This one will be painted first to avoid the worst of the winter road salt.
Once I get the car back up the road I'll fit one of Gwynn Lewis all-singing mudguard and shield kits, Fr and Rr.
I think I need to get the leaky roof gutters fixed,
One day maybe, an LED light bar - so I can see the deer when towing the boat, and who knows - if I win tomorrow's auction, a set of the VisionX light cannons!
Then, I might just bite the bullet this spring and get a set of four SP Landrover galved steel doors. Mine have definitely seen better days. I think they're past reparing, but even if they're not, this is my daily drive and I can't have it sitting there for weeks while doors are away getting fixed and painted - even if there was someone close by who could tackle the job.

A bit of a ramble - so apologies for that, but hopefully vaguely entertaining!
Post #671322 16th Dec 2017 9:05pm
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L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10420

England 
Many many thanks for taking the time to put your info to a thread of your landy Bow down Very Happy 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.


Clayton.
Post #671325 16th Dec 2017 9:17pm
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L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10420

England 
Hi again, i noticed when reading that you listen to your ipod, i to do the same, dont listen to the radio anymore, cant stand all the talking Laughing i was wondering about the ipod holder you got, any info on it please Whistle many thanks. 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.


Clayton.
Post #671326 16th Dec 2017 9:22pm
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

Hiya - glad you liked the post.

I know exactly what you mean about listening to the radio - I just can't handle the inane chat that goes on - that's why I listen to music.

I can't remember off-hand what the ipod thing is. 'Dension Ice link' or something like that. Like most things, it's been there a wee while now. But I'm pretty certain i have the box for it in the cellar, and given tomorrow's forecast I think my plan to tidy up in the garage/cellar is a good one. I'll look out the box and put up a pic.

I think it must have a power supply because the ipod charges in the cradle, there's also coax connector thing - you plug the car aerial into it, and the plug the ipod into the radio - basically allows the ipod to transmit on a specific frequency, straight into the radio. You need to tune to a specific, unused frequency and store that. 87.7fm in my case. Apologies if that's like grannies and eggs..

Cheers

Donald
Post #671347 16th Dec 2017 10:40pm
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L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10420

England 
Really enjoyed your post, its great to see how the landy evolves around every day life over the years Very Happy many thanks for the info on the ipod holder, that would be great if you could find the box Wink by looking at the pic is the ipod that you use a ipod classic Whistle

No worries about the grannies and eggs Thumbs Up 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.


Clayton.
Post #671353 16th Dec 2017 10:50pm
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

Thumbs Up
Yep. It's an ipad classic - but I think there were various 'adapter' plates that came with the cradle to shim it out for various models. Will dig out the box and post asap.

Just looked at your own thread on Millie - the two cars aren't so far apart in age.

D
Post #671354 16th Dec 2017 10:58pm
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L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10420

England 
Its the only ipod that i can fit all my music on, got about 5000 songs on there at the moment i hope i dont fill it up to quickly Laughing
Thanks if you do find the box Wink yeah not to far apart with the age, they just keep on going Very Happy 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.


Clayton.
Post #671359 16th Dec 2017 11:07pm
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

New LED driving lights on today...
So yesterday and today's excitement was fitting the new VisionX Cannon 25s that I bought in the Christmas charity auction.

I am lucky to have a garage to work in - didn't used to - but it's not heated, and it really is too cold to be spending 'quality time' tinkering with the Land Rover. I think that's going to have to do till the thermometer climbs a few degrees.

Anyway, this is what i started with - two Hella spots. These are rated for 100w bulbs. I assume I must have had some of those in at some stage, but they've been 55w for a while.


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I'll maybe post another thread about Tdi vs Td5 chassis lengths, but when re-fitting the Hellas and the A bar after doing the first chassis swap, the gap between the A bar and front grille was really tight - so much so that I needed to cut the grill to fit them.


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And, after not too much swearing.... here's what I've got now. A new grill and the Light Cannons. I think they look good - a lot smaller and even 'discreet' looking. I now need to add re-painting the headlight surrounds to the 'to do' list.....


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The loom supplied with the lights was pretty good. I altered it slightly to fit with my existing switch, so the lights are optional 'on/off' but only come on with the main beam.


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I'm not sure this is the 'last word' on the location for the relays and loom. If I go for a whole electrical accessory installation in the battery box under the passenger seat, I'll probably relocate some of this.

Here's the sequence. First, the SVX crystals, using nightbreaker bulbs, and the Landreiziger loom, so powered straight off the alternator. This is dipped beam:


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Then the main headlights on full beam;


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Finally the 'full Bhoona', headlights and Light Cannons. I think I might need to adjust the beams up a little, but overall I'm very happy with this.


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I think the spots are worth the effort, but I also think that I should have researched the voltage available from the original loom much earlier, and gone for the Landreiziger loom/alternator power. That really is a worthwhile job all by itself.

I might still get an LED light bar on the roof - better light into holes and dips in the road. But that'll have to wait for a bit.

While I was tinkering about I made a cushion for the 'barebox' cubby. Templates, and then the finished item.


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... also managed to find a handy spot for my Optimill steering boss lock.

The cushion itself is cCensoredp! There's more to this upholstery malarkey than meets the eye. So I decided that what I'd meant to do all along was make a working prototype.. Wink Whistle Whistle If, after a few months, I've got the thickness and outlines right, I'll get a 'proper' one made up by an upholsterer in town. Even in the meantime it's more comfy for the ageing elbows.

Next.... some seat risers.... Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #674182 29th Dec 2017 6:32pm
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L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10420

England 
Great bit of work on the lights Thumbs Up i just keep my optimill steering boss lock in the stuff it came in and fits nice and secure behind the middle seat Wink 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.


Clayton.
Post #674279 29th Dec 2017 10:29pm
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

A few bits and pieces to report from the last week or so:

First was this job - it casts a long shadow!

Click image to enlarge

It's the clutch pedal spring. I read someone else on here saying that springs are the Devil's work... and I tend to agree, I envision swearing, sweating, burst and gouged fingers... all that kind of stuff. So I'd been putting this off for easily 2 or 3 years. The spring was kicking about the place bugging me, but I never got round to it. As a Tdi, it would have had this as standard. But when I did the bulkhead job I never really felt the need for it. It always kind of worried me that I might occasionally be resting my foot on the pedal and no spring = slight clutch engagement = some wear. So, after reading on here the smart way to do the job: fit spring to rear of pedal first; jam pedal against bulkhead with handy piece of wood; engage spring into bushes in bulkhead. I still didn't expect it to be that easy - but it was no bother. Has it made a difference? Minor maybe, but it's a peace of mind thing. One more job off the list.

Next, was some seat risers. I got these off ebay. £35. No fixings or instructions -but it's not rocket science. On my car, because two of the captive nuts have gone from underneath the seat box, it needed the cubby box lifting off - but that was a good opportunity to tighten up the X-eng handbrake. Another one I'd been putting off for years.

Click image to enlarge


Have the risers made a difference? I can definitely feel the difference - easier on the legs, but I'll need to get used to it. I feel like I'm sitting a lot higher into the cab, and maybe that I don't have the same view as I used to. Around here, lots of the view is upwards!

Finally, I installed a 'slickshift' and the new gearbox turret I got from Paul on here. Started it about 4.30pm yesterday, finished the install by about 5.30pm. Simpler and more straightforward than I expected.

I was interested in the slickshift on principle, but partly also because I'd lost the spring assistance centering the stick in the 3rd and 4th position. I assumed it was the bias springs that had broken.... but this is what I found.

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Is this a common thing to happen?

The bias spring itself was fine, but there was a little wear in the turret slots, so just as well to stick in the new one. Old and new:

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Just about ready to start installing new bits. I had a minor 'moment' when I thought the hex grubscrew holding this cup to the shaft under the turret wasn't going to come off, but I switched to another 5mm allen key and it must have been just marginally larger, so got that off OK. Tidied this up a bit, cleaning the face before fitting up again.

Click image to enlarge


So when I got it all back together, I adjusted the bias springs as shown on a video I'd watched, and headed off. First test drive was a real disappointment though - really hard to get into fourth. It certainly wasn't an easy movement straight down from 3rd as it had been. Damn.

Left it till this morning, read up all the stuff in the workshop manual about adjusting the bias springs, and went through that. Second test drive - still a pig to get into 4th. By this stage i was starting to think I'd have to take it off again, but I went back to the beginning again... The problem was there was so much movement in the stick in third and fourth that it was hard to decide where to start the process from. But, long story short, I eventually got there. It's interesting though - the shift feels much tighter and neater - but the pics don't really show that.

This was third to fourth before tackling the job:


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and this is third to fourth afterwards:


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There doesn't appear to be much of a difference in the movement of the stick - but like I said, it really feels better. Maybe the difference is across the gate?

Last thing was, I'd bought a new foam pad to go under the double gearstick and HL/DL gaiter. The old one was vaguely intact, so I stuffed that in first, then the new one on top. The gaiter doesn't fit too neatly - needed a tie-wrap to hold it in place - but it goes on. The point of mentioning it is just because I reckon it's made a decent amount of difference to the noise levels inside the car - a wee bonus! Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #678219 13th Jan 2018 6:52pm
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familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3459

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
What a great thread. You should be a YouTube blogger by trade! 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #678297 14th Jan 2018 6:38am
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Barneyboy



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 1582

England 1986 Defender 90 2.5 n/a Diesel ST Nato Green
Hi great thread,interesting read,I do like that rib as well,and as you commented a proper sports utility vehicle Thumbs Up Paul
Post #678309 14th Jan 2018 8:56am
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2519

Scotland 
The first galvanised chassis only lasted 14 years?
Post #678331 14th Jan 2018 10:47am
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

Retro - yeah, not really happy with that chassis in the long run.

I've said elsewhere (maybe not on this thread) that I was never really convinced about it. Not long after it went on I started thinking it was probably a 'Friday afternoon' job. It was definitely shorter at the very front, and caused me issues with spotlight and A bar fitting. Pretty sure this was a R******s chassis (four plates welded to make the legs), presumably because that's what the local independent who did the job could source at the time. Whether it's a genuine one of theirs, or whether they had supply issues and bought something else in, I can't know. It looked fine on delivery. Nice and shiny, with everything in the right place. It was a 'proper' 300Tdi chassis at the time.

A mate had a Marsland chassis (two halves welded together with the seams top and bottom) put on about 6 months to a year before mine, and his always looked excellent. His was a Td5 chassis, and maybe that made the difference. A proper job.

Mine has had large flakes of zinc come away from it over the years. Too long after the fact to have any comeback on the garage or manufacturer I think. Now it's corroding in around the fuel tank. There would certainly be two or three years left in it, maybe more, but I'm in a position at the moment to make the change and this time I'm going for a Marsland. Perhaps if I wait 3 or 4 years it'll be harder to find the cash. Plus (hopefully this time) there's the peace of mind that it's a longer term job.

Even having said all that. Memory says it was about £3k for the job last time round. That works out at £214 a year... not as bad as all that. But this is me putting a brave face on it!

Barneyboy wrote:
Hi great thread,interesting read,I do like that rib as well,and as you commented a proper sports utility vehicle Thumbs Up Paul


Cheers Paul - a good bit OT in a Landy forum, but it's interesting to note that the boat is also a 1994 model. A red 1994 boat being towed by a red 1994 Land Rover! The boat was useable when I got it, but it had a wide two abreast console - not so handy for diving - and an older Mercury I think. I stripped it down to this:


Click image to enlarge


and then built it back to this:


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The bottle rack comes out when it's not being used for diving, and a long seat can be bolted in for family use.


familymad wrote:
What a great thread. You should be a YouTube blogger by trade!


Thank you! I'd have to own up to a previous 10 year career in broadcast journalism and PR. That was 20 years ago now (eek!) so I have a bit of experience putting words together. That said, I definitely appreciate the comment. Nice to get that kind of feedback. Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #678407 14th Jan 2018 5:52pm
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2519

Scotland 
Interesting, thanks.

I put a Richards chassis on my 88” eight years ago and it was still good when I sold it a few years back, but it didn’t get a lot of use. There were a few alignment issues putting it back together but I managed to overcome them. I guess all galvanising is subject to poor batches, coupled with the ridiculous amount of road salt used in the highlands means a shorter lifespan in your case I suppose. Painting will help protect it from the salt certainly.

I’ve got a Marsland chassis sitting in my workshop about quarter way through being built into a 110 and that’s seems fine so far. But in a few months I’m going to be doing a quick chassis swap on my 90 (was hoping it would last until the 110 was done but alas not) and I’ve ordered a Marsland for that too so I’ll find out then if it’s as good as the price would suggest Smile

I’d be interested to watch yours come together when you come to do it.
Post #678473 14th Jan 2018 8:19pm
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