Hey Guys, I have been lusting over these Defenders for quite a while now and I'm seriously considering buying one. I have room in the garage now. I like to drive, not collect.
I havent seen any in my area, but I see one all the time when we are in Park city.
I like the hardtop looks but I need A/C, its darn hot here at the beach where i live.
It may be possible to install a vintage air unit
Last year I bought a backdraft Cobra and i found that it was less in the long run to purchase the car the way I want it......in other words when you modify or add options you dont generally get your money back when you sell the beast.
no you would never get the value of any options back if you went and sold the vehicle later, it is far cheaper to have them already installed... but which options are we talking about? Are you just driving it on the streets or are you offroading it? If you're going to offroad it are you willing to risk the stresses and dammage someone else might have put on those precious options you wanted already added on?
Defenders are pretty basic vehicles, there really aren't THAT many differences you can even hope for, however, there are some and sometimes they make all the difference in the world. (I really wanted a 300 TDI for example)
For a vehicle as old and relatively rare as these I tend to think you should pick from the following SW/ST and Auto/Manual... after that find the vehicle you want to drive in the condition you want for a price you want to pay and add anything else that's missing... you might want to hold out for the AC too...
Diesel was important to me so I held out for it and gave up other things to get it, but "better" is debatable...
(Diesel: better low end torque, better gas mileage, alternate fuels possible, but may be legally questionable
Petrol: more horse power, no legal questions...)
John, I have a truck coming on the market in the very near future you may want to consider.
Specs:B]
I'm the 2nd owner
I bought it completely stock and built it up over time as I wanted/needed
This is my 3rd defender over 12 consecutive years
I'm selling to make room for a new 110 I recently purchased
I've owned this Defender for 5+ years
It's my dailey driver
It is always garaged at home and office (all its life actually)
There's no rust
There's no fluid/exhaust leaks
Operates at normal temps
Have never towed anything
Just passed tough 2010 VA emmissions inspection
Some light off-road use on intermediate trails
Maintained by a Land Rover certified mechanic (Loundoun Rover, Chantilly Virginia)
1997 Hard Top (Station Wagon)
Coniston Green w/whilte roof
Sun/moon roof
Automatic ZF Trans (stock on all 97's)
4.0L V8
4 rear jump seats
Interior is a 9 out of 10 (no visable wear)
Approx 80,000 multi-use miles
Longest road trip 10+ hours one way
Daily trips to work everyday 25 miles r/t
Many weekend 3 hour trips one way
Overall very dependable and I would not hesitiate taking is across the country tomorrow if I had the time
Regular full-synthetic fluid changes all around
New exhaust Y-pipe/Cats/Muffler
New SS Oil cooler lines
New fuel sender/pump
New OME Shocks
2 inch OME Spring Lift
RTE adjustible rear links
RTE SS Pan-hard Rod
RTE SS Steering Arm
RTE SS extended brake lines
GBR D/C prop shafts front and rear
GBR 410 Gears
Detroit front and rear lockers
SG Tank Skid
SG rear Corner Bumpers/Protectors
SG 2 inch hitch
Rockware Sill Sliders
Rockware Frame Sliders
Rockware Rear Pinion Skid
Rockware Cat/T-case Skid
Rockware winch bumper w/ light bar
Warn 9.5ti winch
33 inch BFG 255x85 KM2 MT's (approx 15K miles/85% tread life)
Heavy Duty Land Rover Mud Mats Front/Cargo Area
There's probably more odds and ends I'm not thinking of which I can update you with if it's significant.
Detroit in front? how is that? get squirly at all? what's she like on the slick with that setup? I feel like a detroit in front would scare the hell out of me but I've never driven one setup that way so it's just an impression... maybe you get used to it? Did you turn the preload way down for the front? Ever have it bind up on you? release oddly? I've never seen rig with a detroit front except a few that were pretty much trailer queens. Usually streetable rigs are given the TT/Detroit combo. Certainly it's a step back from spindles but still... how is she to drive?
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