Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Herts / Essex
Posts: 192
MY 55 D3 HSE Auto
Just thought i'd start a thread to follow my D3 ownership...
I've never had a 4x4 before but have wanted a D3 for years and am now the proud owner of a '55' HSE Auto which i am loving so far having picked it up on Saturday and driven it home 250 miles...
Here she is... I'm not in the habit of naming cars but I get a feeling this one is going to be around a while so we will see...
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It has come with loads of paperwork and receipts so i can see it had a new compressor and timing belt, tensioner and idler fitted in 2012 which was only 20k miles ago... And had the front arms replaced a couple of months ago...
It has a few things that need doing/replacing but nothing major at this stage, rear wiper arm is corroded/seized and the blade split so i have ordered replacements, one of the handle pieces of trim is loose so have ordered one of them too, a set of mats and a boot liner should be arriving today, i also have a set of clear side indicators and chrome bulbs coming and also chrome bulbs for the front thinking of a future detango...
Future plans:
Work the trim back to black, the scuttle is very faded so may just replace it - Any recommendations?
A good leather clean/condition.
Detango.
Some new tyres - not sure whats on it at the moment but they are not all the same - will get all the brakes and bushes checked while they are off.
Split charging system would be very handy with a 240 inverter in the boot, i fly model aircraft and being able to charge in the field would be nice.
LED interior bulbs and maybe an LED strip for in the boot.
It's just been serviced and had a new battery but i'll probably do diff and transfer oil changes while we have some decent weather just so i know they have been done.
Spare wheel protector.
Towbar.
I'm also going to book myself on to a protrax day for £50, just to learn what it can do and because i've never had a 4x4 before...
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Herts / Essex
Posts: 192
Just won a couple of "Harmon Kardon Drive + Play, Car iPod connections" on eBay for £15 posted... Not sure if they will work with my iPod touch with an adapter but worth a punt for £15...
Not sure where i'll fit the display yet if it works, my car has a Parrot bluetooth fitted which sits to the R of the sat nav (not sure why as it has built in bluetooth which seems to work...)
18th Jul 2016 1:53 pm
Mr Kington
Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 1552
Very nice, is that Bramfields woods by any chance ?James favourite hobby is writing in the third person.
18th Jul 2016 4:01 pm
PaulJC
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Herts / Essex
Posts: 192
It is indeed, the Datchworth end, it's the bravest i've been, dry gravel and dirt lol, and will probably stay that way till i find someone to save me when i get it wrong lol
18th Jul 2016 4:06 pm
Mr Kington
Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 1552
Thought it looked familiar !! I let Jacob my 6 year old drive the car down the track. Get some very confused / scared looking walkers.James favourite hobby is writing in the third person.
18th Jul 2016 6:28 pm
PaulJC
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Herts / Essex
Posts: 192
lol, there is another half decent length of lane not far away between Chapmore End and Bengeo, not been brave enough to try that one as it gets very 'slick' at times...
Turns out i have 2 goodyear Wranglers on the back which look like they might be useful but a couple of cheap road pattern tyres on the front... i'd rather get some of the little bits on the car done first and i don't particularly want to get stuck anywhere so holding off anything too 'testing looking' until i can get some new rubber and find a playmate...
Maybe the Portray day will show me i'm being a bit of a pussy because in reality i have no idea what the car is capable of...
18th Jul 2016 10:52 pm
Mr Kington
Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 1552
When Geoff is more mobile I will let you know if he comes out to mine. Thinking of getting a re map. Might be able to do a few jobs for you if needed.James favourite hobby is writing in the third person.
19th Jul 2016 6:18 am
PaulJC
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Herts / Essex
Posts: 192
Yeah definitely let me know '3 flash' indicators and dash clock are about the only things I need and would like to get them done at some point...
19th Jul 2016 7:18 am
Dai-Disco3
Member Since: 30 Nov 2014
Location: Southend on Sea
Posts: 180
Regarding Scuttle Panel, mine MY09 is/was badly faded but am experimenting with a coat of Halfords Black Bumper paint to see if:
1/ It lasts
2/ Fades
3/ It flakes
I removed mine and rubbed down with some wire-wool and water to remove as much oxidized plastic as possible and give a good key to the surface. 20 mins later refitted as paint dry and not soft
Oh if you do paint mask the top rubberised edge, about 25mm, so that it doesn't craze when refitting.
New Scuttles are about £50 - 55 I believe but trying the cheap £6.99 tin of paint first it may be a good economical fix and outlast a new one, as that will fade as well.
If you do remove the scuttle do have a complete set of clips to hand to replace the a pillar trims Note there are two types used!
19th Jul 2016 3:09 pm
PaulJC
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Herts / Essex
Posts: 192
Yeah please let me know how you get on, mine looks terrible so certainly needs something doing with it...
19th Jul 2016 10:08 pm
PaulJC
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Herts / Essex
Posts: 192
A couple of things added today, floor mats and a boot liner which randomly came with a bit of carpet which looks ok'ish and still saves the vehicle carpet so i'll leave it in there for now but i can see wear and tear taking a toll on it after not a lot of time... I'll probably also grab some rubber mats for if i know i'm embarking on something dirty but these didn't cost the earth so i won't loose any sleep over them getting dirty...
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Stockport cheshire
Posts: 654
PaulJC wrote:
It is indeed, the Datchworth end, it's the bravest i've been, dry gravel and dirt lol, and will probably stay that way till i find someone to save me when i get it wrong lol
Thought I looked familiar too I lived in Burnham green and schooled in Welwyn many years ago
Congrats on the new ride! 8) I just love the color so much! Dont think ive seen it before on anything but a FFRR.
Get that bitch dirty! They run better when muddy and covered with a thin layer of sand
Your right. You need to "stop being a pussy". They run better off road and there is no way YOUR gonna get it stuck
Your plastic looks fine and even if you do get it back to black its gonna fade in a few weeks. I found the cheapest solution is meguires back to black. It takes seconds to put on. The more you use the darker it gets and it seems to last a bit longer than peanut butter. Yes...peanut butter. It was recommended here and it works hella good. Or you can get the all natural hippy kind and you can pour off the oil and just use that.
I love that your mat came with carpet! Thats awesome! Use it for a template and get some remnants from the local rug master and make some spares.
I do highly recommend wiggs's RR nav mod and an Affrican Outdoor bluetooth module for your audio straming enjoyment. Bail the Parrot and retain the factory wheel controlls. You will also Love the D4 BT upgrade and daytime running lights. Never turn your light nob again...while your at it, activate the "auto park brake on exit" and 'drive away' brake.. Then never turn your light control knob nor touch your park brake button ever again. They were my three favorite mods.
Best,
Jake06' LR3 HSE_H/D pkg_D4 BT_Adrians RR nav mod_African Outdoor Bluetooth_GVIF_Rearview_BFGTKO2_
20th Jul 2016 6:11 am
PaulJC
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Herts / Essex
Posts: 192
Thanks for all your welcomes and inputs
Got a couple of other little bits done today...
New rear wiper arm and blade fitted, the old one was corroded so it didn't hinge and the blade split.
Click image to enlarge
Also one of the handle trims had broken clips and wouldn't sit flat so that got replaced...
Before:
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After:
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I then got some bits together to give the tow bar socket a clean and install a Towbar Blanking Plug Bung - KNG500013 to keep it free from dirt.
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Installed after a good wire brushing in the hole...
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While under the car i also checked out my rear diff to find it's normal and not an E-Diff so i now know which oil to order
Also added some more "to-do's" to the list, having a check round it seems some of the wheel nuts have expanded so they will be replaced...
Oh and i also chucked a 5T Towing Strap in one of the side cubby holes 'just in case' i'm sure some more 'rescue gear' will find it's way in to the car in the not to distant future...
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it may be a good economical fix and outlast a new one, as that will fade as well.
Note there are two types used!
