110, how bad really?

[35xj]

My current fleet…
300 tdi 110. (2 of em)
ls3 powered 130
NAS 90
300 tdi disco 1
v8 disco 1
dodge powerwagn

the disco is my favorite car I’ve ever owned, and there’s been a lot😄
A 300 tdi 110 is an awesome truck! I drove my 130 on a 5000 mile road trip from NC, down through mainland mexico, over to Baja and up to Sacramento CA. We lost 5th and reverse in the middle of Baja, so that made SAC a LOOONG drive
swapped the ls3 into it in 4 days and drove it back to NC

A South African 110 should have the galvy frame, and be pretty rust free. They are awesome cars, you’ll end up having conversations everywhere you stop!

They really are just cars, they seem to have this aura of devastating maintenance requirements, hard to find parts, constant breakdowns, electrical gremlins and general problems. That’s not been my experience in owning a dozen or so defenders.
Do all the basic maintenance, swap all the fluids and drive it! Research turning up the fuel a bit to start, especially at higher altitudes, look at the vnt turbos, look at getting decent seats(happy wife, happy lif)

 

[Roam.Wild]

Have you heard of the Grenadier? Much of the charm of a Defender, easily optioned triple locked, high capacity (dual batteries) electrical system, heavier duty driveline components, high load capacity, cabin that seals well, much safer than an Old Defender could hope to be, all with a warranty and your wife will be MUCH HAPPIER to accompany you..

There is a case to be made..

Much out of the budget, I can import a 110 and then OM606 or LS swap it for about $50,000 less then a Grenadier, they are super awesome though!

 

[LRNAD90]

Much out of the budget, I can import a 110 and then OM606 or LS swap it for about $50,000 less then a Grenadier, they are super awesome though!

$50K less? Hmmm, not sure what the quality of the 110 you can get AND engine swap it for $30-$40K, even if you are doing all the work. Not to mention how long till that project is completed.

And that is assuming the cost of a NEW Grenadier, second hand examples can be had for a price point that would leave you at $15-20K for your Defender and engine swap (after subtracting the $50K differential you speak of)..

And you will never be able to make it as comfortable or as safe as a Grenadier..

One such recently sold example, triple locked, with a factory winch no less!

I'm a Defender owner, been around them for nearly 30 years now. I understand the appeal, but not the logic..

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

From a fellow older truck driver, you do your part and they will do theirs for the most part. For example I am prepping my '85 for a trip to Kansas right now and among other things doing its annual wheel bearing repacking. When I am done I know all is well.

We just got back from South Dakota with my 2016 F-150... and a growling sealed unit front wheel bearing.

So yeah, more maintenance on the front end but IMO you can have a better feel of what you have before you leave.

And if you have a problem on the road things are much easier to deal with between old vs new... provided you have or can get parts.

But with me where I am and with what I have... I can slip into any parts store and generally get anything I need. I kind of tailored my build to that. Here in the midwest a older Rover or a Cruiser (newer wouldn't be much better) will have about the same parts support as a T-65A X-Wing.

A LS swapped something would be better, you can get mission kill parts anywhere. An alternator dying in the middle of nowhere is different than a turn signal switch.

I would love to get one for a cruiser to take to car shows and whatnot... for actual operations far from home I don't know. Then I get to thinking why paint myself in the corner with something that obscure and I outta just get a old Bronco/Blazer/Wagoneer etc to play with that I could take farther from home. Then I realize I basically already have one and the mood passes... until the next time I see a old Rover/Cruiser.

I am not knocking them at all, just they are very uncommon around me.

Ineos is worse lol, I get to pick between Denver, Minneapolis, Fort Worth or Chicago for the "nearest" dealer.

Everybody's circumstances are different but that is how I have approached the subject of old trucks and old imported trucks.

 

[Roam.Wild]

$50K less? Hmmm, not sure what the quality of the 110 you can get AND engine swap it for $30-$40K, even if you are doing all the work. Not to mention how long till that project is completed.

And that is assuming the cost of a NEW Grenadier, second hand examples can be had for a price point that would leave you at $15-20K for your Defender and engine swap (after subtracting the $50K differential you speak of)..

And you will never be able to make it as comfortable or as safe as a Grenadier..

One such recently sold example, triple locked, with a factory winch no less!

I'm a Defender owner, been around them for nearly 30 years now. I understand the appeal, but not the logic..

I was basing off new prices of around $90k USD. I think I can have a decent 110 imported for around $20k USD or so from my digging. OM606 swap about another $20k or so. All self done, after all I am looking for a project car, I already have a garage full of newer, more capable rigs. But the used Grenadier prices sure are appealing!

As a life long sports car and 4x4 collector and enthusiast, there's not a lot of logic built into this hobby lol.

 

[DieselRanger]

I live in Colorado and own a modern (2017) Land Rover Discovery. I have driven lovely analog vehicles off road and I would take my modern, air-suspended, computer-managed all-terrain-response-driven, thickly be-hided interior with automatic climate control, and panoramic sunroofed Disco over any classic for anything other than a short club rally on a few miles of curated trail followed by beers and BBQ. So would my family.

What, ultimately, do you really want? Do you want to experience all that Colorado and the Rocky Mountains have to offer the person willing to work a little in terms of the journey to experience its stunning outdoor beauty? Do you want the challenge of doing it in a fully analog, mechanical vehicle? Are you doing it for the Socials, using a classic vehicle and all its faults and foibles as a classic, in addition to any of its design idiosyncrasies and inherent issues, as the vehicle to carry your following?

Your answers will guide you.

 

[RoverFan]

I am a diehard Land Rover fan. I grew up in my dad's Euro car shops, and he hated anything British (LR included). My second favorite RR is the P38 and I have had 21 LRs at one point. Take that for what you will.

So, with that said, I can say it all depends on the Defender you pick. Much like any car, if you pick a well sorted one it will be fine. If you pick a neglected one, you'll spend all your time and more money than the difference between sorted and neglected examples fixing it.

If you want to take every last mechanical part apart, rebuild it to new, and reassemble for a new-old truck, have at it. I find the Range Rover Classic and, to a lesser extent, the Discovery 1/2 (I MUCH prefer 2 to 1), have most of the Defender charm and capability, but are cheaper. Unless you need a diesel for range, the RV8 is a better companion to live with on US highways.

DieselRanger also brings up a good point, the Discovery 5 and New Defender are excellent to drive on and off road. Though, the Discovery 5 has a body only a mother could love. It's predecessor, the LR4, is at least as capable, very comfortable, the last of the true boxy LR form, and can be had with a V8. With your budget, you could have the best LR4 money can buy.

But, I digress. If you want a Defender nothing else will do. Pick a good one and you'll be happy in the rattle trap.

Pics for propaganda purposes. (both of these Land Rovers were originally from Denver, Colorado, funny enough)

 

[Roam.Wild]

I am a diehard Land Rover fan. I grew up in my dad's Euro car shops, and he hated anything British (LR included). My second favorite RR is the P38 and I have had 21 LRs at one point. Take that for what you will.

So, with that said, I can say it all depends on the Defender you pick. Much like any car, if you pick a well sorted one it will be fine. If you pick a neglected one, you'll spend all your time and more money than the difference between sorted and neglected examples fixing it.

If you want to take every last mechanical part apart, rebuild it to new, and reassemble for a new-old truck, have at it. I find the Range Rover Classic and, to a lesser extent, the Discovery 1/2 (I MUCH prefer 2 to 1), have most of the Defender charm and capability, but are cheaper. Unless you need a diesel for range, the RV8 is a better companion to live with on US highways.

DieselRanger also brings up a good point, the Discovery 5 and New Defender are excellent to drive on and off road. Though, the Discovery 5 has a body only a mother could love. It's predecessor, the LR4, is at least as capable, very comfortable, the last of the true boxy LR form, and can be had with a V8. With your budget, you could have the best LR4 money can buy.

But, I digress. If you want a Defender nothing else will do. Pick a good one and you'll be happy in the rattle trap.

Pics for propaganda purposes. (both of these Land Rovers were originally from Denver, Colorado, funny enough)

I love a RRC, I have bene watching a few for sale posts online. If the wife ever wants a SUV of her own that's what she's getting.

I love the DISCOs, we have a friend here with both a 1 and 2. Beautiful rigs, but like you said, alas, I am after a Defender! It's going to be a passion project / vehicle after all so not worried about rebuilding things, I've done quite a lot of that with all of my past vehicles.


Still on the hunt though, CO winter is rough so most likely will wait until spring to bring one over. Lots of great ones on the South African facebook groups I have been keeping an eye on!

Still debating between 300TDi and the TD5 though if anyone has any input on that subject.

 

[rgallant]

@Roam.Wild Not a defender, but lots of folks hate the D2 as unreliable and breaks down constantly. A young fellow here in BC (Vancouver) drove to West Virginia and back in his 03 Discovery. His only failure was a clogged A/C line, 10 minute fix.
I drove my D2 for 10 years, the last 4 as my only vehicle, rust under the inner fender got it.
Take your time and buy a well sorted one and you will be fine, barring Mr Murphy of course.