1991 Land Rover Defender 90 (Truck)

DESCRIPTION This is my 1991 Land Rover Defender 90 200 Tdi factory pickup. I purchased it from the original owner in 2016 and I have thoroughly enjoyed spending 3 years with the team rebuilding it and a further year tinkering to get it just right. To be clear, this is not a garage build, it is a successful project by the Northeast’s top pros to “get it right” and provide a vehicle capable of safe highway speeds built for the next generation of enthusiasts. I have been a member of Defender Source and a customer of Rovers North since the 80’s and am enthusiastic about all things Defender but other projects are calling me and I’m very sad to write that she has to go. The restoration starting point was an excellent example of an original well cared for factory pickup. We have attempted to get the balance right between cost and best quality. The team produced a Defender with the authenticity of how it left the factory. Although this is a civilian truck, we fitted new Michelin ZXL tyres used on military spec vehicles across the globe. We started from a complete vehicle so as much as possible is original. I’ve always purchased Land Rover Genuine Parts. THE TEAM: Matt Brown, Overland Engineering, ME Dawson Sanner, Classic 4x4, CT Carlos Rivera, British 4X4, NY Chris TATC ,VM Eric and Zach, Rovers North, VM Jeff Werner, Owner, NY THE HISTORY I purchased the Defender through Trans-Atlantic Trading Corp (TATC) in Vermont who sourced this example from a gentleman in The UK who purchased it new at the age of 65 upon his retirement from his career as an engineer. He kept it maintained and complete service records stamped in the original service manual and owners manual are included as well as MOT until sold to me when he reached age 90! Below I have tried to break down each area to give you a feel of what it has taken to get it to it’s current state. I am sure I have forgotten a few things but I have an organized file of receipts all of the way through which I am happy to share. SUMMARY • MOT, fully-serviced • Rust free bulkhead, front panel, and chassis • Fully rebuilt 200 Tdi original to the vehicle • Fully rebuilt gearbox and clutch •Original Paint • Rovers North Stainless Steel complete exhaust system • OEM nitrogen filled shocks, Michelin ZXL 7.50 R16 tyres (including spare). • OEM steering box CHASSIS/BULKHEADS/BODY/PAINT • Chassis: original, flawless, waxoyl 2019 • Bulkhead: original, flawless. • Body: all original body panels no body work done ever and usual finish for a vintage truck. •Doors: rare grip handle full doors original to truck, close properly, lock with original key on both sides, still makes a nice pop sound when opened. •Paint: original, hand waxed by me, no use of compound and no other machine or professional buffing done. ENGINE/COOLING/FUEL •200 Tdi Original to the vehicle • Engine has had a full professional rebuild including: • Cylinder head rebuild including core plugs, inserts, valves • Pressure tested lower block, re-facing of cylinder block back, honing of bores for new pistons and rings, new bearings throughout. • Everything has been inspected and kept/restored if possible, but much has been replaced - which I have tried to list below: • All new water pump, thermostat, Fanbelt, timing chain, hoses, core plugs, oil pump, fuel pump, Radiator ,professional tuned, oil filter and Battery. • all new gaskets, refitted with new engine rubber mounts and a new full exhaust system (with new mounts). • Replacement fuel tank fitted with new pickup gauze and in-line filter, not the standard replacement rubbish that are badly made and do not fit. CLUTCH/BRAKES • New copper and flexible rubber pipes fitted throughout, new master and slave cylinders fitted for brakes and clutch. • New OEM clutch friction plate fitted with new flywheel spigot bush. • Front/rear brakes and handbrake overhauled and springs throughout. TRANSMISSION • The gearbox and transfer box is as standard and have both been fully rebuilt with new bearings throughout using genuine replacements and as with the engine all items were inspected and restored or replaced as required. We now have a fully functioning gearbox as quiet as a Land Rover gearbox, oils have been replaced after initial running and is a joy to crash through. • New speedo cable fitted. • New front and rear propshafts fitted • Differentials removed checked and refitted with new gaskets and oil. • Front and rear axles completely stripped and restored with all new wheel bearings, seals etc. STEERING • New OEM steering box. SUSPENSION/WHEELS/TYRES •OEM standard duty springs fitted with OEM nitrogen filled shocks with new bushes and gaitors to allow for increased height/spring rate/articulation of shocks factory black color. • wheel rims are fitted and powder coated new Michelin ZXL 7.50 R16 tyres The large circumference not only improves stance but increases gearing/MPG of land rover. The calibration of speedo 100% accurate reading. • ZXL spare fitted on bonnet with required fixings. ELECTRICS/WASH-WIPE • New halogen headlamps • Indicator switch rebuilt with new self-cancelling rubber wheel and loom. BODYWORK ETC. • All bodywork is original to the truck • All rubber bodywork parts were removed and replaced with OEM parts including bed liner, and fender arches. •Bodywork pretty straight but mostly used so not perfect as I have tried to keep everything original. • New bonnet rest strip, door seals, vent seals, b/head-w/screen & w/screen/roof seal, all rubber seals for truck cab watertight • NOS genuine rear mudflaps fitted which give it that required look • radio has been fitted for a year so already gone through and has worked faultlessly. INTERIOR • Original standard vinyl seats with tears • Cubby box delete in favor of a 3rd center seat. • Sound proofing has been fitted through out seating box and both doors which made a huge difference to the internal noise. • Original steering wheel, perfect condition. POINTS TO CONSIDER •Some owners would like a shinny new exterior as opposed to the authentic original paint work that shows the trucks life as lived so far. I have resisted the urge to paint as I am told collectors, enthusiasts and fashionistas would enjoy the “patina” as they say. •The current trend is for owners to put leather seats or even Recaro seats in their Defenders and even use Momo or Nardi steering wheels. I believe this should be reserved for luxury and sports cars and not a purpose built truck. For this reason, and because so many team members have been in and out of the truck, I kept the original seats and have not replaced with Exmoor Trim seat material replacement. This is a $600 job and I would be happy to credit anyone this amount towards whatever they choose to do or even install the proper seat material for them prior to collecting the vehicle. I have tried to be as open as possible and believe I have a near perfect example of a first year Defender 90 200Tdi Pickup which are becoming increasingly hard to find, you will get a classic vehicle which wants to be used as much as possible and is a joy to drive. My family is not pleased she is being sold! I am happy to allow viewings whenever and would recommend a test drive to really get a feel for the truck. I am told the overall build has many advantages over the NAS 90 (the USA version V8 that is commanding near $100K) as far as ride, fuel efficiency and range as well as reliability for overlanding.