Alright everyone I am brand new here, this is my very first post and I even signed up specifically for this. Don't worry I don't plan on going anywhere after.
My name is Patrick and I live in Georgia. So I don't actually own a Defender 90, but this is the situation.
My older brother purchased a 1997 Defender 90 Automatic some years ago (10?). it broke down for various reasons not entirely sure whats wrong with it, probably head gasket knowing that motor. We haven't had it looked it since.
It died when he had began working in the city and changed cities 3 or 4 times within 2 years so it was left at my mom's house.
It has been there for some...5 years now. Just sitting there. Rotting. and it is so sad to see.
He has said for years he is going to fix it up and redo it and has the money but hasnt done it and I dont actually see him doing it anytime soon.
So my plan is to buy it off him, and do it myself. But I want to begin planning out the rebuild, everything it will need, get some help and advice on different routes to go.
So lets get into it, this is what we have.
1997 Defender 90 Hardtop Automatic
Red/White Roof
Supercharged
Old Man Emu Suspension (not sure the lift size)
33 " BF Goodrich MT/s
ARB Bumper + Winch
Full Rack
What I think it needs:
- New Tires all are dry rotted
- New Window Seals all dry rotted
- Complete Paint Job
- New Shocks All Around
- Probably new seats front and rear havent had a chance to look at them.
- Preferably, an engine swap, nothing extreme. Would like to keep Auto Tran in this one.
- Hopefully not a cracked dash from sun.
I have attached some photos, but these are back from when it was purchased.
Any other information please ask and I will give the best to my abilities.
------ Follow up post added April 20th, 2017 02:00 PM ------
Paint is a mother to do right. If it has been sitting up, I would try cleaning it up before you decide to go that route. Consider getting the engine looked at before you go the swap route. Could just be something like a head gasket. I put a new engine in my discovery a few years back and it was expensive.
Might consider taking off the supercharger. That may well be what got the owner in this mess. These things aren't exactly sports cars.
Im in Cartersville and about 85% finished with my build if you want to come by and take a look at what it would take to paint one correctly. Most of the body panels are still off.
I will have to talk to my brother but I do seem to remember the last real conversation we had about the rebuild is that he needed to do a new engine due to whatever was wrong with it. I just know myself and my mother (since its sitting at her place) have not had it looked it.
Hopefully, it would just need a engine rebuild. In that case I would rebuild the motor, upgrade some internals and leave the supercharger on it.
The paint, I think it needs to be redone but I could be wrong, multiple areas the clear coat has been peeling and the red has faded terribly.
If it didnt need new paint and an engine rebuild only that would be spectacular.
But I am making the assumptions at the worst possible situation so I can at least bare in mind the potential cost.
------ Follow up post added April 20th, 2017 03:42 PM ------
We previously also owned a Disco II and that engine just had tons of issues when we owned it...so I just worry about this motor even with the rebuild.
If i do this, it will simply be a weekend vehicle only.
Ill use it to do some trail and mountain driving with friends when we go camping, and tow a boat here and there. Some minor offroading in North GA/Tenn. That will be pretty much it.
You should look at some of the 90's being sold and decided what you want to emulate. A lot of what you can/should do is going to be based on how much he sells it to you for. If he does the brotherly "it's a gift" Then I would ship it off to Safari HP and have them do an LS swap. If he thinks it's worth $30k then I might consider having a local shop check out the engine before doing anything.
I doubt rust is a big issue in Georgia, but I would check the frame to make sure that a small problem 5 years ago hasn't turned into a much bigger problem.
The supercharger is most likely the problem. They cause some cylinders to run lean and kill the engines every time. Everybody got away from them after this started happening.
I basically love the Defender how it is....was...
I wouldnt change a thing really about it
Only things I would change are:
- Wheels (currently has Series 2 White Painted)
- Bigger slightly wider tires
- Snorkel
- Roof Flip out Tent.
I dont want to do an LS swap...I dont care about big power (says the guy wanting to keep the supercharger...)
But if I were going to get rid of the supercharger....
what routes would yall suggest?
Rebuild?
Swap? cost efficient options for what I have stated the vehicle to be used for.
Is this really the route most people are going now?
No Problem with it, the LS motor is legendary and endless amount of parts/upgrades and insanely reliable.
Im just new to this as far as redoing a Land Rover been around them my whole life so it just seems foreign to me or something I thought would be frowned upon rather than the new standard haha. Sounded taboo.
I doubt you would hear anyone recommend a gas engine other than the LS. It's only limiting factor IMHO is the cost. Now if you want to go diesel, then there are a lot more opinions on the "best" engine.
The problem is the Rover V8 is a very old design. It is inefficient and prone to failure. Switching to a modern engine give power, reliability and fuel efficiency at the same time. One of the forum members has developed nice plug and play components for the swap.
Nothing taboo. The Rover V8 is a GM engine to begin with. You are just changing from a GM engine designed in 1961 to a modern one.
The problem is the Rover V8 is a very old design. It is inefficient and prone to failure. Switching to a modern engine give power, reliability and fuel efficiency at the same time. One of the forum members has developed nice plug and play components for the swap. Nothing taboo. The Rover V8 is a GM engine to begin with. You are just changing from a GM engine designed in 1961 to a modern one.
I would even wager that a documented and clean LS swap into an NAS Defender (with an auto gearbox) would increase it's value.
One of the reasons I sold my NAS 90 was the fits I would have when it just wouldn't start and it would send me on a goose chase to fix it. Granted my diesel 110 has been a 4 year restoration project (and the diesels aren't without faults) but I had a grin the other day when it started right up after sitting for a couple of months.
I definitely want to go the most cost efficient route.
Now when I say that please dont mistake that for me saying "I want to be cheap"
But I also dont mean I can or will do the most pricy option regardless of the benefits.
I will most definitely consider an LS Swap.
I also would like to consider the Diesel options. I have owned a diesel before and love them, but I know nothing about the diesels for this vehicle, the options, the cost, and the modifications needed to be made to allow the swap.
So aside from the LS what are my options for gas?
Options for Diesel?
Pricing for each.
Also I know there is a search function and I am not expecting a full breakdown of each, simply a rough estimate is ok. I just want to see everyones thoughts and opinions. After I will gladly do my in depth research I love motors i love modification, I love automobiles in general. This is just new to me so I would like conversation first, detail and research after.
I think you should get a good list on what the 90 needs. Posting a bunch of good pictures from all over the rig can get you some good input from the board.
IMO a '97 NAS should remain mostly stock. If you want some big mods and lots of changes sell it and get a U.K./ROW rig. A stock NAS in good working condition will drive well and be really comfortable in normal on road conditions (especially a '97 HT). Off road it will handle a lot terrain and most likely the driver will be the limiting factor.
Bolt on items like sliders, winch, winch bumper won't hurt it and are easy to put on and take off. And done right they look great on a Defender.
I think keeping it gas and auto tranny is the way to go. I haven't driven a Defender with an LS but have a ton of miles in Suburbans with them and love how they perform.
I think you should get a good list on what the 90 needs. Posting a bunch of good pictures from all over the rig can get you some good input from the board.
IMO a '97 NAS should remain mostly stock. If you want some big mods and lots of changes sell it and get a U.K./ROW rig. A stock NAS in good working condition will drive well and be really comfortable in normal on road conditions (especially a '97 HT). Off road it will handle a lot terrain and most likely the driver will be the limiting factor.
Bolt on items like sliders, winch, winch bumper won't hurt it and are easy to put on and take off. And done right they look great on a Defender.
I think keeping it gas and auto tranny is the way to go....
I agree totally with Don and KGH. I also have a '97 D90 NAS SW daily driver of almost 20yrs that I kept totally stock and did a full frame off resto because of the northeast winters ravages and seacoast salt over many yrs. I put the coin underneath and didn't even paint it (paint least of worries IMO) and my appraisal was a jaw dropper for me in part because it's stock..and the lineage. Not that I am real concerned with value as ill never sell it but you have a very sought after gem to begin with. As the pool of stock '97s decrease from full-on modifications (and accidents, neglect etc) keeping the modifications to a minimum or at least bolt-on, bolt-off might be in your best interest. But again, if you own it - you get to decide what you want to do with it. There's a forum members quote I love; .. 'Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions'.
The collector value of this truck is far greater than what your stated intentions are: "If i do this, it will simply be a weekend vehicle only. Ill use it to do some trail and mountain driving with friends when we go camping, and tow a boat here and there. Some minor offroading in North GA/Tenn. That will be pretty much it."
If you indeed plan on keeping it, Don was probably right on. Keep it at or near stock. Don't make unchangeable mods. Restored to like new these trucks fetch stupid money. Search eBay or Autotrader.
Since it has been sitting, it would not surprise me if frame and bulkhead have started rotting.
As I said I want to keep it as is, just repair/restore how it is currently.
I wouldnt be opposed to a swap, but also again depends on price and value in the long run. This is a vehicle regardless of whether my brother sells me it or not will be a family kept vehicle.
To the OP, first off, I sincerely hope this whole thing works out for you and your bro decides to sell it to you. I've subscribed to this thread, looking forward to updates. Fellow ATLien here.
If the truck is in Atlanta I'd get it to Luke Miles in Norcross and have them pull the supercharger off and see if they can't revive the engine. The 97 NAS 90 is the most valuable of the NAS 90's. The gems 4.0 in that truck was very reliable and did not have head gasket issues.
Atlantic British sells 4.0 long block engines that will drop right in
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