Advice on my new 90

[lackuwaxa]

Hey Guys,

been heer a while, prob my first post.

I am about to order a new 90 and i am looking at the accessories for it now, I am (prob about 95%) getting it through Salary Sacrifice at work, so wanna get as many of the options i want now coz it'll end up cheaper and its a pain to mod it after, so here is my list, would love any thoughts on what works, what isn't really necessary, if there is a better part/choice/brand option ..

cheers guys, sorry if this has been asked before, kinda looked through the search but didn't find much.

L/R Defender 90 :D

Sun Roof
Heavy Duty Tow Bar (i am after the Hayman Reese Style one)
Wing Top Protectors
Chequer Plate protection Kit
Hinged Lamp Guards (Front and Back)
Front Lighting Pack RHD
A Frame Protection Bar with Winch
Warn 9.5TI Electric Winch
Under Shield Old Style

I am also thinking of getting it chipped and tuned with the bigger straight thru exhaust from Roo Systems

And I am keen on some bar work, but cant find anywhere atm (dont like the ARB Sliders as they dont bolt or weld to the chasis) Am looking at the ECR Safety Devices NAS 90 Roof Rack was wondering if anyone has looked at these in Aust?

Thanks for any input guys

Cheers

Wade

[KarlB]

Sun Roof is great on current model Defenders and does not leak like older ones. The OEM chequer plate is high quality and is anodized rather than powder coated. Don’t bother with the light pack as I understand it is really just brighter globes that you can buy aftermarket much cheaper. The winch and winch-bar are very expensive but very good. The older style undershield is not as strong as the ribbed one and I think that is a better option (Part No. LR008247). You may find the front hinged lamp guards interfere with the A-bar. Front mudflaps are a good addition, as is a raised air intake, and are probably a lot more useful than lamp guards. You really have no legal option for towbar other than the one supplied by Land Rover Australia. Forget chipping until your warranty runs out. And just get a Wind Cheetah, Hannibal or Patriot roof rack. Keep it simple and keep it light.


Cheers
KarlB
:)

[gusthedog]

Bull bar, snorkle and long range tank would be it for me :D. Doesn't the 90 have a ridiculously small tank? Like 60 litres?

And chequerplate's for trailers :p

[n plus one]

Factory checker plates is good quality (but $$$).

BAS map is the go if you want a removable performance upgrade.

I've got the factory tow bar on my 110 - it's done plenty if work and is a 50mm receiver style hitch.

Get Mulgo sliders and a Hannibal or Patriot roof rack.

Is also consider adding a rear wheel carrier to your shopping list - if so, Mulgo/Rijidij would be my recommendation.

Hope this helps.

PS if you think you might want a second spare, consider adding one to you lease too...

[lackuwaxa]

Sun Roof is great on current model Defenders and does not leak like older ones. The OEM chequer plate is high quality and is anodized rather than powder coated. Don’t bother with the light pack as I understand it is really just brighter globes that you can buy aftermarket much cheaper. The winch and winch-bar are very expensive but very good. The older style undershield is not as strong as the ribbed one and I think that is a better option (Part No. LR008247). You may find the front hinged lamp guards interfere with the A-bar. Front mudflaps are a good addition, as is a raised air intake, and are probably a lot more useful than lamp guards. You really have no legal option for towbar other than the one supplied by Land Rover Australia. Forget chipping until your warranty runs out. And just get a Wind Cheetah, Hannibal or Patriot roof rack. Keep it simple and keep it light.


Cheers
KarlB
:)
Thanks for the info, sounds good.

in regards to the towbar, i read in one of the other posts that the Td5 one fits the new model and it is a hayman reece style one. I will talk to the dealership.

How expensive is the A frame bull bar and the winch? is there any where you can get a complete listing of the accessories and prices? The list on the website seems to only have the most popular items in it.

Wade

[lackuwaxa]

Factory checker plates is good quality (but $$$).

BAS map is the go if you want a removable performance upgrade.

I've got the factory tow bar on my 110 - it's done plenty if work and is a 50mm receiver style hitch.

Get Mulgo sliders and a Hannibal or Patriot roof rack.

Is also consider adding a rear wheel carrier to your shopping list - if so, Mulgo/Rijidij would be my recommendation.

Hope this helps.

PS if you think you might want a second spare, consider adding one to you lease too...
I was looking at the rijidij and mulgo stuff, I love some of the mods he has for the dash and the cubby box to raise the ECU is a great idea.

Wade

[Loubrey]

Ditto on KarlB's post about the mapping and exhaust... LRA will void your waranty if they even suspect that the ECU has been modified. They will blame just about everything that might go wrong on the engine output and the same goes if you de-cat the car in waranty. This might be very detrimental on the salary sacrifice lease agreement.

Visit the sponsors on these pages (like Mulgo and Rijidij) before finalising your decision as a lot of LRA optional extras are very cosmetic.

The winch kit from LRA is a superb winch, but the mounting (for which you will pay handsomely) is not compatible with any bar work and it will end up in the back of your shed or garage.

Agree on the LRA towbar as well. Definitely worth adding to the package.

The tank is small, more like 55 litres and if you want to travel there are options for long range tanks but I don't think LRA will entertain it (LR South Africa actually install Front Runner gear as OEM!) and fitting them would be around $2,500 to $3,000 for the full 80 litres extra.

Cheers,

Lou

[lackuwaxa]

Ditto on KarlB's post about the mapping and exhaust... LRA will void your waranty if they even suspect that the ECU has been modified. They will blame just about everything that might go wrong on the engine output and the same goes if you de-cat the car in waranty. This might be very detrimental on the salary sacrifice lease agreement.

Visit the sponsors on these pages (like Mulgo and Rijidij) before finalising your decision as a lot of LRA optional extras are very cosmetic.

The winch kit from LRA is a superb winch, but the mounting (for which you will pay handsomely) is not compatible with any bar work and it will end up in the back of your shed or garage.

Agree on the LRA towbar as well. Definitely worth adding to the package.

The tank is small, more like 55 litres and if you want to travel there are options for long range tanks but I don't think LRA will entertain it (LR South Africa actually install Front Runner gear as OEM!) and fitting them would be around $2,500 to $3,000 for the full 80 litres extra.

Cheers,

Lou
I will look at Mulgo and Rijidij, was always planning on getting from them but will do that after initial purchase, trying to get as much as i can on a single invoice as the salary sacrifice people were being difficult with a mate when he got his new ford.

The LRA mounting kit (the A Frame Protection Bar w/winch) is not very good? it looks like it is a pretty solid bar? what other bars do people put on the front? ARB? XROX?

Ok I will def give the exhaust and chip mods a skip for a bit then.

55L tank is ok to start with I will be in the VIC High Country for next few years, so will just keep my touring close :) but i'm sure i read that mulgo has a 30L or so one that you can add like a sub tank ..

Wade

[defender_i_hardly_know_er]

The LRA mounting kit (the A Frame Protection Bar w/winch) is not very good? it looks like it is a pretty solid bar? what other bars do people put on the front? ARB? XROX?

I'm not sure about the winch version of the front bar, but my LR non winch bar is a squishy sort of plastic thing.

[rijidij]

G'day Wade,
Mulgo does a great modification to the fuel filler neck so you can fill more than one tank from the original filler and not have to cut extra holes in your panels.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/563.jpg

More pictures here (http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb102/rijidij/Puma%2090%20Fuel%20Tanks/?albumview=slideshow) of a triple tank setup on a Puma 90.

I've also fitted Mulgo sliders and Exbox to customer's cars, all top quality stuff.

Cheers, Murray

[camel_landy]

Don't bother with the winch, you'll probably never use it. (There have been many threads on the subject, so I won't bore everyone by going through it again here.;) )

If it was my 90, this is what I'd spec:

Raised air intake.
Steering guard.
Decent recovery points front & rear.
QT Diff guards.
Long range tank.
Cargo barrier.

The wing top protecters are a nice idea but I'd steer clear of the roof-rack as the roofs on the Defenders aren't designed to take much of a load.

M

[carlschmid2002]

I have a MY12 D90 and so far I have a Bullbar from Mulgo. X Box from Mulgo, Dual Battery System from Mulgo, Wind Cheater Roof Rack from Mulgo, Pioneer Bluetooth Stereo, Pioneer Subwoofer behind cubby box, Rijidij wheel carrier and dual jerry carrier, Long Range Tanks from Mulgo, Seat Rail Extension from Mulgo, Webbed Cargo barrier from Mulgo, Steering arm protector from Mulgo, and I have put Jaycar sound deadening in the back with Clark rubber over the top. I also have an ARB compressor under the drivers seat.If you dont want to fork out for long range tanks get the wheel carrier from Rijidij. Fuel capacity is the worst thing about the 90. If you are set on the warn winch and A bar check out the famous four website in the UK. I would go with the Rovacraft from Mulgo and a warrior winch. The only thing I want to get now is an Autron Cruise Control.

[lackuwaxa]

Thanks guys that's heaps of info .. i'm surprised that anyone would suggest no winch, i currently have a 06 'deo and a 90 SWB Patrol, both have winch's and both get used .. the only defender i have previously driven is with work .. are the deefers really that capable in standard trim that no winch is needed? .. i spent most of the afternoon looking at mulgo's page and think i will prob run with a fair bit from there :) there is some nice stuff .. i agree bout the roof rack, was only planning on putting my roof top tent on it when i spend a few days away, but will prob rethink that and just throw the swag/hammock into the back ..

only thing i gotta work out now is if i can get the stuff from mulgo added onto the salary sacrifice total .. anyone have any idea? .. i'd prefer it on there, but if it cant, then thats fine as well ..

[camel_landy]

i'm surprised that anyone would suggest no winch, i currently have a 06 'deo and a 90 SWB Patrol, both have winch's and both get used ..

As I said, it has been covered plenty of times but it boils down to:

If you have a use for a winch & know what you're doing with one, they're great but for most people it is just a fashion accessory. Don't forget that vehicle mounted winches can only pull in one direction... Forwards. If you're stuck, the best way out is backwards.

IMHO - For most scenarios, a hand winch (although slower and not as cool) is the better option.

I don't want to start a debate on the merits for or against as it has been done before and will detract from this thread.

M

[Leroy_Riding]

<snip>
How expensive is the A frame bull bar and the winch? </Snip>

Wade

I belive I was quoted around $7,500.00 for the warn winch and bar, then $1600 for the soft A frame.
in the end I got the Winch compatable A frame thrown in and deiced ill get the winch and Bar later. . .

the front bar supplied by LRA is a Mantec bar and can be found HERE (http://www.mantec.co.uk/productdetail.cfm'theProductID=61375F0F-15C5-F4C0-99BB0FD0F12999FB)
you can pick it up from RovaCraft for under $800 I think It was but there is a few week lead time, I'm yet to order mine but I will soon, It is compatible with the LRA A frame (provided you specify the winch compatible A frame to the dealer)
the Winch itself the Warn 9.5Ti is a great winch on paper, though pretty pricey, better off looking at other options, do some reading.

bottom line, save yourself $7500 and spend around $2000 later on and get the same bar and a better winch.

Just my 2C

Leroy

[samuelclarke]

I don't have a winch at the moment, but have other recovery gear...high-lift, maxitracks, shovel, chainsaw etc. If you can afford it, get a winch! I was stuck alone for over 3 hours on Monday in a situation that saw me having to jack up the Defender to place cut logs and maxitracks under the wheels to get out of the bog I was in. It would've been a 15-20 minute job if I'd had a winch or was with another vehicle.

I've got by for 5 years of owning a Defender without one, but a winch is high on my list this year. If you're driving off road on your own they are definitely useful!

[Tomo]

I have a 110 on a salary sacrifice and I have bought a lot of accessories from local and overseas suppliers and claimed back the expense. I would discuss with your salary packaging company about leaving aside say $5K and if they have any issue with using after market suppliers and then use the huge range of after market suppliers to get the best outcome. I have even bought things direct from Alive in the UK and the salary packaging company honoured the claims. Mulgo has some excellent Landy accessories. Also opposite lock have a wide range of LR accessories as they are also dollium agent.

The genuine LR towbars are a very good piece of kit.
The genuine snorkel is really only a mantec snorkel.

Happy accessory dreaming!

[MuzzyDelta90]

My MY12 D90 is almost a year old now and still in its standard condition, but I am just about to go out and kit it out with the usual stuff. My shopping lists consists of:

ARB bull bar - much needed protection against the wildlife - no winch
Roof rack - on order and being made by a friend who is good at these things
Tow bar - the usual LRA accessory - my 90 is also salary packaged and my biggest regret is not getting one fitted before delivery
Sill tank(s) - will get one fitted for an extra 20 litres of fuel
Snorkel
Sump guard
another spare wheel

That's about it basically - been thinking about changing the grill but haven't decided which way to go. Will be visiting the Dig tree and Innaminka in Oct so will need to get it all sorted before then. When it's all done I will post some pics.

BTW - will the sill tank void the warranty?

cheers
Andrew

[tequesta]

Sun Roof
Heavy Duty Tow Bar (i am after the Hayman Reese Style one)
Wing Top Protectors
Chequer Plate protection Kit
Hinged Lamp Guards (Front and Back)
Front Lighting Pack RHD
A Frame Protection Bar with Winch
Warn 9.5TI Electric Winch
Under Shield Old Style


Your shopping list looks the nearly the same as mine, but I'm doing this slowly as I'm keen to do all the fitting by myself. My focus was recovery points first, then comms, then vehicle protection (as stuff got dented/ broken), then touring (as the kids are still very young).

From the dealership, definitely get the tow bar. Was warned against the sun-roof as it does not come with a shade, so it's sunny in the cabin ;), which may get hot. Also, if you are getting a roof rack later, it may be a little wasted. Lighting upgrade is just a better H4 bulb, which would be easily sorted for approx $50 off ebay. Have not personally done this, as I hardly drive at night with a young family.

I've got pattern part lamp guards, pretty cosmetic if you ask me, but they look cool :confused:. Also got folding side steps, front mud flaps, and a rear mat, from a UK seller (Famous Four)

Recent bits have been a steering guard from APT Fab (Vendor here) which has in built recovery points, and cheque plate wingtops from Landybitz (Vendor here). The steering guard has saved me heaps, but would not mind looking for some diff protectors & door sil protectors too (Rijidiji?). A proper UHF radio is next (TX3100) instead of the Aldi 0.5W handhelds that have been used for over a year.

As for a winch, I like the idea of having one, and would consider a Warn M8000s vs a Ti, only due to the sheer price of the Ti, and that the D90 is smaller. So far, I've driven most 4wd tracks near Melbourne (Gisbourne, Tallarook, Toolangi) and have managed to make it though most things with traction control and CDL. Just drive slowly then you normally would.

If I do get a winch, will go down the Mantec path (like the squared look), and probably get the RAI with the other bits when I order them from the UK.

Finally fuel capacity. Like you, I do most off-road driving near major roads, so the need for larger capacity can wait till a later date. I current have 2 x 20litre plastic jerry cans, that I strap being the folding seats if I ever need more capacity.

Good luck with your purchases..

J

[KarlB]

This thread, unsurprisingly, raises a lot of issues and diversity of opinions. When you buy a new vehicle and fit accessories as part of the purchase they (the accessories) are covered by the new vehicle warranty. That is 3 years or 100,000 km for a Defender (unless you get an extended warranty). Buy something aftermarket and it is usually only covered by a 12 month warranty. Fitting of that aftermarket accessory also may impact on the vehicle warranty. Increase the size of your tyres and any failure in your drive train no matter what the cause will likely be blamed on the fitting of non-standard tyres (ie you are likely to have voided your warranty on the drive train by fitting them). Fitting the tyres would not void the warranty on other parts of your vehicle (the radio to give a trivial example). Fitting sill tanks may void your warranty on part of your fuel system. You need to assess the risk.

Many on the forum are emphatic about the need for a bullbar. I have chosen not to get one (I have and OEM A-bar). I have been driving for 45 years and currently on my sixth Land Rover. In all that time I have hit one kangaroo. I did not have a bullbar. I managed to limp home. Again, you need to assess the risk. You need to consider where, when and how you drive.

The number of spare wheels you should carry is another thing that people can be emphatic about. Twenty years ago when we nearly all ran tubed tyres and the rubber compounds were nowhere near as good as today, two spares was probably a good option. Do you need to do so today? Probably not, unless you are going somewhere really isolated.

You need to assess real risks, and weigh the costs up against those risks. And importantly be mindful that costs are not only monetary ones but may include additional load on your vehicle (weight and volume). Also the impact on reliability and ready repairability associated with that extra weight and with any aftermarket modifications. Keep it simple and keep it light.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[lackuwaxa]

Thanks to everyone for the considered opinions. I can see what camel_landy means bout the winch being a can of worms here, I have been 4wdín for years and am in the army, so do a hell of a lot of touring driving in vehicles from rovers (not very often) to unimogs, hino's, cruisers, prados and pajeros. I have hit many roo's, i was on the range in pukka in victoria and got mobbed by a mob of roo's wrote the dual cab courier off, also dented every panel and put the car to sleep, so for me so far a bullbar is absoloutly essential. that being said i have a winch on my other 2 cars, so maybe its not an important issue, but for a few hundred bucks it is in my opinion cheap insurance.

The thing that has struck me most deeply is KarlB's comment .. for years i have heard the KISS principle and that has resonated with me .. I agree with what you have said about warranty, this will be the first 4wd i have ever bought brand new and i never even thought about the warranty aspect. I got my quotes back from my local dealer today and i am just about to read through them, but it looks like everything on that list genuine is about $60,000 or $55,000 if i swap in some ARB parts. If i can get some of the bits from Rijidij and mulgo then i think it may come out even cheaper. I am gonna read through it all and post up the prices i was quoted.

Cheers guys

Wade

[lackuwaxa]

Item Supplier Total

Defender 90 series MY2013 Blacklocks $42,800.00
Bullbar - Rovercraft Defender Tubular Winch Bar Mulgo $960.00
Bullbar - 2x Swivel Recovery Points Mulgo $150.00
Winch - Warn 9.5Ti Electric Winch Blacklocks (arb) $1,912.00
Towbar - Hayman Reece Style Hitch Blacklocks (arb) $600.00
Protection Item - Wing top Protectors, Mammouth Black Mulgo $203.50
Protection Item - Rock Sliders, Black with steps, no chequer plate Mulgo $675.00
Protection Item - Front Runner Steering Guard Mulgo $345.00
Protection Item - Devon 4x4 Transmission Guard Mulgo $145.00 $14.50 $159.50
Protection Item - QT Services Diff Guard Front Mulgo $165.00
Protection Item - QT Services Diff Guard Rear Mulgo $198.00
Sunroof - Genuine Factory Fitted Blacklocks $590.00
Front Footwell Rubber Mats Blacklocks $172.28
Front Mud Flaps Blacklocks $100.00
Audio Connectivity System - Genuine Factory Fitted Blacklocks $0.00
Rear Bar - Twin Swing Away Wheel Carrier Rijidij $2,200.00
2nd Spare Wheel Blacklocks $0.00
Raised Air Intake (Snorkel) - Factory Fitted Blacklocks (arb) $525.00
Ex Box w/12v Sockets Mulgo $350.00
Glove Box w/Grab Handle Mulgo $245.00
UHF -GME TX3510W $0.00
Roof Console Department of the Interior $0.00
Rear Drawer Setup Department of the Interior $0.00
Cruise Control $0.00

Total $52,350.27


So this is my interim list from what everyone has suggested, a few items i will prob ditch, the items with $0 next to them i haven't sourced a price on yet .. sorry the format looks better in the spread sheet :)

is there anything on this list that guys have used and think are ****? or vice versa anything that guys think is really good ..

cheers guys

Wade

[Alra]

Hi Wade,

I'm waiting at the moment to pick up my new 110 wagon. Should have it in the garage on the 20th of this month. I looked into the genuine A bar and winch combo for the car I purchased. I was shocked to find that it is made from some sort of polyurethane or plastic crap. I then nearly fell over when the dealer told me they wanted something like 6 grand for the bar and winch.

Have fun with the 90.

Cheers,

Danial.

[Horatioau]

Has anyone taken the 'after-market' packages, specifically the ones the include the additional paint and rust protection and sound proofing?

[camel_landy]

I'm not saying: "Don't have a winch"...

...I'm suggesting you carry a hand winch.

If you just want a winch "For insurance", a Tirfor is perfect. ;)

M

[lackuwaxa]

Cheers Camel, i actually have a tirfor 35, use it more often than you would think .. u r 100% right that a recovery in reverse is usually much more common and easier.

wade

[camel_landy]

Rear recovery point? The Dixon-Bate 5t pin is my weapon of choice, dunno if it would be compatible with a tow-bar though.

M

[lackuwaxa]

I'm usually a fan of the rear hitch receiver .. hence why i like the hayman reece style towbar with the square hole :) rated to a bit over 5t and yet to break one ..

[wpalmo]

Hi Wade,

Unfortunately these vehicles are gaining "lemon" status mate and if you have a look through the forum there are many threads that document consistent recurring problems with Puma Defenders and poor service from many of the Land Rover dealerships around Australia.

Have a read through the thread's titled "New Defender reliability?", "Life of Puma Rear Diff's" and more recently "Some Puma 90 Niggles and Frustrations (Warranty)". They are all on this forum and are accounts of the frustrations and problems experienced by Puma Defender owners.

My advice to you is to look for a dealer who has been recommended by a Defender Puma owner before you even think about the accessories to fit to it because you will get to know your dealer very well by all accounts. Diffs, gearboxes, fuel pumps, injectors are the tip of the iceberg unfortunately and from many of the accounts on this forum, some Land Rover dealerships will slow track the fix time claiming they are waiting for parts or specialised tools from the UK before they can repair the vehicle.

Good luck with your new purchase.

Regards Warrick.

[Reindeer831]

I have a 2011 90 and got a Hayman Reece tow bar fitted by the Opposite Lock fellas. From memory around $600.

[n plus one]

Hi Wade,

Unfortunately these vehicles are gaining "lemon" status mate and if you have a look through the forum there are many threads that document consistent recurring problems with Puma Defenders and poor service from many of the Land Rover dealerships around Australia.

Have a read through the thread's titled "New Defender reliability?", "Life of Puma Rear Diff's" and more recently "Some Puma 90 Niggles and Frustrations (Warranty)". They are all on this forum and are accounts of the frustrations and problems experienced by Puma Defender owners.

My advice to you is to look for a dealer who has been recommended by a Defender Puma owner before you even think about the accessories to fit to it because you will get to know your dealer very well by all accounts. Diffs, gearboxes, fuel pumps, injectors are the tip of the iceberg unfortunately and from many of the accounts on this forum, some Land Rover dealerships will slow track the fix time claiming they are waiting for parts or specialised tools from the UK before they can repair the vehicle.

Good luck with your new purchase.

Regards Warrick.

There's certainly a lot of benefit to getting a decent dealer - makes life a lot easier. Sounds like you've had a pretty rough trot with your Puma.

[lackuwaxa]

Ok Warrick, I just spent the last 7 hours or so reading all those posts, I also read the lemon law posts referred to on bout page 5 or so of the "new defender reliability" one .. I think n plus one has nailed it .. It is 100% to do with the service and mechanic .. I have bought a few brand new cars, the most recent being a Holden rodeo where I had a front cv spontaneously shatter driving through a puddle in a storm, Holden found, under warranty, that there was significant metal fatigue on the inner cv, caused by ...??? So they fixed it .. 3 wks later I went to engage 4wd .. Flashing sotf lights and nothing .. Turns out the actuator decided to have a drink as well .. **** happens right .. All cars have issues .. At that point that car had not gone off road .. Since then it has been fine except that only 3 bolts held the radiator intercooler on .. The little Thai man must have gone home and forgot the last one .. The difference between a good car and a **** one is the warranty period .. U have three years to smash it as hard as u can to find all the weak spots .. After that it should be fine ..

Thanks for the input, though short of me losing my job, I'm pretty sure I'm set on a defender 90 ..

Wade

[carlschmid2002]

The only issue I have had is the radiator hose getting rubbed through from incorrect fitment of the clamp. I was lucky it happened in Melbourne before I headed up to Townsville towing a trailer. The Land Rover Assist was excellent and the dealer in Port Melbourne returned it ASAP. I was stuck doing a removal with a trailer I couldn't move so they gave me a rental to move it to a friends place. If you are going to Salary Sacrifice ensure you get the corporate program which includes servicing. My only real gripe with the 90 is the due tank size. My last car was a Patrol. I have fitted the tanks from Mulgo now and i have the two jerries carrier from Rijidij. I love my 90. It is very special to drive. It tows well and goes anywhere.