Spring 2017

Decided that the rear of Sluggie needed some attention. There were numerous holes from when light guards were fitted by a previous owner (now long gone) and some deep scratches/dents.

Catalytic corrosion on the rear door, especially by the rear door handle.

The number plate not screwed on sufficiently and a bundle of catalytic corrosion on the left hand side. Again some holes from when light guards were fitted by a previous owner (now long gone).

All the doors also needed some work as they were starting to show some signs of rust at the bottom. 

Above is the left hand side from door.

Above is the left hand side rear door.

The left hand side bottom sills were also slightly dented.

However, the main panel that needed to be sorted was at the right hand side where the upper and lower bodywork come together.

Therefore took Sluggie back to Nene Overland in Peterborough for some body work straight after New Year. However, before taking Sluggie up the road, all the headlining, seats, trim, etc.. all had to be removed. Even the roof bars had to come off again since to repair the rusty section at the right rear between the upper/lower body work, the rear section of the roof would have to be lifted slightly.

The plan was to pick up Sluggie before the winter hike trip. Unfortunately, it was not ready in time. Went for collection around six weeks later. The results looked good. However, noticed that some damage had been done to both the left hand side doors and a slight new scratch to the left hand side upper body work. This was really annoying and not acceptable. So, back down on the train after making sure that they would fix this. Two weeks later, back up on the train again. Now things were looking all good and happy to drive away. Nene Overland were very apologetic about the issues and did do a significant discount.

Back down in Bristol and feeling much less stressed. The rear door looks the business. Even the tyre mount has had the acid treatment and come up like new. 

The new rear number plate attached. Spot "Sluggie" at the bottom. Kids love this.

One problem was that Nene Overland could not source a replacement "Special Vehicle" decal. Ended up hunting down one myself and found a supplier in Vermont, USA - Rovers North. Decided given the effort and shipping costs to purchase 2 sets of genuine original "Special Vehicle" decals for all sides and rear. Applied just the rear one (STC7053), looking great.

Asked Nene Overland to also fit some bumperettes that were ordered (Black Nylon Coated - Bearmach BA 090T LL1212BMBLACK). Wanted these fitted to better protect the rear corners which are vulnerable.

Noticed that the drivers side rear reflector was cracked. So replaced both rear reflectors (XFF100070) and fitted with new self tapping screws (AB608047L).

From one of the Land Rover workshop diagrams, it seems that there should be washers fitted between the spare wheel trim and the retaining nuts. These have now been fitted (MXC7335).

Really pleased with the doors as they have come up like they came of the manufacturing line. 

The door cards have been refitted. On some of the door cards, the inside had some cracks. Mixed up some opaque Araldite to give it some strength to hopefully make them last.

The doors needed some of the clip snap sacks (13H2475L) replacing as well as some of the fasteners (MXC1800). Took the opportunity to replace 4 x interior door handle (YOO451PMA), 4 x window winders (DBP6287PMA ), and door handle bezels (2 x DBP6533PMA, 2 x DBP6532PMA ). The front passenger door lock also needed a new escutcheon (MXC4738PMA).

Noticed on the rear door that Nene Overland must have drilled out the bottom window retainer screws when removing all the door furniture for the respray. There were drill head witness marks.

Not happy with that so replaced the aluminium window retainer. This started off to be a messy job as there was a bead of black Sikaflex between the retainer and window. This was removed easily enough with sticky stuff remover. Once all cleaned up, fresh beads of black Sikaflex were applied and screwed down the new retainer (333032 - A1126505 EQX0A). Thankfully the new one had holes which lined up perfectly (although slight too long at one end. Disc cutter dealt with that by trimming off around 6mm. Also changed the self tapping screws (AB606031L).

From the inside, noticed that different screws, bolts, washers, etc... had been used to put back the inside rear lamp covers. Ordered some genuine parts and refitted the covers. 

2 x SE105121 (M5 x 12 scews)

2 x AB608031L (screw)
2 x WC105001L - washer
2 x WL105001L - washer
2 x NM105011 - Nut

Then it was the task of refitting all the headlining, windows guards, trim, etc... Well practised at this now though!

Then it was on to fitting four side steps (STC7631) and a rear side step (STC7632). The old ones were seized and rusty. 

The new ones looking far too shiny.

Some debate over the orientation of the brace arm. Have settled for as shown:

Small job - a new black trim finished on the front dash has been fitted (AWR5988). The old one had some screw holes from some previous fitting which was looking odd. Replaced the fitting screws also (3 x AC606064L) and (2 x AB608064L)

In preparation of the new high back second row seats, work undertaken to clean out and repair the carpets in the second row. The original toe panel had holes in it where there were old cables routed along with charge point (all removed sometime ago). Therefore, removed the toe panel and cleaned up the area.

This took some doing with sticky stuff remover, the air compressor and plenty of elbow grease. A new toe panel carpet has been fitted (MUC6667LDE) and the original carpet (cleaned) fitted down again. This is now held in place with 4 new fasteners (MXC5451LOY).

Then it was off to DBL motors for a service. Been nearly 15 months since the last service, but only around 4000 miles. No issues identified other than both the rear connectors for the break/tail lights needed replacing. The contact pins were not engaging well enough. Had Sluggie MOT'ed too. This has passed, as expected after the service, with no problems.

Once back, time to fit the high back seats. This was more straight forward than anticipated. Kids now loving them.

Treated ourselves to new rubber mats front and back (RTC8099/RTC8098AB). Did not realise until time of fitting that these needed to be cut to size/shape and form for fitting around seat mounts and accelerator peddle. Now truly spoiled, all ready for the Easter trip up to North Wales.

The Snowdon Watkins path car park was rammed so ended up parking on a grass mound, Christopher literally falling out of the door. In fact there were dozens of cars parked on the road along the pass that all had parking penalty tickets on by the end of the day. Thankfully not for us being "off road".

Our stay at Plas Curig Hostel - great place to stay.