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Author Topic: Land Rover Defender 110  (Read 36122 times)

tim wolcott

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Land Rover Defender 110
« on: January 01, 2015, 10:13:07 pm »

With all the smart people on this site.  Does anyone know the real reason why we in America can't get a newer Defender 110 here in the states.  Is there a way to get one imported.  Someone here must know.  I have been told some stories want to know if we can get one.  I need one and want one.  Thanks Tim
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David Anderson

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2015, 10:42:16 pm »

Tim, the reason you can't get them in the US is because they're rubbish and everyone that buys a lemon one would take Landrover to court and they would go broke on lawyers.. ;)

Worst car I ever owned by a massive margin - very unreliable and very poorly built.

That said, they do look good.. ;)
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tim wolcott

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2015, 10:48:42 pm »

How about the guys who are taking the old ones totally redoing them from the frame up.  Everything is new on them.  I know that east coast rover and west coast rover does them that way.  They sure do look good.  But hard to imagine that they are junk from the factory.  Thanks
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Colorado David

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2015, 10:55:13 pm »

The Defender 110 is a wonderful vehicle and is plagued by the ghost of Lucas electrical that haven't been used for years.  I drive a Discovery II and it is a very dependable vehicle.  Any part that had been Lucas is Bosch now.  The reason you can't buy a new 110 in North America is that Land Rover chose not to meet the North American specs for side impact, etc.  You can legally import a 25 year old vehicle.  A lot of North American Land Rover people will import a 25 yr old exMOD vehicle (ex Ministry of Defense) as they are low mile, well maintained for the most part.  The Defender is like an erector set and was designed to be maintained in the field so you can take them apart and put them back together with simple tools.  A right-hand drive exMod can easily be converted to left-hand drive for North America.

Colorado David

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2015, 11:01:24 pm »

As regards frame up restoration; you can buy brand new galvanized frames for virtually any Land Rover through Rovers North, Atlantic British, or British Pacific (which is now part of the Atlantic British company.)  You can also buy almost any part you might need for a restoration through those companies.

I know all the Lucas jokes, The British drink warm beer because Lucas also made refrigerators. God said, "Let there be light" and Lucas said, "Not if I can help it."  A three-position switch made by Lucas is Off, Dim, and Flicker.

Colorado David

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2015, 11:08:53 pm »

If you find it is too hard to get the 110, you might consider the Mercedes Geländewagen.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_G-Class
They are very expensive new, but there are some used ones that are starting to get into a reasonable price range now.  They are the German equivalent of the Defender.  The Toyota 70 Series Land Cruisers are also good, but also do not conform to North American Spec and are illegal to import.

Tony Jay

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2015, 12:12:14 am »

I wish I could get all teary-eyed about Landrover Defenders but I can't.
In Australia they are freely available but I would not accept a give-away.
There are much better options for solid axle 4X4 vehicles that are more mechanically reliable, much more comfortable, and for what they offer much cheaper.
Can't completely list options for North America but either a Landcrusier 70 series or a Nissan Patrol (not the most recent Petrol versions though as they are too heavy with unnecessary accessories for offroading) are both exceptionally capable vehicles.

Tony Jay
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tim wolcott

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2015, 12:15:30 am »

Never heard of the Landcruiser 70.  But will check it out.  Thanks Tim
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Colorado David

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2015, 12:16:34 am »

Neither the 70 Series Toyota or the Nissan Patrol can be legally imported in the U.S.

David Anderson

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2015, 02:05:33 am »


I know all the Lucas jokes, The British drink warm beer because Lucas also made refrigerators. God said, "Let there be light" and Lucas said, "Not if I can help it."  A three-position switch made by Lucas is Off, Dim, and Flicker.

My favourite - the only thing about Lucas that doesn't suck is their vacuums... ;D
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bcooter

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2015, 02:11:12 am »

If I spend a lot of time in the rough, I'd go with the Jeep Sahara Rubicon

You can get them tricked out at 32 grand and a warranty, they have a longer wheelbase so your kidneys will survive the trip.

If you heart is really set on the defender, there are a few US custom shops that will build you one to order for $50,000 to $90,000.

IMO


BC

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David Anderson

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2015, 02:11:58 am »

The Defender 110 is a wonderful vehicle and is plagued by the ghost of Lucas electrical that haven't been used for years.  

I wish the problems were just electrical stuff -
Mine had 65 warranty claims in 85,000 K's including a new gearbox, new clutch and a diff - it was towed back to a dealer dead several times.

My current cars between them, have had 4 warranty claims in the last 350,000 K's.  ;)
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Tony Jay

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2015, 03:15:22 am »

Neither the 70 Series Toyota or the Nissan Patrol can be legally imported in the U.S.
That is interesting and a pity if correct.

Tony Jay
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CptZar

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2015, 03:16:06 am »

Actually performance is not so bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDhI-K0aAk8

Cheers

Jan

wollom

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2015, 04:38:29 am »

… Does anyone know the real reason why we in America can't get a newer Defender 110 here in the states. …  I need one and want one. …

Despite the manufacturer's efforts it's been a struggle to make the Defender meet safety and environmental rules in many countries.

The reason for needing a Defender might be that its good wheel articulation, low low range first gear, relatively light weight, and driving range as a stock vehicle means it is very capable in difficult terrain.   The relatively primitive engineering is even a bonus in very remote locations where only simple tools are needed for many repairs.

They are slow to accelerate, and stop, noisy, and not particularly comfortable. Handling, highway safety, and ergonomics are not great.

The Toyotas mentioned above almost match a Defender's capability and lack some of the deficiencies.

Defenders are specialist 4WDs for enthusiasts or where walking-pace off road performance is the primary consideration. Production numbers are minuscule by world car standards. There are much better 4WDs for highway and urban driving that still perform well off road.

Like cameras, 4WDs perform well in some contexts at the expense of performance in others.

IMO

Best

Wollom
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E.J. Peiker

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #15 on: January 02, 2015, 09:37:25 am »

With all the smart people on this site.  Does anyone know the real reason why we in America can't get a newer Defender 110 here in the states.  Is there a way to get one imported.  Someone here must know.  I have been told some stories want to know if we can get one.  I need one and want one.  Thanks Tim

Or for that matter, a Nissan Patrol which all my Aussie Outback friends say is the best vehicle for that sort of thing in the world.
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Petrus

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #16 on: January 02, 2015, 10:26:52 am »

I used to have a Defender 110 Td5 for five years a decade ago.

It was a fantastic poseur car, snorkel, all terrain tires (tyres…), roof rack etc etc. I did like it, I am only 5'8", so I actually fit on the driver's seat when in the furthest back position. We did a 5 week camping trip to Iceland with 6 kids with it, functioned perfectly as it was new then. All boys in the kids soccer team wanted a ride instead of their mother's X5 or Mercedes ML. Our old great poodle always wants to get inside a Defender if he sees them anywhere.

Lousy quality, back door almost fell off after 3 weeks (misaligned hinges, pins broke), practically no heating (bit annoying at -25C here in Finland), oil leaks out, water leaks in, every other bolt was rustproof, every other not. So after 5 years and 170Mm later the love had worn a bit thin and I moved to Nissan Pathfinder (the buyer complained one week later that the gearbox had given up the ghost). 4 years ago switched to  Toyota Land Cruiser J150 (a.k.a. Prado in some parts). By far the best car I have ever had, zero problems in 105 Mm, purrs like a kitten (3 liter diesel with automatic). According to the car inspection statistics it is the most reliable model of all cars at least here in these parts.

Defender is illegal in USA due to safety and emission reasons. Stiff frame, no airbags, no rollover strength, you name it. Yes, it looks iconic and functional, and off-road abilities are actually good. If it runs. They claim 75% of Land Rovers ever made are still running, that is because the poor buggers in poor 3:rd world countries can not afford anything else and those cars were sold before Toyota Land Cruiser was invented. In the West enthusiasts keep them going for emotional reasons, no expenses spared, not because they are reliable. In the Middle East and Asia where reliability really counts at least 80% new trucks are Toyotas, either Hiluxes or Land Cruisers, with an odd Tundra thrown in.

I know a new Toyota does not play the emotions like a Defender, but I have been there, done it, thank you. (If I had unlimited amount of money for several cars, then maybe... Banish the thought!)
« Last Edit: January 02, 2015, 12:35:24 pm by Petrus »
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armand

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #17 on: January 02, 2015, 10:44:48 am »

I guess depends on how heavy off roading you plan to do and how much you need to stay on regular roads.

The Lexus gx470 (or something like this) was the closest to a Toyota Land Cruiser, or you can get the FJ Cruiser which is more off road and less on road.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee with the off road package or the VW Touareg can be good compromises if you don't need heavy off roading.

If you really need heavy off road the Jeep Sahara can be a good option although somehow smaller.

I'm thinking reliability is not top if you consider that Defender in the first place; all of these should be more reliable, with the Japanese being above average.

Colorado David

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #18 on: January 02, 2015, 12:44:42 pm »

The only vehicle that meets the same requirements among all those listed above but is still legal in the U.S. is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with locking differentials front and rear.  Since the 70 Series Landcruiser can't be legally imported, all the rest are just overly inflated luxury vehicles.  Look at the Rubicon.  The 70 Series is an honest rugged utility vehicle, but it can't be imported for the same reasons the Defender can't be.

armand

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Re: Land Rover Defender 110
« Reply #19 on: January 02, 2015, 02:43:20 pm »

I see the FJ is not made anymore, but here is a look at the Jeep Wrangler (you can go with Rubicon or similar) and the FJ.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1405_2014_jeep_wrangler_unlimited_vs_2014_toyota_fj_cruiser/
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