Thread: RE: mods - what are your thoughts?

You asked for thoughts and opinions, so I suppose you are prepared for some disagreement about what is necessary or even what is desirable.

My opinion (for what it is worth) is that Land Rover make a very capable vehicle and while it can be modified to improve its ability to perform in one area, often there is a downside to the modification.

For a start, most things you add will increase the weight of the vehicle, so you will have reduced your useful payload or created the need for a suspension upgrade. Strengthening one component often just has the effect of moving the weak point from somewhere that is easy and cheap to repair, to another component that harder to get at and more expensive.

Then there is the cost to consider. There may well be occasions when the money spent on something like chrome plated twin overhead dipsticks might have been better spent on a brand new set of standard size tyres before you set out on the big trip.

Some Defender owners do all the things you have described with few if any modifications and they do it in comfort and safety.

It seems to me that some people start with the assumption that it is compulsory to heavily modify the vehicle and need to be persuaded that the proposed mod is unnecessary. At the other end of the spectrum, you have those who are quite impressed with the vehicle as it came out of the factory and need to hear some fairly persuasive arguments before they will spend big money for a small benefit.

You can probably guess at which end of the spectrum I sit.

maybe one of those Rijidij rear wheel carriers, to get the weight of the spare wheel off the rear door and onto the chassis crossmember.
Apart from that, not really much else needed.

http://rijidijoffroad.bounce.com.au/home/4551020102

Mike.

I think vnx205 is on the mark. That said, for any sort of remote touring you would benefit from a long range fuel tank (though you could get by with jerry cans). Also, some front recovery points are always useful.

It would be helpful to those who might proffer advice to indicate whether you are proposing to tour with just yourself in the vehicle, or with passengers.

Cheers
KarlB

Originally Posted by vnx205

You asked for thoughts and opinions, so I suppose you are prepared for some disagreement about what is necessary or even what is desirable.

My opinion (for what it is worth) is that Land Rover make a very capable vehicle and while it can be modified to improve its ability to perform in one area, often there is a downside to the modification.

For a start, most things you add will increase the weight of the vehicle, so you will have reduced your useful payload or created the need for a suspension upgrade. Strengthening one component often just has the effect of moving the weak point from somewhere that is easy and cheap to repair, to another component that harder to get at and more expensive.

Then there is the cost to consider. There may well be occasions when the money spent on something like chrome plated twin overhead dipsticks might have been better spent on a brand new set of standard size tyres before you set out on the big trip.

Some Defender owners do all the things you have described with few if any modifications and they do it in comfort and safety.

It seems to me that some people start with the assumption that it is compulsory to heavily modify the vehicle and need to be persuaded that the proposed mod is unnecessary. At the other end of the spectrum, you have those who are quite impressed with the vehicle as it came out of the factory and need to hear some fairly persuasive arguments before they will spend big money for a small benefit.

You can probably guess at which end of the spectrum I sit.

I like your approach - less is more. I subscribe to that view.

There are a few mods I feel I will need so hopefully with some good feedback I can get the right mods done without significantly compromising the good points you make in your third paragraph.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by KarlB

I think vnx205 is on the mark. That said, for any sort of remote touring you would benefit from a long range fuel tank (though you could get by with jerry cans). Also, some front recovery points are always useful.

It would be helpful to those who might proffer advice to indicate whether you are proposing to tour with just yourself in the vehicle, or with passengers.

Cheers
KarlB

Thanks Karl. I have decided to go with the jerrycans for the moment. Simple, cheap and unlikely to fail.

Good point, just my wife and I. The dog too on some trips. Less than 150kg between the three of us. I'll edit my post to reflect that.

Maybe a compressor to blow up the tyres that you let down ( does not need to be fitted to the vehicle ) and a UHF CB
Regards,
Tote

Originally Posted by Tote

Maybe a compressor to blow up the tyres that you let down ( does not need to be fitted to the vehicle ) and a UHF CB
Regards,
Tote

Thanks Tote. Definitely going a compressor. What brand do you use for compressor and radio?

Some good advice above, I also carry enough water for the truck as well as myself, a fire extinguisher and for the high country:a chainsaw.
Some very good portable compressors out there, I think the TJM one did very well on a trial I read on the net, but plenty to choose from.
Most important is the fridge!
Get out there and enjoy, then you can add to the list for the next trip...
Rich.