Capability of a standard 90

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Originally Posted by steveG

Get some driver training for starters, either through joining a club or an independent provider, then get out with some other vehicles and just use it.
If you are new to 4WD you'll find the vehicle out of the factory will have capabilities far beyond your own.

Steve

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I second this...............you'll find some 4WD clubs offer driver training courses at a fraction of the cost of commercial courses and the club members who run the training have to be fully trained and accredited (in Vic anyway)
If you join a Land Rover based club you also get the benefit of the experience of other Landy owners..........some of my best mates I met through LROCV.

You have just bought a very capable vehicle, even without modifications a 90 will outperform many others.

Regarding what to do to your car, well that depends on what sort of driving you want to do, for example, if you want to tour the outback one of the first things you'll need on a 90 is bigger fuel carrying capacity due to the smaller standard tank, maybe a bull bar for protection from Skippy. But if you're happy to do short trips closer to home, then you will probably find the standard 90 will do everything you want to do.
The list is really endless when it comes to accessories, my advise is also "just use it" as it is. There is definitely no need to rush out and spend a heap of extra cash straight away.
Every 90 owner who I've done work for LOVES their 90 :D

Cheers, Murray

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Originally Posted by Ringo90

What I didn't expect after reading all these posts, is the level of after market modifications done to the these cars. Some guys buying them new, then pouring another $10k in mods before hitting the dirt!

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What you might have gathered from the comments is that there is a very good chance that the vehicle in standard form is capable of doing more than you would be able to do or would be wise to do at this stage.

You have to remember that an enormous number of those modifications are done because people want to do them, not because they need to do them.

You also need to remember that for every person who feels the need to post on the forum about the enormous tyres, suspension lift, performance improvement or some other modification they have carried out, there are probably several other forum members whose vehicle do everything they want to do without changing a thing.

It is just that people who are pretty happy with the Land Rover as it came from the factory don't feel the need to tell the world about it, so you get a distorted view of the prevalence of modifications.

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Originally Posted by tequesta

I agree to start with driver training first.
The d90 is brilliant stock, and it brings a smile to my face everytime it performs.
Based on my use as a occassional weekend driver, in 2 years I've added recovery points, and safety equipment (first aid kit & fire extinguisher), and following that, vehicle protection (steering guard) & a small UHF radio.
Good luck... J

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Definitely agree with that.
While it doesn't have to be a fixed unit, a UHF radio is definitely one of the first things to get. As a newbie, being able to ask questions and get info from others you are out with is a huge kickstart to your learning - particularly if you are out with similar vehicles when you can get advice on gear selection or driving lines etc.
Much more social too.

Steve

Hi, I have a 110 and I only have recovery and protection gear. Just to put things into perspective, the first time I went with friend who has a 70 series cruiser 2"lift and 35" tyres incl air lockers he was surprised I could go everywhere he went. His comment was quote"I can't believe a car straight out of showroom can do this"
So there you have it.

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Originally Posted by isuzutoo-eh

I highly recommend driving it standard for a good period of time before doing any modifications. It is very easy to get suckered in to the 'I must have xxxx bling in order to drive off-road' ...



Your Land Rover is far more capable than you are off road.

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Well said.

When I first started 4x4ing I was amazed at where you could go with a standard (unlocked, no ETC) vehicle. I think most people don't realise this unless they have been in a 4x4 club doing hard offroad trips.

I spent many years driving an unlocked vehicle, trying to follow people with lockers and ETC, and I think it made me a much better driver.

I notice you are in Brisbane? I would join either the LROCB ( http://www.lrocbrisbane.org.au/ ) or GCLRO ( http://www.gclro.com/ ) and go out on a few trips. This will let you see (A) what a standard vehicle can do and (B) see what mods others have and how they work for them.

Just over a year ago we were in exactly the same boat, with a shiny new 90 in the driveway having never owned a real 4wd. We have since spent a bit on accessories but they have all been for the benefit of touring (roof rack, bull bar, cargo barrier + rear bar/jerry holder), we haven't bought anything specifically for 4wding other than a portable compressor, a godsend for airing up out in the middle of nowhere.

All the talk about lockers, lifts, wide tyres etc. generally has me a) baffled and b) well beyond my driving ability. I'm sure with more experience that may change but for now I can't see any need beyond stock.

I am a stock 2012 90 owner, coming from a jap 4wd with 3" lift wide mud tires and air lockers. . . . The 90 in stock form out performs in every aspect, on road and off.

The only modifications to mine so far have been roof cage to carry tent/swag and to mount an awning onto, aside those uses the family borrows my car to pick up large flat items (sheets of ply etc) as its a 2.1x1.2mtr flat deck

Removed the rear seats (didn’t want them anyway and you can’t buy the 'panel van' version in AUS fitted rear draws and fridge for camping trips and to keep my car organised.

tow bar is essential for me, and was fitted aftermarket (but using a LR genuine part) so much cheaper to do it yourself and very easy (pm me if you fit one and need help) but may not be as essential for you.

I also fitted an LED light bar and cheap spotlights as i drive at night a lot (have a larger light bar and better spot lights to replace the current ones) the factory headlights are a bit average, but replace the bulbs with some of the Philips +100's and you may not need spot lights/light bar depending on your requirements (i fitted them and still found them inadequate, though I am scared of the dark :P )

otherwise agree with previous statements, some people mod there’s to drive the forestry's each weekend getting covered in Mud, others (like me) use our cars for towing big loads, camping on long weekends, beach trips and a little light touring.

its going to depends on what you want to use your defender for as to what mods you will need, a lot are easily done cheap/free anyway and are more for convenience rather than a requirement.

my 2c
Leroy

Welcome to the forum Ringo , You asked , and you were given lots of good advice , I'm sure as you become familiar with your 90 on and off road your confidence in your truck will continue . I would like to wish you happy and safe four wheel driving in your new 90 Jim.. :)

Great advice, and reassuring to be honest, I'm going to touch base with Brisbanes' LROC and go from there. Thanks to everyone for their comments and feedback!

Cheers,
Ringo

^^^ What they said.

I would suggest making sure you have recovery options front and rear sorted, although even that may fall in to the "optional" category if you choose not to get stuck ;)