Thread: Our Defender Td4 Expedition Conversion

I didn't know that! Funny, though, that a friend who has a garage specialized on Land Rovers and other 4bies, recommended them! Anyway, found out on the net that they are really illegal in all states in AUS, so we simply don't take them ... knowing that they're destroying wheel bearings underlines the correctness of this decision!

Guess I probably overstated the wheel bearing thing, but it will surely increase load on wheelbearings as well as kingpin bearings at the front. Steering will be affected by the increased scrub radius. To be honest I don't see stability being improved a lot either because the springs are the same and it's not often you test stability to the extent of lifting 2 wheels... I hope.

What rims are you running??

Quite a few guys have flipped the centers of their disco rims to give more offset.....this probably equates to most of what wheel spacers will give you

Hi, we have "Wolf" rims ... but I think spacers are out anyway as they're illegal and so far (concerning European law), we are completely on the legal side, which is good!

yeh Mike I'd keep it as close to bog stock as possible. Not that I should be telling you that as I have altered rear diff and spring height.
But plenty of Defenders have been packed to the hilt and driven to all corners of the world as LR made them.

Not sure what you have done with your sway bars, but keep them on. I know there is discussion for removal, but I have seen no limiting factor regarding them and the places and ease mine goes compared to mates who don't run them. However when mine were temporarily removed I felt the car was less stable with loads on above 80klm. Could be just a different sensation I wasn't accustom to but every mod has an effect.

as for every mod has knock on effect, in my case my springs being a bit higher inverted the sway bar one cross axel experience. No biggie but was a bugger to sort at the place and time. My bump stops also need lengthening as the shocks were the bump stops for a while. I thought I had my suspension sorted but took a while to understand it better. And all I did was lift the car to standard heigh but when full of load.
My alternative rear diff required the drive shaft shorting so now it's unique. You don't wreck a drive shaft often; but if you keep things bog stock parts can be easier to source if you ever need to. Going on global travels it makes more sense not to do some modifications.

Hi Jason,
We've, actually, kept a lot of things stock even though it may look different. What we've changed is suspension (shockers, front: koni heavy track raid, rear: koni heavy track + heavy track raid; springs: OME HD) and a double cardon. Apart from that everything in the drive train, engine et cetera is as it was when we got the car out of the showroom. No changes planned concerning the sway bars (we actually thought of buying another front sway bar and put it into the back of the car instead of the stock rear one to improve the ride ... the LR dealer had that idea ... but the ride is perfect now with upgraded suspension etc.)! So, no worries about that!
We also thought of installing an ARB 100% rear diff-locker but the TC and centre diff seem to be perfectly fine, as we're not planning on going bush-bashing for 30.000 km on end!
Most modifications are for camping and to improve our on-the-road life (wedge pop top, water tanks, beds, storage ...).
Mike

Back to one of my last few questions ... Do you think an inbuilt compressor is worth the money?? ... I am thinking of "access points" on both sides of the car to be able to fill the tyres in no time!
Then, I found two spare wheel carriers for the rear door and simply can't decide. What do you think ...
This one is rather expensive (especially in the black version), but the company is known for their really good quality. It's made of stainless steel ...
Heck-Reserveradhalterung Spare Wheel Carrier, Defender 110 SW, H - Ex-Tec GmbH
The other one is not that expensive and is both for a spare wheel AND a hilift:
http://www.extreme4x4.co.uk/acatalog..._CARRIERS.html
Would be great to get any help to be able to decide ... which we can't at the moment as both have their pros and cons ...

Mike I think price wise you are looking at small owner manufacturing verse Chinese.

This guy over here is a similar price to the stainless one your looking at. He builds them himself I believe.
Home - Rijidij Off Road
I don't have a spare wheel carrier so others can comment on build strength.

I do have a air compressor mounted on the left hand side of the car. Mine would be head height and behind your rear door in a 110. It's an ARB and the hose easily reaches all wheels. I do however have to lob the hose under the car to reach the drivers side.
I like hard wired because I think it's convenient. Popping the seat and battery cover plate to plug a compressor in a box doesn't appeal. Others hard wire a cigarette socket somewhere in the vehicle to over come this.
I went externally as the kids always seem to be asleep when I need to air up. I also went high as I have replaced a water affected one in the past. That aren't very water resistant, but they are expansive.

Perhaps if you are considering a locker, a Detroit No Spin auto locker may suite. Half the price, and works seamlessly. I have one, and many others over here also use them. They have been around for a long time and well proven.
It would be wise however to upgrade axels and flanges. Traction and a winch will get you everywhere anyway. I don't have traction in the 130, so I have a locker and winch.