New Guy

[bf900]

Hi,

I just arrived in LMD with a 1997 Land Rover Defender 110 with 300Tdi, decided to drive it up from South America w/o any issues.

Anyone know of a good mechanic with Defender /300Tdi experience in/around Surrey/ Langley?

Also looking for somewhere to sand blast /paint my original wolf wheels....any suggestions?

Roof rack fabricator? Aluminum?

Thanks

B

[John]

Try Aart @ UK Trek & Traction (Langley) 604-888-2813

[bf900]

Try Aart @ UK Trek & Traction (Langley) 604-888-2813

Thank you. I'll give him a call and go from there.

B

[ANDYD]

Hi bf900,

Welcome to BC and the Rover-Landers.
It sounds like quite the trip from South America, which route did you come up? Was your Land Rover a South American vehicle?

You are welcome to come out to some of our club runs (keep an eye on the Events section of the website forum) you will find lots of 300TDi Defenders within the club, we also have a monthly meeting in Surrey on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

On the main page is a Supports tab to click on which will give you a few numbers to call regarding parts and service etc ...

Where abouts in the Lower Mainland are you?

Cheers, Andy

[Djakefry]

I found Aart to be a great mechanic.

If you are in vancouver I've also been using a small shop near main and 5th with very good rates

It just a regular garage but the fellow there who got lots of experiance with diesel rovers.

Vissel at toyko motors 604 873 0123

[bf900]

Thanks Andy & Djf,

I'll be sure to join you guy's on upcoming runs...I believe there may be one in Nov? I'm going out on the next BC 4x4 fun run in couple weeks with my two young boys. They have been on me to take the truck off road.

I drove west through Brazil and entered Peru at Puerto Maldonado (InterOcenic Hwy) - Continued west to Lima, Peru then turned right on the PanAmerican Highway...until Cartagena, Colombia. We shipped the LR to Panama and continued north... 19300 km. I still have the blog up http://www.rovingtheamericas if you're interested... overall it was an awesome trip and now I'm thinking of heading up to Artic Circle...(Dempsey Hwy)

I purchased the Defender from the original owner / friend and had fun getting it ready for the trip. The 110 exceeded all my expectations in terms of reliability....although there were times where I craved more top speed and a working AC...

PS: I'm down in the South Surrey area.

Cheers

B

[red90]

Looks like a fun trip and adventure. I did notice one thing from your site: "Anyone who owns a Defender knows they like to run at 100km/h (my max speed has been 115km/h going down hill) .." You really should be able to cruise at 120. Might want to find someone to give the injection system a little once over.

[bf900]

Hi red90 - Interesting you mentioned the "top speed". Not sure if you are referring to indicated speed or actual speed. My speedo would show 120 kph but the GPS would register 110 kph. Also, I had about 1000 lbs of extra weight on the truck. I'm running well worn 245/75/16 tires on the wolf wheels and from what I've read would/ could create an over zealous speedo. Since the trip and after removing all the weigh I've found the Defender to be very quick :)

I'm eager to squeeze more speed/power from the truck and open to suggestions. Also one of the reasons I'm looking for a good/knowledgeable mechanic down in Surrey/Langley is to give it a tune up.

[red90]

Hi red90 - Interesting you mentioned the "top speed". Not sure if you are referring to indicated speed or actual speed. My speedo would show 120 kph but the GPS would register 110 kph. Also, I had about 1000 lbs of extra weight on the truck. I'm running well worn 245/75/16 tires on the wolf wheels and from what I've read would/ could create an over zealous speedo. Since the trip and after removing all the weigh I've found the Defender to be very quick :)

I'm eager to squeeze more speed/power from the truck and open to suggestions. Also one of the reasons I'm looking for a good/knowledgeable mechanic down in Surrey/Langley is to give it a tune up.

Actual speed. I have a calibrated speedo. Every stock Defender speedo I have seen reads high. I would suggest changing to VDO Vision gauges. They are accurate and look a lot better than the crappy stock gauges.

A boost gauge is a first good buy if looking at performance. It will tell you if you are getting full boost. Next an EGT gauge to allow you to safely increase fueling. There are things you can do beyond that if you are keen.

[skeena river rover]

Welcome to the board. I read your blog. RESPECT! You did what a lot of guy's are dreaming about. Including my self.

I could help notice that your snorkel is mounted on the drivers side. I only know the 200 TDI had them on the drivers side and the 300 tdi on the passenger side. Enjoy your 110 in BC.

[bf900]

from what I found online, 1996 and 1997 UK Built models -sent to Brazil, came with snorkel on the left side.