new defender options

[gregc]

Hi all, have been lurking for a couple of months now but this is my first post. I tried using the google search down the bottom but it didn't quite bring up what I was after.

I am about to be in the market for a new 110 (my first LR :D) and was wondering what thoughts people had on options, both OEM and aftermarket. Things like bull bar I'll probably get once I've run it all in a bit. There's no rush anyway as it's too wet at the moment up here in cairns for any major exploring so it'll probably just be playing the everyday commuter until it all dries out a bit.

I was thinking more along the lines of the less obvious stuff like rust protection, low water level indicator or anything else LR left out or decided would be good for character building. Anything that anybody wish they had got when theirs was new? Anything end up being a waste of time/money?

Also what's the go with snorkels? OEM or aftermarket?

Thanks all in advance! :thumbsup:
Greg

[JayBoRover]

Hiya Greg. Good thing to ask before you purchase:).
I asked similar questions of a friend that also bought a new MY12 D90 before me, so knew not to buy the genuine side-steps. The genuine tow bar is worthwhile if you tow things. I went with a Safari snorkel after hearing too many stories of the genuine LR snorkel not being water proof, backed up by the dealer making it clear they are a RAI - Raised Air Intake, and not having any claim to be a snorkel. I got the genuine front mud-flaps fitted and they are worthwhile, but also easy enough to fit yourself at lower cost later if you're handy. Apart from the mud-flaps and tow bar, everything else on mine is aftermarket (Safari snorkel, ARB bullbar and roof tent, Front Runner roof rack, cubby safe, gas bottle rack, sill fuel tanks).
Good luck with it.
Cheers
John B

[Summiitt]

G'day Greg,
Yep I agree, I bought one of the first pumas in 08 and added a safari snorkel, arb winch bar, hayman Reese tow bar and an arb tradesman steel roof rack, if your planning on doing any sort of distance driving, look into long range tanks, defenders tank capacity is a joke..I opted for an opposite lock 45l tank that fits under the rear right guard and it worked very well.
In that setup, that vehicle did about140k until I sold it early last year and took me all over Australia with hardly any issues at all. I would say to drive it and use it before adding things to it, they are very good straight out of the box..

[tequesta]

Hi, purchased pattern part mats & side steps from the UK (cheaper) when I just got the car, and took the advice of the forum and just drove. Pretty much everything you need comes with, with the exception of front & rear recovery points. Eventually got front ones from APT, which doubles as a steering guard as well. The rear was to be the OEM tow bar. Good luck!

[newhue]

Get a price from your local tow bar shop before you order a genuine. Chances are it will go there for the same Hayman Reece bar anyway. It just may be a couple hundred cheaper. LR warranty on a tow bar is neither here of there as tow bars appear to fail very rarely. They are not rated as a recovery point, as now tow bars are but that is more legal ass covering than reality.
I added a standard raised sir intake as the way it sucks air I's quite good. They also contain a dust separator inside the casting. I sealed mine with sensor safe silicone to mske it waterproof. They do the same with aftermarket snorkels as well.
Some floor mats are also nice. You can buy them with the saving from the tow bar.

[ezyrama]

Hi Greg
The new MY2013 has been released in the UK and you can order an option of part leather/part cloth seats and a 150w Alpine stereo, which I highly recommend as my 2012 stereo unit sounds crappy, The bullbar, get a TJM. Safari Snorkel and HR towbar. The rest of it can come along as and when you need it. Get an aftermarket fuel tank as Summiitt suggested (thanks for the info mate, I'll look into one) as you will only get 550-600 out of the 70ltr tank. When you get it, the rules are you post photo's or the flea's of a thousand camels will infest your armpits!:D

Cheers Ian

[gregc]

Thanks for all the advice!


Get a price from your local tow bar shop before you order a genuine. Chances are it will go there for the same Hayman Reece bar anyway. It just may be a couple hundred cheaper. LR warranty on a tow bar is neither here of there as tow bars appear to fail very rarely. They are not rated as a recovery point, as now tow bars are but that is more legal ass covering than reality.
I added a standard raised sir intake as the way it sucks air I's quite good. They also contain a dust separator inside the casting. I sealed mine with sensor safe silicone to mske it waterproof. They do the same with aftermarket snorkels as well.
Some floor mats are also nice. You can buy them with the saving from the tow bar.

So is the haymann reece one a fixed bar or is it a hitch?

[ezyrama]

Bolts on through the rear crossmember, and then back to the chassis.

[newhue]

Thanks for all the advice!



So is the haymann reece one a fixed bar or is it a hitch?

It's the heavy duty square female type with various square males to accommodate height and length. Sound like sex ed really. But it all good fun

[gcl381]

Hi GregC

Definitely ring around for the towbar fitting. I was able to get mine through LR at the same price as any of the aftermarket crowd. If they're keen to move a car they can add extras on at a reasonable rate. Mine's got the genuine side steps as that was already on the vehicle but I'd have happily had them removed if I could have lowered the purchase point. I'd be interested to hear why people aren't happy with them or what issues they've had. Doesn't look like they're too hard to take off in any case.

Cheers,

Gav

[greenhornet]

[QUOTE=JayBoRover;1831409]Hiya Greg. Good thing to ask before you purchase:).
I asked similar questions of a friend that also bought a new MY12 D90 before me, so knew not to buy the genuine side-steps.

Agree re the side steps, look up Mulgo, expedition vehicle conversions, recreational vehicle conversions, camper conversions, land rover, toyota - Mulgo Pty Ltd - Australia (http://www.mulgo.com.au/)

If I had my time again I would get sliders from Daniel.

Cheers
Gav

[gng1]

[QUOTE=JayBoRover;1831409]Hiya Greg. Good thing to ask before you purchase:).
I asked similar questions of a friend that also bought a new MY12 D90 before me, so knew not to buy the genuine side-steps.

Agree re the side steps, look up Mulgo, expedition vehicle conversions, recreational vehicle conversions, camper conversions, land rover, toyota - Mulgo Pty Ltd - Australia (http://www.mulgo.com.au/)

If I had my time again I would get sliders from Daniel.

Cheers
Gav
They seem to have changed the genuine side-step/runners. The ones on my 2009 puma were crap (two parallel bars with non slip strips that kept coming off and being replaced on warranty...). The new puma we got just before Christmas came with a far superior product which has aluminum checkerplate which I would recommend.

Having gone slightly overboard with accessories on the 2009 puma (which was our second Defender), I'm going to try to restrain myself this time around. The only factory accessory was the side steps and since then we have fitted aftermarket cruise control and a stereo upgrade.

[gregc]

Some very good ideas there, thanks guys :)

So far I'm thinking
-front mud flaps OEM and tow bar if he gives me a good price, otherwise I'll go aftermarket hayman reece
-tjm bullbar (prefer the squarer look over the arb)
-roof rack (not sure which one yet, I'm sure there will be plenty of threads on it in here)
-siderails
-aftermarket cruise control (best idea!) - out of interest, which one did you get gng1?

This may seem like (is :wasntme:) a silly question but what exactly are the benefits of the front mudflaps? Everyone tells me to get them but I cant quite figure out why they're so important...

[gng1]

MR Automotive at Redcliffe fitted the cruise control. The paperwork says it is an "e-cruise" kit. Standard-looking control stalk on the right hand side of the steering wheel column. Works a treat on the Bruce Hwy!

I forgot to say we also had front mudflaps. Our previous puma didn't have them but our first Deefer had them. You should have them. The first advantage is noise: without them you get a lot of noise from stones getting flicked up under the car from the front wheels. Second they stop an awful lot of mud etc being flicked up on to the side steps and under the sills.

[IGL002]

I have a 2011 110 wagon to which I have fitted a Front Runner bull bar that will take a winch. I also have a Safari snorkel, Hayman Reece towbar and a Mulgo gas strut for the rear door.
If you can wangle a rear wheel carrier at time of purchase do it. That will go a long way to dust proofing the rear door when the weight of the spare is no longer on it.

So many accessories and so little money :-)

Iglooist.

[juddy]

We are so to release our new range of side steps and rock sliders for all Defender Models, a unique design on some of them too. And best of all Australian made.

Just watch out theres some very naff ones knocking about, people charging top $, for very poor quality parts.

Patriot, hannibal and Frontrunner if you need a rack.

I can also recommend Terrafirma if you are interested..

[flagg]

This may seem like (is :wasntme:) a silly question but what exactly are the benefits of the front mudflaps? Everyone tells me to get them but I cant quite figure out why they're so important...

Stops the sides of your shiny new deefer turning brown when you go through a puddle or along a wet dirt row. Also means you can drive in these situations with the windows down.

I have front mudflaps fitted, but my wheels have an offset that has the tire about 1.5cm outside of the flap.. I didn't think it was a problem but I"ll get mud on the roof (inside) if I drive fast through it with the windows open.

[gregc]

alright so mud flaps it is :p
Also, I left snorkel off that list. I'll get aftermarket.

I had a chat to my local dealer today and I'll get hold of Townsville (next closest - about 4.5hrs drive) during the week. Hopefully the ball will be rolling soon :D

thanks again for everyone's help