Converting it back to original

Author	Message
Ryan	Ryan posted 11 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 78, Visits: 3.7K	Hi all, Recently joined and wondering upon a long term project. On a bit of a whim (?) about three and a half years ago I bought a grey defender 110. After doing some, probably not enough research I've found it to be a decent buy. As in other than an outrageously expensive ABS modulator it's never let me down. As it happens my Grey 110 used to be Tangiers orange and from what I gather was part of the first G4 challenge. Friends told me from the beginning I should turn it back to original but my stock answer was, 'I don't want an orange truck'. Though recently I've been thinking it may be a good idea, and have been checking out google images etc, and the tangiers is really growing on me. My Defender has lost a lot of its G4 charm. It's now grey (very scratched, but grey), no winch or winch bumper, no raised air intake/snorkel, no stickers, a Hannibal rack instead of a G4 one, it sits on steel modulars with BFG muds. What it does have is a Tangiers bulkhead (engine side), tangiers floor and the Mantech window guards and stowage cage things and dog/load guard in the rear. Basically I need to know if it's going to be worth me turning it back to original? I know it's not going to be cheap and I'd have to spread it over 3-4 years really as a bit of a project as I'd get other bits sorted as I go along. My rough plan, as I see it; Sell Hannibal rack and buy proper G4 one Hunt down correct roof lights, RAI, bumper and winch Assess what else can be sorted and/or sensibly renewed during the 'paint' phase i.e door bottoms, window rubbers, door seals, check cross member etc . A good friend is a sprayer so we'd prep it at mine and then drive it the mile to his work and he'd sort the paint (big mates rates expected here haha) Fit the roof rack and other bits and bobs listed above. Source correct stickers, G4 roof rack plate and wheels. My my uneducated reckoning I'd be somewhere near having my ex G4 back to being a G4.....or am I mad? My Defender is BD52CTV and I see it most months in the LR mags on the Mantech advert. Any advice, input, ideas, donations most welcome. Cheers, Ryan BD52CTV Strong people are harder to kill and generally more useful.
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Xlb89	Xlb89 posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 175, Visits: 7K	Hi, It took me just over two years to get mine to the original spec, I had to buy pretty much everything on the list that you can find on the 'about the vehicles' section on here. Granted it was already orange but I would estimate I spent around £5000. Scott BT52 OVJ - G4 Defender 110 Stage 3 Film/Comms vehicle fleet no. G4AUS04 vehicle no. 43
	Reply Like 37
Pip66	Pip66 posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 861, Visits: 2.3K	When you say worth it. Do you want to do it to make a quick buck, or are you doing it because you want to ????? I brought mine 3 years ago and it was completely bare. Part of the fun is tracking down the missing bits.But also very frustrating as well, as they're very hard to find and fetch a premium. I'd say if you're up for a challenge and want to drive something a bit different, then 100% do it. Phil. Discovery 2 G4 BD52 CUC Vehicle No 125 Discovery 3 G4 BD08 VSZ Vehicle No 11
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Ryan	Ryan posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 78, Visits: 3.7K	Scott, thanks for pointing out the 'about the vehicles' section. The interior parts appear to still remain with the exception of the shelf and straps and shackles etc . £5k ish spread over a few years is doable while keeping the family happy I think. Phil, not in it to make a quick buck but in the same breath don't want to go that route if it generally isn't worth it/stupid idea. Not something I'm just going to blunder into, hence my post. I didn't want an orange truck, but as the poor grey respray will need sorting one day I 'may as well' spray it orange again. Or at least look into it. If I do it I'd like to go the whole hog and do it properly. Plus it's easier convincing the Mrs that a winch is essential as 'it should be there', instead of my current argument of 'they make it look awesome'. I'm hoping (not fully researched yet) the sale of my Hannibal rack would cover the cost of the G4 rack. Lights and RAI are a quiet month with not a lot of family stuff going on purchase. Leaving the bumper and winch for the exterior sorted (ish). All this could be done over a long period. Stickers and the G4 plate would be near the end of the list. I foresee me having a grey G4 until funds and time allow me to take it off the road to strip, sort any issues, prep and paint. I've no doubt it'll be a long and sometimes stressful project but seriously thinking of giving it a go. Thanks again. Ryan BD52CTV Strong people are harder to kill and generally more useful.
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Kisangani	Kisangani posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 253, Visits: 2.9K	Hi Ryan, sounds like a great project, exciting as you just bought a defender and it turned out to be a rather special one. Good luck on the project if you do go for it, keep us up to date with lots of pics too, I for one would like to see how it develops (why not have a chat to Mantec and LRO mag and see if you can't get support from the former and coverage from the latter). Have fun either way. Rich 2008 G4 D3 TDV6 BG08 VGY Team SA colours
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Pip66	Pip66 posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 861, Visits: 2.3K	Ryan, In that case, I'd say do it. If you have the patience, the bits will turn up. It takes time and money. But as you say you're in no rush, then you should get there in the end. Any of the G4 or Camel cars will fetch a premium because of the following they have. As I said mine was completely bare 3 years ago and bar putting a winch back on, I'm just about done. So get her booked into the paint shop and make a start, you know you want to really !!!!!! Or you wouldn't be here. ;) Plus the wealth of info and help on here, you'll soon have the bit between your teeth. And as for driving around in a bright orange Land Rover....... There an't nuffink better :D:D:D Phil. Discovery 2 G4 BD52 CUC Vehicle No 125 Discovery 3 G4 BD08 VSZ Vehicle No 11
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DurtyDisco	DurtyDisco posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: Committee Members Posts: 823, Visits: 5.2K	Hi Ryan As a forum member, at the moment you wont have access to the vehicle database held by our technical officer Adrian. If however you pay the £25 lifetime joining fee, and a small £7.50 fee for the vehicle history you could save yourself a lot of time, trouble and money if it isn't one of the 2003 challenge trucks. Just a thought also, as a club member you can get access to the genuine decals we have in stock for your vehicle to put it back into full original trim. Best Regards Andi BG08VFW UK & Ireland Selections Vehicle Fleet Number 1
	Reply Like 27
Ryan	Ryan posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 78, Visits: 3.7K	Rich, that's a really good idea. I doubt that LRO would be interested just yet due to the amount of time it'll take me, but I will deffo drop an email to Mantech to see if there's any way they can help. Once it's a deffo go I'll get a thread going with photos showing my slow process, as well as asking people to keep an eye out for bits I need. Rich, the paint will be near the end I think. When I get round to that phase I'll be having a very good look at the door sills and cross member etc. Thanks for the push in the orange direction!! haha Andi, a fantastically timed post as I was going to read through the site and ask on here to see what I get for the £25 fee. The a decals will be a long time away yet but but thanks for the heads up!! Thanks all, the research continues!! BD52CTV Strong people are harder to kill and generally more useful.
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Pip66	Pip66 posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 861, Visits: 2.3K	Looking forward to following this. Phil. Discovery 2 G4 BD52 CUC Vehicle No 125 Discovery 3 G4 BD08 VSZ Vehicle No 11
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Kisangani	Kisangani posted 11 Years Ago Post Details
Group: G4 Member Posts: 253, Visits: 2.9K	Hi Ryan, nothing like a bit of peer pressure, hey!! After Andi's post I thought I'd see if there was any previous info about your truck, and found this on our site. Little doubt its a real G4 Andi. http://www.g4ownersclub.com/forum/Topic13593.aspx?Keywords=BD52CTV Before and after BD52 CTV. Don't discount LRO, it might well be the sort of thing they would be interested in, LR heritage etc. As Pip says, there is nothing as smile generating as driving around in an orange truck, the smiles, waves and double takes of other LR owners is great. Rich 2008 G4 D3 TDV6 BG08 VGY Team SA colours
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