This site is very different from D90 Source.
John B may be the only real one of us left as a MOD on D90 Source.
Galpin, Chaney, Briggs, and a whole slew of others are gone.
Chris and Dave have the best interest of the Land Rover community at heart.
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I am thankful for those that have put this and other forums together. I have learned a lot and made some good friends thanks to Defendersource. I look forward to continuing here as well. The people that contribute are fantastic. In spite of our recent spat over the starter I do value your expertise most of the time. I find that interchange over the starter regrettable. I hold no ill will, today. I’m 50 percent Irish and sense you may be a higher percentage Scottish...
The debate over how much is similar and different is a different topic for friendly discussion on a different thread.
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Agreed, however I can’t walk away without correcting you. Maybe we can move this discussion to a new Santana section?
I will tell you that 90% of the parts may have been an accurate estimate on the much earlier models, but by 1988, it is no where even close to 90%.
The 1988 Santana frame, axles, springs, seats, electrics, dash, gauges, engine, driveshafts, and most body panels are very different from a 1988 90 or 110.
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That is completely wrong. While some of those parts are different, they are all interchangeable with either Series or D90 models short of the exceptions I listed. For example, it is a different frame, a galvanized one, but the dimensions are the same. The springs are different, they are parabolic, but the mounting points are the same and are interchangeable. Dash is identical to a D90, exactly the same. I have one and have done the work. Where are you getting this information about the 1988 model?
Solihull built the first 110 in 1983 when the leaf sprung series were complete phased out by 1984.
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I can’t argue that LR moved on then with the vehicles assembled in Britain but are you saying they no longer supplied any parts to Santana or Santana also moved on then? That is incorrect. I have a 1988 Santana and can attest that is very incorrect. The dash for example, has the genuine Land Rover stamping as well as many other parts tagged, product of Great Britain. I have done the work myself and am commenting from first hand experience. I’d welcome having a beer or two at my shop and I can show you. I still have most of the parts replaced and can show the new parts installed and the receipts from places like Paddock Spares, Rimmer Brothers, and Land Rover Direct, for example.
The only reason I am even commenting here is that this is a for sale thread and saying 90% will be further misleading,
* I don’t follow that. It isn’t a Defender, D90 , or a Series and think anyone reading my comments would not understand otherwise. However, the Santana is indeed comprised of a combination of parts from or compatible with all of them.
Terry.
There is no way that a leaf sprung 1988 Spanish built Santana with all it's many many many differences shares 90% parts with a coil sprung 90 or 110 built in Solihull England.
I suspect the percentage is even lower than 5%.
Let's be realistic.
* Disagree. Robert, I know you are an experienced Land Rover guy but have you ever tried to do what I have with a Santana. There is nothing more realistic than first hand experience. You are wrong here. I know you are too far away to have a beer in my shop but I’d be happy to send some photos to help your knowledge on the subject. Additionally, there are some older threads on Defendersource where people have taken Santanas and combined them with their British cousins proving the compatibility I am referencing.
There may be a case where 90% of consumable parts of a 1988 Santana may be found in some different year British Series and/or Defender parts list, but lets be accurate.
Finding out that the brake shoes on your 1988 Santana match say a 1960 Series II up to a 1983 Series III is one thing for example, but there are too many differences to be considerate of between a 1988 Santana 88 and a 1988 Land Rover 90 built in England.
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I was making the point it is not a D90. It is a Land Rover Santana. The title and the VIN plate make that very clear. Your point on the brake shoes is a good one. As is my point on the dash, same as an 88 D90. It is similar to a D90 and the Series vehicles.
The two very different vehicles are only confused by the uninformed, so let's not mislead anyone on a for sale thread.
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On that point, I’m not misleading anyone. I have the vehicle and can put my eyes and hands on it and validate the similarities and differences. They are different, but very different depends on perspective. However, that isn’t really the point. One is a Land Rover D90, others are Land Rover Series (I,II,III) and the other is a Land Rover Santana. I think I made the point they are different. However, they do share a lot of similarities. The 1988 Santana 2500 is mix of Series and D90 with a minor compliment of truly unique Santana items. You can get parts for them and they can be sourced from the British vendors as well. It is just not as simple as the British assembled models. If you can accept that, the Santana offers a very similar look, driving experience, reliability and capability at a very good value. It isn’t the blanket nightmare you stated. It may constitute a nightmare for you. For some owning a genuine D90 could be a nightmare. It is all about perspective and expectations. And, if anything, I think this “debate” only helps fully inform anyone that may be uninformed.
Another example is that the production British Land Rover 90 & 110 only used an LT85 mated to an aluminum block V8 .
If in fact you really do have the LT85 industrial 5 speed in your 1988 Santana, the British version will not bolt directly to a 200TDI and never did in any production models.
The LT85 used by the British will not bolt up to any 4 cylinder for that matter, further showing that 90% is a very inaccurate estimate and mating it to a 200TDI a very poor example of parts compatibility.
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I agree, the V8 LT85 installed in British assembled Land Rovers will not bolt directly to a 200tdi, 2.5na, 300tdi or any other 4 cylinder. However, a 200tdi does bolt directly to the LT85 4 cylinder version. I know, I did it. Additionally, I purchased seals and gaskets for the LT85 V8 version that fit perfectly on my LT85 4 cylinder version. Seems pretty compatible to me. Did you know there is a split case and solid case version as well?
On that point, what 8 cylinder version of any gearbox on any vehicle bolts directly to a 4 cylinder.
For a British reference, the LT77 was installed in many 4 cylinder cars and trucks including 2wd and 4wd. None of those will bolt directly to a British V8 and vice versa. The bell housing is what makes that possible. However, they are very similar gearboxes. My TR8 has bearings and gears common with the Land Rover versions. How do I know? I have personal firsthand experience.
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Robert, you are a knowledgeable LR guy. Surely you have heard the LT85 referred to as the “Spanish gearbox” and know it was made in Spain. Parts for it are even listed as such. Santana’s came with the 4 cylinder LT85 version. Behind the wimpy 4 cylinder it has none of the 5th gear issues the V8 version suffered from, although it is indeed the same bearing. If your point is no British LR 4 cylinder came with an LT85, that is correct. However, you are incorrect that the 200tdi produced in Britain will not bolt up to the Santana LT85.
Again, I like the civil approach. Hopefully, while you read this you envisioned Mr. Rogers telling a story. That is me. I’m 50 percent British and as such very civil when my Irish side is calm.
I just added some photos of my 1988 Santana. Notice the rear door and the dash. You can see the raptor binnacle, but not clearly. I also have some nice new Defender seats to replace those Santana ones now. Wish I had better pics now.
I wish I had some better interior pics handy.