Defender upgrades
Discussion
I bought my 61-plate 2.2 90 XS back in September, having wanted a "proper Land Rover" since I was 2 years old. I bought it to scratch an itch, genuinely thinking I'd probably get rid after 6 months or so. In fact, it has grown on me and I'm tempted to spend some money on it and keep it long term.
So... I'm tempted to do the following:
1. replace the front seats with something with better bolsters for lateral support. I've seen the Recaro / Corbeau / bucket type wing-back things (and their eye-watering prices) but I'm thinking something less pseudo-racing seat and just a bit more comfortable and supportive than the standard offering. Any recommendations?
2. brake upgrade. I'm not expecting it to stop on a pin-head, but on the couple of occasions when I've had to exert a little more pressure on the brake pedal than usual, the response hasn't been inspiring of confidence... Again, without going nuts, any suggestions? Is the Tarox stuff any good?
3. perhaps replace the rear sliding windows with something fixed to remove a source of leaks / rattles.
4. a gentle remap - probably at TMD
5. soundproofing - probably just buy some Dynamat and do the floors, transmission tunnel etc myself.
Any thoughts or advice? The seats are the priority, really, just to make it a little more comfortable for longer journeys.
So... I'm tempted to do the following:
1. replace the front seats with something with better bolsters for lateral support. I've seen the Recaro / Corbeau / bucket type wing-back things (and their eye-watering prices) but I'm thinking something less pseudo-racing seat and just a bit more comfortable and supportive than the standard offering. Any recommendations?
2. brake upgrade. I'm not expecting it to stop on a pin-head, but on the couple of occasions when I've had to exert a little more pressure on the brake pedal than usual, the response hasn't been inspiring of confidence... Again, without going nuts, any suggestions? Is the Tarox stuff any good?
3. perhaps replace the rear sliding windows with something fixed to remove a source of leaks / rattles.
4. a gentle remap - probably at TMD
5. soundproofing - probably just buy some Dynamat and do the floors, transmission tunnel etc myself.
Any thoughts or advice? The seats are the priority, really, just to make it a little more comfortable for longer journeys.
Silent1 said:
IMHO trying to make a defender into something comfortable and fast is a pointless endeavour, enjoy it for what it is and upgrade the bits that make it more useful, a remap and bucket seats are really. It a good idea, then again people are obsessed with twisted and icon so what do I know
I have no expectation that it will ever be fast or comfortable. But a little more lateral support from the seats would be nice. Thanks for your thoughts though.
I'm grateful for the seating suggestions. Thanks chaps.
If others find their brakes to be fine, I might get mine looked at. I can't believe they're behaving as they should, but I'm very happy to accept the collective wisdom that a properly functioning standard set up is perfectly adequate.
Cheers.
If others find their brakes to be fine, I might get mine looked at. I can't believe they're behaving as they should, but I'm very happy to accept the collective wisdom that a properly functioning standard set up is perfectly adequate.
Cheers.
The Wookie said:
Don't listen to all the nay sayers, Defenders are s
te to drive, slow, noisy and uncomfortable and it'll never be a Range Rover (not even a Classic 
), but we all bought them because we love them for one reason or another and there's no point putting up with it for the sake of it when they can be improved.
.
te to drive, slow, noisy and uncomfortable and it'll never be a Range Rover (not even a Classic ), but we all bought them because we love them for one reason or another and there's no point putting up with it for the sake of it when they can be improved..
Some useful stuff there - thank you.
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