IIa SWB resto for daily drive

[M00nd0ggy]

Hi

I am looking at restoring a series II SWB as a daily drive.
Although I wanted to keep it as original as possible I would like to add any upgrades that would make it more enjoyable as my daily while I have it in bits and pieces for the resto.

Just looking for any advice on any changes I should do to make life easier.

Thanks

M00nd0ggy
Defender 110 2012 2.2

[Johnno1969]

G'day there,

There a few threads on the II and IIA forum which I reckon will give some ideas. Stuff related to "daily driver" mods usually revolves around smoothing suspension, improving roadspeeds etc etc (and possibly things like windscreen wipers....)

John

[JDNSW]

Depends a bit on which model 2a (i.e. 88/109, diesel, petrol, ute, hardtop, wagon etc), and what sort of driving is involved - city, country, towing etc.

In my view, the major drawbacks of the 2a for city driving, for example, is the lack of power steering, and in the 109, the turning circle. Power steering can be fitted, but I would think carefully whether it is worth the effort and cost, although not much you can do about the turning circle except avoid using wide tyres. Probably fitting power assisted brakes would help, as well, and this would be easier and cheaper.

For highway driving, first item would be some soundproofing! Next I would be fitting the anti-burst door locks and high seat backs from late Series 3.

Regardless of the type of driving, unless you are in the tropics, an early modification would be a heater/demister. Two speed wipers off a Series 3 might be worth considering. I would fit reversing lights as well, aand probably hazard lights.

John

[M00nd0ggy]

Thanks for the advice.
It is a 2a 88 petrol hard top.
I live in the Gold Coast Hinterland and will be going up and down the mountain so I'm guessing brakes will be first on the list.
Mostly country driving for about 1hr per day.

Michael

[Landy Smurf]

disc brakes if you are willing to spend the money would be great.
parabolic springs are apparently the bees knees.
You can get an overdrive if you want better higher driving speed.
earplugs-na just joking they are not that bad

[JDNSW]

Thanks for the advice.
It is a 2a 88 petrol hard top.
I live in the Gold Coast Hinterland and will be going up and down the mountain so I'm guessing brakes will be first on the list.
Mostly country driving for about 1hr per day.

Michael

While disc brakes are an advantage, mainly in reduced maintenance, for an 88 a simple, easy, and relatively cheap major braking improvement is to fit lwb brakes (replace 10" drums with 11"). At a minimum this would be fronts plus m/c, but rears can be fitted as well, and even fit six cylinder front brakes (wider). With the larger brakes on the swb, you may find a booster is unnecessary.

The other thing I should have mentioned, is to ensure that the vehicle is mechanically and electrically in good to perfect condition for reliability. I would, as part of this, consider a new wiring harness, and in any case fit headlight relays.

John

[debruiser]

I'll 2nd the headlight relay! I did that to my 109, and it's like fitting completely new lights. Best 8 bucks I've ever spent.

[chazza]

I will third the headlight relays :D

Consider upgrading the ignition system to at least an electronic distributor; Magnecore ignition leads and NGK plugs.

I am converting my Disco and my sports car to Megasquirt/ Megajolt ignition systems, which dispense with the distributor and take their timing directly off the crankshaft,

Cheers Charlie

[B.S.F.]

Hi

I am looking at restoring a series II SWB as a daily drive.
Although I wanted to keep it as original as possible I would like to add any upgrades that would make it more enjoyable as my daily while I have it in bits and pieces for the resto.

Just looking for any advice on any changes I should do to make life easier.

Thanks

M00nd0ggy
Defender 110 2012 2.2

No good asking other people.Try it and then decide for yourself what you need or want. .W.

[debruiser]

No good asking other people.Try it and then decide for yourself what you need or want. .W.

Very good point. But I think its good to get ideas of what others have done and found good or a waste of time. Could save you from making the same mistakes.

Sent from my MB526 using AULRO mobile app

[B.S.F.]

If I would have to build a "daily driver" for my wife, it would be completyl different from what I'm driving. .W.

[ezyrama]

Hi Michael
If your driving up and down Beechmont or Tamborine daily, go the brakes first, don't worry too much about power steering, Ralph has a better turning circle than the Tadis, my "Series 12". You might want the heater if your going up there next winter though. Just drive it for a while and work out what you would like to improve on. The only thing you wont improve on is the smile factor!!:):)
Cheers Ian

[happydad59]

Brakes are really important, a reconditioned booster from hydroboost makes an enormous difference and is so much easier than mucking around with changing brake systems Other thing is an overdrive that you can leave in high, it is the single thing that most improved Fairy's road drivability