Hi Guys,

Thought I would share my 1988 defender 90 build that I am currently building at my second home in the UK that I will be bringing over to the US with me when I head back in a couple of months.. I purchased it about half way through the build so sorry no pics from the beginning to share should of taken some however I will update post from time to time with some new pics as I progress.. Im going to convert it to a soft top finished in mohair I think this will be nice at the beach and hot weather due to no A/C ).. The top should be with me this week.. ;-) Cant wait..

Tnx for looking..

Neil

 

Wheel spacers for the new 2012 TD5 wheels and some other bits.. Genuine LR Mud Flaps, LR Side Steps, Puma Hood and full LR checker plate.. Oh and new lights.. lol

 

Looks good.

Be careful doing TOO much stuff with it before importing it. There are lots of defenders getting held up by customs, some even being refused entry completely because they aren't original enough.... things like galvanized frames are a no-no right now for some silly reason.

Do you have drum brakes in the back? I replaced my rear axle with a disco version and have one for the front too, so that I could fit alloy wheels... among other things.

 

Going to keep it fully standard the hood will come off before I ship and I have the original age correct one to replace it with. The original seats have been re trimmed in leather and will be re fitted replacing the bucket seats in the picture actual sold them last week on EBAY but its 100% OE stock age correct other than paint and tires and rims being new and some service items but that is all ok. Chassis, Body and drive train are all original matching numbers to the title ect just steam cleaned the engine and transmission with some degreaser and the guy I got it off painted the chassis leaving Vin numbers accessible and visible..

Stock axels with spacers..

Should be fun cant wait to get it done...

 

Sounds like you should be fine. I don't think paint or interior has caused them to get shipped back yet. It COULD possibly cause a delay as it might "look" newer than 25 years old at first.

Keep the photos coming as you continue to work on it!

 

There was an article in last months LRO magazine about all the trucks that have been stopped and impounded by customs trying to cross the Canadian boarder, I guess they have been really cracking down the last couple of years up there.

 

Shipping - YES they are super strict on shipping these things now and I have done my homework for the first time in my life.. lol

The DOT have actually hired a Land Rover Defender Specialist that the Customs officials liaise with. I managed to track him down and speak to him and he told me every single Defender that comes into the country will be inspected and come across my desk '' I have the final say''.. So I said OK tell me what not to do then.. lol

I will have some more pics today hopefully she is coming along nice..

Tnx for looking..

 

Let us know what they say.

Maybe you can also ask them if there is ANY way to import one that has had the chassis replaced in the UK, like if there is any sort of documentation that would allow them to let it in. It seems silly they let us import a rust bucket, and then ship over a replacement frame, when the same result would be cheaper to have the frame replaced in the UK.

 

great build, I love the project, because it sounds great, that old defender without hood is looking great. thanks for sharing the photos of your project, I love that, can you tell me how much spend on this project?

 

Nice re-build. A shame you have to replace the bonnet before you import it.
That rule about not allowing one with a galvanised chassis seems ridiculous. The way a Defender is built, the chassis is just one component among many, and it's not too difficult to take all the old parts off and build them off the new chassis.
(By the way, those spacers look great and will improve manouverability. But go easy with it as they put a little extra stress on the bearings. You may find you have to adjust/replace the bearings a little more often).