Defender 90

[CrnCnn]

The owner of where I work bought a Defender 90. I think he traded his Escalade for it. Pretty tough looking. Not sure of the color tho... :p

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_00144.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/15771)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_00151.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/15772)

[Sprey]

Looks good, and with the Vx even better :D.

[lasturbo]

It looks like a pretty clean 94 or 95 D90 with ARB bumper and winch. We do not see that many come in to our dealership anymore. Wish they would come back to America also!!

[Riff Raff]

Ah; yes, the famous LR Defender-90. I used to own a Limited Edition 1997 Defender-90, #227/300 (the last USA model). I bought it brand new off the show room floor for $50K and put only 1,600 miles on it (yes, sixteen-hundred miles). I later ended up selling it at an exotic car consignment dealership for $50K, but took a $3K loss on the original sales tax initial purchase. Afterwhich, I put the $50K as a down payment on a house.

All I can say about the Defender-90 is that it is a super-tough truck with go anywhere capability. There were only two(2) things I didn't like about it:

A: It drinks gas like kool-aid. When the speedometer needle goes to the right; the fuel gauge needle goes to the left (at the same time; no joke).

B: The driver door is right up close to your left shoulder with zero elbow/shoulder room (same for front passenger). It just didn't have the creature comforts I expected for spending $50K. My 1978 FJ-40 blows it out of the water, hands down.

[Riff Raff]

Ah; yes, the famous LR Defender-90. I used to own a Limited Edition 1997 Defender-90, #227/300 (the last USA model). I bought it brand new off the show room floor for $50K and put only 1,600 miles on it (yes, sixteen-hundred miles). I later ended up selling it at an exotic car consignment dealership for $50K, but took a $3K loss on the original sales tax initial purchase. Afterwhich, I put the $50K as a down payment on a house.

All I can say about the Defender-90 is that it is a super-tough truck with go anywhere capability. There were only two(2) things I didn't like about it:

A: It drinks gas like kool-aid. When the speedometer needle goes to the right; the fuel gauge needle goes to the left (at the same time; no joke).

B: The driver door is right up close to your left shoulder with zero elbow/shoulder room (same for front passenger). It just didn't have the creature comforts I expected for spending $50K. My 1978 FJ-40 blows it out of the water, hands down.

[crotchrocket]

I think the problem is these vehicles were never meant to be 50 grand off roaders, its designed and built as a work horse not a mall crawler, they have only upped the price and added unneccessary extras because the customers want it and are there to buy it. i've always seen them as a 'tool' rather than a 4x4, amazing vehicles but not for creature comforts. Infact it was a choice between a v8 defender and my VX when buying my 4x4 and as i am 90% on road i got the VX. The Defenders off road capabilities would so rarely be used that it was not worth the sacrafice of the on road comfort.

[alterastro]

Having owned a V8 90 I can honestly say they are great vehicles for off road, but MAJORLY over-priced. A new one over here starts at about $40k. Add a few extras and it easily adds another $10-20k. All this for a basic machine that has few comforts. I have a Pajero (Montero), a VX and used to own the 90, but I doubt I'd have another. The Paj matches it for off-road ability and the VX beats it on looks. If they were half the price it would be a better bet!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/bullfrog_90_11.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15775)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/bullfrog_90_16.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15776)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/bullfrog_90_25.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15777)

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, I love the D90s and D110s, but the prices are crazy and I hear they are expensive as balls to maintain. For now, I will stick with my Trooper. Its paid for and parts and accessories are pretty cheap. And it's an Isuzu. :)

Bart

[lasturbo]

Having owned a V8 90 I can honestly say they are great vehicles for off road, but MAJORLY over-priced. A new one over here starts at about $40k. Add a few extras and it easily adds another $10-20k. All this for a basic machine that has few comforts. I have a Pajero (Montero), a VX and used to own the 90, but I doubt I'd have another. The Paj matches it for off-road ability and the VX beats it on looks. If they were half the price it would be a better bet!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/bullfrog_90_11.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15775)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/bullfrog_90_16.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15776)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/bullfrog_90_25.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15777)


At least you still have them in the UK and other Euro countries. Plus you have diesel!! We only got the petrol US versions from 94-95, 97 and the D110 in 1993.

[Knivx]

My uncle had one of the 500 d110's imported here. Let me drive it once and fell in love. He also had a 90 that was rolled and was trying to fix. We both had 61 Series 2's. He still has his but i sold mine. Really wish i hadn't. The price is ridiculous here in the states for one. There are just as few vx's as d90's here iirc. I'd still give anything to have a 110 or a 90.

[Marlin]

I'd still give anything to have a 110 or a 90.

I would trade my VX straight up for a good shape 90. I have a cousin-in law that has a fully decked out 90. Snorkel, hand throttle so you can drive it from outside the truck...everything. Sweet.

[nfpgasmask]

I would trade my VX straight up for a good shape 90.

Now you're talkin' crazy! The only way I will have a D90 is if it is parked right next to my VX. :D

Bart

[ZEUS]

I agree with every post in this thread! It must be a new era or something! :)
I rode around in a 90 years ago on a mountain trail in Colorado - Mt Blanca. Every time I see a D90 I think of that trip... The Colorado Christian 4-wheelers of Colorado Springs took out 8 rigs including the D90. After getting all the way to the lake at the end of the trail you have to turn around and leave the same way you got there. After ripping thru a sidewall on a BFG MT, I broke an axle on one of the Jeeps at a cliff edge (Jaws 2) and quickly ran out of daylight. Spring water was crossing the trail at a difficult obstacle and made things precarious enough that we had to secure the Jeep over night by wrapping it's winch line around a tree (with a tree strap) and back to the Jeep. My dad and I had left all the camping supplies at camp... dur. We caught a ride in the D90 which had bypassed the obstacle and we slept overnight in an abandoned cabin with no roof, which was actually fun. I remember noting how smooth the D90 rode over all the boulders and rocks. The next morning, we had to hike up to the Jeep where there was a muddy mess all around the Jeep and we started stacking rocks to get out of there. I forgot I had depressed the parking brake and started reversing... this blew apart a wheel cylinder in a rear drum so we had to crimp the brake line. We finally made it off the mountain, but every rig, no matter what brand, broke during that trip. One rig had to stay the weekend. The D90 broke a shock mount and I think dropped a spring. My Jeep and one other were the only rigs that even made it to the lake. There is my D90 story, so there, it's not a t-jack! :p

[nfpgasmask]

I remember noting how smooth the D90 rode over all the boulders and rocks.

I know some Rovers have IFS in the front and rear, are the D90/110s like this as well?

Bart

[Marlin]

Now you're talkin' crazy! The only way I will have a D90 is if it is parked right next to my VX. :D

Bart

Problem is you can't touch a D90 for less than 30K, guess I will just have to settle for my VX, which I will OWN in a few months. (Yippee!!!!!!!!)

[Triathlete]

There used to be a yellow d90 here in tucson...linked suspension front and rear, portal axles, full cage, trimmed fenders and 39 inch tires. It was very nice. Don't know what ever happened to it. haven't seen it in a long time.

[CrnCnn]

its a '94 and has 15k miles... i HAD to clearify with him.... one... five and three zeros... holy crap. I asked when we are going on a trip, he said it will never see the dirt. He wants to keep it a few years and sell it.

[nfpgasmask]

its a '94 and has 15k miles... i HAD to clearify with him.... one... five and three zeros... holy crap. I asked when we are going on a trip, he said it will never see the dirt. He wants to keep it a few years and sell it.

Never see dirt!!! OMG that is sad, it was born to be off road!! I guess it will be a good investment though.

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

Problem is you can't touch a D90 for less than 30K, guess I will just have to settle for my VX, which I will OWN in a few months. (Yippee!!!!!!!!)

Oh I know, I'm just saying, if I ever do find a way to own a D90, it won't be because I sold my baby. That's all.

Bart

[ZEUS]

Ala T4B
"I know some Rovers have IFS in the front and rear, are the D90/110s like this as well?
Bart"

Nah, real Rovers have solid axles! The methods used to attach the axles were changed over the years and you can upgrade:

http://www.eastcoastrover.com/coilsprung.html

Notice the difference in the last 2 pics in this link:

http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/resources/3linkcompare/

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, I remember now, it was a guy at work that said he went and looked at a newer (2002-2006) Land Rover (Discovery maybe) and it had Independent Suspension in the rear. Maybe he was smoking crack though. :)

Bart

[VX KAT]

I asked when we are going on a trip, he said it will never see the dirt. THAT'S JUST SO WRONG!!!

We found a clean '97 at Carmax in Plano Texas of all places, with only 9,000 miles at 5 years old. Let's just say Plano wasn't a D90 kind of town...so it sat and sat and sat on the lot.....after 9 months sittin' there, they marked it down to a blow out price of $35,000. We snapped it up and had it for 5 yrs.

We loved it, but it was just like others described...very shy on creature comforts! It had "bolt-on a/c"...does anybody even remember what that is??? It was literally impossible to go faster than about 71-72mph.....it's a brick on wheels. Finally, when the FJ Cruiser came out we said, with much chagrin,...time to trade. Luck was with us (for once) and the D90 appreciation boom was underway and we sold it to a LR dealer for just $1,000 less than we paid....walked into Toyota and paid for the FJ.....but we really miss it, especially now, living in Northern Arizona. I'd love to get a red or yellow one...(yeah, right, in my dreams:rollb:...when we win the lottery.....)
These 1st 2 pics are from Barnwell Mtn in TX, then some from Colorado, & Big Bend Nat'l Park in TX (don't know why some pics are large, some small??)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Picture_0033.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Picture_0201.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/COLORADO-1.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Big_Bend_Dec_2003_093.jpg
oh yeah, Bandi liked it better than the FJ or VX...she had her own back window!http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/E-Bay_Pictures_810.jpg
And I like the color....kinda partial to that yellow thang....

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN1159.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN1153.JPG

[Marlin]

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN1159.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN1153.JPG

I saw your FJ in Moab, I like it, should of brought it out with us in Kane's Creek:)
Sans the color matched camper of course.