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Rivarama

Member Since: 28 Aug 2021
Location: London
Posts: 155

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Zermatt Silver

Journey of my little Frankenstein

Hello,

I just stumbled upon a bargain of a defender which I had to buy.

Quick story about the car, 1998 300TDI which was restored by the previous owner over the past 24months… new galv chassis, new bulkhead, p15 td5 engine fitted, new aircon put in… all this done by a main JLR dealer at a cost of over £17k (why would anyone go to JLR for that!!). but the owner had to sell it due to health issues. I bought it for a lot less than the restoration cost itself.

Although the car is clearly a bit of a Frankenstein given the tdi/td5 conversion, it appealed to me because it’s a great base mechanically to build on from here. It is in very good condition cosmetically w very little trace of corrosion, but the interior will need upgrading. It has the benefits of having 4 dicky seats in the back and having been originally registered as a 9 seaters, making it ULEZ compliant (critical for me as I live within the m25).

I will be posting on this journal as I am upgrading it overtime and ask questions along the way to this great forum.

Here is a picture of the car - it’s all dirty as I covered 250miles on salted roads to bring it back home.

Oh and I also own 2 Series 2a as well

Click image to enlarge

25th Jan 2023 8:57am

Rivarama

Member Since: 28 Aug 2021
Location: London
Posts: 155

Early thoughts on list of jobs required over the next couple of months…

- removing roof rack (doesn’t fit under the carport, supermarket or office car park with it)
- respray the roof as it’s stained by mold and flaking in places..
- replace alpine window seals… although they don’t leak the seals are totally cooked & cracked
- replace the sunroof seal that’s weeping ever so slightly
- replace seat covers
- replace wheels ideally w wolf & BFG MT
- fit new Lucari carpet set throughout
- Potentially stick some sheets of dodo sound deadening before carpets get fitted
- Remove winch and fit basic galv / stainless front bumper
- (may be) upgrade headlights
- (may be) upgrade steering wheel w exmoor wooden wheel
- (may be) stage 1 ECU remap

That’s all for now… that car is going to be used as a week end car for family activities w the dog, and will get dirty on the country side or going on the occasional green laning trip. I want it to look old school “farmer” specs.

More to follow…

25th Jan 2023 8:58am

seriesonenut

Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 1205

looking good and a great spec for a project starting point. If you do out the roof rack I might be interested as mine is now 1990's ancient (genuine but the one before yours).

Keep up the posts with updates as you go

2010 XS USW
1957 Series One 88 diesel
1958 Series One 88 4x2

25th Jan 2023 9:24am

BrickBox

Member Since: 05 Oct 2021
Location: Wales
Posts: 619

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver

Brilliant looking Defender and the costly jobs have already been done (chassis and bulkhead)

You’ll get good money for the roof rack and winch, which will cover some of your upgrade list.

Keep the pictures coming as your progress. 2008 2.4 110 Utility XS.

25th Jan 2023 9:34am

Rivarama

Member Since: 28 Aug 2021
Location: London
Posts: 155

Cheers!

First upgrade underway… I have placed an order for replacement seat covers. After contemplating getting the seat upholstered in leather - I decided not to do it right away. First because I think this car is going to get caked up with mud fairly quickly and Second because I am not sure I am ready to spend £3k (or more?) on leather trimming right away. It might come down the line.

Hence I placed an order with Melvill & Moon for 9 sand canvas seat covers (3/2/4). A friend of mine fitted them in his defender and I was quite impressed. Super nice quality and seems very durable (without mentioning that they can be machine washed)

Pics of my current seats and the ones I bought. I now have to wait 8weeks before they get delivered as they are made to order.

Click image to enlarge

25th Jan 2023 6:09pm

Rivarama

Member Since: 28 Aug 2021
Location: London
Posts: 155

Next job was to update the front of the car… it had a tired bull bar and front “offroad” lights. I decided to remove both of them. Not the look I want.
I also took this opportunity to replace the tatty headlight surrounds and front grille that looked more grey than black. I spray painted the lights surrounds and color matched them with the body of the car - woodcote green.

Before:

Click image to enlarge

After:

Click image to enlarge

If anyone is interested with the bull bar and offroad lights, please let me know

25th Jan 2023 9:52pm

Rivarama

Member Since: 28 Aug 2021
Location: London
Posts: 155

As mentioned earlier I have removed the roof rack (which will also be going for sale)

Easy operation and I managed to get it off the roof in my own. I think it looks much better now.

The roof is fully of grime and needs a good clean… I have the feeling I will need to respray it when the weather allows. The alpine window seals will also need looking at, even if they don’t appear to be leaking.

26th Jan 2023 7:52pm

BrickBox

Member Since: 05 Oct 2021
Location: Wales
Posts: 619

I think you’re doing the right thing. Enjoy the car and be worry free of marking expensive leather seats etc. 2008 2.4 110 Utility XS.

26th Jan 2023 8:17pm

JeremyJ

Member Since: 16 Nov 2011
Location: Aylesbury
Posts: 1758

That’s an ex-factory launch TD5, possibly a press one? Very nice looking 110, I like it!

26th Jan 2023 10:11pm

Rivarama

Member Since: 28 Aug 2021
Location: London
Posts: 155

How can you tell it’s a factory launch / press car?

The color is quite rare - woodcote - that’s a plus. Not the prettiest green, but pretty cool nonetheless

26th Jan 2023 10:13pm

JeremyJ

Member Since: 16 Nov 2011
Location: Aylesbury
Posts: 1758

From the reg and being around them too long!

Most of the launch TD5s where BDU county station wagons with air con and I think from memory etc & abs. Would be worth checking magazines from the period LRO, LRW etc for possible photos. I’ll have a rummage over the weekend

26th Jan 2023 10:17pm

Rivarama

Member Since: 28 Aug 2021
Location: London
Posts: 155

Interesting. That would be super cool, cheers for that!

26th Jan 2023 10:19pm

Rivarama

Member Since: 28 Aug 2021
Location: London
Posts: 155

I am thinking of losing the winch and putting a “heritage” looking front with a galv bumper and a galv front grille.

Like that…

Click image to enlarge

That bumper looks galvanised right? Or would that be painted silver? Need to check. But this whole heritage look is so classy !! Oh and the wife likes it !!

26th Jan 2023 10:25pm

JeremyJ

Member Since: 16 Nov 2011
Location: Aylesbury
Posts: 1758

The Heritage bumper was painted, I liked those a lot and would like one one day… had magnolia dials and green leather seats!

26th Jan 2023 10:30pm

JeremyJ

Member Since: 16 Nov 2011
Location: Aylesbury
Posts: 1758

Click image to enlarge

A very quick search brought up a sister vehicle to yours on the cover of an old LRW

26th Jan 2023 10:31pm

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