The hunt for an Overland build.

[YOKiN]

Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone! :wavey:

I'm new to the website and I've been on here constantly since I joined. There's such a large amount of information it's almost overwhelming but it's amazing to see the type of modifications and the exploring everyone does. I've been in the military for 11 years now and am currently in Naples, Italy. I've always loved the Defenders but have never thought I'd be able to own one. I'm currently scouring through Italy and the United States(Texas & California) to find a used one to build upon.
I was initially thinking to build on a K5 Blazer(69-75) to handle all my adventures but after seeing the Icarus build, it might have changed my mind. I'm excited to hear Alu Cab is going to be available in the U.S. as well. I still have a few years in Europe and thinking to import one in...Do you guys have any opinions/preferences I should be looking for? I'm only familiar with Chevy platforms so besides looking for rust and the basic things to look for in a older vehicle, I need some knowledge from you all with experience with these. Also, the engine might not big much of a concern since I plan to put an LS3 in whatever I build. Thanks in advance!

 

[motom]

There are a few Defender builds over on Defendersource.com by servicemen stationed overseas. Although most of those builds end up as ground-up restorations. They do share some info on how to import etc, though.

Good luck with vehicle selection

 

[DiscoDavis]

If I were you I would read up on the exemption for military members and importing a vehicle from abroad. That could be a good option. Otherwise you should have some okay choices in the states too. Good luck with the search and thanks for your service!

 

[YOKiN]

There are a few Defender builds over on Defendersource.com by servicemen stationed overseas. Although most of those builds end up as ground-up restorations. They do share some info on how to import etc, though.

Good luck with vehicle selection

I appreciate it. Thanks for the website referral!

If I were you I would read up on the exemption for military members and importing a vehicle from abroad. That could be a good option. Otherwise you should have some okay choices in the states too. Good luck with the search and thanks for your service!

You don't have to thank me, it's my pleasure. I will definitely look into the military exemption. I have looked at a couple of craigslist adds and there are some good choices that aren't too expensive. Thanks again!

 

[Kgh]

THERE IS NO MILITARY EXEMPTION. What I mean to say is: THERE IS ABSO-****#KIN-LUTELY NO MILITARY EXEMPTION.

All you get from Uncle Sam is a POV shipped and fees paid. If you try to game the system, you will either have to send car back, or they will confiscate. Whoever tells you different is...how can I be polite...misinformed. Yeah, some go-fast guys slip stuff through, but if caught the truck is gone.

25 Years old. No if's, and's, or whatev.
Engine that it came with (use a VIN decoder). A 300TDi in a 92 110 is gonna get caught.
Tranny it came with.
Axles it came with.
That said, you are in Defender heaven. Up north here everything rusts badly.
You really need to pour over the 'net and see what buyer's info is out there.

At 25 years, find a 200TDI, with AC, a good bulkhead and a good frame. Check outriggers, floor pans on bulkhead, and rear crossmember. Don't sweat ratty interiors, banged up front fenders. Easy to change and cheap on internet. Find some 1 owner truck with a solid history.

Take your time.

Depending on your preference, a 130 Ambulance is cool, or a 110 with pop-top camper.
Or, punk everybody out and go to UK and get a Perentie.

 

[Kgh]

http://blog.paddockspares.com/defender-buyers-guide/

Edit: remember, auto parts are part of your HHG when you move back!

 

[YOKiN]

THERE IS NO MILITARY EXEMPTION. What I mean to say is: THERE IS ABSO-****#KIN-LUTELY NO MILITARY EXEMPTION.

All you get from Uncle Sam is a POV shipped and fees paid. If you try to game the system, you will either have to send car back, or they will confiscate. Whoever tells you different is...how can I be polite...misinformed. Yeah, some go-fast guys slip stuff through, but if caught the truck is gone.

25 Years old. No if's, and's, or whatev.
Engine that it came with (use a VIN decoder). A 300TDi in a 92 110 is gonna get caught.
Tranny it came with.
Axles it came with.
That said, you are in Defender heaven. Up north here everything rusts badly.
You really need to pour over the 'net and see what buyer's info is out there.

At 25 years, find a 200TDI, with AC, a good bulkhead and a good frame. Check outriggers, floor pans on bulkhead, and rear crossmember. Don't sweat ratty interiors, banged up front fenders. Easy to change and cheap on internet. Find some 1 owner truck with a solid history.

Take your time.

Depending on your preference, a 130 Ambulance is cool, or a 110 with pop-top camper.
Or, punk everybody out and go to UK and get a Perentie.

Edit: remember, auto aprts are part of your HHG when you move back!

Awesome information brother! I really appreciate it. Auto parts in HHG will definitely be a must haha. I thought about going to the UK and just driving one back as well. Language barrier in Italy makes it a little more tough when trying to get needed information. I'm definitely looking to make a camper conversion as well so that ambulance version is something I would consider. Sweet man! Thanks again.

 

[Victory_Overland]

http://blog.paddockspares.com/defender-buyers-guide/

Edit: remember, auto parts are part of your HHG when you move back!

Thats really a great site for basic know-how on what to look for.

Question, I see Defenders up north in Canada, NAS versions. Same rules apply correct for any import? 25 years or older and matching numbers and you can essentially bring it down through customs and drive away once approved?

I ask because I have friends there and family near the border so this could open up some windows.

 

[DiscoDavis]

THERE IS NO MILITARY EXEMPTION. What I mean to say is: THERE IS ABSO-****#KIN-LUTELY NO MILITARY EXEMPTION.

All you get from Uncle Sam is a POV shipped and fees paid. If you try to game the system, you will either have to send car back, or they will confiscate. Whoever tells you different is...how can I be polite...misinformed.

Please excuse my ...misinformed comment

 

[Ray_G]

Kgh is spot on with the shipping back, and depending on who you are working with many of the VPC's are quite vocal these days about the regulations pertaining to a vehicle coming back.

It is also worth noting as you start this process if you put a vehicle into long term storage on your orders, you aren't shipping one back for free. That may not apply but figured it was worth highlighting as before I shipped my LR3 to the UAE we explored all that stuff since we have a family of vehicles and ultimately good old Uncle Sam doesn't give a rat's *** about my toys. Thankfully we have very good friends and both my 96 D1 and her 02 Tacoma (nevermind the motorcycle) were well looked after for a couple of years.

Ok, with that adminstrivia out of the way-enjoy NATO or C6F or whatever you are doing there, I have a lot of fond memories of going into/out of Naples over the past 19 years at various times. Turning ODYSSEY DAWN into UNIFIED ENDEAVOR was a particularly great one since my boss told me on Mon I was going to Naples that Fri to turn over with NATO and that gave me time to tell the now wife to buy a ticket anticipating the 'Nothing After Two O'clock' spelling out of NATO to be in effect. Sure enough, show up on Fri and they say come back on Mon when they are ready to start the war. Cannolis by the harbor...

Ok, so all those digressions aside let me also throw out some more thoughts:

-Have you driven a defender, specifically a diesel one? May be worth enjoying the language barrier and test driving one. If you like tractors, they will be right up your alley.

-Were I in Italy I'd go to Spain, and buy a 3 door Disco with either a 200TDi or 300 Tdi (depends on when you are coming back), in LHD, hopefully with A/C, and have a vehicle that you can actually listen to the radio while driving at speed and still have the same 'overlanding' elements of a Defender unless you really, really want a school bus sized truck ala a 130.

So with that swirling around, I'll let the discussion keep moving.
r-
Ray

 

[LR Max]

Yes. Defendersource is the best place to go. For US, 25 years or older. Original Frame, Engine, transmission, and axles.

That said, there is a Dutch guy who seems pretty good at "building" up trucks before importing them. So you get a legal truck, that has had all of the rust taken care of, mechanically sounds, and nice upgrades (interior, AC, etc). That is the way I would go if I had the $$$.

A 130 would be nice. Just FYI, LHD 110 Station Wagon move well here in the US.

If are going to wheel the truck, a 90 brings all kinds of awesome. Obviously you lose a lot of space, but you gain in better off road capability.

 

[Nonimouse]

Just out of interest, there is a guy on here by the name of Arjan Haanstra (Dutch, lives in France) who maybe selling a pretty solid '87 90 with a '90 200Tdi retrofitted and registered. It's a Right hooker buy he has the kit to swap it over. He's as honest as the day is long. The truck is good but needs a new rear x member soon. Engine is sweet, so is the trans... Oh and he's not greedy. Alternatively I'll find you something in the UK. No charge, just help

 

[sheep_dog]

If if you still have a few years in Europe, you could buy one that is newer than 25 years by a couple. That way when you buy it, its not marked up like all the LHD defenders that are 25 years old.

 

[Kgh]

Kgh is spot on with the shipping back, and depending on who you are working with many of the VPC's are quite vocal these days about the regulations pertaining to a vehicle coming back.

It is also worth noting as you start this process if you put a vehicle into long term storage on your orders, you aren't shipping one back for free. That may not apply but figured it was worth highlighting as before I shipped my LR3 to the UAE we explored all that stuff since we have a family of vehicles and ultimately good old Uncle Sam doesn't give a rat's *** about my toys. Thankfully we have very good friends and both my 96 D1 and her 02 Tacoma (nevermind the motorcycle) were well looked after for a couple of years.

Ok, with that adminstrivia out of the way-enjoy NATO or C6F or whatever you are doing there, I have a lot of fond memories of going into/out of Naples over the past 19 years at various times. Turning ODYSSEY DAWN into UNIFIED ENDEAVOR was a particularly great one since my boss told me on Mon I was going to Naples that Fri to turn over with NATO and that gave me time to tell the now wife to buy a ticket anticipating the 'Nothing After Two O'clock' spelling out of NATO to be in effect. Sure enough, show up on Fri and they say come back on Mon when they are ready to start the war. Cannolis by the harbor...

Ok, so all those digressions aside let me also throw out some more thoughts:

-Have you driven a defender, specifically a diesel one? May be worth enjoying the language barrier and test driving one. If you like tractors, they will be right up your alley.

-Were I in Italy I'd go to Spain, and buy a 3 door Disco with either a 200TDi or 300 Tdi (depends on when you are coming back), in LHD, hopefully with A/C, and have a vehicle that you can actually listen to the radio while driving at speed and still have the same 'overlanding' elements of a Defender unless you really, really want a school bus sized truck ala a 130.

So with that swirling around, I'll let the discussion keep moving.
r-
Ray

C'mon Ray! Them NATO boys are trying. Spend 5years with NSHQ. Good time, good guys, some stupidly fun crazy **** in rockbox.

Just for reference, the 110 is smaller than a LR4:

 

[Ray_G]

C'mon Ray! Them NATO boys are trying. Spend 5years with NSHQ. Good time, good guys, some stupidly fun crazy **** in rockbox.

By all means, I have found NATO counterparts to be extremely professional and capable, and as an organization it has a lot of merit-there are things that only really the US can do but it is nice to have an umbrella (and there are some things that really NATO can do better than we can do unilaterally too). I also will forever be fond of the handover since it did give me a weekend with the better half at the 7.5mo mark of that deployment-for me the war could def wait till Mon!
r-
Ray