Welcome to
AB4x4s Cleveland

Keeping Tradition

Production started in 1948 with the Series 1 up until 09:30 on the 29th January 2016. This ended 67 years of production for Land Rover. Over the years Land Rover have released a huge range of vehicles; Series 1, Series 2, Series 3 through to the Defender.

This was not to be the end of the most iconic vehicles ever made. As practical as it was impractical that had conquered the world and our hearts and in doing so ignited a passion among enthusiasts wishing to preserve the sheer brilliance and vision of the Wilks brothers.

Together we will continue the history and remain true to the Land Rover heritage.
Start your historic journey with AB 4x4.

AB 4x4s Cleveland is an independent Land Rover specialist that deals with tax-exempt, galvanised chassis Series Land Rovers. In addition to the sales, AB 4x4s Cleveland Ltd is able to repair and service any vehicle. We specialise in restoring original Land Rovers

What we do How we do it
Intro Truck Image

At AB4x4s when it comes to restoring Land Rover Series, we like to think we know a thing or two, but every restoration brings surprise, enjoyment and pleasure. Our latest restoration turned out to be one amazing journey.

After being contacted the story began with our customer telling us he had recently discovered his grandfather’s Series 1 Land Rover. The Land Rover brought back many memories and stories including in its history teaching our customers father to drive. Going back generations in the same family we could tell listening to the tales that this truck obviously held a special place in our customers heart.

Having listened to the tales we were keen to know how we could help and what the customer would like us to do. Half expecting the vehicle to be a real classic show Landy requiring little more than a check over and service to get the owner on the road enjoying it again we were keen to get a look. At this point it was revealed that the project was a restoration.

Now the word barn find conveys a level of restoration. Field find were the next words that came our way. We all know the reputation and rust issues with Land Rovers this was not good news but never a team to shy away from a challenge we requested some pictures and a further chat about the direction the project.

Jumping forward and the vehicle was recovered to our workshop. Well, we say recovered loosely as that conveys some level of the parts representing a complete recognisable Land Rover Series 1. The Land Rover was in a terrible condition.

The restoration process started with the usual strip down – which really did not take long. From there an assessment of all the components took place and an inventory of what needed restoration or replacement. Everything was gone through in detail from the ground up by the AB4x4 engineers which saw them addressing all the rusted, repairs, welding, chassis, engine, suspension, gearbox and lots more beside before they could move on to restoring the bodywork sort the interior followed by returning the vehicle to the customer to enjoy.

With passion, vision and a degree of sentimentality the Land Rover Series 1 was carefully restored to its former glory. Everything was expertly finished to ensure longevity of the restoration giving the owner peace of mind that they will have many happy years of motoring with little to doing maintenance wise.

This truck is now back with the customer and will be enjoyed for many years and generations of their family to come, and we are truly proud of our work. The restoration process was hard and required a vast amount of skill from the AB4x4s technical team, but the end result has been well worth it.

Our MD at AB4x4s said;

“We feel that the truck is better than new with a classic style that will never go out of fashion.”

And what makes it all worthwhile is that our customer agrees.

“Just wanted to say an enormous thank you for the fantastic job you have done with restoring my grandfather’s Land Rover.

I thought it would be good from reports I had read about your company. The car has gone past any expectations I may had.”

So, what’s next for this restored Land Rover Series 1? Well, it’s time to enjoy it! We’ve been able to restore this classic car to its original condition and make sure that it will last for many more years of motoring enjoyment and we will be interested to keep an eye on who learns to drive in it next!

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help preserve your Land Rover, give us a call today.

One question that comes into the workshop on a regular basis is;

What gearbox is in my Defender?

The main gearboxes we get asked to identify are the R380, LT77 and LT85. There are many others and we will look at some of the detail below.

Below is a handy reference table to help you identify the main features of each box from their serial number.

Types of Gearbox

Gearbox TypeComments Serial No Style
 LT764 Speed 
 LT954 Speed box with integral transfer box found in early Series III 109 V8, 110 V8, 101 FC and Range Rover 
 LT775 Speed box fitted from 1983 to approx 1994 17A-74A PrefixA-H Suffix
 LT855 Speed “Santana” box fitted from approx 1988 to 199120C & 22C Prefix
 R3805 Speed box, replaced the LT77 fitted from approx 1994 to 200617A-74A PrefixJ on Suffix
 MT826 Speed Ford Getrag box introduced with Defender 2007 MY 
 PG1 4 Speed used in Freelander & some Rover Car models 

Additional Details

The first thing you need to do is note down your gearbox serial number.

The Gearbox Serial Number Stamped on a machined flat near the Drain Plug area.

The Number Consists Of :

  •  A Prefix e.g. 56A
  •  A six digit numerical
  • A Suffix Letter. Suffix A to H is an LT77 Transmission, Suffix J onwards is an R380 Transmission.

The first 2 give the application, ie 50A is 4 cylinder petrol and 4 cylinder diesel N/A and TD. These start from 1983 with the suffix ‘D’ 77 to the ‘H’ 77 and go up to the suffix ‘L’ for the R 380. They vary hugely but all have the prefix 50A.

Once you have the serial number you need to pay attention to the first 2 digits of the serial number but the last is very important also.

  • The 51A is the military 77, lower 1st and 2nd, run from D to H suffixes,
  • The 200 TDi used the 56A, all were suffix G or H, replaced by the 44A R 380, J to L
  • The 300 defender used the 56A R 380, most were J but go up to L
  • The 300 military was the 58A, same as above but with an oil cooler casting on the side
  • The TD5 was the 68A suffix L, Europe spec (non oil cooled)
  • The 74A was the TD5 def ROW (oil cooled) spec
  • The 66A was for the MPI defender (Italian police)
  • The 60A was the non oil cooled V8 def, 77 and 380, G to L
  • The 61A was the oil cooled def 77 and 380 G to L

Reverse Gear Position

The reverse gear can be used to give you basic information on whether you have an LT77 Gearbox or an R380 Gearbox.

  • If Reverse is next to 1st gear. You have an LT 77 or 85 gearbox
  • If Reverse is below 5th and inline with 4th gear you have an R380 transmission.

Once you have identified your gearbox you can safely order parts.

As we are now seeing a dusting of snow around our North Yorkshire workshop we decided to put a few essential motoring tips to help get you safely get the most out of your Land Rover through the winter months.

1. Check your tyres

During the winter you need to make sure your tyres grip the road. The law says you should change your tyres if you have 1.6mm of tread or less. We advise you check your tyre type against the manufacturers recommend guidelines and consider changing in line with their advice.

While your checking the tread its also a good idea to check that the pressures are correct. You will want around 32 PSI, again check your load and the types of terrain your will be driving on against the manufacturers guidelines.

Lastly, check your tyres for foreign objects, splits, cracks or bulges. Last thing you want is a tyre failing especially when road conditions potentially more trecorous.

2. Check your windscreen wash fluid

There are two checks to perform. The first and most obvious is that you have fluid in the resevoir. With salt on the roads along with usual muck and debris at this time of year it does not take long before your windscreen is covered making it difficult to see out. Keep an eye on the levels especially in winter and keep it topped up.

Read the guidelines on the container. Windscreen wash can be diluted but make sure you put in washer fluid with enough antifreeze for the winter conditions you will be experiencing.

3. Winter Starting

In winter with darkness closing in faster you will generally be using more electrical components (lights, heating, wipers etc). This draws power from the battery and during cold starts your battery has to work harder. Most garages will test your battery free or for a very small fee. If you don’t use your vehicle regularly invest in a smart charger to keep your battery in optimal condition.

4. Check your coolant

Essential all your round but in winter you want to make sure as the temperature drops your coolant will not freeze causing issues with your engine. If you have not changed your coolant in a while get it tested at your local garage who will be able to test the condition and give you reliable information on its boiling and freezing points. Keep your coolant topped up to ensure your engine remains within the optimal temperature range.

5. Be Prepared

It pays to be prepared. We suggest carrying a couple of essential items;

  • Warning triangle
  • Tow Rope
  • Hot Drink in a flask (if heading out on a long journey)
  • Spare battery charger for your phone
  • Folding shovels are handy for shifting snow that accumulates when parked.
  • De-icer and scraper
  • Torch
  • First aid kit
  • Paper road map. In-car satnav is great but if you have to walk a map can help.
  • Sun glasses (low sun during winter can be blinding for drivers)
  • Think Warmth (If you have a flat on a motorway and need to sit behind the barrier waiting for recovery)
    • Winter coat
    • Jumper
    • Walking boots
    • Gloves
    • Blanket (Wool is best)

Want a 4×4 that will take you anywhere?

We have a large selection of Land Rovers at our North Yorkshire facility and we offer UK and Worldwide delivery. Get in touch with the team at AB4x4s Cleveland to discuss your requirements.

Contact Us
First
Last

In July 2020 Roads Minister Baroness Vere announced that tyres aged 10 years and older will be banned from being fitted to the front wheels of lorries, buses and coaches on roads in the UK to improve road safety.

Alongside fitting tyres of 10 years or older additional details will be published about the re-treading of tyres. When the changes come into affect in Feb 2021 the tyres will need to display either the manufacture date of the re-treading date.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said:

In the same way that you wouldn’t drive a car with faulty brakes, ensuring your tyres are fit for purpose is crucial in making every journey safer.

Drivers are ultimately responsible for the vehicle they are driving. But it will be an impact on owners and operators of vehicles to ensure compliance with the new requirements. The rules will be enforced in regard to our Land Rovers at the annual MOT.

How do the rules affect Land Rover Owners?

According to LRO the new rules that will come into affect in Feb 2021 capture our 9 seater plus vehicles. In their article they state;

LRO has checked with DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) who have confirmed that 10- and 12-seater Land Rovers do meet the definition of minibus.

The new rules do not apply to vehicles over 40 years old which are used for non-commercial purposes, but 10+ seat long wheelbase (109-inch, One Ten and 110) station wagon models from late Series III through to 2007 – when the rules regarding forward-facing seats were introduced – could fall foul of the rules.

In reality your tyres are an extremely important part of the vehicle and one that needs attention. The recent studies and the lessons learned from accidents goes a long way into explaining that the age and degradation of the rubber and possible rust and corrosion of internal materials used to strengthen tyres cannot be seen making older tyres potentially more susceptible to fatigue and failure.

As a matter of course even if your tyres look great it is worth getting them checked and assessed by a professional.

Does the age of Tyres matter?

If we start but considering that it is the tyres that are the contact point with the road and responsible for not only steering, motion but also braking they are essential safety equipment.

Within the tyre industry the adopted German BRV standard considers tyres to be “new” and fit for retail up to 5 years from the date of production and they recommended tyres are replaced when they reach 7 – 10 years old regardless of visual inspection 0r 6 years in the case of caravans or trailers and tyres that run higher pressures in the 50psi range.

How to tell the age of your tyres?

Since 2000 tyres have been stamped with a DOT code which includes a date section. The date is the last 4 numbers in the sequence.

The numbers are easy to work out. The first two numbers are the week of manufacture and the last two numbers are the year of manufacture.

The numbers stamped on the tyre shows 4308. This translates to week 43 and year 2008.

Key Rules

  • tyres aged 10 years and older to be banned to help improve road safety
  • clearly visible date of manufacture mandatory on each tyre, ensuring older tyres are easy to spot

At AB4x4s we supply and fit a range of tyres for Land Rovers and we aim to match any like for like pricing.

Request a Price

Contact Us
First
Last

Sources

Government response to the consultation to ban tyres aged 10 years or older – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

10 year tyre ban for 10- and 12-seater Land Rovers | Articles | Land Rover Owner (lro.com)

BRV German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association – BRV e.V. (bundesverband-reifenhandel.de)

In 2015 the Historic status was extended covering Land Rovers over 40 years young. The change introduced an unusual quirk meaning that owners could fit the historic black and silver number plates even though this is not how they came out of the factory and that they would not have been allowed to display the historic number plate when new.

The latest legislation contains a number of rule changes that will be a blow to owners of military vehicles approaching the grand old age of 40. The change to legislation means that only vehicles with a construction date prior to 1st Jan 1980 will be allowed to display the iconic black and silver plates despite being in the DVLA’s historic vehicle tax class.

What vehicles can display a historic black and silver number plate?

Any vehicles made before January 1973 are allowed to display the white, silver or grey characters on a black plate. From April 2019, vehicles registered before the 1st of January 1979 can legally display historic style plates providing they have applied to the DVLA.

Do not confuse this with the 40-year tax exemption which is calculated from 1st April each year.

What is legal and illegal for number plates in the UK?

Here are a few points to look out for when it comes to displaying your number plate:

  • Use of a non-standard font or typeface (no italic lettering or hard to read font style)
  • Changing characters or modifying spacing between letters or letter groupings (be careful on screw placements and screw header colours.)
  • Do not add graphics or logos (such as sporting or religious emblems)

What happens if you display an illegal number plate?

Simple, if your vehicle does not display a legal set of number plates you could receive a fine of up to £1,000. It is also an automatically fail when it comes to your vehicle needing an MOT.

You can checkout all the rules on the government site:

Displaying number plates – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

To keep the page from getting too long we have decided to split the list in two. Week one saw us covering Christmas presents that would have any Land Rover enthusiast smiling on the big day. Hopefully we covered something in all price ranges and across all elements from stocking fillers to vehicle improvements and security.

If you missed the first 5 present ideas have a look at our blog

Starting the present ideas 6 to 10 we could not help but start with an essential Christmas gift (well in our house anyway). What are we talking about?


IDEA: 6 – Socks

Yup, the present that along side the Christmas jumper probably raises a chuckle. But we have combined two items of clothing to soften the blow but no Christmas present list would be complete with including socks.

The t-shirt comes from Spreadshirt

Landy Defender Hero Men’s T-Shirt | Spreadshirt

And the socks are from Fat Face

One Pack Land Rover Socks, Socks & Underwear | FatFace.com


IDEA:7 North Yorkshire Off Road Centre Driving Tuition

These guys are on our door step based on the beautiful North Yorkshire Coast just below Whitby.

Having taken two 11 year olds and a 10 year old on a driver experience course with our instructor Colin I can thoroughly recommend this centre for training.

The tracks are spread out over a wide area with a lot of challenges. As a tutor Colin really knows his stuff and delivered a great couple of hours tuition.

Their website describes the tracks as;

Our site is legendary amongst off road enthusiasts, and has been described in the press as one of the toughest off road test tracks in the UK”.  With the huge variety of obstacles and terrain on our private hillside and quarry on the cliff top, combined with a specialist 4×4 driving instructor, there’s no better place to drive off road, with fantastic views over the North Yorkshire coast.

Their website has a number of options from using their specialist vehicles through to taking your own. So if you are thinking of buying a Series or Defender for Christmas why not book a familiarisation session and learn how to make the most out of your purchase.

You can find out more about their courses and where you can take you Land Rover for a great day out on their website

North Yorkshire Off Road Centre (nyoffroad.co.uk)


IDEA:8 Fourby Boost Pin

For idea 8 we bring you another UK based company who are great to deal with and produce a wide range of tools, parts and modifications to improve your Defender.

They also run a cracking Facebook performance group which if you are interested in maximising not only the performance but the look of your truck is well worth a follow.

But to pick one of their products was pretty easy. We went for the boost pin. Now, I could try and explain it all but a YouTube channel with a Yorkshire man in Canada does it so much better than me.

All I wall say is (Watch the video and the quote will become clear)

“Spin the bloody wheels man”

Also a big thank you to Mike at Britannica Restorations Ltd over in Canada for producing brilliant maintenance videos. Check him out on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRssffMP_F8_SCJcqFLq4Ow

Fourby describe the boost pin as;

A new Boost Pin to our range! The Fourby Boost Pin is made exclusively for us in the UK. 

We have been working with our suppliers, to bring to you a rival boost pin but with a mid range price point. 

Machined to give the same performance as the Morgan Hill pin and fully hardened to the spec of the original Bosch Pin. 

And finally don’t take our word for it, just look at those reviews! If you are wanting to go all out they do a full tuning kit which you can find on their site on the link below

Fourby Boost Pin – www.Fourby.co.uk


IDEA:9 Headliner Replacement

Feb up of that sagging headliner, or maybe you don’t have one installed. AB4x4s are offering a service to install a new headliner using top quality 5 way stretch fabric to your vehicle.

Not only does the truck end up looking better as a result of a professionally installed headliner but some of the additional benefits include;

  • Less/No condensation
  • Heater warms the van faster (If your heater works ;-))
  • Quieter and much more pleasant
  • Warmer in winter, cooler in summer

You can find out more and book your fitting on our web shop

Headlining Recover – AB4x4 Cleveland | Land Rover Restoration Specialists |AB4x4 Cleveland | (ab4x4scleveland.co.uk)


IDEA:10 10% off a Full Service

Get you Land Rover Defender or Series in tip top condition for the new year. This week we are offering 10% off a full service if ordered online.

Our full service includes

  • Oil and Fuel Filter Change
  • Air filter change
  • Oil change (including washers and drain plug replacement if required)
  • Gearbox Oil Change
  • Differential Oil Change

To purchase your full service visit our online store

AB4x4s Land Rover Series or Defender Full Service – AB4x4 Cleveland | Land Rover Restoration Specialists |AB4x4 Cleveland | (ab4x4scleveland.co.uk)

Once you have purchased your service get in touch with Anthony to book a suitable date and time.


For the Land Rover enthuasist who is really hard to buy for…

We all have that person in on lives who we love. But when it comes to getting them a gift they seem to have absolutely everything and our minds are totally blank as to what to get them.

This year at AB4x4’s we have been putting together a list of bits and pieces that someone on the team has used, has or otherwise loves the look off.

We will be updating this post each day with what we think will put a massive smile on the face of your Land Rover enthusiast. These gifts will cover the full price range and be from many different locations. We hope you find something you like and with our biggest ever build in 2020 currently underway you might have guessed that we are a little more than excited this year.

IDEA:1

We are starting at the top of the spectrum with this idea but we thought it was an unreal idea. With two options to choose from you can have a watch that not only goes with your Land Rover but is in fact made out of parts of one.

The first choice is is the Beach Runner which the company describe as;

The RNR Beachrunner is our first-ever Swiss Made timepiece with a dial handcrafted from the roof of a 1981 Land Rover. Limited to 552 pieces.

The Beach Runner comes in at £1,343 and can be found on the company website;

RNR Beachrunner – REC Watches

Or if your tastes are more modern the company has the R.O.C.K Fighter which that build up as;

The RNR Rockfighter is our first-ever Swiss Made timepiece with a dial handcrafted from the door of a 2003 Land Rover Defender. Limited to 463 pieces.

The R.O.C.K Fighter also comes in at £1,343 and can be found on the company website;

RNR Rockfighter – REC Watches

We know we have set off with a very high bar but these stood out as cool but if you want to set the bar even higher we always have vehicles for sale.


IDEA:2

This idea is to help your Land Rover loved one improve their vehicle. I first came across this amazing product while restoring a personal vehicle. The product I am referring too is the Syncro Gearboxes, Slick Shifter.

Who are Syncro Gearboxes?

Syncro Gearboxes is a UK based company that specialises in Land Rover Gearbox parts and upgrades. We also offer a wide range of engine/gearbox adapters

While it sounds like a part that should be more associated with a racing car than a Land Rover this product turns the wayward wondering of the Land Rover gearbox into something that feels more positive and modern.

The Slick Shift is made in the UK by a friendly and industry leading firm of engineers. To say this is simple to fit is an understatement and in contrast the changes to the drivability is frankly stunning.

It is safe to safe that these guys are experts at what they do and we have only picked out one of their products that we found makes a real difference.

Syncro Gear boxes describe their Slick Shift as;

The Syncro Gearboxes Slickshift® is arguably the best modification for any Defender, Discovery, Range Rover or Series Land Rover owner. The Slickshift® improves the gear selection making it easier and more comfortable to drive your cherished Landy. With drivability in mind, the Slickshift® was designed to make the driving experience more pleasurable. 

Checkout their company website for their range of products;

Defender LT77 & R380 Slickshift inc TD5 | Online Gearbox Parts Shop

If you are in the process of restoring or improving your Land Rover Defender or Series we have a range of parts available in our online shop.


IDEA:3

For today’s present idea we are including the perfect stocking filler. From Car Keyrings UK we have found a lovely Stainless Steel Defender Keyring that is made in the UK.

The company describe them as;

Land Rover Defender Stainless Steel Keyring

Designed and Made in the UK using high quality materials – finished in 2mm Stainless Steel with a brushed effect.

Size – Approximately 50mm in length.

You can pick yours up online from the company website

CarKeyrings


IDEA:4

For Friday we are looking at a topic that is at the fore of every Land Rover Defender owners thinking… Security.

There are a variety of products on the market but one of the easiest to use that is very effective is a good quality pedal lock.

Here we are suggesting a product that is designed and made not only in the UK but down the road from our base right here in Yorkshire.

MUD-UK is a family owned company founded in 2003 and underpinned by a lifetime of Land Rovers. They are based in the heart of the Yorkshire Pennines.

The product from their range that we have picked out is their Ardcase Pedal Lock


IDEA:5

Today we start with a brilliantly researched and well put together history of the Land Rover Defender. It covers everything from the inception of the Defender through to an unusually customised Defender that can be used as a boat.

What Ben has got spot on is the sentiment of the classless vehicle. The Defender is equally has happy with royalty or sheep in the back.

I was gifted this book last year and it is a brilliant read.

The promotional blurb for the book describes it as;

As quintessentially British as a plate of fish and chips or a British Bulldog, the boxy, utilitarian Land Rover Defender has become an iconic part of what it is to be British.

It is said that for more than half the world’s population, the first car they ever saw was a Land Rover Defender. It mirrors many of our national traits, stiff upper-lipped and slightly eccentric. The car has remained relatively unchanged for nearly seven decades and has spawned an industry that includes dozens of publications, car shows, clubs, associations and even model car collectors who dedicate their lives to the Land Rover.

To understand this national love affair, Ben has travelled the length of the British Isles in a Defender, spending time with fellow Land Rover enthusiasts: from visiting Colonel Blashford-Snell, who crossed the jungles of the Darien Gap, to patrolling the streets of Belfast with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Ben has met folk who have converted their beloved Defenders into everything from hearses and coffee shops to works of art and fire trucks. He has travelled from the Red Wharf in Anglesey, Wales onto the Western Isles of Scotland and Islay, the island used as a testing ground by Spencer Wilks in 1947 to put several of the early Series Land Rover prototypes through their paces.

After 67 years and 2 million vehicles the Land Rover Defender has ceased production, and this book is a fitting tribute to this most British institution which has stood as a beacon of durability and Britishness across the world. Every Land Rover has its own unique story to tell. This is the story of the world’s favourite car.

You can pick up a copy at your local book shop or it can be ordered from Waterstones online

Land Rover by Ben Fogle | Waterstones

Off the top of my head I can think of about 14 engines that have powered the mighty Land Rover Defender (and Series vehicles) over the years and not counting the latest Defender incarnation. That is for another article I think as I have not yet had the pleasure of driving one.

Some say it was add out of the necessity to meet the European Emissions Regulations, some say it does not meet the needs of the truck? Whatever your disposition on the matter the 2.2l TDCI is a a refined engine with lots of power and torque.

Personally. I have a 300tdi parked on the drive and it is a great blend of simplicity with enough grunt to make road journeys at a decent speed possible. Refined it is not. Compared to the 2.2l engine the 300tdi is less refined, noisier but in my view one of the last true Defenders.

The 300tdi is the sort of engine that if you give it some love and attention it just keeps going and going. The limited electronics compared to the 2.2l engines are also a great bonus as I have seen these go very wrong first hand causing expensive repair bills.

To keep the boss happy we best throw a couple of the Series engines into the mix. Lets start with the word agricultural and work from there. The 2.25l engines that adorned the Series III vehicles evoke memories from their beautiful and unique aroma to the vibrations through the vehicle.

But the 2.25l Diesel that appeared in Series III vehicles in 1983-84. We probably know this as the 2.3l engine but it was actually a 2286cc lump. This engine was a bit of a contrast. Give it the necessary attention and it was unstoppable and would run forever. Yet on the converse it is a high maintenance bit of engineering. However, the simplicity of the mechanics made it easy to maintain or fix in a field, if a bit of an art form.

Live with the vibration and other quirks and this is a quaint bomb proof engine if you look after it. Also, as an aside these engines also got some use in London Taxi’s back in the day.

Following this you obviously have the;

  • 2.5l petrol
  • 2.5l diesel
  • 2.5l Turbo Diesel
  • 3.5l V8
  • 3.9l V8 Injection

Ok, by now you are wondering what is this bright idea? I know about all these engines.

The Bright Idea

Keeping an eye on what is happening in the world of Land Rover and of course restoration we came across an artisan company in the depths of Wales who have completed a Land Rover Defender 110 conversion with state of the art Telsa running gear.

You read that right! The team in wales have taken a stock LR 110 and converted it with Tesla’s 450hp Model S 4×4 drive unit.

Expensive

Exactly what I thought. But this canny set of engineers have been sourcing these modern engines from our very eco friendly neighbours in Norway when they have low mileage write-offs. Looking around there are plenty to choose from!

What is to compare

Well for starters the stock engine, the 2.2l diesel we mentioned above has a 0-60mph time of somewhere in the 16sec range (if fully tuned services and with a following wind) whereas the Tesla running gear propels the Defender down the road to 60mph in an astonishing 5secs eventually topping out at an more than respectable but scary 120mph.

Can it go off road?

Yup! The permanent 4×4 has apparently improved the experience. With the standard transmission and transfer box having been swapped out for a full-time four-wheel-drive system operating on an uprated limited-slip diffs the electric motor is ready to deliver peak torque from a standstill. In reality this means off-road it can crawl along at very low rpm when required.

This cannot be perfect?

Nothing is perfect and its Achilles is located in the knock to towing capacity. Where our beloved diesel engines and setups are able to pull 3.5T the Tesla with all its torque is only rated to 2.5T. That said with a reported 450Nm of torque it will still manage to pull a 2.5T load without trouble.

Distance/Fuel Economy

It isn’t too bad, producing around 150miles of travel from a set of Tesla Lithum Ion Batteries.

Is this bright idea?

It is definitely a way of breathing new life into vehicles and putting a modern twist on historic restorations. It is something our engineers will be keeping a close eye on as the technology is mainstream in modern cars and we are sure that soon enough with all the rules and regulations around motoring the time will come when we are tasked by customers to fit our Series restorations with modern electric running gear.

Watch this space, you never know when we will be showing off our first electric vehicle and adding the Tesla’s 450hp Model S 4×4 drive unit to our list of available engines.

We are the leading Land Rover Restoration Specialists in the North East. We can restore any Land Rover!

Thinking of a project with a Land Rover Series or Defender?

Vehicles for SaleBespoke Conversions

Beautiful weather, georgous beaches with idillic ports and towns to explore. Jersey is somewhat of an exotic holiday location pretty much just off our UK shore line. It is also a little way apart, a little bit different, ever so slightly exotic.

Just like our latest project. This stunning 1971 Land Rover Series II petrol has been finished off to our customers bespoke requirements. Rebuilt onto a galvanised chassis before a full nut and bolt rebuild. The results are absolutely stunning.

Now that we have completed our final checks this lovely example of our bespoke conversions and restorations will be transported to our customer on the island of Jersey. Whilst it is a small island with a top speed limit of 40mph who can think of a better place to explore in this eye catching Land Rover.

At AB4x4s Cleveland we specialise in restoring Series Land Rovers to customers exact specifications. We have a team of mechanics, fabricators and paint shop technicians who can assist with your project. Our office will handle all your paper work whether this is a national or International project.

We can advise on any aspect of your conversion or conservation plans and even on shipping worldwide.

Enquire about a bespoke conversion

Contact Us
First
Last

Over the course of 35+ years of ownership most vehicles will have changed colour once or more than once as owners changed, adapted and most likely convert to galvanised parts to beat off the infamous rust.

Military, commercial and special specification vehicles leaving the factory could be covered in any paint scheme but civilian Land Rovers in the years, 1959 to 1968, covering the series II, IIA and III had official paint schemes.

From our research across multiple Land Rover publications we have compiled a list of colours and years

  • Pastel Green 1959 – 1984
  • Bronze Green 1959 – 1988
  • Deep Olive Green 1970 – 1971
  • Lincoln green 1970 – 1984
  • Java Green – Stage I only
  • Marine Blue 1958 – 1987
  • Tuscan blue 1972 – 1987
  • Pageant Blue Stage I only
  • Limestone 1959 – 1984
  • Poppy Red – 1959 – 1968
  • Masai Red 1970 – 1985, Stage I & County models only
  • Russet Brown – SIII County model only
  • Sand 1959 – 1984
  • Bahama Gold – 1971 – 1989
  • Inca Yellow Stage I only
  • Mid grey 1959 – 1984
  • Dark grey (burnt gray) 1959 – 1968
  • Sandglow “Camel trophy Yellow”

Some colors require white primer, others grey.

  • Alpine White RTC6870A
  • White Primer RTC4055A
  • Grey Primer RTC4056A

If you are considering a restoration this list may be helpful in your decision making but we can assist with converting and painting your Land Rover to any colour specification you can imagine. Check out our Bespoke and Land Rovers for sale pages for some ideas.

Why are we researching the colours?

Well apart from general knowledge and to allow us to undertake accurate restorations when needed we are also going to start offering a unique service. Our plan is when you purchase your galvanised doors from us we will be able to offer you a spray and deliver service. For now we are planning to get this live on the website but if you want to make use of this service now please get in touch with Anthony for more details and prices.

We are happy to help..

We are more than happy to talk about anything Land Rover related. If you would like advice or are considering a project one of our expert team will be delighted to answer any questions.