A question?

[globallandrovers]

if you were to buy a truck from abroad, would you prefer a vehicle with a solid chassis and bulkhead. Good running gear, recently serviced, but not looking too pretty

or a vehicle that looks all bling but has a chassis and bulk head that may need replacing or serious work.

Reason for my question is this, I have always tried to supply vehicles that the mechanics and frame were good (first thing we do) and we only pay attention to the interior and exterior if its within budget.

I often loose out to other people who make them look bling first and ignore the rest. I try and keep my prices competitive. So should I continue to do it my way? or do both and increase my base prices?


recently i posted pics of a 110 ex mod on a facebook forum that drew a lot of major criticism, I had it up for $4000 plus shipping or best offer.

The vehicle is spoken for.

I brought this as a project. It needs a new body. But it has a 18K engine and transmission, the chassis is 100% solid and the bulkhead is too. even the dash top has no cracks in it.

It looks an awful mess.

A few years ago i looked at the complete ex mod 110 in the pic at withams, it looked lovely, it had just over 100k on it but the chassis and the bulkhead were terrible, I passed on it, but it did end up in the USA.

I just get frustrated, because people of en don't understand you have to look beneath the glitter or in this case the crappy shell to find the princess. I have been sourcing Land Rovers now for over 30 years and yes sometimes I get it wrong, but I was right about this truck. In the advert it looked far worse, but a jet wash helped show its true beauty.

 

[stu454]

I would prefer a good frame and bulkhead. I'm a weirdo in that I prefer a truck with patina as opposed to a half-ass "make-it-look-good" paint job or the "what-am-I-thinking" $15k show car paint job.

I'm hardly an expert; I barely qualify as an enthusiastic amateur. But I would guess that a lot of the guys looking at these trucks have no clue what they're getting into. They see a pretty, 10' paint job and start flipping off hundred-dollar bills like a guy at a strip club that can't see the bruises under the stripper's makeup.

 

[The_Vermonster]

Honestly, it is going to come down to the intentions of the customer. Most of the people I saw on Facebook were looking at it from the perspective of "how much could I make on restoring this thing." Their conclusion was 100% correct, you would most likely lose money trying to restore it. I would estimate a solid restoration would be in the $10k range, assuming no major power-train issues. You might be able to flip it for $15k. I would almost guarantee someone would sell those doors and put cheaper crank windows on it.

But your true customer is going to be someone that doesn't want a restored vehicle. They will want to make it their own. Buying a restored vehicle, only to remove half the add-ons and repaint, is a waste of time. Things like lights and bumpers are a piece of cake to find exactly what you want. The fenders, hood, and bed need some work, and that could be tough.

My wife and I watch a few of those HGTV shows like House Hunters and Property Brothers. I'd say 75% of the time a couple will pick a house that is more complete over the house that has better bones, and could be easily made into their perfect house. They almost always give the same excuse, "we just couldn't see it." Sadly this applies to your truck as well.

You are in a tough spot. Either sit on it and wait for the perfect customer who will appreciate that you left it alone, or start putting money into it to broaden your pool of potential customers. I think straight fenders and a running engine would be worth $2k in piece of mind.

 

[nas90tdi]

From my point of view, solid truck everytime. I think people either don't know, or lose sight of the fact that these trucks are all exactly the same truck underneath all the shiny stuff. And, it is far cheaper the fix an ugly color then an ugly frame and bulkhead.

I to am baffled why the MOD trucks aren't more popular. The odds of getting a solid backbone are far greater with an MOD then a civilian. No way did the MOD try to cover up something terrible. They either replaced it or throw it out. Plus, you are starting with a base truck that every single part is Genuine and operational for the most part.

But, to be fair. I can almost always see what something can be, and can turn every wrench on it. That plays a huge part of it for some I think. The impression is that the shiny truck won't need as much work. The unfortunate part of that is, if you get into this as a hobby, that's great. But, if you are buying it to make a statement or impress someone, you won't be very impressive when your heap is pissing oil out everywhere it parks.

 

[chuckc4]

A good looking truck has broader appeal to most people. I don't think you can count even half the Defender owners as enthusiasts like you might count those of us who are on this site a lot, as well as the other Land Rover web sites catering to Rovers. Too many owners, it is about the "label" and that is why the prices are where they are.

The only problem with selling a good look truck at the expense of a sound mechanical truck is your reputation... Regardless of who buys from you, they most likely expect expertise from you as a buyer. How many Defenders are in garages of people that would never think to look underneath at the frame -- i would say it is a high number compared to those of us who will crawl around underneath and know about how much it would cost (time and parts) to replace things we know need replacing.

So, the question becomes what is your reputation worth?

 

[AdamSanta85]

Frame, body, doors, and bulkhead matter most to me. They are the most expensive to fix and the hardest for a DIY'er. I don't know how to do body work, and can't in my home garage, but I can definitely turn a wrench to replace a mechanical part, fix a leak etc.

 

[chris snell]

It just depends on the buyer. For me, I knew I was going to replace the chassis and drivetrain no matter the truck. I still bought a truck with a nice frame but ended up selling it off.

If given the choice, however, I want a good, clean body and bulkhead. If I'm ever in the Defender market again, it will be for another truck to rebuild. Rebuilding my truck was such an incredible learning experience. If you're going to do long vehicle-dependent trips in remote areas, the knowledge and self-sufficiency that you gain from a rebuild is invaluable. Not to mention, you'll end up with a far more reliable truck.

 

[Jeff B]

If given the choice, however, I want a good, clean body and bulkhead.

Same here....I've been tinkering with a buildup for almost a year.
Started with a rolling chassis.
I think I've turned every nut and bolt on this truck except for the motor and trans.... some more than once.

Now, just need to fix the loose nut behind the steering wheel.



.

 

[globallandrovers]

Normally we sell truck cabs both civilian and military for between $12,000 - $15,000 Landed and cleared customs USA. Defendant on spec. Did the one below a few years back to a chap in AZ

Just did a red one for $13,000 landed, this was a project it had a great body and bulkhead, a sweet engine and transmission and whilst it had been welded on the rear, it wasn't a pretty job (it wasn't done by us), I had it checked at my local MOT station and re-MOT's to be sure it was a legit previous test. We had to fit a new fuel tank because of a diesel leak, but it passed. I highlighted the shoddy welding with silver spray paint so the client could see it easily. That is really all it needs, just some tidying. Its currently in transit.

 

[globallandrovers]

I'm taking what your saying on board. As we don't do a lot of 5 doors now. We concentrate on the 2 door pick ups (entry level defender style vehicles, and on 130's (not entry level vehicles)

Most of our business is our tdi and TD5 conversion kits, both the take-out repower kits and the re-manufactured kits.

 

[The_Vermonster]

Now, just need to fix the loose nut behind the steering wheel.

I hear removing it is the hardest part. Once it's off, lots of beer is the best way to keep it off.

 

[stu454]

I hear removing it is the hardest part. Once it's off, lots of beer is the best way to keep it off.

Or a woman.

 

[rocky]

If that bent up 110 was to be mine, I'd have no hesitation about replacing all the damaged body panels and and resolving any mechanical issues discovered during that work before shipping it over. I wouldn't worry about using good used panels if they are available either.

Paint is a fickle thing. So subjective and personal. I'm a farm truck kinda guy not a Chelsea tractor sloan ranger type who wants a 2017 quality paint job. However, suspect it would stand out less to have a Defender in one colour rather than two or more coming through customs. So since I replaced the panels a UK based respray is needed.

 

[nas90tdi]

That's my thought to. I don't mind the farm truck. I have had both ,perfect and a little rough. My MOD truck I currently have is the least stressful of them.
Yes, the truck you posted looks like hammered ass, but that's just body panels if the rest is as good as you say. I view it as a good deal on good parts. People ask $4k+ all the time for rolling chassis. That is a rolling chassis plus a boatload of money worth of interior and misc parts.

 

[globallandrovers]

If that bent up 110 was to be mine, I'd have no hesitation about replacing all the damaged body panels and and resolving any mechanical issues discovered during that work before shipping it over. I wouldn't worry about using good used panels if they are available either.

Paint is a fickle thing. So subjective and personal. I'm a farm truck kinda guy not a Chelsea tractor sloan ranger type who wants a 2017 quality paint job. However, suspect it would stand out less to have a Defender in one colour rather than two or more coming through customs. So since I replaced the panels a UK based respray is needed.

Thats was to be my plan for the truck, but a good client of mine is having it, we are going to sort the brakes so towing isnt a problem

 

[globallandrovers]

Here are some chassis and closer bulkhead pics that i sent to my client/

as you can see surface rust as you'd expect, but nothing worse, even the battery tray on the seat box is good!

My client says he wants it, but has to wait for funds, so its available. I'm open to offers ex UK.I will deliver it to the docks. And i can help arrange shipping.