just starting out with defender 110

A reversing/rear view camera will help - see Bundalenes 130 thread in the projects forum.

You said you are new to 4wdriving, but also you have been around landies for some time so you may already know: Always select centre diff lock when off road. Learn how to drive down steep grades with an auto.

I like traybacks for their practicality and ease when used for offroad touring. I also like the type of top that Xul for same use.

You loose some performance with an auto behind a 300tdi (even manual 300Tdi's are not great performers when loaded and against headwinds at best of times), so if not already done consider fitting an egt gauge, and tweaking the turbo and fuel injection pump.

300Tdi's can end up with expensive damage if the overheat due to cooling water is loss, or blocked radiator. It is a good idea to fit a low water alarm - their water pump is mounted very high and they can't tolerate a relatively small loss of water (and the temp gauge will not help much).

Replace the plastic plugs in the thermostat housing and radiator with brass plugs. Do this at home and don't wait until you have a problem - they usually break when you try to unscrew them and can be difficult to get the broken part out.

Fit a relay for the head lights (I like the kit that traxide on this forum sells).

Edit: I notice you mention spotties and dual batteries - traxide has good products for these and you should be able to fit them youself from the instructions - else yell out on this forum or discuss with traxide.

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Originally Posted by redneck.woman91

cool do u do much highway driving? what sort of tracks hav u been doing?

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I have a Defender, I go wherever I damn well please. Highways are for getting there. The Maxxis make almost no noise on the highway, but thats probably because I haven't got my hearing aids in. No doubt the Watagans are familiar to you but you are also handy to Turon River (Capertee) or travel a little farther to Abercrombie River (near Oberon) or the Bridle Track (from Bathurst to Hill End). All can be done in a day from Peats Ridge, but you will need a weekend to do them justice.

For longer trips, last year I travelled the Strezlecki track and Cameron Corner; in a few weeks I'm off to Cape York. You are only limited by the price of fuel, but the experience is worth bankruptcy.

cool,dad was worried but how muddies will wear seeing as i have to go on interstate drives with work, but if they handle it ok they would b worth it. A friedn and i are planning to go to camerons corner at some point in the next year and a half once our vehicles are set up

the maxxis tyres: I have had the bighorns before and liked them, they through the mud well. The buck shot tyre is not as good in my opinion, it has no side wall lugs, if you look at the bighorns you will notice it has side lugs for better grip in the ruts and astheticaly it is a better looking tyre. as for tyre size for you I would run 235/85/16. If you had a manual box you could get away with running 255/85/16's but as bush65 has said there is some power lose with the auto and this would hurt the power to much, don't despare though as auto's are fantastic off road and when you tackle tough hill climbs you will appreciate the auto, just have to be more carefull coming down the hills.

good luck mate

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redneck.woman91

cool,dad was worried but how muddies will wear seeing as i have to go on interstate drives with work, but if they handle it ok they would b worth it. A friedn and i are planning to go to camerons corner at some point in the next year and a half once our vehicles are set up

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I have, for more years than I care to remember, used muddies for road tyres (IMHO they are the only all terrain tyre). I have managed to get good life from the old style BFG muddies and also from Mickey Thompson MTZ.

The MTZ's on my disco have been on since this time in 2007 and are possibly less than half worn. It is used as a daily driver and has done some long trips. I don't know how many km's but it is considerable.

I have the new style BFG KM2 muddies on the bushie but it still needs a good bit of work before it can be used. I have only heard good reports about these.

I've a 110 c/chassis. 90% of the time I've no sides on tray as I find this best for running around town and offroad- working round farm in steep country and trees- peripheral vision is quite good with no sides. Also better on fuel- though a bit bouncy unloaded.
A slip on cage/camper is a better option than a permanently mounted one ,a well set up one only takes a couple of minutes to put on.
Mud tyres tend to throw around larger stones if your planning much gravel road driving-removing lotsa paint under vehicle.
I have mud tyres and do 500km/week on road & find them ok, I do need them for round paddock though. They're almost on par with my old A/T's onroad,dry or wet and seem to be to be wearing ok
brett
110 300tdi

thanks mate, i am looking at getting a slip on cage and canopy similar to my ex's, only took us round 20 minutes to get it on and off.
what tyres do u have on ur ute?

Michelin xzl's 7.50r16-not cheap, but excel at doing what they're meant to-
Brett
110 300tdi

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Originally Posted by ugu80

...but thats probably because I haven't got my hearing aids in.

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Hey ugu, it is nice to know I am not the only one with selectable hearing driving a land rover... :D:lol2::lol2: