Thread: My First Defender

I Have Done it!!!


Since my first post several months ago when i had the thought "I want a Defender", i have been looking for the "one". After alot of digging around, looking and test driving i have found it, hopefuly

It is a 2006 Defender 110 with 58, 000 km on it, after driving it back from Broome.

I found it while browsing the internet for nothing in particular on the 23rd of December and by the 26th was flying up to have a look, prior to having it looked at by a LR service agent, who will not be named for various **** ups.

After having a visual inspection and a test drive, i was satisfied and handed over the $$$, it even came with a full tank of fuel

Once all was in order i started my trip back to Perth. Long story short, 2,500km over 4 days, and back in Perth today.

Attached are two pictures of it, will try to take some more internal and external ones later to upload.

Accessories fitted and included are:

Bullbar
Winch
Spot Lights
UHF
Side Steps
5 New Cooper A/T3 Tyres
Roof Rack
DIY Internal Storage System (Actually well made)
Turbo Timer
40lt RHS Auxilary Fuel Tank
40lt LHS Water Tank

Items i am hoping to add soon:

Replace clock with rev counter
Rear wheel carrier to take weight off rear door. (any favorite/preferred brands)
If not yet done, HD springs all round.
Cruise control (What Unit to buy?)

Any other recommended necessities?

In the distant future, perhaps a re-map, exhaust and inter-cooler.


I only had two problems on my way back to Perth.

1. There is a noticeable vibration from the rear left hand side of the car between the speeds of 85-100 km/h. My initial thought is the CV joint but haven't looked into it any further as of yet.

2. About 200 km out of Mt Magnet i went to turn on the air conditioner and no air came out of the vents, did i also mention it was 40 degrees After checking the fuses and finding nothing i decide to give it another go. On second listen i could hear the fan turn on, like the sound of air blowing, but nothing out of the vents, i could also hear the engine change tone, as if a load was added. Is there hose that connect the a/c to the cabin vents and is it possible for this to come off? Any way after a quick look, and no luck i just drove with the windows down.

I would appreciate any insight into the above two problems.

My last problem, not so much problem but a concern, is how well do Defenders cope with the heat? I mean today was nearing 40 degrees with road temperatures higher, i was sitting at about 100 km/h for most of the trip (fuel consumption was 12.3 l/100 km btw), but when it came to some of the bigger hills i didn't want to push it, so just slowly coasted up, dropped back to about 80 km/h by the time i was at the top. With this in mind, what add ons and modifications can one do to improve/reduce temperatures in hot climate driving? As i intend to do a fair bit of it.

As for its name i think a term that describes it well and has already stuck is the "tank". As most 4x4 owners, we affectionately name our cars.

Here are the names of our other vehicles

2009 Holden Berlina - the "Jet"
2000 Land Cruiser - the "Shopping Trolley"
1985 Land Cruiser - the "Burb Mobile"

After reading up on the problems experienced with defenders, in particular Td5's, i can say the following:

At the moment i find the power and touque acceptable. Will probaly change when i drive a chipped one

Driver leg room is fine, with the seat right back, tough to the person behind me. Having the door pillar right next to me is of no discomfort, just annoying to look around at intersections. (i am 6 foot 3)

Rear leg room is cramped by bearable, not that i would know, i will be driving.

Stock off road capability is amazing, enough to rival much more expensive, fitted out rigs.

as for other things like oil in looms and what i will now refer to as characteristics... Oil leaks etc, time will tell.

Overall i feel i have made the right choice of vehicle and am satisfied with its on road performance

I will probably re read this in a bit and realise how **** it is and do some editing.

Originally Posted by technophile

Rear wheel carrier to take weight off rear door. (any favorite/preferred brands)

Don't mean to push my own barrow , but I might be able to help you in this department.
Rijidij Off Road

Originally Posted by technophile

My last problem, not so much problem but a concern, is how well do Defenders cope with the heat? I mean today was nearing 40 degrees with road temperatures higher, i was sitting at about 100 km/h for most of the trip (fuel consumption was 12.3 l/100 km btw), but when it came to some of the bigger hills i didn't want to push it, so just slowly coasted up, dropped back to about 80 km/h by the time i was at the top. With this in mind, what add ons and modifications can one do to improve/reduce temperatures in hot climate driving? As i intend to do a fair bit of it.

I'm no expert when it comes to TD5's, but my first thought is a bigger intercooler along with chipping. Hopefully other members with TD5 experience can advise more on this.

Originally Posted by technophile

At the moment i find the power and torque acceptable. Will probaly change when i drive a chipped one

You'll find plenty of info on the forum which will be helpful, such as this thread Modifying a TD5 for more performance

Originally Posted by technophile

i am 6 foot 3

These are a simple modification, but make a big difference when you're tall Mulgo Seat Rail Extension

Originally Posted by technophile

Stock off road capability is amazing, enough to rival much more expensive, fitted out rigs.

This is something that drivers of other makes (who have never driven a Landy) just don't get, and ignorantly write Land Rovers off without first hand experience.

Originally Posted by technophile

as for other things like oil in looms and what i will now refer to as characteristics... Oil leaks etc, time will tell.

Hopefully all the 'characteristics' have been sorted out by the previous owner, although you'll probably always have at least a minor oil leak or something........that's just the way it is.


Anyway, welcome to Landy world. I hope you enjoy your new rig.

Cheers, Murray