Preparation Summary

Preparation started in earnest in January this year. Significant jobs completed include:

To finally locate and cure persistent hot running:
     Head removed, valves lapped, correct push rods fitted.
     Correct thermostat and housing fitted.
     Radiator core replaced - old one partially blocked.
     Water pump removed and examined.
     New coolant hoses all round.
Fault diagnosed as wrong thermostat allowing water to circulate around head, but not through radiator. When proper thermostat fitted, water had to go through partially blocked radiator, so just boiled up.

New tyres all round.
New front leaf spring bushes
New brake pipes all round
New front wheel bearings.
Re-fitted auto freewheel hubs.
New brake shoes on front
New halogen headlamps to replace sealed beam units. ( why do i need better headlamps when going to the land of the midnight sun i hear you cry - so i don't have to carry a spare sealed beam unit.)
New Fuel Tank. (after 'good' spare I'd kept for years had split seam!)

Creature comforts:
Defender door mirrors for visibility.  Took a while to work out, but kept original hinges.
Custom cubby box made to allow fitting of stereo.
Brackets made to allow Smart car seats to be fitted. Took a while to work this out too, but came up with simple solution that allows seats to be fitted with no hacking or removing of existing mountings.
Plus, final service of all fluids and filters, etc.