1980 Land Rover Defender

Year: 1988 (because of the VIN, I had to list it as 1980)
Make: Land Rover
Exterior Color: Blue
Interior Color: Black
Body Type: Wagon
Trim: Manual 5 spd
Engine: 300 TDI - Turbo
Vehicle Title: Clear
Drive Type: 4WD
Fuel Type: Diesel
I found the vehicle in southern Spain, which has a dry (rust-free) climate. After I had her shipped to the States, I made significant improvements over the last three years. The vehicle has benefited from an engine swap to the highly desirable 300TDI and a complete interior restoration, plus numerous performance upgrades.
This vehicle is unique. Since it is from Spain, it is a Santana and not technically a Defender. I have the Defender fender wings to complete the look (the headlights are different on Santanas than Defenders). It is running just fine and recently passed the VA state inspection. In addition, most of the upgrades, swaps, repairs and service work were conducted by a certified Land Rover mechanic, with years of experience owning and working on various classic Rovers. However, it is an old truck. Like almost all classic Rovers, the owner should be comfortable with uncertainty.
The Good:
Engine and Drivetrain:
• 300 TDI engine conversion (the most desirable engine conversion) - from a UK Discovery, reportedly with only 96,000 miles. Best guess is 98,000 miles on the motor today.
• Original transmission (no known issues) - with 5 speed
• The vehicle comes with 2WD, 4 Low and 4 High - the 2 wheel drive feature is unusual.
• With a solar trickle charger, and warming the glowplugs for 10-15 seconds, the car starts the first time, every time
• Great idle, no smoke
• Belts and accessories replaced
• New timing belt kit
Air intake:
• New air filter and housing
Fuel system:
• New fuel tank, relays, lines, connectors.
• New injectors
• New fuel pump, and related accessories.
Exhaust:
• New exhaust manifold / header
• New exhaust (straight pipe)
Cooling System:
• New radiator, hoses, etc.
• Replaced intercooler
• New water pump
Thermostat
• Electrical:
• New alternator
• New battery
• Many new wires and connectors
• Interior LED lighting
Interior:
• Complete interior disassemble, grinded down, soundproofing and heat-resistance coating and then bedlined for long term protection.
• New Exmoor Trim Seats throughout (It has heated front seats, which are not connected)
• Diamond plate rubber matting
• New headliner
• New rear door card
• New cubby box
• New custom dashboard
• New Bluetooth stereo and speakers
• New seatbelts and bolts
• New gauges
Exterior and Body:
• From a rust standpoint, the body, doors, firewall, underside of doors, foot wells, are in great condition.
• The roof rack is very sturdy and comes with lights (installed and not installed)
• The 5 wheels are Xu Alloys and are new.
• Also comes with 5 original steel wheels and old tires.
• The tires are BFG All Terrain TA KO2s -- 285/75/16 with 90% of wear life remaining.
• New Defender Push - Bumper Bar
• New Ladder
• One Inch Lift - We added a leaf and adjusted the suspension on the leaf suspension system
• Black grill
The underside of the doors are in much better condition than most old Land Rovers (there is slight surface rust on a couple doors, but nothing major).
Extras:
I have the original steel wheels and sundry spare parts and new parts not installed.
The Bad:
• Electrical. It's a British vehicle. The wiring sucks. Not every wire has been replaced. We have occasionally experienced wiring issues that needed addressing. (We added a fuse box and replaced wires and connectors, but there will probably be more issues to surface.)
• Heater - While we bought a heater box (included), it is not connected.
• Passenger door lock - The key does not operate the lock, and the lock can be frustrating to function.
• Steering -- While it has Power Steering, driving the vehicle reveals that you must add more steering input when turning right than when turning left. It is a little surprising at first, but I have gotten used to it.
• Brakes -- The brakes are new and work great. However, they work even better with a single pump. Apparently the calipers require more pressure than the brake setup can physically provide, but a quick pump adds that pressure. (In an emergency, slamming on the brakes without pumping works just fine.)
• Leaks. It's a land rover. It leaks fluids.
The Ugly:
From a paint standpoint, I have intentionally kept the vehicle a bit rough around the edges. It is surprisingly clean and beautiful inside, and looks like a truck on the outside.
Please remember this vehicle is 30 years old and does not drive like a new car. It will require regular care and maintenance. If looked after, however, it will give you many more years of driving pleasure. Land Rovers were first produced in 1948 and more than 75% of all Land Rovers ever produced are still on the road. A testament to its strength and longevity.

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