I think…What I mean by ‘I think’ is that 100% it’s for sale, I just can’t be sure how healthy it is. It’s had some hard miles and is probably past it’s prime, but for the right price it can be yours? Anyone?
So it turns out reviving a 20 year old Land Rover isn’t quite as cheap as I once thought. After some thorough research I decided the best way to guarantee quality workmanship and value for money when you can’t shop around is to resort to the age old technique of judging a book by its cover. Which led me rather neatly to a man called Keith with a beard, wearing sandals and standing in an entire farm yard filled with Defenders, that was enough for me. I delivered the Adventure Truck and its Winter Revival has started, but it turns out I am not the only one drawn to Keith, he is quite busy, and his skills don’t appear to be giving themselves up for free…
When I opened Keith’s first estimate I did a little cry and immediately tried to ebay Jack (it turns out they have weird rules against auctioning children, so this failed.) which has led me to trying to sell Lexi’s kidney, I am not sure if she will notice but it’s worth a shot and should just about cover the labour!
So I am now accepting offers and fingers crossed it might lead to being able to convert the Adventure Truck into the perfect family vehicle. I am not trying to create an off road monster, or an expedition spec wagon that can cross deserts or scale mountains. But I do want the flexibility to be able to go in those directions in due course, and in the mean time it would be quite nice to be able to drive down the road without needing reconstructive surgery to my spine.
So here is a short list of what I am aiming for, and what I have asked my friend Keith to have a go at before Christmas:
Full suspension upgrade – designed for a more comfortable ride and a possible small lift for aesthetics (but will take comfort over height!)
New brake discs and pads – It is nice to be able to stop before an obstacle is underneath you.
Stainless steel exhaust with a Cat delete – better noise and performance, and no one likes cats.
Upgraded cooling – trying to keep the old girls temp down so my bum doesn’t cook, and long journeys become possible.
New transfer box – putting a 1:2 ratio box instead of a 1:4 means lower revs at motorway speed, so quieter and smoother ride.
Stage 2 remap – this should give more power, better fuel consumption and a bit more speed.
Sound deadening – a full Dinomat style sound deadening throughout the cabin. It would be nice to hear Lexi telling me how much she loves having only one kidney as we rattle down the road.
New carpets – the old ones smell of wee.
New seats – long journeys are almost impossible with the original back breakers, so a trip to Exmoor Trim is in order. Although I have just heard the new Interior I ordered will take over 4 months to be delivered, so I am not quite sure what we will sit on at Christmas!
Dual battery – I will likely put in an auxiliary battery kit while the car is stripped, then it will be done properly and be ready to have any accessories plugged in due course (coffee machine, fridge, shower)
If I can get all of that done this Autumn I think I will have created the most wonderful car – useable, fast, fun and ready to go anywhere! Keep your fingers crossed for me…watch this space as the Winter Revival unfolds.
Please let me know if you know of any essential modifications you can’t live without, or that you would like to see added to my list! I am deliberately not touching the exterior until all the above is complete and then I’ll think about some kind of makeover….
Will keenly watch your progress – at least you have a plan. Perhaps the project’s funding model needs some reconsideration, however…
You wouldn’t believe how popular my suggestion is…