1989 Defender Santana For Sale $23500, OBO

KBryan

Member
4 cylinder diesel, manual transmission. I've owned this truck for about a year. Need to sell to buy my daughter a used car for school (although she'd much rather drive this!). This truck was originally imported from Spain. It's slow, but it'll get you from point A to B. New front seats (I would suggest selling these and getting originals so you have more leg room), new tires/rims, battery and additional LED lights. Trailer hitch, snorkel intake. Located in Richmond, VA.
 

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terryjm1

Well-known member
Looking at the rear door, it is flat across the top, not rounded like I have seen on other 88-89 Santana’s or any year D90. That is the type door used on earlier Santana’s and Series Land Rovers. However, who can really say what happened at the Santana factory. I’m no expert, either.

FWIW - I really like Santana’s and own one, a 1988 model. Yours looks like a really nice one.However, if you post it as a Defender, it typically makes people angry. Just an FYI. I have found people here on this forum are less reactionary compared to Defendersource, though. Have you posted it there?
 
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KBryan

Member
Thanks, I'll add Santana to the description. I'll also check out Defendersource, thanks for the tip. I learned about this site from a guy my ex and I used to off road with 20 years ago. I wish I could keep it. My side consulting work was going to pay to put a little money into it to make it easier to have as a daily driver, but my latest project got scrapped. My daughter was really hoping she's be driving it to school, but after a week she'd be complaining. My last truck was a 94 classic long wheel base. Just can't find any good ones anymore.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
Pretty good looking Santana. I usually don't like them, but just change to a Rover roof and rear door and you're pretty much a match.
 

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
His tip wasn’t to check out D Source unless you want to get mauled over calling a Santana a Defender or trying to sell a Santana or even listening to Santana.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Santana's are hard to value and if EBay is a any guidance, hard to sell.
Console yourself if she is heading to College for her freshman year, many Colleges don't let Freshman have cars on Campus. Mine had access to one only because his older brother was a senior at the same school.
Second born get all the breaks....
 

RDavisinVA

Technical Excellence Contributor
I would caution using the words Santana and Defender to describe the same vehicle because the two are completely different. While they do look similar from the bridge many of the Santana parts do not directly interchange with any part of a Defender or Series.
By 1988/9, the Spanish had evolved the Santana into a vehicle with a different frame, suspension, engine, body panels, seats, brakes, dash, electrics, wiring, and gauges. The end result is a parts nightmare dropped upon a buyer who thinks he is getting something identical or very close to a British equivalent, which in fact is not only misleading, but in reality completely different. Many appraisers value a Santana at 20 to 30% of what a LHD true Solihull built Defender is worth in similar condition. Of course, the unsuspecting uninformed buyer often pays the "Defender Price" for a vehicle worth much much much less and thus suffers from severe financial disappointment. Not quite as bad as buying fools gold thinking it is real gold, but you get the idea.

Because many of the Santanas are so unique, I have been asking the MODs to introduce a separate section dedicated to the Santana so their owners have a place to congregate and exchange information about their marque where no other place currently exists for the owners of these unique vehicles.
It is also worth noting that the earlier the Santana, the more it resembles it's British cousin.
I think the key word here is cousin and not twin brother, except for the very early CKD vehicles that were built by Land Rover in England and assembled in Spain!
 
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terryjm1

Well-known member
Again, FWIW, I have a 1988 Santana. It isn’t worth in dollars near what its British cousin is worth. However, my 1988 model shares a great deal of parts with its “cousins” made in England, I’d say closer to 90 percent can be swapped with either D90 or Series parts. For example, my 1988 Santana has the same dash as my friends 1988 D90. Not just similar, it is the same identical dash. I even replaced the gauge binnacle with a raptor unit, base and face. I replaced the speedometer, a veglia km unit, with a used D90 mph unit. I also replaced a couple switches sourced from a D90 parts vehicle. I picked up a D90 200tdi to replace the Santana engine. It bolts right up to the Santana frame mounts and the LT85 gearbox.

The roof, however, is unique to Santana as the 1988 model has the shorter Series tub but uses the D90 windshield frame and rear door. Neither the series or D90 roof will fit. That is one part that can’t be directly replaced. The front brake calipers, pads, and discs are still a mystery to me. However, I haven’t found anything else that is truly unique for which regular LR parts cannot be used. The Santanas, until the past few years have been mostly unwanted here in the states. They certainly don’t have the desirability of the D90 and 110, which are often referred to as Defender. However, they have gained some following and as long as you know what you are getting and how to identify replacement parts they are no more trouble than any “Defender” and for what you pay for one compared to similar vehicles, a very good value. That is not good news for selling one, but great news for buyers like I was.

It wasn’t until the early 90s that Santanas became radically different than the D90 and Series. I think 91 may be the last similar model year. The hard part is figuring out what from what model fits. How do I know? I have replaced a great many parts such as doors, other body parts, and many mechanical parts. Body parts are probably the easiest. I asked the moderators on Defender Source to create a separate section and didn’t get a response. I hope the moderators here will consider it. I like this forum better than Defender Source as the ads there have become obnoxious and commenters here are not as hostile. Shouldn’t British car people be civil like the British are known to be. 😉

There is nothing wrong with Santanas. They just are not Defenders, D90, or a Series LR. However, There is a lot to like about Santanas, for example the factory galvanized frame and Hella electrics. For me, it was an entry level lower cost option to test the waters, so to speak. I like it and now I plan to get a D90 as well.
 
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RDavisinVA

Technical Excellence Contributor
I asked the moderators on Defender Source to create a separate section and didn’t get a response. I hope the moderators here will consider it. I like this forum better than Defender Source.
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.
One would hope for a place that Santana owners can call home.

Again, FWIW, I have a 1988 Santana. It isn’t worth in dollars near what its British cousin is worth. However, my 1988 model shares a great deal of parts with its “cousins” made in England, I’d say closer to 90 percent can be swapped with either D90 or Series parts. For example, my 1988 Santana has the same dash as my friends 1988 D90. Not just similar, it is the same identical dash. .

The debate over how much is similar and different is a different topic for friendly discussion on a different thread.
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 (on the few I've seen), gauges, engine, driveshafts, and most body panels are very different from a 1988 90 or 110.
We looked into buying Santana dashes for converting RHD Solihull vehicles and while the dashes look similar were told by friends stationed in Spain that had the same thoughts, that they do not directly interchange, nor does the bulkhead with any 90 or 110.
The tunnel, floors, and seat base are also completely different.

It wasn’t until the early 90s that Santanas became radically different than the D90 and Series.
Completely inaccurate...
Solihull built the first 110 in 1983 when the leaf sprung series were completely phased out by 1984.
The British built 90s and 110s were ALL coil sprung, while Santanas were ALL leaf sprung.

The only reason I am even commenting here is that this is a for sale thread and saying 90% will be further misleading, 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.
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.
The two very different vehicles are only confused by the uninformed, so let's not mislead anyone on a for sale thread.

I picked up a D90 200tdi to replace the Santana engine. It bolts right up to the Santana frame mounts and the LT85 gearbox.
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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Tbaumer

Technical Excellence Contributor
While I'm not in the market for another (yet), this truck looks well taken care of. I would be interested in seeing these "differences" or "similarities". More pics would help! GLWS.
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
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.

*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.

*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.

*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.

*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.

*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.

* 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.

*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.


*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.
7554
I wish I had some better interior pics handy.
7551
7552
 
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terryjm1

Well-known member
While I'm not in the market for another (yet), this truck looks well taken care of. I would be interested in seeing these "differences" or "similarities". More pics would help! GLWS.
I would like to see more photos as well. This one really looks like an earlier model, say 85 vintage. It is more similar to a Series, just by seeing those photos. Mine has the D90 windshield frame, rear door, and dash, for example.
 
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RDavisinVA

Technical Excellence Contributor
I have spanish Land Rover parts lists and manuals and while while you may be able to take a Santana Door and bolt it onto to a British built vehicle that does not mean it is the same, Terry.
The Santana frame is not even close to a Defender 90 Frame and the dimensions are as different as an 88 Series III British built frame is to the frame of a 90 for example.
The Santana body may look similar to the D90, but is is very very very different and does not interchange.

Look, you may be a Defender wanna-be, but there is no need to come over here and try to prove to anyone how much you know and try to convince anyone on a for sale thread that a 1988 Santana vehicle is even close in any way to a 1988 D90 as anyone informed knows different.

You are misleading people on a sale thread and I call bullshit on every one of your statements that the vehicles are even close.
A 1988 Santana is worth 20 to 30% or much less than a D90 in similar condition.
Why?
Because in it's entirety, the vehicles are completely different, ie not even close.
You obviously have a problem being corrected, Terry, and won't take my word for it, so call Rovers North and ask them.
Oh and Terry, there is no further need for you to troll this thread or come on here again saying how what a victim you are and how your feelings are hurt from all of my abuse, that you are being hit below the belt and so on like you've done over on D90 source.

You are certainly free to stop hi-jacking this for sale thread and start your own thread on how and why a 1988 Santana is so similar to a 1988 D90, post up proof, and facts that prove your the expert on this sort of thing.
 
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terryjm1

Well-known member
Robert, it is clear you are not reading what I am writing nor looking at the photos I posted. You keep arguing the same points, about value for example as if I have made statements to the contrary. I stated they are valued in dollars lower. I’m not sure what that has to do with similarity of the models. You keep stating they are not the same vehicles, as I have said. The crux of this is you say they are radically different. Their parts interchangeability, large and small, greatly contradicts that. Yes, you can bolt up a Defender door and it is a perfect fit. I bought a set of Puma doors from a Safari HP and they are a perfect fit. They are great guys, by the way. It be would fantastic for you to post scans (post up your proof) of this manual and parts list you have. I posted up photos here that anyone who knows the vehicles can see the obvious similarities. I have indeed ordered parts from Rovers North for it via their website. I promised Zack I would only order parts if I supplied the part numbers and he then offered a discount when I did that. When I am back at the shop this summer I will take photos and start a thread as you have suggested simply to inform and clear up the misinformation you have posted. Again, I have one and can validate the points I made from direct experience. Anyone curious who is in the area come on over and we can have beer while we talk Land Rover. About your point about the frame, I briefly considered using parts, mainly the bulkhead and windshield frame to repair a D90. I discussed this in a Defendersource forum. I had Series’s owners contact about buying my Santana frame and springs to replace their rusty series frame. If they are so different how is it possible all those parts I bought fit? I’m the one that has a problem being corrected? Name calling and insults? I’m the one trying to prove how much I know?
 
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RDavisinVA

Technical Excellence Contributor
Robert, it is clear you are not reading what I am writing nor looking at the photos I posted. You keep arguing the same points, about value for example as if I have made statements to the contrary. I stated they are valued in dollars lower. I’m not sure what that has to do with similarity of the models. You keep stating they are not the same vehicles, as I have said. The crux of this is you say they are radically different. Their parts interchangeability, large and small, greatly contradicts that. Yes, you can bolt up a Defender door and it is a perfect fit. I bought a set of Puma doors from a Safari HP and they are a perfect fit. They are great guys, by the way. It be would fantastic for you to post scans (post up your proof) of this manual and parts list you have. I posted up photos here that anyone who knows the vehicles can see the obvious similarities. I have indeed ordered parts from Rovers North for it via their website. I promised Zack I would only order parts if I supplied the part numbers and he then offered a discount when I did that. When I am back at the shop this summer I will take photos and start a thread as you have suggested simply to inform and clear up the misinformation you have posted. Again, I have one and can validate the points I made from direct experience. Anyone curious who is in the area come on over and we can have beer while we talk Land Rover. About your point about the frame, I briefly considered using parts, mainly the bulkhead and windshield frame to repair a D90. I discussed this in a Defendersource forum. I had Series’s owners contact about buying my Santana frame and springs to replace their rusty series frame. If they are so different how is it possible all those parts I bought fit? I’m the one that has a problem being corrected? Name calling and insults? I’m the one trying to prove how much I know?

Again:
You are certainly free to stop hi-jacking this for sale thread and start your own thread on how and why a 1988 Santana is so similar to a 1988 D90, post up proof, and facts that prove your the expert on this sort of thing.
Go up and read post 1, 1989 Defender Santana For Sale.
There is no such thing.
You are proposing that your 1988 Santana is so similar to a Defender when it isn't true.
 
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