Project XJ

[Steve85]

Underneath features are a fully boxed frame (not C-channel) solid axles front and rear, coil springs, 4 wheel discs and full time 4WD. All sound pretty standard these days but go back and compare to Exploder/Cherokee/etc from the same time frame and you'll see these were always truly capable off roaders. If you're out there and you see a Discovery, take a few minutes to talk to the owner and check it out, heavy duty underneath...

On later examples like pictured above, the body, engine (all aluminum design purchased from Buick) and transmission (ZF) are all aluminum giving it a relatively low COG for its clearance. I think the test track in Lanham had a 45-48 degree tilt that they were stable on. It was steep enough to scare most on it. They came standard though with 4 oil leaks and one coolant leak, though most were fixed during "Operation Pride". I'm not sure who made the axles... ARB makes air lockers for them though.

Most of what you'll find in Defenders will be will be various European spec models and US model D 90's are just $$$.

And just a little tidbit of info...the Defender's were designed after all the WWII Jeeps left behind primarily as farm vehicles. Aluminum was used for the body because it was more plentiful in the UK at the time than steel. I'm guessing the "template" had a role in the Defender name.

I want a mid 90's Range Rover County LWB.