Land Rover Defender retrim, anyone got any experience?
Discussion
Timbuktu said:
Fair enough! In which case knock yourself out! What is your budget?
This one looks perfect, the interior is already done!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Thanks, but that ones not for me, not white, interior is ok, def not lhd. If I'm honest I'd rather customise myself as my idea of what looks cool. I fancy citrus grey, black wheels, nice interior plus maybe an uprated engine, hopefully auto. But I'll keep it looking authentic and like newer models which I like. This one looks perfect, the interior is already done!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Budget I'm thinking to spend £20k+ then maybe £8k on interior and then I'll take it from there, but if I go the new engine route, I'm more likely to go 4ltr Range Rover/TVR engine so it's more a smooth growl and in tune with what a Defender should be. I love a nice noise but an LS3 or 400bhp+ engine belongs in a sports car not a 4x4
Wow £8k on the interior, you must really like spending money! Seriously though, do your research, as what companies are changing £8k for, you could probably achieve for more like £1500-2000. The rest is just the bling tax for the wealthy clueless fodder.
As for engines, really depends. The Rover V8 is a pretty easy swap into a Tdi or even Td5 Defender. There is some work, but you can easily retain the gearbox. Auto's on these are sluggish, kill the performance and ruin the fun.
Puma's use a different gearbox, its out of a Mustang, hence like the one above it has a Ford V8 in, because it bolts up to the engine. Lots more power than a Rover lump, but likely useless in a Defender unless you spend a fortune on the chocolate axles.
Rover V8's sound awesome, classic OHV sound. But that's pure sports car IMO. LS engines do sound different, but they are a similar sort of noise. I know as I have two RV8's and an LS sitting outside the house right now.
As for engines, really depends. The Rover V8 is a pretty easy swap into a Tdi or even Td5 Defender. There is some work, but you can easily retain the gearbox. Auto's on these are sluggish, kill the performance and ruin the fun.
Puma's use a different gearbox, its out of a Mustang, hence like the one above it has a Ford V8 in, because it bolts up to the engine. Lots more power than a Rover lump, but likely useless in a Defender unless you spend a fortune on the chocolate axles.
Rover V8's sound awesome, classic OHV sound. But that's pure sports car IMO. LS engines do sound different, but they are a similar sort of noise. I know as I have two RV8's and an LS sitting outside the house right now.
300bhp/ton said:
Wow £8k on the interior, you must really like spending money! Seriously though, do your research, as what companies are changing £8k for, you could probably achieve for more like £1500-2000. The rest is just the bling tax for the wealthy clueless fodder.
As for engines, really depends. The Rover V8 is a pretty easy swap into a Tdi or even Td5 Defender. There is some work, but you can easily retain the gearbox. Auto's on these are sluggish, kill the performance and ruin the fun.
Puma's use a different gearbox, its out of a Mustang, hence like the one above it has a Ford V8 in, because it bolts up to the engine. Lots more power than a Rover lump, but likely useless in a Defender unless you spend a fortune on the chocolate axles.
Rover V8's sound awesome, classic OHV sound. But that's pure sports car IMO. LS engines do sound different, but they are a similar sort of noise. I know as I have two RV8's and an LS sitting outside the house right now.
£8k is just what I was quoted by a local bespoke trimming company, it's just an estimate at the moment....! As for engines, really depends. The Rover V8 is a pretty easy swap into a Tdi or even Td5 Defender. There is some work, but you can easily retain the gearbox. Auto's on these are sluggish, kill the performance and ruin the fun.
Puma's use a different gearbox, its out of a Mustang, hence like the one above it has a Ford V8 in, because it bolts up to the engine. Lots more power than a Rover lump, but likely useless in a Defender unless you spend a fortune on the chocolate axles.
Rover V8's sound awesome, classic OHV sound. But that's pure sports car IMO. LS engines do sound different, but they are a similar sort of noise. I know as I have two RV8's and an LS sitting outside the house right now.
One question though, are you always this rude to everyone, or do you just get a kick out of being a t
t to someone new to the forum? Just thought I'd ask, although I see straight through the sarcastic bravado 300bhp/ton said:
Timbuktu said:
Fair enough! In which case knock yourself out! What is your budget?
This one looks perfect, the interior is already done!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Wow that thing looks totally tasteless and horrid. If that's what you want, there really is no point getting a Defender tbh. This one looks perfect, the interior is already done!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
OP, fear not Mr 300bhp, he does tend to do that a bit ;-)
I get what you are trying to do, however with a Defender everything is a compromise, so it will never be truly comfortable due to such an old design. But you can certainly make it a more pleasant place to be...I've retrimmed my Defender seats with Exmoor leather and heaters, and it's very nice indeed thanks. I did look at alternatives such as RX8 seats, but that was going to give a world of issues. I've actually thought about just buying some leather from a trimmers and doing my dash top etc too, and I have a groovy dark headlining ready to go in one weekend too.
I think just consider what you want the vehicle to do. Mine is a second car, granted 95% of it's miles will be on road, however I still need it to be capable of driving in muddy fields, launching boats, and the odd bit of green laning, along with family holidays and perhaps one day an overland trip. So my rule is no materials or electrics than can't be hosed out up to the top of the seatbox, simples.
However personally I think all this Kahn/Urban Truck stuff is a bit non-sensical...even getting in and out the thing in a slightly muddy field you will end up with scuff marks up the door cards, so why would you want to trim those in leather? Even if you fit leather seats, you can also fit covers for protection. Taking a Defender to a professional trimmer would seem like an easy way to blow a fortune.
That said, if it's what you want, do it. A Singer Porsche on paper makes no sense at all compared to a 991, but it's a heart not head car, right?
I get what you are trying to do, however with a Defender everything is a compromise, so it will never be truly comfortable due to such an old design. But you can certainly make it a more pleasant place to be...I've retrimmed my Defender seats with Exmoor leather and heaters, and it's very nice indeed thanks. I did look at alternatives such as RX8 seats, but that was going to give a world of issues. I've actually thought about just buying some leather from a trimmers and doing my dash top etc too, and I have a groovy dark headlining ready to go in one weekend too.
I think just consider what you want the vehicle to do. Mine is a second car, granted 95% of it's miles will be on road, however I still need it to be capable of driving in muddy fields, launching boats, and the odd bit of green laning, along with family holidays and perhaps one day an overland trip. So my rule is no materials or electrics than can't be hosed out up to the top of the seatbox, simples.
However personally I think all this Kahn/Urban Truck stuff is a bit non-sensical...even getting in and out the thing in a slightly muddy field you will end up with scuff marks up the door cards, so why would you want to trim those in leather? Even if you fit leather seats, you can also fit covers for protection. Taking a Defender to a professional trimmer would seem like an easy way to blow a fortune.
That said, if it's what you want, do it. A Singer Porsche on paper makes no sense at all compared to a 991, but it's a heart not head car, right?
Hard-Drive said:
OP, fear not Mr 300bhp, he does tend to do that a bit ;-)
I get what you are trying to do, however with a Defender everything is a compromise, so it will never be truly comfortable due to such an old design. But you can certainly make it a more pleasant place to be...I've retrimmed my Defender seats with Exmoor leather and heaters, and it's very nice indeed thanks. I did look at alternatives such as RX8 seats, but that was going to give a world of issues. I've actually thought about just buying some leather from a trimmers and doing my dash top etc too, and I have a groovy dark headlining ready to go in one weekend too.
I think just consider what you want the vehicle to do. Mine is a second car, granted 95% of it's miles will be on road, however I still need it to be capable of driving in muddy fields, launching boats, and the odd bit of green laning, along with family holidays and perhaps one day an overland trip. So my rule is no materials or electrics than can't be hosed out up to the top of the seatbox, simples.
However personally I think all this Kahn/Urban Truck stuff is a bit non-sensical...even getting in and out the thing in a slightly muddy field you will end up with scuff marks up the door cards, so why would you want to trim those in leather? Even if you fit leather seats, you can also fit covers for protection. Taking a Defender to a professional trimmer would seem like an easy way to blow a fortune.
That said, if it's what you want, do it. A Singer Porsche on paper makes no sense at all compared to a 991, but it's a heart not head car, right?
Thanks, you are right, this is a heart purchase, not a head one and we are well and truly ready for compromises, over the years with TVRs it made me realise even more that technically better cars arent always the cars I want to drive. We will have two other cars that do the boring/quick stuff, this is about making a family trip out an adventure and in the process, making the cockpit a nicer place to sit I get what you are trying to do, however with a Defender everything is a compromise, so it will never be truly comfortable due to such an old design. But you can certainly make it a more pleasant place to be...I've retrimmed my Defender seats with Exmoor leather and heaters, and it's very nice indeed thanks. I did look at alternatives such as RX8 seats, but that was going to give a world of issues. I've actually thought about just buying some leather from a trimmers and doing my dash top etc too, and I have a groovy dark headlining ready to go in one weekend too.
I think just consider what you want the vehicle to do. Mine is a second car, granted 95% of it's miles will be on road, however I still need it to be capable of driving in muddy fields, launching boats, and the odd bit of green laning, along with family holidays and perhaps one day an overland trip. So my rule is no materials or electrics than can't be hosed out up to the top of the seatbox, simples.
However personally I think all this Kahn/Urban Truck stuff is a bit non-sensical...even getting in and out the thing in a slightly muddy field you will end up with scuff marks up the door cards, so why would you want to trim those in leather? Even if you fit leather seats, you can also fit covers for protection. Taking a Defender to a professional trimmer would seem like an easy way to blow a fortune.
That said, if it's what you want, do it. A Singer Porsche on paper makes no sense at all compared to a 991, but it's a heart not head car, right?
I had a look at the Exmoor stuff last night, looks pretty good so might give them a go, as the seats are the most important thing, then over time we can assess whether we want to improve the dash, door cards etc I like the fact their seats seam to have the removable seat for the battery, which seats do you have and are they comfortable, the modular seats look like the standard 2013- seats?
Fundamentally, I want to buy a newish Defender with the updated dash 2008- and then over time bring it in line with the 2013- cars, add Sat Nav, reversing camera etc (wife will be driving it and she is concerned about parking it) but keep it looking original not pimped, that is key for both of us as we don't want it to look like a 'modified' car I agree some of the Urban Truck/Twisted stuff, looks OK but its not for us.
Going to look at a car on Sunday, so hope to be in one soon.
Cheers
Mike
To answer your question, I have standard 110SW seats in the front, and yeah, they are fairly comfy, although never as good as "car" seats, although they are much smaller! My 110 is so old it was originally fitted with Series 3 seats, which I removed. I bought scrap seats off eBay and retrimmed them myself.
Don't get too hung up on every piece of trim though. Defender driving isn't like that, you'll be too busy smiling out the windows and thinking about the next oil leak to worry about whether contrasting stitching is right for you...
Reversing camera? It's a square box which pretty much ends where the rear door glass is!
They do "update" well however, this is mine, ex MOD and now 31 years old...
Don't get too hung up on every piece of trim though. Defender driving isn't like that, you'll be too busy smiling out the windows and thinking about the next oil leak to worry about whether contrasting stitching is right for you...
Reversing camera? It's a square box which pretty much ends where the rear door glass is!
They do "update" well however, this is mine, ex MOD and now 31 years old...
Hard-Drive said:
To answer your question, I have standard 110SW seats in the front, and yeah, they are fairly comfy, although never as good as "car" seats, although they are much smaller! My 110 is so old it was originally fitted with Series 3 seats, which I removed. I bought scrap seats off eBay and retrimmed them myself.
Don't get too hung up on every piece of trim though. Defender driving isn't like that, you'll be too busy smiling out the windows and thinking about the next oil leak to worry about whether contrasting stitching is right for you...
Reversing camera? It's a square box which pretty much ends where the rear door glass is!
They do "update" well however, this is mine, ex MOD and now 31 years old...
Looks great, certainly doesnt look 31 years old Don't get too hung up on every piece of trim though. Defender driving isn't like that, you'll be too busy smiling out the windows and thinking about the next oil leak to worry about whether contrasting stitching is right for you...
Reversing camera? It's a square box which pretty much ends where the rear door glass is!
They do "update" well however, this is mine, ex MOD and now 31 years old...
Been doing some digging and found another local trimmer that has quoted £2.5k for a full bespoke trim of the full interior, which seems reasonable to me, might include the Exmoor Elite Sports seat, as they look great and appear to have the obligatory lift out base to get to the battery :-)
The reversing camera is just for the Mrs, I agree with you, but shes had the camera in her cars for the past 7-8 years so has got lazy and relies upon it and in the scheme of things, its not that much money tbh and plugs straight into the Sat Nav unit.
Cheers
Mike
Ha...I was wondering the same thing about 10 seconds after I finished fitting it! Bit of a facepalm moment to be honest.
Yes, you can get to the knob OK, but it definitely restricts the airflow. I fitted it over the winter so I've not been caught with a really hot summer day yet...we shall see. It is as you say a great product, however it is tricky to cut the dash accurately no matter how careful you are. I've also seen some badly executed ones with lots of mismatched dials, different types of switch, and it can look a bit of a mess. I don't miss the storage though as I had a stereo holder thing there anyway and I have plenty of other cubby holes/cup holders etc.
I then got carried away and picked up an ally dash panel to match...
Yes, you can get to the knob OK, but it definitely restricts the airflow. I fitted it over the winter so I've not been caught with a really hot summer day yet...we shall see. It is as you say a great product, however it is tricky to cut the dash accurately no matter how careful you are. I've also seen some badly executed ones with lots of mismatched dials, different types of switch, and it can look a bit of a mess. I don't miss the storage though as I had a stereo holder thing there anyway and I have plenty of other cubby holes/cup holders etc.
I then got carried away and picked up an ally dash panel to match...
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