The B*tchin Defender gets a playmate

gjackson

FRGS
So a couple of months ago I started looking for another rig with the anticipation of a fairly serious change in professional direction. I was having a lot of trouble deciding what to look at let alone what to get. KCs 60 made me scour CraigsList for evenings on end while Scott's D1 was dragging me back towards the Rover fold. Prices on Rovers were certainly better, but I thought maybe I could go to Toyota. Maybe even Pinzgauer?! (Thanks Ed!!)

But it didn't take long for all of that to go out the window. While at the local LR dealership a good friend told me of a fellow clubmember selling his ride. At $10,000 it was more than I was willing to spend, but I figured it was worth a look. Now is when you think I've lost all sense if I'm willing to look at a 1989 Range Rover going for 10k! And you're right. It didn't even run. But it did have a 300tdi sitting in the engine bay. I spoke to Jim Pendleton who had done the transplant and to Keith who had been involved, offered the owner half his asking price and walked away. I expected to hear no more.

The engine had been overheated, there was no exhaust on the truck and the oil line from the oil filter was leaking. A week after my visit I got a call from the owner accepting my offer. So we went to his place with a flatbed, fired the truck up and drove it onto the trailer. It pissed oil all over his drive and barely had the guts to get up the 2 inch step onto the ramp. Not the best sign!

The oil leak was easy, just a missing o-ring. The exhaust was pretty easy too. The lack of power was horrific. The thing couldn't move fast enough to get out of its own way. Into my garage it went and off came the head. As it turns out, a very warped head.

This past weekend I spent putting a brand new head on, and by Sunday we were cruising around in a Rangie that sounds like a tractor and can easily keep up with traffic. Way too cool!

chug, chug, chug!

cheers
 

MuddyMudskipper

Camp Ninja
Nicely equipped Classic Graham. Gotta love the oil-burning powerplant and all of its clattering glory!
 
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stevenmd

Expedition Leader
Sweet score, dude! Jealous of that rear bumper... you have no idea how much you will appreciate it in the future.:friday:
 

kcowyo

ExPo Original
One man with two turbo diesel LR's....? :bowdown:


I'm partially satiated by the fact you had to go diesel to get over your 60 envy. And now the envy is all mine. :REOutArchery02:
 

Michael Slade

Untitled
Nice truck. Very nice negotiation. You have to be able to walk away if you want to get any seller to come down. A good lesson for any buyer.
 

overlander

Expedition Leader
Congrats Graham! thank you for staying in the family fold:victory: Jim Pendelton did my conversion and he IS the man when it comes to Land Rover conversions. When you mentioned Jim and Keith had a hand in it, it was clear it had to be bought.

The conversion work is more expensive than the block itself, so it was definitely worth it.

Oh, a little tip for you when working on your Rangie--> when you work on the battery, disconnect AND secure the cables....:coffeedrink:
 

gjackson

FRGS
Thanks guys. I think it ill work well once the heating issues are fixed. Right now it has an RTE lift, bilsteins at all four corners, and protection. It also has 10-splines, which might be an issue. But it is a good place to start and should hit 25mpg!

Oh, a little tip for you when working on your Rangie--> when you work on the battery, disconnect AND secure the cables....

I have no idea what you might mean . . .:campfire:

cheers
 

Pad

Adventurer
Very Sweet!
I always thought it'd be cool to go off-roading/exploring
with only the smell of french fries behind you...veggie conversion anyone?
 

overlander

Expedition Leader
gjackson said:
It also has 10-splines, which might be an issue.

Hold on Graham, the line at Keith's door for 24 spline conversion starts behind me. No cutting.:REOutShootinghunter

By the way, the 10 spline support group meetings are every tuesday at 10am, on the side of the highway (location changes every week.)
 

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