Thread: just starting out with defender 110

Welcome to you

your'e username sounds female...hope so....another to the fold??

The beauty of the Defender is that you don't have to anything to them. They are an awesome 4WD as is. Little bits and pieces are there to make them even better.

1st thing you should get is sold by 4WD stores as a basic recovery kit. With that, another 4WD to snatch and a shovel with a long handle will get you out of 90% of stuff.

Don't wait, get out and enjoy it now.

If you are driving around Peats Ridge in your Defender and you get a big wave from a guy riding a big red Honda with a matt black open face helmet, that will be me. (You do know you will have to wave at other defenders as they will wave to you).

You are most welcome to the forum redneck.woman91. Ugu80 is spot on when he says that you don't have to do anything to a Defender. They [mostly] come out of the box fully functional. If the rear steel box is a real monster then maybe you should get rid of it. Maybe we need to see some pictures.

Cheers
KarlB

First thing you do is have a full service (do it yourself for the experience) then get the timing belt done ...then drive it That is all you need to do and welcome

Take her for a drive (several) and learn how she works with you.

As has been said they work quite well just as they are...that's what they were designed for.

However 4wdriving is as much about improving your skills as it is about understanding the Defender's inherent capabilities. You need to come to an understanding with her.... then when you think something isn't working for you then there are a lot of things you can do to improve the relationship. Therein lies the fun and challenge of owning and driving a Land Rover.

The tool box might help with loading the rear coils so don't rush to removal just yet.

Above all welcome to AULRO and the Defender.

Welcome,

The timing belt and make sure the cooling system is in good nick. After that you are ready to go anywhere. A hand operated winch will teach you not to get bogged, while someone else is about they can give you a gentle tug with the snatch strap.

Hi guys, thank u for all your advice, all help is appreciated! Yes I am a female, 18 years old and still on my p plates.
I have been helping dad do full services on both the "offender" as shes fondly known, and our 1992 disco (which has since been scrapped after 10 years of hell) since i was 8 years old, so im no stranger to that part of ownership - also no stranger to the oil leaks! Have been taught from a young thing to wave at other defender owners, its a great feeling to be part of a community.
I will try and post some pictures of the girl at some stage, if you see her once its unlikely you will ever forget her! a few people have said she looks like a refrigerated goods van, so shes quite noticeable. The box is a real pain in the butt for 4wding as I cant see anything, but weight wise its very useful.
Ive been driving her every chance I get in the 2 local state forestries, and so far ive got a bit of an idea of how she handles. I am a bit timid about taking her anywhere decent as of yet as I don’t really have any friends who will go 4wding with me, and the only mate who will go with me has a Suzuki sierra and I don’t think that will be able to pull 2 and a half ton of truck out of a hole! If there is anyone on the central coast who would like to go for a run with me, Im always up for it.

To Ugu80 – you have probably already waved at me, if you see a white defender with Victorian plates and red and white p plates, that would b me!

Welcome to AULRO and Defender ownership...your life will never be the same again! lol

In terms of what to do to it. Well firstly I'd recommend you think about where you want to take it - just touring on Outback roads, hard core off road or a mix of the two. Defenders are great in that you can set them up for doing both at once with not too much compromise in either direction.

Posting up some pics of "Offender" will help us make suggestions.

Check out my Defender's project thread to see what I've done and planning on doing...it might give you a few ideas: My First Defender - 1992 200tdi