The New Purchase...89 Defender 110

[tait]

Bit the bullet, after years of dreaming, and finally bought my first Defender. To all who visit this forum, you'll be familiar with Unimog Fever's 110 (aka 'the Armored One'). Well, i was the one crazy enough to actually purchase the whole rig, and actually contemplate getting her road-worthy.
I was working with what info i could gleam through the PO (thanks Andy, for all the email help!), but being a few hundred kms from the truck, i ended up buying it 'sight unseen'...well, i had a few "strategically taken" photos to go along with. Almost threw my back out trying to open the doors; man, that glass/armor is heavy! Throttle/choke cable was disabled, and placed where the hood release should be. Strange. No hood release from inside the vehicle now. Oh well. Step on the brakes, and the headlights come on...strange. Left turn signal turns the hazards on. Hmmm. Wiper switch turns the light above the licence plate on. Interesting...!? Do i sense a full electrical overhaul in order? Found loads of greyish powder in the doors, b-pillar, and seat boxes (is that what they're called?). Hmmm, would that be rotting aluminum??? Oh boy. I hope my marriage can stay intact through this project. :?

Here it is...on it's way home!

[Arcades]

Awesome! I'm glad that someone is going to try to breathe some life back into the old girl. Good luck with the overhaul. I look forward to hearing stories from your journey.

[red90]

The electrical problem will be a simple ground problem. One circuit is not grounded and feeding power back through the other circuits.

[tait]

Awesome! I'm glad that someone is going to try to breathe some life back into the old girl. Good luck with the overhaul. I look forward to hearing stories from your journey.

Trying is a great word...so optimistic! :D
Amazing how many people have told me I'm in over my head, and that the truck is really not worth it. Sigh. But i am crazy enough to even contemplate it though.
It's still at the mechanics right now, getting the compression issue with the engine sorted. Then i'll figure out what it'll need for safety to register it here in BC.
THEN....i'll worry about the pretty stuff. If it's worth it, that is. :D

[tait]

The electrical problem will be a simple ground problem. One circuit is not grounded and feeding power back through the other circuits.

whew. the only good news i've heard yet...i hope you're right! Thanks for the tip!

[TOLON]

It's not as much of a basket case as my Series IIA was when I started!

Let me know if you need an extra set of hands or just another person to stand back, and stare at the truck (while waiting for the solution to magically appear!)

[tait]

It's not as much of a basket case as my Series IIA was when I started!

Let me know if you need an extra set of hands or just another person to stand back, and stare at the truck (while waiting for the solution to magically appear!)

Haha! Thanks Terry...I can safely say that many beers shall soon be flowing! ALL input is welcome, and a helping hand is a definite bonus! I'll be in touch soon enough...

[LandyAndy]

It's not as much of a basket case as my Series IIA was when I started!

Let me know if you need an extra set of hands or just another person to stand back, and stare at the truck (while waiting for the solution to magically appear!)

Terry, you can come do what with my 90 if you want....

[TOLON]

Sure! just remember, I can't offer many solutions...just lots of staring! LOL!

[tait]

Sure! just remember, I can't offer many solutions...just lots of staring! LOL!

I sense a Monty Python moment coming on... :lol:

[LandyAndy]

Sure! just remember, I can't offer many solutions...just lots of staring! LOL!

I sense a Monty Python moment coming on... :lol:

Always look on the bright side of life..... :D

[Arcades]

Always look on the bright side of life..... :D[/quote]

Wish I could figure out how to post a sound bit of the whistle lol...

[ANDYD]

Congrats on your purchase, it will be a love-hate relationship but give it a few years she will be part of your family!

Keep a note of the Registration number, the number always stays with the vehicke in the UK so it had that number since being built.
Maybe be able to trace the history of the vehicles past life! (if you dont already have it).

Here is one of the same age that is a little more shiny, (the "F" on the plate signifies it was built between 1988-1989).

[tait]

Thanks for the well-wishes...and the humour! Whistling to myself all morning now!
Hopefully hear back from the mechanics today on an initial assesment...and i'll post a few more pics tonight after i put my daughter to bed! Yay quiet time!!!

[skeena river rover]

RESPECT! That is lot of project! Keep us posted with lots of pics!

[Crs]

Great to hear you're going to keep her alive. I was sad to hear she might have been parted out.

It sounds like the perfect urban runabout down here in the Lower Mainland. It'd be just perfect in the Whalley neighbourhood of Surrey. :wink:

[red90]

LOL.... It has already changed hands... The most sold 110 in the world..

[LandyAndy]

Prob the best thing is for it to be parted out, or at least rebodied as a 110 crew cab.... it'd make a decent truck then :)

[HeadDamage]

An ex brit army guy is the new owner in Alberta and will be fixing it up.

[tait]

An ex brit army guy is the new owner in Alberta and will be fixing it up.

That's true...i got in over the deep end there, and Johno has WAY more time/resources than i'll have. The Stage 1 i am now in possession of will suit me to a tee, and i'll be on the road sooner rather than later. Thanks to ALL who have helped with that!