jbk Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 (edited) Hey all, I'm embarking on my first journey into land rover ownership, very excited but at the same time trying to remain cool enough to make a good buying decision. Two questions rolled into one post, if it gets confusing i'll split into two. 1) I presume a gun slip with a 32" barrelled & 15" stocked gun happily fits the length of the floor of the rear cab? 2) I'm thinking hard top county 90. I don't think i need any larger or extra seats, i see that the county is a little more desirable, I don't want anyone peering in through back windows to see gun slips, I would like to occasionally be able to pull 100mile trips to shooting destinations in not too much pain. My budget is £7.5k-£10k max, can anyone provide any advice on most desirable model, specification etc for this kind of money? Thanks Edited November 16, 2015 by jbk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Here we go..... Landie bashes to the fore and please form an orderly queue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 A 9mm garden gun fits ok. (At an angle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Seriously you need a mate to help you here. I've a few mates with Land Rovers,the prices paid varied dramatically. You can buy identical motors,thousands apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Ha ha!!Yeah I see that, can be a bit of a pitfall with mechanical and corrosion issues I see, plus some hefty punty figures out there with folks trading off the 'land rover stops manufacture of defender' thing!I should be able to source some help to get a decent mechanical and condition appraisal of a motor, I'm more looking for some help and advice as to what would be a sensible buy at that budget in terms of year, model and spec and any help re fair values would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xr1200 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Don't look at the model year look at the condition chassis bulkhead etc try to buy private aswell so you know roughly where it's been, try to avoid ones with loads of owners and never buy one off a farmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 I used to have a gun rack bolted across the bulkhead of my old 90. I'm sure it'll fit if you're planning the other way. Why not bolt a rack to the sides? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Fit a break down cabinet in the back behind the bulkhead. It only takes a minutes to put a shotgun together and then its secure while travelling. Length of the gun doesn't matter then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 I'm a lover of Land Rovers but have to make the following observations based upon experience. From memory only, a 32" gun does not fit straight in the back of a 90". They are not (very) secure. I used to secure my gun with a thick chain fitted to a strong part of the vehicle. There is still a back window in the door to peer through, cover with old blankets, etc.. 100 mile journeys? No problems, in more modern Defenders you can i) get there and back on one tank full and ii) even hear the radio! Good luck with your search, once found, ENJOY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldweld Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Buy the best 300tdi you can rather than a ratty td5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk Posted November 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Thanks for all the advice folks, sounds like this is going to be an interesting motoring experience!! First viewing tomorrow 300tdi rather than td5 seems to come up a bit, why is this the case, what;s wrong with td5 in comparison to 300tdi?I also heard that the 'Puma' ford engine is a no no due to electrics, any merit to this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Both engines are very good. Personally I prefer the td5, it has no cambelt to worry about and is more tunable. Bear in mind the need for a timing belt change on a 300 tdi 70000miles or so, if you view one and if you look at a td5, try to make sure it's been looked after, ie regular oil changes etc. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xr1200 Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 300 tdi is more torquey and simpler to maintain less electrickery hold their money a lot better too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 90 Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 What ever model you buy get the best security you can - Defenders are the most stolen vehicle in the uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Finding a good, unmolested 300tdi is very hard. I looked everyday for over 7 months before I shelled out 7k for mine and had to drive it back from the other end of the country (then I went and had everything you could do to tune the performance done properly). Whilst the newest TD5's are very quiet and more fully featured, they all leak water into a puddle by your feet and are draughty, although the noise issue can be dealt with (mine's pretty quiet). Will a shotgun fit? Yes, at an angle, security is always a concern as the locks will yield to a heavy handed screwdriver, just take the useful bits away with you if you're leaving the vehicle unattended - or fit a safe or locking point. Rifles are a different beast and in my county I used to slot one either side behind the rear seats, I don't think that's possible with newer models. But, they're infinitely adaptable so nothing to stop you fashioning something to suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 One adaption I have seen is another floor fitted across between the raised sides in the back of the Defender. Coverered with rubber checkerplate so non slip for the dogs. A gun drawer was then ftted underneath this which wasn't obvious until the back tailgate was down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Building something like this would be great. As it is fairly expensive... http://www.masai4x4.com/defender/sporting-box-rear-storage-drawers-defender/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Hmm, great spot Dannyboy, I'll look into them. On a separate note i just watched a 5th gear review on the defender, quoting Vicki Butler-Henderson; 'the land rover is largely rust proof'!! ha ha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 (edited) Hmm, great spot Dannyboy, I'll look into them. On a separate note i just watched a 5th gear review on the defender, quoting Vicki Butler-Henderson; 'the land rover is largely rust proof'!! ha ha! Only if you spend another £400-500 having it dinitrolled or other good rust proofing treatment. Or DIY it yourself with a rust proofing kit a lot cheaper. Well worth doing. Mines a 300tdi. I like it because the engine management system is holding the steering wheel Edited November 19, 2015 by loriusgarrulus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 1986 ex military, straight blown, 2500cc, 90. No rust and goes like a bomb. Just be carefull what you buy and then service the beast regularly. You can fit anything you want for security. Easy to work on. Can keep up with most HGV's too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 I'm a lover of Land Rovers but have to make the following observations based upon experience. From memory only, a 32" gun does not fit straight in the back of a 90". They are not (very) secure. I used to secure my gun with a thick chain fitted to a strong part of the vehicle. There is still a back window in the door to peer through, cover with old blankets, etc.. 100 mile journeys? No problems, in more modern Defenders you can i) get there and back on one tank full and ii) even hear the radio! Good luck with your search, once found, ENJOY! Correct sir! I have an N reg 90 and in its slip, my 30" has to go slightly diagonally between the wheel boxes. One adaption I have seen is another floor fitted across between the raised sides in the back of the Defender. Coverered with rubber checkerplate so non slip for the dogs. A gun drawer was then ftted underneath this which wasn't obvious until the back tailgate was down. I did the same but with a very thick sheet of ply, works a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Only if you spend another £400-500 having it dinitrolled or other good rust proofing treatment. Or DIY it yourself with a rust proofing kit a lot cheaper. Well worth doing. Mines a 300tdi. I like it because the engine management system is holding the steering wheel TD5s have a reputation for pulling oil into the ECU via capillary action. I'm with you on the 300tdi, best all round bus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPARKIE Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 1986 ex military, straight blown, 2500cc, 90. No rust and goes like a bomb. Just be carefull what you buy and then service the beast regularly. You can fit anything you want for security. Easy to work on. Can keep up with most HGV's too... Apparently grandalf was 25 when he set of for this years pw rifle shoot in his. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Apparently grandalf was 25 when he set of for this years pw rifle shoot in his. Lol Mine will happily travel at 50-60 mph all day long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Apparently grandalf was 25 when he set of for this years pw rifle shoot in his. Lol Yep, and I hope to be back home before Christmas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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