2003 Land Rover DEFENDER 90 TD5 Hard Top

Description

Be ready for the floods with this 2003 Defender 90 TD5 Hard Top. I’m the 3rd owner and the truck has been my ‘labour of love’ since Summer 2015. Despite being kind of attached to it, the time has come to sell due to the arrival of an adventure van in September.

152,000 miles, MOT’d until August 2027, 4 keys. Massive folder full of service invoices from the previous owner and then 11 years worth of invoices and receipts for parts bought by myself – I’ve done pretty much all the work.

Pretty tidy for a 23 year old Land Rover, good bulkhead and tub which are common bodywork rot areas. Lavishly equipped with seats, a steering wheel, windy windows and modern CD/radio with auxiliary cable input. Very clever speed dependent air conditioning system - simply open the bulkhead flaps and then the faster you drive, the more air blows at you. Powered by Rover’s last and arguably finest engine design – the TD5.

Aside from keeping on top of the usual service items and oil changes I’ve done/replaced the following:
- Full rebuild onto a Richard Chassis in 2017. Before building I acid etched and etch primed the chassis, then topcoated it with black fleet poly. Stonechipped and topcoated underneath all major body sections (tub, seatbox, bulkhead etc) in Rutland Red fleet poly, all suspension arms sprayed fleet poly black, also brake calipers and other components such as brackets. Both axles done as well.
- New dual mass flywheel and crankshaft seal
- Polybushed.
- New brake lines all round as part of the rebuild.
- Swivel joints and seals.
- All five alloys refurbished using fleet silver poly – unused Comforser snowflake marked mud tyre on the spare and she’s running on BF Goodrich KO2’s.
- Throttle wiring loom replaced, re-running it through the cab.
- ECU relocated into an electrical box between the seats. Relays and fuses moved to a higher level.
- All transmission breathers extended to the level of…
- The safari style raised air intake.
- Shock absorbers changed to +2” new standard springs (offsides used all round to get rid of the stupid lean), 1” lift blocks added under rear springs and heavy duty galavanised retaining brackets.
- MAF sensor, injector loom, dewebbed and heat treated exhaust manifold + gasket, crankshaft sensor.
- Gates belt and replacement viscous fan.
- Drop arm ball joint with longer lasting polyurethane gaitor = track rod and drop arm link ball joints.
- Old Man EMU steering damper.
- Fuel filter housing.
- Upgraded to leather XS steering wheel.
- Headlight and wiper park switches.
- Rear heated windscreen and seal.
- Both diff pinion seals replaced.
- New propshafts, regularly greased.
- Recent new brake pads and discs all round. Rebuilt all calipers with stainless pistons and replaced a few brake lines as required. Thoroughly cleaned and regreased the wheel bearings to reassemble.
- New brake master cylinder and servo.
- New clutch slave cylinder.
- Recent new towing electrics, 7 pin.
- Recent new A-frame ball joint.
- Recent new exhaust rear section.
- Recent Numax 120AH deep cycle marine battery with dual terminals.
- Just replaced the wiper cable and wheelboxes so now the wipers actually work. Also replaced the dreaded front windscreen seal.
- Recent galvanised mudlfap brackets, etched and sprayed black.

But it’s still the same Land Rover…


Accessories:
- Farmer jack
- False floor sitting over the wheelboxes with lashing hoops, under which the spare wheel and emergency kit lives
- Load mesh/dog mesh
- A-frame with LED converted Cibies (like a rally car)
- Patriot heavy duty roof rack with rear access ladder
- Tumbler switch immobiliser
- Gearstick lock
- Dashboard telephone holder in place of ash tray
- Centre cubby box
- 2 pin Dixon Bate drop plate – much less knocking when towing
- Large blindspot mirrors
- Steering and diff guards
- Various chequer plates
- LED lights
- 12V socket with USB sockets and voltmeter gadget
- High level reversing light
- Snow cowl and raised air intake
- Window rain deflectors
- Hardwired USB cables front and rear

Items for future attention:
- It wouldn’t be a true Land Rover without oil leaks – this attracted a minor at the recent MOT. Engine and transfer box both have leaks, the R380 gearbox is not leaking to my knowledge.
- Both doors are structurally sound but rusting at the bottoms, so ultimately will need some steel cutting out and replacing. It’s a job I’ve never got round to.
- Both seat bases and one seat back have tears, not bad at the moment but eventually will require a re-trim.

Loads of spare parts also included in the sale.

I’d like £15,000 ovno. Located in Dursley, Gloucestershire.
Cheers, Dan.