New to this 4x4 malarkey..
New to this 4x4 malarkey..
Author
Discussion

BBenzzz

Original Poster:

159 posts

118 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
PH, earlier in the year I acquired a Defender 90. It has been a long time coming as my Dad and I have wanted one for a mighty long time..

Now, since aftermarket marts are so widespread and plentiful, I am looking to get a PH outlook on what sort of things could improve what I think is already a good looking Landy!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that jazz, but fire away!

ps, for any Landy enthusiasts, first big thing on the list is Masai panoramic rear windows and a few painted bits and since the photos were taken a full LED conversion has also been done!




55palfers

6,355 posts

193 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
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James TiT

234 posts

115 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
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I like the look of the spare wheel mounted on the bonnet.

BBenzzz

Original Poster:

159 posts

118 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
James TiT said:
I like the look of the spare wheel mounted on the bonnet.
As far as I am aware, with the bulge on the bonnet of this model, that is not an option without obscuring a fair chunk of front visibility.

GiveItSomeWellie

3,165 posts

225 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
I'd leave it as it is, but make sure you get it rust proofed smile

Start using it, and I'm sure there will be things you want to change depending on how you use it, only you can work out what would suit your needs.

Great car, enjoy thumbup

agent006

12,058 posts

293 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
I hate to be Captain Buzzkill, but the first thing I'd be buying for a Defender is a diskloc and a tracker.

http://www.disklokuk.co.uk/
http://www.tracker.co.uk/for-your-vehicle/car-trac...

On a more happy note, I'd also be looking for a 50" LED light bar.

BBenzzz

Original Poster:

159 posts

118 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
I believe it has got quite a good waxoil undercoating (or similar)! Will definitely look in to this further for piece of mind though, cheers.

Have got a steering wheel lock already (Safelock I believe) and will look at trackers!

The light bars look bloody super, unsure I can justify it for the amount of time I would get it properly used though..

Shakermaker

11,317 posts

129 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
BBenzzz said:
I believe it has got quite a good waxoil undercoating (or similar)! Will definitely look in to this further for piece of mind though, cheers.

Have got a steering wheel lock already (Safelock I believe) and will look at trackers!

The light bars look bloody super, unsure I can justify it for the amount of time I would get it properly used though..
Once you have it fitted, you can use it properly all of the time.

They are never intended for off-road use in the middle of the bush. They are always intended to be blindingly bright to anyone in front of you, or anyone who dares to leave their main beam on for 2-3 milliseconds too long.

I definitely want another Land Rover. I like the grey on your one.

James TiT

234 posts

115 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
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Carry a good tow rope so you can help other people if they get stuck.

itidiot

73 posts

154 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
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Masai Panoramic Windows has the ridiculous part video I have ever seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mPWsq_Z1Xk


Ambleton

7,252 posts

221 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
itidiot said:
Masai Panoramic Windows has the ridiculous part video I have ever seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mPWsq_Z1Xk
Wtf has that got to do with the product they're selling?!

stichill99

1,215 posts

210 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
You must check if has been wax oiled and preferably stone chipped in below. I bought a new Defender in 2013 and it came with beige primer in below. Not even a very good covering. Disgraceful really! When I asked the salesman if he thought that was acceptable in this day and age he replied 'They all come like that'
Hardly fills you with confidence! 4 years on it is corroding at the seems and wheels. Seats are disintegrating. Typical st build quality!

agent006

12,058 posts

293 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
James TiT said:
Carry a good tow rope so you can help other people if they get stuck.
Having had a VERY close call with a cheap Halfords two rope on my old Shogun while towing someone up a snowy hill, I can second this. Get some proper shackles and a proper towing strap.

Likeomg

164 posts

127 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
I've been tinkering with one for 6 years now; any questions shoot away...

Mainly used for mountain biking, roaming around the lakes and transporting the dogs...




4x4Tyke

6,506 posts

161 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
The fitted tyres look like a road tread but rear tyre looks like an AT. If you are off-roading you want a set of quite aggressive AT or MT tread pattern. Put them on a set of steel wheels and you can swap them for week-end fun, alloy wheels are too easily damaged.

The weight of the back wheel can cause the rear door to drop when bouncing around off-road, so consider a swing away wheel carrier, get one that will also carry a hi-lift jack, they just get in the way otherwise.

If you are going to go seriously off roading, a good set of recovery points front and rear are essential, straps and shackles. Make sure the shackles are stronger than the strops.

A lift kit will give better ground clearance, 40-50mm lift kits are inexpensive and easy to kit for a home mechanic. That is the max you want to fit, any more and you will need other suspension mods that start to get expensive. If you plan to go wadding then a snorkel, but just as important are extended axle breathers. A good coat of underseal and wax-oil the inside of the chassis rails.


Edited by 4x4Tyke on Thursday 16th November 21:55

addz86

1,470 posts

215 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
BBenzzz said:
unsure I can justify it for the amount of time I would get it properly used though..
Pfft you don’t need to justify it!




That’s the nearest mine got to off-roading, but just in case.... it had 33” tyres, ARB diff locks and a external roll cage biggrin

akirk

5,778 posts

143 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
agent006 said:
James TiT said:
Carry a good tow rope so you can help other people if they get stuck.
Having had a VERY close call with a cheap Halfords two rope on my old Shogun while towing someone up a snowy hill, I can second this. Get some proper shackles and a proper towing strap.
look at straps and shackles sold by crane / lifting companies - cheaper and stronger than those sold by 4x4 suppliers - I carry a 12 tonne rope and shackles to match...

anomaly

507 posts

202 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
That looks lovely, enjoy it!

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

219 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
agent006 said:
James TiT said:
Carry a good tow rope so you can help other people if they get stuck.
Having had a VERY close call with a cheap Halfords two rope on my old Shogun while towing someone up a snowy hill, I can second this. Get some proper shackles and a proper towing strap.
You should always use a suitable tow rope and recovery points. Many accidents happen using unsuitable ropes and recovery points.

I’d recommend a nice kinetic energy and some Land Rover chassis shackles and a large dose of common sense smile

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

219 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
quotequote all
4x4Tyke said:
The fitted tyres look like a road tread but rear tyre looks like an AT. If you are off-roading you want an set of quite aggressive AT or MTs tread pattern. Put them on a set of steel wheels and you can swap them for week-end fun, allow wheels are too easily damaged.

The weight of the back wheel can cause the rear door to drop when bouncing around off-road, so consider a swing away wheel carrier, get one that will also carry a hi-lift jack, they just get in the way inside.

If you are going to go seriously off roading, a good set of recovery points front and rear are essential, straps and shackles. Make sure the shackles are stronger than the strops.

A lift kit will give better ground clearance, 40-50mm lift kits are inexpensive and easy for home mechanic to fit. That is the max you want to fit, any more and you will need other suspension mods. If you plan to go wadding then a snorkel, but just as important are extended axle breathers. A good coat of underseal and wax-oil the inside of the chassis rails.
You really don’t need to lift a Defender. They have more than enough ground clearance for most off road use.