Having been Defenderless for a few years now, and after searching ebay/autotrader for a suitable project vehicle, I've bought a 90 Turbo Diesel.


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A very basic and unmolested example, not even having a radio!


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Typically for me I never test drove it, just paid for it and drove off. So, the first time I drove it, was home from hilly Heresfordshire. It was very sluggish/underpowered. I wasn't expecting Tdi performance, but on some hills I was in first gear!!
After some research I found out that it was likely to be the boost diaphram on the injector pump, confirmed when whilst refuelling the fuel camp shot off the over preassurised tank!!
Below is what I found when I removed the diaphram. (The worn one is on the right...)


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Once fitted, the vehicle moved more briskly along the road!

The next job as I had no service history, was timing belt change and service.


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As this was going to be a second/weekend vehicle for me I decided that I'd like to convert to a soft top, so off with the hard top.



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First hoops on.


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Followed by the second...


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Finished conversion to soft top.


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Next job is re-trimming the front seats, as typically for thier age they are ripped and damaged.
Then a general tidy up, knock a few dents out and a lick of paint.

Last edited by richcl on 14th Aug 2018 9:58am. Edited 1 time in total

Game on.

Looks better already  80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.

richcl,
Welcome. Nice purchase, Good work so far. Some really good good people on this forum that will help/advise you as you progress with this build. Don't be afraid to ask/shout for help.
Cheers, Simon

Despite the Defender badge on the front, as it is a Diesel Turbo (not turbo diesel) surely it's a late Ninety?

Or were any early Defenders fitted with that engine?

Now you have done the nice cosmetic changes, are you going to have a good look at the chassis and mend (if needed) and preserve it, or is it already in good condition?


My apologies for being a bit of an anorak.

You're correct slideywindows, it is a Diesel Turbo (Title now corrected). This must have been one of the last before the Tdi, as I've seen Tdi's on H plates.

The chassis has recently had a crossmember fitted. It looks solid and I've already preassure / steam cleaned it (twice!) to get rid of 25 plus years of crud.

I want to get the front wings off too. So one, I can attempt some basic panel beating, and two, get to the parts of the chassis that they cover, enabling rust proof / painting.

Also thinking about removing the rear tub so that I can get to the chassis properly to rust proof that too.

It's an on going project, and follows many years of rebuilding various Land Rovers. I do like to tinker!

Looks like you're going to have fun with it

Excellent start to what will be a very interesting project.

looks like its in good company with the other soft top.

Hi richcl and welcome, great on going project your doing

May i ask what your going to do with the roof, sides and back door please  1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.

Clayton.

Looking good there! none molested ones are quite hard to find. We looked at 4 and all had been messed with one way or another. The one I walked away with, we walked straight passed. I looked at it thinking how badly those wheels looked.
After a closer look at it, it was the best in molested one of the lot bar the wheels. It was a honey really, as it had been loved in a few ways and a fare few things hadnt been done properly either. But now all thats work in progress
I do have a spare grill if your interested? I will see if its ok etc 1st. I took it off due to one of the black light surrounds been damaged, and i bought a set of sliver items off here. To go on, I kept the grill incase my dads got damaged.
Also check out graftys vents in the for sale section great little upgrade for the bottom vents  Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!

Recent jobs done. Re-trim of both front outer seats in Grey Twill and fitment of new wheels and tyres.

The seat re-trim was a fairly easy job, you just need strong fingers!. Looks a lot tidier now.


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Steel rims re-painted in Land Rover Ivory, and fitted with new tyres.


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Good work there

I’m a bit confused, you say it’s a diesel turbo and as slideywindows says, it’s badged as a Defender but it’s also has Tdi badges on the wings?
Has the turbo diesel fro an earlier ninety been fitted or are the wings from a later vehicle?

Or are you sure it's not a 200tdi? Engine bay pic? Darren

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

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

gcc130 wrote:

I’m a bit confused, you say it’s a diesel turbo and as slideywindows says, it’s badged as a Defender but it’s also has Tdi badges on the wings?
Has the turbo diesel fro an earlier ninety been fitted or are the wings from a later vehicle?

Stickers are much cheaper than wings   1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
2006 D110 CSW (Dad's)

Nanocom, IID, Forscan and Webasto diagnostics available in North Oxfordshire

Defender stickers were added before I owned the vehicle.
To be honest, I'm not that worried about what the stickers are...