My Landrover to be imported to the USA

[jetmech]

Landy Friends,





I'm living in the UK now but am relocating to the US in September 2008 to retire from the USAF. I have bought a project truck to rebuild and I own another to build when I get to the states. For this thread I’ll focus on my rebuild project.



It started as an 84 LR 90 2.5TD CSW. I'm rebuilding it on a NAS chassis with the following modifications.

Converted to 3.9 V8, LHD auto transmission, 3 Inch lift kit 3 Deg QT Radius Arm and Rover thyme rears. Stainless steel brake and fuel lines New electrical harnesses and NAS lights.



The axles have been sandblasted and painted all new bearing and seals with new brake parts.



The body is at the shop getting painted now and will be a jeep forest metallic green. I should be fitting it in the next couple of weeks. The main thing next is to finish the front axle and install the engine and gear boxes.



Jetmech

Follow-up Post:

Here are picture from before the start.

Follow-up Post:

here is the axles and chassis

[Bozman]

Nice work, looks great.

Where are you retiring to?

[jetmech]

I'm looking at Arizona but I'll go where the money shows.





Thought I would show my daily driver also.




Jetmech

[Bozman]

Thought I would show my daily driver also.


Jetmech
Looks like fun! I always said if I ever lived in the UK it would be big trouble. I would have about 2 dozen Rovers and probably lose my job because I would be tinkering with them.

You should see if anyone needs any parts, maybe you could bring them back in your household goods and make a few bucks.

[jetmech]

I'm allways willing to pickup parts and mail them back as well.

[cgalpin]

Good to see you making the most of your tour in the UK!

Greg is right. Do some careful parts shopping, and maybe sneak a 110 in with your household goods, and you could pay for some of those toys!


charles

[jetmech]

I'm shipping an 83 110 converted to a 300TDI next month to Az. It will be my first attempt to import

[JimC]

Let us know how the import goes - the 21 year-old EPA exemption is supposed to apply only vehicles in their original configuration - i.e. not with newer engines.

[Landspeed]

How are you going to cool it? I am trying to find an additional AC for my 90 that is used mostly for ranch work in Az. I use the AC for our dogs. I have tried to find a rear AC system for 110's but have not had any success. I spoke to George at RDS and he said they don't exist. The factory ac is a bit weak. I have thought about installing a mid 90's Toyota system as they are real freezers.

Lang

[JimC]

http://www.eliteautomotive.co.uk/html/defender110.html

[evilfij]

I have a remote unit out of a disco I with rear air somewhere in the attic. You would need ducts, but it would be a start.

[Landspeed]

Thank you. This looks great. I had almost given up. Fact I think I did give up.

Lang

[Tyler Wirken]

So Jim- I assume this is the same unit that ECR installs in 110's? Looks like it to me. Anyone every ordered from them? Do they ship to the us? Any idea on price?

This is the perfect solution.

[JimC]

Thats the same unit. I have never ordered anything from them, and in fact I dont know if they are only an OEM. I'd like to know though, because in a year or so I'd like to get one of these units.

[dmarchand]

Crazy George has some of these units in stock as well.

[JimC]

Right now? He had some a couple years back...

[jetmech]

I started to get the front axle under the landy today. I'm shock at how high it is sitting. The front in only up about 1.5 inches from level.



Dave

[jetmech]

Today I got a few body parts back from paint. Next is the fatmat sound material and the decals for the tub.

[JimC]

Oh, to be fixing up a Rover in the UK.

I went through Lakenheath/Mildenhall several times. I really like it out there. In fact, we got our cats from a lady name Mrs. Phillips who had a pig farm out there.

I envy you man.

[jessejames4]

JetMech,
you must be a single, the last shot of your tub looks like it's sitting in your livingroom. I can only imagine what my wife would say if she came home to that sitting on our livingroom floor.




Today I got a few body parts back from paint. Next is the fatmat sound material and the decals for the tub.

[JimC]

JetMech,
you must be a single, the last shot of your tub looks like it's sitting in your livingroom. I can only imagine what my wife would say if she came home to that sitting on our livingroom floor.

I dunno, my wife thought it was pretty funny when I pulled a set of recaros out of the M6 to play Gran Turismo on the Playstation.

In all fairness, I was fixing the recline mechanism, but it was so much fun the seats didnt go back in immediately!

[jetmech]

No I'm very much married for 18 years now but in her old age she is getting soft. She gave me 30 days to finish the engine install and have the body mounted. Now if the job will stop bothering me to do work also.


Last night she even help with the sound mat.

[cgalpin]

Mmh. 18 years must be the magic number then. I'll tell you how it goes next year for me, but until then, I don't dare bring my rover crap into the house.

I do get away with taking up 2 bays in the garage though :grin

[jetmech]

Today I get the FATMAT installed for sound, and the bulkhead removal bar mounted. In the next couple of days I need to install the 3.9 engine and auto box. Then I have to wait for this thing called work to give another weekend off and mount the body to the chassis.

[bjf]

Where can I get the Defender 90 decal on the back?

[jetmech]

I got the grey decal off ebey in the uk. The metal plate is hard as hell to find.

[Eric Siepmann]

They appear to be!

Falon produced them back in the day but their website is down!

Edit:

New Website. Going to order tonight just in case. .

http://www.falon-nameplates.co.uk/landrover.htm

[jetmech]

I'm here in the UK I'll call first thing in the AM.

[jetmech]

I oreded three rear plates today . I'm told they are made from cast ali and 6-8mm thick. It should take 2-3 weeks for delivery. If they do not ship to the US let me know.


Jetmech

[JimC]

I've ordered from them a couple times - good folks. Shipping to the states is fortunately cheap since its just a padded envelope.

[GYM]

On the Falon online order form it shows 17.49% tax and 14.90% tax on shipping. Wow.
Do we have to pay those taxes for export orders to the US?

[jetmech]

Yes for the short answer. The online store only bills as if you order in the UK. Additionally they do not do phone oreders.



Jetmech

[jetmech]

Well I just got back from Afghanistan last weekend so I made very little progress the last month. I did manage to get more checker plate on today as I was off work.

[cgalpin]

Ok, so your 30 days are up and you still have your tub (and doors and hood) in the house. Your wife is either *really* good, or getting *really* soft!

Oh, looks great!

[jetmech]

she is getting soft. I got a additional two weeks as she is traveling to the states on Manday .

[jetmech]

Today I got the bulkhead and rear tub fitted and finished minor chassis item before I mounted them. Now is the long hard part of the bulkhead build-up and electrics install and the rewiring to adapt for the additional items. Can anyone show me a picture of the ECU mounting? Or does anyone know of extension cables.




Jetmech

[DEF110]

Dave need more pics.

The 110 should be in San Diago soon. I hope by the 29th June my B-Day.

[jetmech]

Here are the more pictures from the build. The hard top will be painted next week. Then will be the finishing touches and an MOT.

[JimC]

Its gonna be great. I pretty much envy the hell out of you for being able to build up your rover project in ol' blighty.

If I was there I'd have to buy a Routemaster.

[cgalpin]

If I was there I'd have to buy a Routemaster.
LOL. Awesome. But only if the top section was convertable!

[TDI Guy]

Why not a Tdi? I love the color.

[surf110]

Here are the more pictures from the build. The hard top will be painted next week. Then will be the finishing touches and an MOT.

Dave. Great project. I'm in the process of rebuilding my 110 as well. Noticed that you're using the new Td5 bulkhead just like me. What did you do with the wiper motor? Did you move it to the new mount on right side? The old motor doesn't fit on the right.

I'm trying to mount mine on the left side but I'll have to do some mods to make it work.

Ze

[TDI Guy]

Ze, you can just cut off the new style mount then mount the motor in its traditional location. I did this in the past. If not, you have to buy the new style wiper motor and setup. I had no problem using the old style setup on the TD5 bulkhead

[jetmech]

TDI Guy,


I did not use a 300 TDI as I thought the parts would be hard to get in the states when I return. My plan it remove the 3.9 next year and put in a 5.2 on Holly carbs.

Follow-up Post:

Ze,


My wiper motor is on the LH side. I used rivi nuts and installed as original from the RHD version and had to purchase new tubes.



You can see it in the picture below if you need better pictures let me know

Follow-up Post:

Here are a few more pictures. I'll take more on Friday when the hard top get installed.

[surf110]

Jetmech and TDI Guy,

Thanks for the rsponses. Very helpful.

[TDI Guy]

Ze, that is exactly how I installed mine as well.. Riv nuts

[jetmech]

I finished it enough to get an MOT and ROAD TAX. I’ll be leaving it here in the UK for the next year so I can meet the US 25 year rule.

[wertz=rover]

Hey Dave, It is looking good. Looks better than when I left. Let me know how you are doing. I looked you up awhile ago and didn't see you in the global. Take care. Wertz, Gary

[jetmech]

Gary,


Good to hear from you. I did have to leave it in the UK until next yeat for the 25 year rule. I now on global and at Kirtland. How is the series running?


Dave

[NA EP3]

How's it going Dave? It's Carl Payne. I wish I would have pulled my finger out and bought a 110 before I left. Now I'm going to do it the hard way.


~C

[jetmech]

Look me up ant kirtland and send an eamil I have connection in the UK still

[jetmech]

After 14 months of waiting for the 25 year rule it finally happened. It clears customs today and is going to be shipped do Dallas so I can pick it up. I hope to have her back in my hand on 19 November.

[rijosho]

Congrats David. Looks great! Where'd you get that checker plate for the rear tub? I really like the look of that. Did you have to drill a whole bunch of holes into the tub?

Has anyone else done the rear tub like that but with a front-facing bench?

[jetmech]

I used hex head counter sunk screw and nuts to hold the checker plate down. On the side I only used two or three and let the bolts for the speaker boxes hold the tops down. ON the bottom plate I think I use 6 or 8 of the same screws they or give is an industrial look. I’ll take better pictures in a couple of weeks when in arrives in New Mexico.

[Grover]

cool build...

What kind of headers are you running? Any interferance with the steering column?
TDI Guy,


I did not use a 300 TDI as I thought the parts would be hard to get in the states when I return. My plan it remove the 3.9 next year and put in a 5.2 on Holly carbs.

Follow-up Post:

Ze,


My wiper motor is on the LH side. I used rivi nuts and installed as original from the RHD version and had to purchase new tubes.



You can see it in the picture below if you need better pictures let me know

Follow-up Post:

Here are a few more pictures. I'll take more on Friday when the hard top get installed.

[jetmech]

I'm running stock exhaust right now. It has factory headers from a disco that was the original donor for tht motor.

[jetmech]

I got my ARB delivered last week and on Friday I pick up my defender after waiting a year in the UK. Next is the AZLRO event in March. I should have the interior finished by then.

[woldd90]

Great looking truck, has to be nice to have her home.

[jetmech]

it is great to have her home after a year of seperation. I need to finish the final tuches such as the interior.

[Tyler Wirken]

Nice truck! Glad to see it done.

One question- It appears you have a rear sals in it. What axles are you running in it?

Thanks

Tyler

[jetmech]

Good eye I got the rear Sals and the front rover from an ex British Military rover. It was a donor that aided the conversion to LHD.

[jetmech]

I got a few things done yesterday. I added side and rear steps, front winching points, floor matting, rear jumper cable point and a new steering wheel. The ARB's and 4.11 should be installed by the middle of December. Oh yea is passed the smog test last Wednesday. I get it registered next week some time.

[evilfij]

Sexy.

[BEIS]

dig it

[deslandes]

Really nice job... Can you confirm me the size and brand of your tires?

Thx.

Ste

[jetmech]

Ste,



I run 35X12.50X15 MUD KING XT. They are made by BFG.

[jetmech]

The past few days I have added the ARB pump and switches, front winch and the rear door checker plate.

[huck1974]

Ste,



I run 35X12.50X15 MUD KING XT. They are made by BFG.


Trying to tell these guys about these tires for two years. They are cheap, last good, pretty quiet,........they rock!!!

[jetmech]

Here are a few pictures from a recent trip to MOAB. The stock truck cab 90 was also imported by me and I took it to the AZLRO Rally.

[jetmech]

More from MOAB

[jetmech]

more MOAB

[jetmech]

more

[jetmech]

More

[JimC]

Wow, cool. I resolve to bring at least two Rovers next time I come back to CONUS.

[ipgregory]

David,

Was that you hitching a ride through the Charouleau Gap on Sunday at the Rally?

If that was you then I was the guy tailgunning right behind you in the D90.

I took it to the AZLRO Rally.

[jetmech]

It was, I'm the passanger in the yellow jeep. I bent my tie rods on saturday doing Chivo Falls. I'll bring the green one next year to the rally.

------ Follow up post added May 24th, 2010 01:57 PM ------

Jim,

If you are station in the UK they are cheap and easy to find one in good shape.



Dave

[jwlester]

I've got a buddy up in the lake district (lamplugh, cumbria?) that has his eyes open for me. We are importing a couple motorcycles and I want him to look for a 90 and maybe a 110. Any suggestions on where he should be looking? He's a little out in the sticks. So far he has just kept eyes on local farm vehicles. thanks.

Josh

[jetmech]

I would look at Ebay and Auto trader. Ofter you can find tehm by calling the local shops. Good luckwitht he hunting. I found both of mine for about 2500 US.

[hillstrubl]

The past few days I have added the ARB pump and switches, front winch and the rear door checker plate.

Hey Jetmech, did you source that checker plate in the US or UK?

http://d-90.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=24147&d=1262742961

[jetmech]

I got it out of the UK while I was stationed there.

[jetmech]

I just put her up for sale