Trusted Restorations

We provide regular updates via WhatsApp and photo galleries (example here), and keep you involved and informed at every stage of the process. With Land Rovers often passed down through generations, we recognise how important a restoration can be, and you'll be in the right hands with us.

Pricing

"How much?" is the most important question, and one we hear often! The answer is - it depends!

We have fixed prices and set labour rates for as many jobs as we can, and we'll tell you what might be variable - up front. Most other restorers won't tell you, or will split out costs - but we believe with such an important project, you should be in control.

We only charge for labour, and don't make profit on parts - we'll even tell you which parts are needed, so you can source and send direct to us. We'll let you know when a range of options are available - and what might be a good idea (or not!).

We also provide an assessment service - we'll spend some time looking at your Defender and let you know what we recommend doing - with various options. This is free when you take a restoration, and around £50 as a standalone service.

You should budget between £20k and £50k for a restoration, depending on what you want done, and the starting condition of your Defender. For example, prices vary on parts (OEM, genuine, modified, etc), so this should be taken into account.

Our restored vehicles have typically been insured for a value of between £40-100k after full restoration - examples in our photo galleries here.

Rolling Chassis Options

During the restoration process, we will get your Defender down to a 'rolling chassis'. Without doubt - this is the best time to upgrade loads of bits - and you'll save money doing it at this time, whilst it's apart and things are easy to change. Full details below.

Rebuilds & Restorations: in-depth explainer

We recommend reading this section if you're interested in a full restoration or rebuild, then contacting us.
This section outlines the entire process, and what we can do at each stage.

We also have full photo galleries of restorations below:
(19J Defender) (Little Red 90)
(West Wales Defender's Black 110)(Series III)

Other galleries/restorations are on our Instagram page

Stages

Vision

We can bring your Defender back to 'factory fresh' or transform it - we even do conversions to/from pickup, station wagon, soft-top, and panel van - adding or removing windows or cab options. As they say - it's your party - so let us know what you're looking for, and we can bring it to life. At this stage, we can talk through options with you, and plan the restoration.

Strip Down

For all our restorations, we will do a 'nut and bolt' strip-down of your Land Rover (part of our fixed rebuild price). At this stage, we find out (deep breath) everything about your vehicle:

  • which panels which will need repairing or replacing due to corrosion/now being basically almost all body filler
  • running gear - we find out what will need replacing
  • complete strip-down of axles
  • wiring harnesses assessments
  • everything washed - getting rid of years worth of grime and oil

We then make up a parts list for your vehicle of things which need replacing - we usually recommend quality aftermarket alternatives - galvalised/strengthened when possible, so you'll have a vehicle which doesn't rot!

Axles

Depending on the condition of your axles, we can repair or full restore - with a full restoration (parts included) costing about £4500. With a full restoration, we do the following:

  • sand blast & powder coat everything, including hubs
  • new oil seals and gaskets
  • new (heavy duty) solid half shafts
  • swivels if needed inc. oil seals
  • stainless YRM brackets

We also provide options to upgrade from drum to disk brakes

Engine, Clutch, Gear Box, & Transfer Box

We start with a steam clean, and go from there - usually repainting the engine (in factory colour, or whatever you like). Depending on the condition of your engine (we find most are fairly good), we do a full service by a qualified ex-Land Rover technician (~£185) or rebuild with skim/rebore/gaskets for around £1800.

For a full historic rebuild of a Series engine, please contact us for details (this can be up to £5k).

At this stage, we look at the clutch, gear box, and transfer box. We offer approved partner upgrades to LOF Clutches (3 types depending on intended usage). At this point, we can configure other options, such as:

  • new pipes, silicon hoses
  • engine and axle breather kits for wading (fixed price)
  • stainless steel brake and clutch lines (with colour options!) from our partners at Pioneer 4x4
  • airbox upgrades for Puma Defenders
  • gearbox and transfer box repairs/upgrades from Winchester Gears

Rolling Chassis

Time to put the running gear together. At this stage, we build your chassis with all-new stainless steel fixings and brackets, and fire up the engine. At this stage, we can also do fixed-price additions and upgrades on:

  • suspension
  • brakes
  • poly bush
  • exhaust (stainless steel from Demand Engineering)
  • fuel tank
  • engine and gear box mounts
  • body to chassis gaskets (from YRM Metal Solutions)
  • repair (or new) wiring harnesses
  • new fuel lines (including stainless steel for TD5) by Pioneer 4x4
  • underguard protection (including Raptor coatings paint)
  • wheels and tyres (standard or adapt for bigger)
  • transfer box (with options to change ratios for better speed/smoothness/MPG)
  • colour coding options - brackets, chassis, gearbox, engine ancillaries
  • cavity wax (10 litres of waxoil!)
  • intercooler/radiator (including upgrades to AlliSport parts)
  • breather kit - prepare axles and engine for wading/water

Electrics

We can do all-new wiring harnesses for chassis and/or bulkhead if needed, and also add other options, such as:

  • extra LED light bars or work lights
  • air horns
  • winches
  • interior lighting options
  • extra speakers with upgraded speaker wiring
  • USB charging ports throughout
  • extra dashboard switches
  • 'double din' stereo option
  • expansion options - put in wiring for future lighting/winch options you might put in

Bodywork

All our body work options are 'bare metal' body work restorations, and these produce incredible results. We offer very competitively priced and bespoke options to restore the 'factory fresh' look of your Land Rover... or something completely new. Our options/process include:

  • bodywork assessment
  • filler check and removal
  • corrosion check - seat belt points etc
  • seat box restoration
  • new floor panels from YRM
  • underside painting in Raptor paint (to prolong life)
  • painting in original colours, or any colour you like!

Bulkhead

The bulkhead is a common MOT failure point on old Land Rovers - so we offer options both to repair/restore your existing bulkhead, or fit a new one; including galvanised options.

Repairs - bulkheads with intact vents can usually be repaired - we offer various sections and options for this, including treating the repaired bulkhead with Raptor.

New bulkheads we usually source from Ultra Bulkheads and DDS Engineering (£1800 +VAT +Shipping) and with painting and a full seam sealant/cavity wax package around £500.

Rebuild

Now it's time to let your imagination come to life - we can add all sorts at this stage as we rebuild your Land Rover.

  • Interior - refurbishment or replacement of interior trim, seats, or dashboards. Add or remove seats, cubby boxes, shelves, etc. Soundproofing options. Door cards.
  • Driver convenience - new audio systems, adding speakers, dashcam and/or reverse camera, dashboard with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, mains electricity supply, USB fast charging points, lighting/other kit switches, and we can also pre-wire for any accessories or lighting you might fit later on!
  • Body/outside - gas struts for doors, exterior lighting, roll cages, styling / bodywork additions, snorkel with interior wiring for spotlights, spotlights or light bars, rear wheel carriers, etc

Aftercare, Servicing, and Owner's Club

We offer servicing options for all our Land Rovers (we like to see them every so often as well!), and are planning to hold WWD Owners' Club events in the near future. For all rebuilds, we provide updates whenever we work on your Land Rover with photos and videos, and regular update/options calls. We now keep and archive pictures/videos of each build as well, ensuring you can get a further copy of these if/when needed. At the end of your restoration, you'll get a photo book of your Land Rover's journey to show friends and family!

Contact us

We are located in Aberporth, West Wales