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orkneydave



Member Since: 25 Sep 2016
Location: Orkney Islands
Posts: 76

United Kingdom 
Latest purchase - Series 3 109 (Alfred the 109)
After looking around for a while for a swb series or Defender (including this http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52804.html ) I somehow ended up agreeing a deal on a series 3 109 with a 200tdi down in Bath last week Confused

I flew from Orkney to Bristol on Wednesday and was met at the airport by the seller. After a sort out of paperwork and spares and a cuppa to keep me going Alfred (the name a previous owner had given the 109) and I were on our way north.

I stopped for fuel about 20 miles north and had my first 'mishap'! In an effort to ensure I didn't run out of fuel on the way up I overfilled the tank. I didn't realise that it would overflow at the front of the tank so it looked like I had a fuel leak. With daylight hours starting to fade, I called the AA to check and make sure all was okay.



Once I got the all clear, it was a rather tiring drive in the dark up to friends in Cumbria. With various closures on the M5 and M6, the fuse for the lights rattling loose and a broken indicator stalk, I eventually arrived in Cumbria at around 1am (shortly after being flashed by a speed camera Shocked ).

My view on Thursday morning:


After a good sleep and breakfast I set off for Aberdeen to catch ferry home to Orkney. The drive was pretty uneventful with only a high temperature gauge causing concern (this turned out to be a air lock in the cooling system caused by a loose hose).

Anyway, made it to Aberdeen in time for the ferry. I stupidly left the electric fan on though during the crossing (6 hours from Aberdeen) so the battery was flat on arrival in Orkney. A quick push by the stevedors and I was on my way for the last 18 miles our journey home Bow down





Alfred now has his own Instagram page (@alfredthe109) but I'll keep updates on his adventures posted on here too.
Post #615984 11th Apr 2017 9:39am
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ian series 1



Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey
Nice one Thumbs Up

Sounds like an eventful trip, they always get you home. Wink 80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.
Post #615995 11th Apr 2017 10:23am
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
Sounds like a fun trip, now to sort the few minor problems and enjoy all series ownership has to offer.
Looking forward to the updates Thumbs Up 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #616010 11th Apr 2017 11:01am
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
Sounds like its first trip was a mega one Smile


Probably one of its longest? what plans have you for it.


Thumbs Up
Post #616024 11th Apr 2017 11:43am
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
What a beautiful find!

Congratulations Thumbs Up Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #616030 11th Apr 2017 12:06pm
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Farmerben



Member Since: 16 Jan 2017
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 604

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Wow. Pretty epic road trip. I'm headed up to Orkney at the beginning of june so I'll keep an eye out for you. https://instagram.com/bentheoandrews
Post #616031 11th Apr 2017 12:21pm
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orkneydave



Member Since: 25 Sep 2016
Location: Orkney Islands
Posts: 76

United Kingdom 
Thanks everyone! Really pleased with it and can't complain about reliablility after that run!

Stacey007 wrote:
Sounds like its first trip was a mega one Smile


Probably one of its longest? what plans have you for it.


Thumbs Up


I have pictures from previous owners of it in Switzerland when it was Dutch registered so believe it's been all over Europe so a small run to Orkney was probably nothing!

No major plans as yet. It already has new brakes, 200tdi, galvanised chassis etc so the hard work has been done. I have side steps coming for it (so that SWMBO can get in and out easier). I also plan to install some bench seats in the back (anyone selling any?), fit a seat belt bar in the front and possibly a radio (not that I'll be able to hear it Rolling with laughter ). I'd also like a new hood at some point as the current one has shrunk at the back a bit. Apart from that, a slight cosmetic tidy should do it.

I've already given him a good clean out and fitted a new dash top (supplied by the previous owner) to replace a badly split one.
Post #616067 11th Apr 2017 2:44pm
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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1014

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
I look forward to following his new adventures - really great patina and given the locations he's been in, no doubt a lot of adventures have already been had.
Post #616068 11th Apr 2017 3:10pm
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familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3460

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Lovely first trip for a lovely 109 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #616098 11th Apr 2017 5:33pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10355

United Kingdom 
Cool!! Following on ig Thumbs Up
Post #616118 11th Apr 2017 7:08pm
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7866

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Epic first journey, sounds great fun! Thumbs Up James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #616133 11th Apr 2017 7:39pm
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orkneydave



Member Since: 25 Sep 2016
Location: Orkney Islands
Posts: 76

United Kingdom 
**Warning - Picture Heavy**

I thought an update on Alfred was long overdue (especially for those not on Instagram)!

Since collecting Alfred way back in April I have mostly just been using him as my daily driver and for weekend drives etc. I have carried out a few small upgrades/modifications but not changed a lot really.

After tightening up the fuse holders the next job was to fit 3 point seat belts to the front. Whilst I loved the free feeling of lap belts I thought best to go down this route with Alfred being my daily driver and with the potential of trips south. Seatbelts and bar (to allow soft top to be kept) ordered from Exmoor and arrived several bolts short ???

Click image to enlarge


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I also bought some 2 man benches for the back so that I can take the kids (well technically one is an adult!) a run too...

I have since changed the configuration of the benches to face each other and give more cargo space at the rear

I decided a rug would be a great addition to the back

Click image to enlarge


and then took the oppurtunity of a dry day to take the roof off (I've done this a few times now!!)

Click image to enlarge



I then thought the rear crossmember could do with a tidy up

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and with new rear step fitted

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and a trip to the beach!

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At some point whilst taking a detour to work to look at a nicely worn series 1 I managed to loose the wiper seal from my door window and then run it over!! Time to strip down the door top and fit new seals...

Click image to enlarge


I've also fitted a radio to the back of the cubby box (with speaker pods riveted to the bulkhead behind the seats). Not much use over 30mph though!!!

Click image to enlarge


My son has a ex MOD 110 and had pestered me for ages for the spare wheel well in Alfred as I was never going to use it apparently! I said if he got me a sheet of aluminium to cover the wheel box he could have it. This would also allow me to relocate the bench seat further forward and cover up all the old holes in the wheel box

Click image to enlarge


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and with seat back in

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and then off for a day trip to Shetland for work

Click image to enlarge


View from the bridge


Had to launch a friends boat last week so thought I'd fit this

Click image to enlarge


which made life so much easier for this




And that's summer over...


Next to do is:
1. replace fuel tank with one that doesn't resemble a seive (might be a slight over exaggeration as I'm still getting over 30mpg!)!
2. replace the hood with one with side windows and buckles so that I can roll up the sides (anyone interested in a well aged FFR tilt?)
3. wire in the reverse light (supplied by the previous owner, fitted by me but not wired in yet)
4. overhaul the steering. I'm used to it now but it's far heavier and has far more play than it should!
5. look to add more sound deadening, may not be possible
6. paint job. Still deciding on colours but will most likely be green of some sort. Really like Keswick green but not sure if it will look out of place. Also considering Eastnor green.
7. full service

No doubt there will be more to add to the list but that will be as time and money and ambition allow!

Will try and keep the updates a bit more frequent than before!


Last edited by orkneydave on 26th Jul 2017 3:02pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #639887 26th Jul 2017 2:49pm
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g-mack



Member Since: 07 Jan 2014
Location: northumberland
Posts: 1967

United Kingdom 
i feel this may become my favourite thread Thumbs Up My 109 thread

my youtube channel
Post #639891 26th Jul 2017 2:59pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
#Cool Truck

Thumbs Up


Post #639897 26th Jul 2017 3:08pm
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Ellisboy



Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Deep South
Posts: 539

1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green
Looks great Cool

Stephen.
Post #640045 27th Jul 2017 6:25am
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