New Defender Concept - DC100

Last night Land Rover released preview pictures of the The Land Rover DC100 Concept, a modern interpretation of the iconic Land Rover Defender will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Land Rover also confirms, that production of a new Defender is intended for 2015.

Commenting on the Land Rover DC100 Concept car,Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Roversaid: "Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century."

John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Roveradded: "Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market.  We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalise the details of the new vehicle. One thing's for sure, it's going to be an exciting journey, and we can't wait to get going."

I must admit my first reactions are not good.  I don't feel that this is an inspired design or particularly practical one.

For instance, I would have liked to see some sacrificial plastic wheel arches like the ones on this design -

I have to say I think if this is the model that makes it into production I may build an Ibex F8 instead!

Chassis Swap - Clutch

Have just ordered

1 x HD Clutch Fork - FTC2957HD
1 x AP Clutch Kit
1 x Terrafirma SS Brake Hose set

from Brookwells - Total cost - £123.06 inc VAT and Delivery - The money is going fast!

Chassis Swap - ROW Exhaust

The chassis I have ordered will have brackets for a rear mounted fuel tank as well as a for one under the drivers seat.  I have specced it this way so that in the future a TD5 or TDCi rear tub can be used without the need to modify the fuel filler.  For a while land rover made Defenders in this so called Rest of World (ROW) spec. These had 300TDi engines with TD5 rear fuel tanks. It is the exhaust for this type of Defender that I require.

Where:


1 - ESR4526
2 - ESR4527/WCG102890
3 - ESR2087
4 - ESR2131
5 - ESR3294
6 - ESR3172



After examining a hanger (ESR2131) taken from a 300Tdi discovery,

and pictures of NTC5634 from pictures on the internet, they seem to be the same part.

This is really good news as NTC5634 is much cheaper and more readily available than ESR2131.



NOTE: Just found out today (11/09/2011) that despite this being the part being listed in Microcat (ESR2131/NTC5634) it is not the correct item.  I have found a link to the correct item being sold by a third party but as yet have not found a LR part number.  Will post it when I find it.

Lights - Number Plate - Fitted New Light

Sally's number plate light was very tatty, so I have wanted to replace it for ages.   Have had a new plinth for quite a while, but the light I picked up at a show, many months ago, was broken (not happy).

A few days ago, I placed an order for some new brake pads.  To get free delivery I had to make up the total cost to £50, so I put a new light on the list.

Before

And after

Meant to post some pics of the wiring, but caught up with the job and forgot to take any...doh!

Part numbers are:
Plinth = 345597
Light = XFC100550

Chassis Swap - Brake - Discs Arrived

I ordered a set of Terrafirma Cross Drilled and Grooved Discs a few days ago from Brookwells.

The part numbers, according to Brookwells, are:
Front - LR017951CDG (old product codes: FRC7329CDG) - 
Rear - FTC1381CDG


I chose Terrafirma as they seem to be a good make and I have read decent reports of their products on the forums - I also like the yellow passivated finish and hope this will slow any corrosion.  These disks are cross drilled and grooved so may be less suitable for off road use as stones can get caught between the disc and pad.  Since Sally is used almost exclusively on the road, this is not a problem.


The discs arrived this morning - well packaged and all in order.

Chassis Swap - Brakes - Pads Arrived

The pads and fitting kits arrived today and all looked in good order - will post some photos.

Chassis Swap - Brakes - Pads Ordered

Today I ordered (from LRDirect) the following brake pads and retaining kits:

Front Pads - STC1275
Rear Pads - STC1276
Front Pad Retaining Kit - RTC5001
Rear Pad Retaining Kit - STC8574

The Pads are made by Ferrodo and supplied by Bearmach

Chassis Swap - Springs Received

The springs arrived, just as ordered.

Was happy with the packaging,

and the product.

Chassis Swap - Springs

Have just ordered a set of new genuine land rover springs from www.land-rover-parts-shop.com.  The part numbers are below


NRC9446 - Front Driver's Side Green/Blue
NRC9447 - Front Pass Side  Blue/Yellow
NRC9448 - Rear Driver's Side Blue/Red
NRC9449 - Rear Pass Side Yellow White


These are standard duty all round.  At £152.40 including VAT they are not particularly cheap, but being genuine parts should ensure, that with respect to height, rate etc, they will fit just right.

Holidays - 2011 - Devon

This years family outing was to Brixham on Devon's Torbay coast.  The drive is about 270 miles and took about 5 hours with stops.

We went to Brixham a couple of years ago and I came back with a bad back and a sore knee.  It's is for this reason I fitted the bulkhead removal bar.  This year the drive was much more pleasant and I am suffering no ill effects.  So the cost of the removal bar was money well spent.

Family camping trips are one of the main reasons for me having a Defender.

So this is family Tod on Dartmoor.

A here, at Venford Reservoir,  is one of Dartmoor's residents using Sally as a scratching post.