Here I start a post with the restoration project of my 1988 Land Rover 90, ex E reg. The restoration is actually ongoing for more than 1.5years.. I targeted 2 years to completion, but my estimate seems to have been a bit off!!

So some history first, I acquired the 90 back in 1994, where it was driven from the UK to Malta. Still have the original UK plate, which shows that it lived its first few years close to Liskeard (Cornwall). It was bought with around 36kmiles on the clock, and the odometer now reads 128kmiles. Have not done much to it other than the yearly oil change and rust repairs to the doors, and top corners of the bulkhead when it was 'new' to me so it is very original (apart from the wheels).

All mechanical issues were always sorted at once, still with the original 19J engine, although it did come out once to replace a clutch fork. Other than a boost diaphragm, nothing has been to the engine. It always breathed heavily though.

Thanks to the dry weather it has lived in the past 26 years, rust has been at bay. No welding has ever been done to the chassis. But the bodywork paint has faded heavily and became chalky from the UV, leading to panel corrosion. So the need to repaint lead to the restoration.

The plan is to keep it as original as possible as it was in 1988, although I will not keep the 90 decals on the sides, and will fit wolf wheels, painted in Shire Blue to match the bodywork. A bit of a Heritage look.

Pictures of the 90 before the restoration:


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge




Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

Some pics after returning from the body shop. There was no one panel that did not need straightening back! Only minor body filler required.


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

Due to lack of space, body can only come out of the chassis bit by bit, restore, and put back. Decided to start with the rear section first, so tub off, and restore rear part of chassis, axle and suspension components, and the tub itself.


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge

Lots of cleaning and sanding later, start with priming and finishing each part.



Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge

I am laying the paint a bit thick. A few dust particles that will require sanding back and polishing back. No luxury of a spray booth.



Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

Last edited by Dinnu on 11th May 2020 8:51pm. Edited 1 time in total

Good work there. That's Alot of man hours in those pics! Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop

Preparing rear suspension components. All items has been spray painted with 2K paint and new bushings.


Click image to enlarge

Cappings ready from the galvanizers. But these will get painted, after all it is not a Series.


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge

Preparing to take the seat base out:


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge

Transfer box out. Amazed with the LT77 mainshaft splines, not too worn. Lack of power from the 19J probably.


Click image to enlarge




Click image to enlarge

Mid section primed, and painted. and tub back on to free garage space.


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

Indeed @jst, lots of man hours.
I did not mention that all of the small items that can fit in my DIY zinc plating bath are being plated with zinc before they are etch primed, and 3 coats of 2K paint.

I am not in a hurry to finish the project, although I miss the character of an older 90. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

I actually did the rear diff before fitting the rear tub. Checked backlash, preloads.. all good to re close. New oil seals of course.


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge

Finishing some more hardware:


Click image to enlarge

And it goes back together again.


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge

Here installing the painted cappings after I installed the tub.


Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

This looks great, glad you stuck with the original colour

Great work! Instagram @richmond_custom

Great to see these early Defenders restored and kept original, well done! I might be biased but with a white roof I like white rims. Colour coded is cool too. Can't wait to see more!  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

Excellent work there, great pictures as well, looking forward to seeing this progress cheers Paul

That looks fantastic work and a great colour! Darren

2013 Defender 110 USW XS
2013 Discovery 4 XS

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

MY 110 USW BUILD THREAD - MY 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - Instagram: @landroveranorak

Thank you all for your positive feedback.
Colour is Shire Blue, LRC392. As I searched about the color, it looks like it was only offered for about two years, in late 80s.

I tried to do a cheap photo editing with white wolf wheels, but I did not like it too much.

I am also not sure about the wheel arches, if I should colour match or keep mat black. I am so unsure, that I purchased an extra set of wheel arches, one will be blue and the other will remain black, and have the option to switch




Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

It's difficult decision whether to keep 100% original or modernise a little with colour matched arches. Personally on my Ninety I colour matched arches, grille and light surrounds and white rims, and I'm really pleased with the result. But mine wasn't very orignial to start with after a CSW V8 conversion.

Either way it is going to look amazing! 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

Similar age and colour (actually Arles or Windjammer) with Wolf's and gives an idea for you


Click image to enlarge Rob

1993 200tdi 90 hard-top
1998 300tdi 90 soft-top
2016 2.2 XS 90 hard-top