New Owner/Member

[John Roach]

Hello to All,

After two years of running a 300Tdi Defender I've realised the error of my ways and acquired a Stage 1. Its my 6th Series, but 1st V8. I'm very keen!!!

Here's some pics of it as I bought it...http://s455.photobucket.com/albums/qq27 ... %20bought/

...and some more, having fitted new wheels and tyres (originally bought to go on the Defender)...http://s455.photobucket.com/albums/qq27 ... %20091208/

Summary of spec:
Marslands galvanised chassis
Andrew Morris galvanised bulkhead, s/s petrol tank and I believe, the seatbox floors and grille!
Original 3.5 V8 with Weber carb
CPC parabolics with ES3000 shocks
5x BFG A/T's on black modulars
Rocky Mountain door tops
Exmoor Trim replacement seats
Lots of s/s nuts and bolts...and a little chequer plate!

Vehicle will be my daily drive. Intend to add LPG, full soft top, disc brakes, rear seats, cubby box asap. Watch this space.

Regards,

John

[sebking]

welcome!

Looks like fun - did it come from ebay?

didn't meet reserve there.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0286082610

[John Roach]

Thanks,

Yes, had first spotted it for sale in the spring, firstly I think, on ebay, then in LRM June & July. Was surprised to see it on ebay again and took the plunge. Ended up paying the full £3k as couldn't sort funds straight away and had to fend off some overseas interest. Just need to sell Defender now so can buy some Christmas presents!

Regards,

John

[Bumpkin]

John
Judging by the spec you have the ultimate everlasting Stage 1 there. There are no Stage 1 galvy chassis left now. As for the galvy bulkhead, i plan to do that at some stage. Fortunatly i also already have a galvy chassis. I have also have paras to fit. Just dont get the time!
Tel

[redtailhawk]

nice truck cab couldn,t remember where i had seen it before until i read other posts
Darren

[Mik]

Hi John

"had to fend off some overseas interest" - that was me - I actually won the auction, just didn't make the reserve he set.

But congratulations - I think you made a bargain

Regards
Michael

[John Roach]

Thanks Guys,

Do feel quite lucky. Was aware galvanised chassis no longer available...a great shame. I guess this might help spares availability a little. Every cloud, eh!

Mik, bad luck! Might have felt slightly for you if you hadn't already got such a nice truck!

Having done several hundred miles now, on and off road, I have to say the parabolic springs are a revelation: this is my fourth 109", but first with parabolics. Ride feels as good as the Defender...if only same could be said for steering, brakes and heating!

Regards,

John

[John Roach]

An update...
Sold the Defender in January making the Stage 1 my daily drive, and freeing up some cash Since then I reckon I've done just over 8000 miles (speedo shows 6680 but sat nav suggests 123 for every 100), including a recent camping trip to Mull (1500miles) and barring a puncture and a minor behind dashboard smoking issue (previous owner!) has never let me down. However, here's a list of work I've had to do, on top of routine maintenance...
replace head gasket
purchase another Stage 1 for spares (ebay £205 advertised as a Defender...thanks for pointer Seb)
swap radiator
fit new water pump
fit new thermostat
fit new temp sender
replace temp gauge
swap radiator again!
swap alternator
fit new speedo cable
replace some dodgy wiring (see above)
Still to do...
attend to front axle...horrible noise on full lock and rapid, uneven tyre wear
swap engine...massive oil consumption
sort front brakes...leaking cylinders
rewire Kenlowes/headlights/spots
sort speedo
And to make it all worth while here's a list of the modifications I've done...
replaced truck cab with full soft top (All Wheel Trim)
mounted spare on bonnet (genuine Defender one)
fitted seat belt hoop/bar thing for front seats (genuine Land Rover)
replaced middle front seat with cubby box (Mobile Storage Systems...previously in my Defender)
fitted a pair of two seater benches in back along with four lap belts (Exmoor Trim...again removed from Defender)
removed exterior chequer plate from doors/wing sides/bumper, but rivet counters settle down...you ain't seen what I've done in the back yet!
installed RPI supplied lpg system/Mallory distributor/Magnecor leads/NGK plugs/A&R power amp/Lucas coil & ballast resistor (brilliant!) then drove up to RPI to have certificated
replaced door tops (Rocky Mountain)
and my favourite...fitted a bottle opener (Rocky Mountain)
in the back I've boxed the lpg tank in using chequer plate creating a lockable chest, fabricated a removable top for the rest of the load area and a removable table to fit between the inward facing rear seats.
Hope to soon add disc brakes, second battery with split charge and some music.
Here's some pics...
http://s455.photobucket.com/albums/qq27 ... e1/160709/
http://s455.photobucket.com/albums/qq27 ... nd%202009/
http://s455.photobucket.com/albums/qq27 ... age1/Work/
Regards
John

[sebking]

and looking good.

Next trip for us is 200 miles with full camping gear and pulling a boat!

[landdani]

Thanks Guys,


Having done several hundred miles now, on and off road...
John

Hi, and welcome.
It seemes that you did not west any time, did you?

[John Roach]

Hi Guys,

According to my delightful "better half" every minute I spend working on Land Rovers is a waste of time! Seb, where you headed...sounds like the Lakes? Enjoy!

Regards,

John

[sebking]

Pembrokeshire - sailing and camping.

Going to be a long drive as the roads seem to run out when you get to Wales!