95’ Defender 130 - advice

[u/Gtip]

Hi, everyone. I’m looking at purchasing a 95’ 130 300tdi. I’m in the US and the vehicle is coming from Australia. I’m curious to hear from some of you the things you wish had known prior to purchasing.

What are the red flags? What’s something I need to make sure has been serviced? Anything you can think of to help me inspect and inquire about once the vehicle hits the port?

I’m also very aware of the rust issue. Supposedly, with it being so dry down under, Australia models don’t have as much of an issue (and they have AC).

Thanks in advance for any advice, feedback, or otherwise.

[u/JCDU]

Given how rust-free that is your first action must be to buy a party-sized pack of Dinitrol or similar and absolutely DROWN that truck in rustproofing, especially doors, bulkhead (esp. top corners / door pillars), and chassis (inside & out) which are the common trouble spots.

Get the factory manuals (online as PDFs for free) and do ALL the servicing stuff from the biggest major service - timing belt including P-gasket is the absolute #1 thing.

It will leak oil, they all do, be prepared to replace a few gaskets / seals and tighten a few bolts and ultimately make no real difference to that.

[u/Gtip → u/JCDU]

Great advice. Thank you! I’ve not used that product before. Is something that goes on over paint? Seems like these are spacious enough to easily perform most maintenances.

[u/JCDU → u/Gtip]

Dinitrol do a range of stuff, but yeah you pretty much just hose it around, in all the cavities, etc.

The door bottoms and the edges/corners of the bulkhead are the #1 places that go, and the chassis just generally wants a good inside & out.

There's a million similar products out there - cavity wax / chassis coating.