Best year Defender

[all4fun]

I am looking at buying a 110 defender will be setting it up with 3" spring lift and running 33" BFG's my budget to buy a base vehicle is low 20"s is there a year model any better than others that I should be looking for.

[Mark2]

I wouldnt rule out an ealier 110 eg 85 - 89. These have a 'County' sticker rather than a 'Defender' sticker on the doors.
They are better than later Tdi models in lots of ways eg thicker alloy panels, stronger front CV's, stronger rear hubs, oil lubed wheel bearings, strong gearboxes, more galvanised steel body parts. Same model as what the military 110's are based on.

However, the majority dont have opening vent panels (fairly straight forward to convert) and have crap a/c systems. Also rear drums but these work well enough. Brakes can easily be upgraded however.

Choice of a V8 or an Isuzu diesel, can turbo the Isuzu or bolt in an injected V8 from any later rover.

Also much cheaper to buy up front - range from 2k - 10k yet look the same as any year 'Defender' with a lot more performance potential.

[all4fun]

Thanks for the info on the county I will have to keep my eye's open for one.

[chimpboy]

Yeah I like the Counties too, great value for money compared to a Defender imho, especially if you are doing some mods anyway.

[ISUZUROVER]

I wouldnt rule out an ealier 110 eg 85 - 89. These have a 'County' sticker rather than a 'Defender' sticker on the doors.
They are better than later Tdi models in lots of ways eg thicker alloy panels, stronger front CV's, stronger rear hubs, oil lubed wheel bearings, strong gearboxes, more galvanised steel body parts.


...Same model as what the military 110's are based on.

...crap a/c systems.

Choice of a V8 or an Isuzu diesel, can turbo the Isuzu or bolt in an injected V8 from any later rover.

I agree. Except that:
the first ones were '84 model in OZ ('83 in the UK)
the Perentie is very different to the county - though the perentie does have an ISUZU 4BD1 and an LT95 gearbox
I know a couple of people with properly working AC systems, and they claim it is better than the later defender system.

But minor (pedantic) points aside - what Mark said is true - counties are better and stronger than defenders, in just about every aspect. Only downside is that most these days have tatty interiors and need a bit of TLC, and many also have minor (or even major) rust - so need to check chassis, firewall, and door frames thoroughly.

a4f - are you looking for a ute or a wagon? The utes made during that time are called 120s - they had an extra 10" added to the chassis so they could take a full size tray. I have a mate in Brisbane who will be selling one soon if interested.

Also - the name "county" was just a trim specification (i.e. carpets, rear washer/demister, etc), the model name was "one-ten". In 1990 they changed the model name to "Defender 110". In Europe and elsewhere you can get a Defender "county" - but in OZ we had a simplified model lineup - ALL Wagons sold from 1984-1989 were county spec, and ALL Defenders sold from 1992 to now were an in-between spec (somewhere between a base UK model and a county).

[all4fun]

I am looking for a wagon, currently looking at the one for sale on the forum in darwin. I think the diesel would be real hard to find the one in Darwin is a V8 on dual fuel, any thoughts?.

[Loanrangie]

I am looking for a wagon, currently looking at the one for sale on the forum in darwin. I think the diesel would be real hard to find the one in Darwin is a V8 on dual fuel, any thoughts?.

Had a look at that one, its a nice looking rig with all the stuff you would want to add, could do a lot worse.

[chimpboy]

I've never seen a diesel county for sale when I've looked, which I've done a few times. I guess if you had one you wouldn't sell it in a hurry.

[ISUZUROVER]

I am looking for a wagon, currently looking at the one for sale on the forum in darwin. I think the diesel would be real hard to find the one in Darwin is a V8 on dual fuel, any thoughts?.

I have seen at least 3 diesels that got sold in the last few months. A mate just bought one - that is why he is selling the 120.

I was told by one guy that only 700 5-speed diesel countys were sold in OZ (Between 1986 and 1989), but I am not sure of those numbers. I do know that between 1985 and 1989, the new price of a 110 county went from $22k to $44k, thanks to a strong pound and a weak pacific peso. Not surprisingly, this didn't help sales - so the defender wasn't brought here right away - the last countys were built in 1989 (all countys were built in OZ from CKD kits shipped from the UK), and the first defenders did not get here until 1992.

[sclarke7171]

Go a 300Tdi Fender, 94 onwards
Strong 5 speed, Better Transfer case, Good Fuel Economy, Cheap to buy, Common, more refined than a County, No carpets, AC that works, a Dash you can use.
Petrol is nice, but not as handy in the bush as Diesel.
300's are easy to Tweek for more power.

My 30c

[modman]

i quite like the 2000(aprox) td5 defender. they sell for 20k.
you get td5 without traction control and abs wich suits me fine.
still got sals rear. i'm sick and tired of fixing stuff on the fender thats worn out or broke from old age.
some people bag the td5, i don't mind it. plenty of easy mods for more power eg fmic, chips and zorst.
my purpose is for a tourer with some weekend fun
sure i would love an intercooled isuzu, with strong 5 speed but the chassis, body, trim and running gear that come with that age just make me angry then depressed when i have to fix it. ( which seems constantly at the moment )
(yes i know i need a tissue for my issue )
david.

[jsttry]

Had a look at that one, its a nice looking rig with all the stuff you would want to add, could do a lot worse.

Still up for sale and open to offers if you want another toy