Defender 90 adventures...

[johna3]

I thought its about time I put up some photos of the daily workhorse which to be honest gets more attention than my 'project' car!!

So picked the car up in March 2014 after a 6 week build period and I've been over the moon with it since day one

Its a short wheel based (90) model with the 2.2TDCI engine and 6 speed box. It's XS spec so comes pretty well kitted out from the factory with side steps, heated half leather, upgraded audio system, brunel grills, boost alloys and heated front and rear screen. The XS models make the defender driving experience slightly less tractor-like and to be honest I'd struggle to drive a base spec one on a daily basis as they still aren't particularly refined!

As with all these retrospective threads this one will be mainly photos (hopefully from defender adventures!)

Some pics from the day I picked her up...

First port of call was to get the paintwork well sealed up so took her straight back to the house and got a few coats of orchard speed seal onto all surfaces

I got the sports bars primarily for carrying fishing equipment so knocked up a DIY rod mounting system as there isn't really anything like this available at the minute.

Rear holder...

Front holder...

Loaded her for a 3 day fishing trip with a group of mates. Think we had 14 rods on the roof at this stage!

Some random 'fracking' shots!!

Started to need a little more load carrying space for carrying work equipment so the roof bars were swapped out for a Masai luggage rack and a safety devices ladder was mounted on the rear for access.

Left her off with @big_pete in the new year for an enhancement and hydrophobic detail. Totally gobsmacked with the finish these guys got, they even washed the roof and dressed the roof rack!

Some time later...

Next mod was a super winch 9500 and mantec winch bumper to complete the boys toy look!

The winch was wired in with 35mm cable via an isolator to prevent any unwanted tampering. I also used anderson connectors at the winch end so that I can disconnect and use the connection for running jump leads or anything else 12v with anderson plugs. The battery is mounted under the passenger seat in these so accessing it to connect jump leads for example is a real pain in the ass

Anderson jump leads used to power 12v submersible groundwater pumps

Finally got the DRLs in the bumper wired up this week. They're wired in via a carling switch in the cubby box so I can flick them on or off whenever appropriate. The LEDs are stupidly bright so I think I'll have to be selective as to when i use them... Also fitted a set of 'metro' plates at this time courtesy of @Neil@rockvale

The only outstanding thing which I have to do is re-fit the steering guard. It had to be removed when fitting the winch as the two recovery eyes fouled on the bumper. Got these cut off tonight and I'll get it re-fitted after powder coating

^^Photo from a few weeks back from a spot of 'greenlaning' to the top of Horn Head in Dunfanaghy

Haven't really got a whole lot more planned for her apart from black wheels and cooper STT mud tyres when I'm due a set of tyres. Planning on just enjoying it for years to come really!

 

[micko]

Awesome, great to see Landy being used properly! Is that Dunnes drilling rig?

 

[Dave..]

Lovely looking Defender, watch the wheel on the rear door doesn`t make the hinges drop. Paddocks have a couple of options that allow the wheel to swing away when the door is opened.
http://www.paddockspares.com/blog/fitting-a-mantec-spare-wheel-carrier/

 

[richie_mck]

Lovely job, really miss mine and all the random adventures I did in it. Hard to beat some impromptu off roading in and out of the town. 30mm spacers make a good job of how they look on the standard wheels

 

[Andy044]

Great looking defender, all the mods todade have been nice touches, keeping inline of the modern capabilities of the defender.

Can you get away without the front numberplate?

 

[Vtec Phil]

think this was parked beside my S2000 at currys in bangor the other day was having a good look at it as im thinking of buy one for the daily instead of the S2000

 

[johna3]

think this was parked beside my S2000 at currys in bangor the other day was having a good look at it as im thinking of buy one for the daily instead of the S2000

Knew I recognised that s2000 from somewhere @Vtec Phil. It'd be some change going from s2000 to a defender as a daily!!

@Andy044 - Have ran with no plate for around 2 months now without being pulled, but its only time tbh. Cops seem more intrigued by the 'big hook' on the front rather than the lack of plate! Not sure where I'll mount it when the time comes, contemplated a magnetic plate fitted onto the roof rack at however I'm not sure how this would fit in with legislation...

Nah, its Paddy Dullea's rig @micko. Serious bit of kit!

Spacers make some difference to them @richie_mck. I'll change to a 16x8 wheel with 265/75s when I next need tyres, should look a bit beefier then

I'll have to fit one of those swing away carriers further down the line @GT86_Dave, I've sort of been putting it off as I hate drilling holes in the new bodywork! I did however fit a soft stop gas strut onto the rear door, they really should come from the factory with this. The door slammed closed on me when lifting tools out of the back one day and I was lucky not to get mangled. Theres enough resistance in the strut to prevent it closing even on a really windy day so it shouldn't happen again

 

[gav525]

Love this, really looks the part! Cooper STTS will suit it well once fitted

 

[Andy044]

No worries, I just wondered. If you can get away with it power on

Magnetic plate on the roof rack could work well, I don't see any issue with it

 

[Cartunes]

@johna3

(5) A registration plate shall be fixed at a height of not more than 1.5 metres from ground level.

Then again - having no number plate seems to be perfect on your wagon
Keep it in the car with a sticky-pad in case of emergency......

 

[johna3]

Thanks @Cartunes, I guess that rules out the roof rack idea really but its probably better stuck on there than not visible!

Think i'll keep the plate tucked up behind the sun visor and within arms reach

 

[Dave..]

For the mot I tried the one on the vent panel but was told I needed one lower down and then it would do.

 

[Lostinspace]

That's a class landy John! Well jealous. Making me miss mine loads. Had to sell as moved to Glasgow and it was attracting too much attention parked on the street. Once I get a house bought in the country its the first thing I will be buying again.

My favourite landy rescue at Malin head

 

[johna3]

Thats awesome @Lostinspace, they found that ditch alright!

Pulling power of them is quite impressive. I've shifted a lot of things with it which you'd look at and think 'no chance!'

 

[Odhran]

Major want. That is all.

 

[johna3]

Took the yokel mobile down to Donegal for rally weekend and had a little play on the saturday. Great craic had by all but it was a bit tight with 6 of us in it!

View out the window from the back end of Knockalla stage

 

[Maranellohouse]

Loving the thread, loving the Landy and loving how tidy that winch setup is. I plan to put one on mine at some point. I'll give you a Landy wave if I see you pass.

 

[Neil@rockvale]

Love this john , keep the pics coming .

 

[soupz]

I've been in this thing a few times now and absolutely love it. As John said at the start, its surprising just how many looks it gets!

 

[johna3]

Love that second photo @soupz

 

[Neil@rockvale]

Haha you love driving over stuff!!.. So do I actually but I always forget to take pics lol

 

[davecoupe]

Class photo.

It looks right at home there.