Chassis-up, galvanised and rebuilt to order. Follow along as a tired 110 becomes the Defender it should have been.
A tired but honest 2006 Defender 110 Td5 rolled onto the ramp last week for a full chassis-up rebuild, and we are going to document every stage of it here. If you have ever wondered what a proper restoration actually involves — and what it costs in hours as much as parts — this is the series to follow.
It is a County Station Wagon with 210,000 km, a strong engine and gearbox, and exactly the rot you expect at this age: the rear crossmember, the chassis outriggers and the bulkhead footwells. Mechanically sound, structurally tired — which is the ideal candidate, because the money goes into making it last rather than making it run.
A new galvanised chassis goes under it, the bulkhead gets repaired or replaced, and every brake and fuel line is renewed while access is easy. Then it comes back together with a sensible retrim and the details done properly — because a restoration is judged on the parts you cannot see as much as the paint you can.
We will post an update at each major stage — chassis swap, bulkhead, brakes, retrim and the first drive — with the parts list published so you can see exactly what went in. Questions are welcome; if there is something you want us to photograph or explain in detail, tell us and we will cover it.
A restoration is judged on the parts you cannot see as much as the paint you can.
Ram Parts Workshop
Book it into the Ram Parts workshop, or order the parts and do it yourself — either way you get the same advice.
