Thread: Expedition Preparation Specialists?

Originally Posted by Rubicon

Yes didn't think that I would find such a low mileage vehicle, it has rear drums, so earlier 1993. They shouldn't be a problem at the moment, I know drums can be difficult to take apart when they get a wear ridge, and the wheel cylinders seem prone to leak, but this can be fixed with a stainless sleeve if the need arises, otherwise they should work ok.

Paul

It would be worth the effort in converting them to discs.

Do you have a 200 or 300 tdi?

I just want to throw in a comment about the "overprepared" rig. I strongly agree with what's been said here.

I'm a noob to the Defender, and have been spending some time with Daniel and Sam at Mulgo getting a few bits and pieces done to my rig (2002 td5 110). It is very tempting to go nuts on the new toy, but thus far - Full service, Spare wheel carrier, Oil Pump bolt, ECU harness/loom, low coolant alarm, header fuel tank - oh and a back door strut for the missus! Gonna add a cargo barrier (for safety), dual battery set-up, maxi-box and a few extra outlets etc. The rig was never fitted with HD springs at the front, so I'll get that looked at as well.

My own experience with both Daniel and Sam has been that they keep reinforcing the inherent abilities of the rig as is - and advise against some modifications that are touted as important elsewhere. Each time, they point out the effect such modifications would have on the rig as a whole - not just focussing on the immediate effect of extra capacity or power or whatever.

My initial perception is that Mulgo are genuinely looking at enhancing what's already there, rather then trying to re-mod it with 'something better', or load it up with excessive bling. Their advice has always been practical and carries the weight of experience.

As has been recommended by Daniel and also elsewhere in this thread, we'll take our rig out on a trip and experience it a bit, and then see what else we need, in accordance with how we use it and where we want to go.

Just my 2c.

/wave

Duke

Originally Posted by DukeR

thus far - Full service, Spare wheel carrier, Oil Pump bolt, ECU harness/loom, low coolant alarm, header fuel tank - oh and a back door strut for the missus! Gonna add a cargo barrier (for safety), dual battery set-up, maxi-box and a few extra outlets etc. The rig was never fitted with HD springs at the front, so I'll get that looked at as well.

What did you need done with the oil pump bolt and ECU harness/loom?

It's a 200dti, out of interest does the master cylinder/servo need to be changed if the drums are changed for discs.

Good to hear the comments on preparation, there is a lot of stuff available for Defenders, so very easy to spend more than needed, and without some expert knowledge it's difficult to know what is needed hence the original post. I am corresponding with Daniel with regard to what needs to be done for our particular conversion so we get the best result.

I would be interested to hear from anyone about the 200tdi engine, are there any mods which are beneficial, I would assume a better air filter and perhaps a larger intercooler or larger bore exhaust might be options. What are your thoughts?

common issue with td5's supposedly pre 2003, however it has been known to affect some later ones also.

Oil runs down the injector harness causing rough running / no running / ecu errors, and some oil pump bolts were not loctited, so fell out!

Thanks

Steve

Originally Posted by DukeR

I just want to throw in a comment about the "overprepared" rig. I strongly agree with what's been said here.

I'm a noob to the Defender, and have been spending some time with Daniel and Sam at Mulgo getting a few bits and pieces done to my rig (2002 td5 110). It is very tempting to go nuts on the new toy, but thus far - Full service, Spare wheel carrier, Oil Pump bolt, ECU harness/loom, low coolant alarm, header fuel tank - oh and a back door strut for the missus! Gonna add a cargo barrier (for safety), dual battery set-up, maxi-box and a few extra outlets etc. The rig was never fitted with HD springs at the front, so I'll get that looked at as well.

My own experience with both Daniel and Sam has been that they keep reinforcing the inherent abilities of the rig as is - and advise against some modifications that are touted as important elsewhere. Each time, they point out the effect such modifications would have on the rig as a whole - not just focussing on the immediate effect of extra capacity or power or whatever.

My initial perception is that Mulgo are genuinely looking at enhancing what's already there, rather then trying to re-mod it with 'something better', or load it up with excessive bling. Their advice has always been practical and carries the weight of experience.

As has been recommended by Daniel and also elsewhere in this thread, we'll take our rig out on a trip and experience it a bit, and then see what else we need, in accordance with how we use it and where we want to go.

Just my 2c. /wave Duke

Which mods would you stay away from then?

Just curious. Additional unneccessary weight is enemy No.1 I'd have thought. Perhaps bling suspension that's not up to corrugations. What else?

Regards
Max P

To get an idea of unneccessary mods look at almost any 200 series or Patrol and you'll see plenty.You'll also see how not to mount extra's,a good example is a pair of 10'' dia driving lights mounted in front of the radiator or those high impact plastic box's mount on the full length roof rack or twin spares hanging off the back on an oversize carrier.KISS is the word. Pat

Those twin wheel carriers would have to weigh an absolute shedload, especially with 2 big mud terrains on steelies.