Hello from South Yorkshire (England)

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Just a note regarding mileage, the 88k and the 180k and I assume Karls 120K one and Chris's 240+k milers all run the same. They don't seem to suffer really at all if they are looked after.

 

[chapel gate]

Just thought I'd say hi, a little about myself. Well, I'm a LandRover fanboy, have owned multiple Defenders and multiple Discos. I currently own a Defender 90 (200tdi) rebuild on a galvanized chassis. After driving it around Wales, I've decided I want something "nicer" to do overlanding and some offroading in.
I'm planning a trip to Northern Finland during the winter, so I'm looking for an 80 / 105 or last resort a 100. I'm a novice mechanic (the worst kind), so planning to do all the easy jobs myself (protection, maintenance etc) with anything major / requiring specialist tools being farmed out to my local 4x4 specialist.
As my trip is to Northern Finland, will the cab heater be enough in the cold weather (-30c lower limit), do the 80s come with fuel warmers or am I going to have to fit an aftermarket one anything else you can think of?

welcome steve.
the trip to finland sounds awesome. ive been to Norway and loved the place, cant wait to go back.

the 80 in my opinion is the best all round 4x4 ever made, or ever will be made. you will love it!
it looks like Andy has just what you are after!

 

[karl webster]

View attachment 153201 Just thinking on, I'd forgot about the GS, 88K miles and virtually what you'd expect for something which has seen 6 winters.

As you say andy. They will all run the same. Id be surprised to see you let the gs go to be honest but pennies are pennies i suppose. I could chuck my petrol into the mix but i couldnt do that lol.

@trevors petrol would also be worth a look if you wanted to go down that route. Its a beautiful looking truck and is solid.

As chris states.Before buying anything run it by us.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

As you say andy. They will all run the same. Id be surprised to see you let the gs go to be honest but pennies are pennies i suppose. I could chuck my petrol into the mix but i couldnt do that lol.

@trevors petrol would also be worth a look if you wanted to go down that route. Its a beautiful looking truck and is solid.

As chris states.Before buying anything run it by us.

You know what Karl, I'd forgotten about it its been stored away that long. I'd sell the GS before I sold the 24V auto or the 100.

Trevs petrol is something else and having seen it it should be considered, you've got to put fuel in either and the extra refinement only comes at a small price. If I was going to Finland out of all we've seen I'd go in that.

Lots for the lad to consider.

The right pennies would part you with the petrol one lol.

 

[Josh Tagg]

Where have all these 80s for sale come from??? Christ if I'd have know I'd have waited on haha

 

[karl webster]

Where have all these 80s for sale come from??? Christ if I'd have know I'd have waited on haha

We save them for the right time josh....

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Where have all these 80s for sale come from??? Christ if I'd have know I'd have waited on haha

Young lads are impetuous , just think of all the fun you've had, you know, all that rust and stuff.

 

[Chris]

Petrol is cheaper and up in the frozen North we found that diesel pumps and diesel cars were definitely in the minority. Derv waxes and petrol doesn't. It was only lorries and the military that were burning oil.

 

[steverjuk]

As I'm going to use it as my daily as well can't see petrol being cheaper in the long run but I'm not counting anything out. Although only have to do 70 miles a week commuting.

 

[Gary820]

I knew you'd all start coming round to using proper fuel

Welcome along btw

 

[clivehorridge]

Regarding the cold and how well 80s are heated, as @Chris says, if everything is working as it should, you won’t have any bother even at -30C IMO.

Winter here can be a bit spiteful, it’s -10C here as I’m typing, and I know that first thing in the morning, my diesel non-turbo HZJ 80 will start on 1/4 of a turn, it’s instant. The usual UK spec HDJ (turbo) diesel 80s are just the same for bullet proof reliability, assuming their maintained properly.

I’d recommend you keeping the rear heater working, unless you only want it as a 2 seater and remove the middle and third row of seats.

I carry passengers more than fridge freezers, cookers and bedding, so the rear heater is a must for me (and my passengers) when the winter really bites at circa -20C or less.

I’m a bit envious of you having an ample budget and the know-how of this forum to guide you through your hunt and purchase.

I bought mine blind of any knowledge of the vehicle or the marque, I just wanted a 4x4. It wasn’t till after getting it that I realized I’d picked up the best 4x4 ever made, and certainly it is if you intend doing any serious offroad.

Even after 13 years of ownership, mine never ceases to amaze me where it will go, and I’ve given it some effort to find out what it’s limits are

Good luck with the shopping...

 

[Towpack]

Hi Steve and welcome from yet another Sheffield 80 owner. All I’ll add to what’s already been said is, if you don’t really want a petrol then, for heavens sake, don’t test drive a petrol 100 series! A newer design and evolution of the 80 series of course so not really a fair comparison but the power and refinement of the V8 petrol 100 is a league above the 80 series if you can live with the fuel consumption.

 

[chapel gate]

Regarding the cold and how well 80s are heated, as @Chris says, if everything is working as it should, you won’t have any bother even at -30C IMO.

Winter here can be a bit spiteful, it’s -10C here as I’m typing, and I know that first thing in the morning, my diesel non-turbo HZJ 80 will start on 1/4 of a turn, it’s instant. The usual UK spec HDJ (turbo) diesel 80s are just the same for bullet proof reliability, assuming their maintained properly.

I’d recommend you keeping the rear heater working, unless you only want it as a 2 seater and remove the middle and third row of seats.

I carry passengers more than fridge freezers, cookers and bedding, so the rear heater is a must for me (and my passengers) when the winter really bites at circa -20C or less.

I’m a bit envious of you having an ample budget and the know-how of this forum to guide you through your hunt and purchase.

I bought mine blind of any knowledge of the vehicle or the marque, I just wanted a 4x4. It wasn’t till after getting it that I realized I’d picked up the best 4x4 ever made, and certainly it is if you intend doing any serious offroad.

Even after 13 years of ownership, mine never ceases to amaze me where it will go, and I’ve given it some effort to find out what it’s limits are

Good luck with the shopping...

completely agree about the rear heater clive. there all to often bypassed without a second thought.. I use mine over the fronts in winter other than defrost. it seems to give a more all round heat.
I hate the front heater blasting my face or feet.

 

[chapel gate]

Where have all these 80s for sale come from??? Christ if I'd have know I'd have waited on haha

you pretty much saved one from the scrap heap josh. something to be proud of.

 

[tonytoyota]

Hi Steve and welcome I have a neighbour call Steve how wants to. Can frown the dark side and is looking for a 80.

 

[clivehorridge]

completely agree about the rear heater clive. there all to often bypassed without a second thought.. I use mine over the fronts in winter other than defrost. it seems to give a more all round heat.
I hate the front heater blasting my face or feet.

I’d be lost without my rear heater when it turns sharp here, it was -11C all day yesterday and -13C the night before... and it’s due to get colder...

 

[steverjuk]

Just like to thank everyone on the forum, the amount of information and help I've received is amazing. It's such a refreshing change to get constructive and informed opinions.
Just had a chat with @AndycruiserguyLomas and the insight and help that guy's given me already, has made my mind up about what I should be looking for.
Just got a few questions:
1) Do I need a night heater to make sure the coolant/oil doesn't freeze become like sludge? On my Defender 90, I fitted a webasto water heater into the coolant system and had it come on every few hours to keep the engine warm.
2) What oil/coolant should I run in those low temps?
3) What breakdown cover do people use when going from the UK to Europe / remote areas. I've got a sat phone so ringing for help isn't a problem.

 

[Chris]

I use ADAC when out of the UK. Never had to use it because I'm in a Landcruiser arf arf.
But I have heard good things about it. Cover has limitations of course. It's Europe landmass only I think.

You need decent antifreeze of course as you would in any vehicle in that type of temperature. If you read the handbook it will list oil types across the range, but you're unlikely to need something made from moondust.

The 80 engine actually uses very little fuel on tick over. I had to sleep out in mine once in sub zero temperatures and was so cold I ran the engine all night. It was super warm inside and in the morning the needle hadn't moved. Unless you are actually going into the polar regions, I don't think any special measures are necessary. People live up in Norway, Russia etc and leave their cars on the street. They don't have devices fitted.

 

[GeekOKent]

i had ADAC for a few years, and didnt renew last year since I wasent going to be driving over to the continent. Tried to renew in late Dec '18 and it turns out they no longer cover non Germany resident folks :/

 

[fbnss]

i had ADAC for a few years, and didnt renew last year since I wasent going to be driving over to the continent. Tried to renew in late Dec '18 and it turns out they no longer cover non Germany resident folks :/

I understand this could well change after march but I think Trev tried to join for our trip last year and couldn't but I could renew as I had existing membership. He was ok though as it was covered with his nfu insurance.