Priority upgrades to a new 110 Defender

[Wildcard8]

Hi all,

A new user to the site (long time scanner) and soon to be first time Deefer owner. Have a Firenze Red with Corris Grey roof 110 family wagon on order and due to arrive at the start of august. First land rover and couldnt be more excited.

I am after your much valued opinions on what are the key upgrades / improvements one should take shortly after delivery. Not so interested in the bolt list like bars' racks, snorkels etc as they are personal preference but what about things to improve the overall functionalityn capability and reliability of the vehicle. Replacing hoses, fittings (like the door catches), upgrading suspension components, electrical, corrosion etc. Maybe your top 5 actions to take.

It will be out daily driver down in tassie with lots of landie boffin mates keen to get us out in the wilderness scratching up the new paint work. Appreciate your inputs. James.

[frantic]

Snorkle
Mulgo x-box to move all your electricals from under your seat to under the middle cubby box (into the xbox) this will give you a largeish sized storage area under your bum. I am going to fit a side panel to get to it as am getting tired of lifting up seat all the time !
Dual batteries is your going to fit winch, fridge.
Depending upon how hard the terrain is rock-sliders.
Tint
CB
If you only have a 5 seater, a cargo barrier.
Extend the breather hoses on your diffs/gearbox up into the engine bay near the bonnet at least. You being in Tassie, you will go from a warm/hot diff into ****** cold water which will cause the diff to contract/oil to cool, sucking in air or if the breather is to low ,water , which will then damage your diff/gearbox.
rear wheel carrier , rijjidij looks good.
See how you go offroad and you may want a locker with stronger axles/cv's
there are dozens of suspension options. being a puma if you do a lift you will need to look at the propshaft.


p.s congratulations and welcome.

[Leyland1980]

Traxide headlight upgrade is a must assuming LR still haven't put in relays

and a VW 99 relay for the wipers to make them programmable

[Gerokent]

Re-map the ECU to turn off the EGR.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Congrats and welcome!

Priority - get out and drive it and then decide what you need. ;)

Assuming you are starting 4wd from scratch:
- Recovery points front and rear should be first things to install.
- Buy yourself a basic set of recovery gear (shackles, snatch straps)
- Air compressor for airing up tyres
- An ultragauge is useful for information about what your truck is doing
- Exbox is well worth installing for the extra storage space first, elbow rest second, then keeping the electrics out of water third.

No need to extend the breather hoses on your diffs/gearbox, they already end in the engine bay as standard. The fuel tank breather on the other hand could do with a bit more pipe / height.

[Wildcard8]

Thanks a lot for your responses! Exactly the sort of advise i was hoping to receive. Will start making the shopping list and commence detailed research, starting with this website.

Any more "if it was me, i would ...." would be great.

[specwarop]

In regard to the Traxide wiring upgrade, can anyone with a 2014 Defender confirm if it is required or not?
If it is, what affect does installing the upgrade have on the warranty?

[Wildcard8]

Based on inputs and ongoing review of 'Members Rides" (thanks Bobby and Nugget for your lengthy and informative posts). This is whats currently on paper.

Defender Shopping List

Existing / Ordered:
1. Already have the Melville and Moon Car Seats delivered
2. LR Tow pack supplied
3. Wingtop Protectors supplied
4. Rubber Mats supplied
5. Cold Climate Pack (SWMBO special request and just a bit handy in Tassie)

Priority #1
1. Mulgo Exbox / X-box to remove electrics from under seat and give storage
2. Recovery points front and back
3. Recovery gear (straps etc)
4. Snorkel
5. Mud flaps or rock sliders to protect the driver
6. Window weather shields (drive with window down)
7. Door Extenders
8. Rear Door Gas Strut
9. RUNVA 11XP Winch on
10. Custom made aluminum winch bar with integrated bash plates
11. Dual Battery set-up

Priority #2
1. Traxide headlight upgrade is a must assuming LR still haven't put in relays
2. Air compressor
3. Manual deflater for tyres
4. Fold Out Read Door Shelf (copy Bobby’s design on MONTY)
5. ECU Upgrade (need to see if this affects warranty)
6. Wheel carrier to take load off read door
7. Headlight Protectors
8. Roof Racks with some awning / covering arrangement for camping and day trips
9. Driving lights (tassie is the road kill capital of the world!!)
10. Spray the rims dark / black if the originals dont look the part

[Wildcard8]

Here are the photos that gave us the inspiration to go with a Corris Grey Roof to match the grill etc on the new red order. Photos are of a black roof but the reflections give it a grey look. We liked it more than the stark contrast of black on red, plus matching the grill and logos was also important for the missus.

Hope it turns out as we imagine!!

[ezyrama]

Cool, Love the colour. Looks great. This is what I have done to the Tardis, the rear LED's, as I find it a bit ordinary to see out of the back at night and it's also good for setting up the camper on a late arrival and with the front LED's, they give great peripheral light whilst the round HID's give me a great light for distance. BTW, go to rare spares and get a sheet of 12mm sticky back insulation and fit it to the underside of the bonnet, the difference it makes is incredible. I also lined under the front floor mats with a 3mm bitumen sticky back insulation I got there as well. I have a mate who's 130 is about 10-15 db noisier without the insulation.
Cheers Ian

[BilboBoggles]

I thoroughly recommend the following from WildCard8's list.

1. Already have the Melville and Moon Car Seats delivered
-- These are the best seat covers I've come across - but are very expensive. I have a set I've used in a couple of Defenders, and they are still going well. But ti cost me close to $1100
-- For a cheap Alternative - Aldi did a canvas AutoXS cover that fits really OK, but only costs $29. It wears really well.

2. LR Tow pack supplied
3. Wingtop Protectors supplied
4. Rubber Mats supplied
5. Relay upgrade on your headlights - still no relay there in MY13.
6. Window Tint is nice - but not vital. Makes night time reversing a little more difficult.
7. Cargo Barrier.
8. Extended breathers for diffs/ etc including the fuel tank.
9. Side steps. They don't make much difference to break over, but they do stop aresholes in the coles car park denting your door with theirs. And I've been T boned in a Defender, the step took a lot of the impact.

The rest will really depend on what you want to throw it at.


Get the WingTop protectors - otherwise every service they will dent the crap out of your fenders.... I have them now on my older 2003 Defender, but need to get a set for my MY13.

[tact]

Wah! So many things must add to the vehicle!?

My only mods to my 2013 dual cab have been to REMOVE stuff.

Folding side steps: removed after they were pretty much demolished on a very rocky trail. Should have taken them off before doing the trail as the only sill damage was minor creasing (by the foldies) as the foldies got hammered up by the boulders.

LR fitted tow bar: removed because I am not interested in ploughing over rough trails or getting hung up on immovable objects!

:twisted:

And yes - my barge has already been out a number of times in the (Malaysian) jungles, and scratched finely by bamboo and brush to the point where it's hard to find unscratched duco anywhere on it. Not to mention hard trails like the one that demolished all my foldies.

[Wildcard8]

I thoroughly recommend the following from WildCard8's list.

1. Already have the Melville and Moon Car Seats delivered
-- These are the best seat covers I've come across - but are very expensive. I have a set I've used in a couple of Defenders, and they are still going well. But ti cost me close to $1100
-- For a cheap Alternative - Aldi did a canvas AutoXS cover that fits really OK, but only costs $29. It wears really well.

2. LR Tow pack supplied
3. Wingtop Protectors supplied
4. Rubber Mats supplied
5. Relay upgrade on your headlights - still no relay there in MY13.
6. Window Tint is nice - but not vital. Makes night time reversing a little more difficult.
7. Cargo Barrier.
8. Extended breathers for diffs/ etc including the fuel tank.
9. Side steps. They don't make much difference to break over, but they do stop aresholes in the coles car park denting your door with theirs. And I've been T boned in a Defender, the step took a lot of the impact.

The rest will really depend on what you want to throw it at.


Get the WingTop protectors - otherwise every service they will dent the crap out of your fenders.... I have them now on my older 2003 Defender, but need to get a set for my MY13.
Bilbo (and others looking at M&M)

Melville and Moons are much cheaper now due to the rand being so poor. Was better but now its climbing back. I paid R8625 delivered door to door in Tassie which today equates to approx AUD$856 give or take. Would have gone aussie ones but these at the current exchange rate couldnt be passed up. (PS, this was for the 7 seats also).

[Wildcard8]

I thoroughly recommend the following from WildCard8's list.

1. Already have the Melville and Moon Car Seats delivered
-- These are the best seat covers I've come across - but are very expensive. I have a set I've used in a couple of Defenders, and they are still going well. But ti cost me close to $1100
-- For a cheap Alternative - Aldi did a canvas AutoXS cover that fits really OK, but only costs $29. It wears really well.

2. LR Tow pack supplied
3. Wingtop Protectors supplied
4. Rubber Mats supplied
5. Relay upgrade on your headlights - still no relay there in MY13.
6. Window Tint is nice - but not vital. Makes night time reversing a little more difficult.
7. Cargo Barrier.
8. Extended breathers for diffs/ etc including the fuel tank.
9. Side steps. They don't make much difference to break over, but they do stop aresholes in the coles car park denting your door with theirs. And I've been T boned in a Defender, the step took a lot of the impact.

The rest will really depend on what you want to throw it at.


Get the WingTop protectors - otherwise every service they will dent the crap out of your fenders.... I have them now on my older 2003 Defender, but need to get a set for my MY13.

Bilbo (and others looking at M&M)

Melville and Moons are much cheaper now due to the rand being so poor. Was better but now its climbing back. I paid R8625 delivered door to door in Tassie which today equates to approx AUD$856 give or take. Would have gone aussie ones but these at the current exchange rate couldnt be passed up. (PS, this was for the 7 seats also).

I was advised the new defender has breathers already extended to the engine bay excluding fuel tank.

Got a friend who makes his own mods for landies in Tassie so once we make up a set of side steps (tree deflectors) i will post pics. This particular individual also hand made a 5/8ths scale working series 1 landie which some of you may have seen or heard or. Im in good hands!!

[AndyG]

I too have a Defender on order and a box full of bits to go on.

I have an Exbox , but am going to leave the electrics where is to avoid warrenty hassles, which is a bit strange with all my other changes!
Some are, that were not mentioned earlier:
Bumperettes, to protect the arse when reversing
Exhaust wrap as i will be doing a lot of outback stuff
Tectyl506 for beach work
ODBII monitor
Tyre Dog
Cibie Super Oscar with 75 w HID, for no good reason at all
UHF
Tirfor winch, not really an accessory
Would like to have the first Defender with a Temprite & keg, but ..........

[Wildcard8]

I too have a Defender on order and a box full of bits to go on.

I have an Exbox , but am going to leave the electrics where is to avoid warrenty hassles, which is a bit strange with all my other changes!
Some are, that were not mentioned earlier:
Bumperettes, to protect the arse when reversing
Exhaust wrap as i will be doing a lot of outback stuff
Tectyl506 for beach work
ODBII monitor
Tyre Dog
Cibie Super Oscar with 75 w HID, for no good reason at all
UHF
Tirfor winch, not really an accessory
Would like to have the first Defender with a Temprite & keg, but ..........

Andy,

Good luck with the pending delivery and thanks for your inputs.

Regarding your corrosion protection, i have been told that the defenders already have a full corrosion coating from factory and as long as you dont pressure wash underneath, its fine. Its actually a service check point I believe. Was advised not to do anything extra. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Im also interested if the Ex-Box does create problems with warranty as it was an upgrade i was going to do asap. Anyone can share advise on this?

J

[dullbird]

When we got our first defender the black goop was put all over underneath of the car and reapplied at service.. However they then stopped doing it

And it was my understanding that they stopped putting it on pre delivery too.

Whether or not they have started it again I don't know..most people got the ****s with it and washed it off anyway.. Gets everywhere when you do stuff under the car

[AndyG]

To clarify, I will do ex box, and extra fuse box, but leave the car brains where they are, in case they say , bumped, stretched, too hot etc.

I will ask my dealer about the black stuff, if any.

[specwarop]

Regarding that black goop stuff. I vaguely remember when I ordered my Defender, one of their auxilliary salesman trying to flog me a premium pack of some sorts which included tinting, some scotchguarding of the seats and an undercar spray....I thought it was a joke haha..

Has anyone seen the Nakatanenga under cubby boxes?
They seem to be all the rage in Europe...But how one gets one in Australia is a big unknown.
The Nakatanenga website doesnt have Australia as an option...Their Website (http://nakatanenga-tours.de/shop/article_CUSADE2-BB/Nakatanenga-Wertsachenfach-2012.html'sessid=muRJdM2zy2qiKSKpBkeb3fmLQFZVwqFUr yR3uBK77ZkETWsjFvr6RthCitukwNGR&shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3DCUSADE2-BB%26)
It also costs about $270AUD, which is cheaper than the Mulgo Exbox...

[FeatherWeightDriver]

My MY14 has black crap all over the underside - as I found out when jacking it up using my previously shiny yellow x-jack for the first time...

Another addition - Polyair (or similar) helper airbags for the rear, but only if you plan of carrying a decent load some of the time and don't want to run stiffer / 2 springs all of the time.

[AndyG]

And apparently its worth getting under the car and sealing the seams and around the rear speakers with Bytyl Mastic , to stop dust! a trick is to do it at night with a light in the cabin ! To find the cracks.

(AS i once said, i feel like a Priest giving marriage advice, all theory no hands on :))

[Wildcard8]

My dealer has written back believing the black 'goop' is still a standard feature of the Defender.

[AndyG]

So one would think that the goop would seal any panel gaps. Gets confusing with so many variants under the Defender moniker.

[Pickles2]

The only "goop" under our MY13 90 is black stuff under the rear diff housing.
Pickles.

[Psimpson7]

On our MY14 its got some painted on black goo where its gone rusty on the boat. I cleaned it off. places like steering knuckles and ball joints etc.

They have just daubed it on to hide 30% of the rust on those areas

terrible!

[specwarop]

Can anyone thats installed the Exbox in a 2013/4 Defender, with the Amp on the back of the cubby box - comment on how it went...

[Mulgo]

Regarding that black goop stuff. I vaguely remember when I ordered my Defender, one of their auxilliary salesman trying to flog me a premium pack of some sorts which included tinting, some scotchguarding of the seats and an undercar spray....I thought it was a joke haha..

Has anyone seen the Nakatanenga under cubby boxes?
They seem to be all the rage in Europe...But how one gets one in Australia is a big unknown.
The Nakatanenga website doesnt have Australia as an option...Their Website (http://nakatanenga-tours.de/shop/article_CUSADE2-BB/Nakatanenga-Wertsachenfach-2012.html'sessid=muRJdM2zy2qiKSKpBkeb3fmLQFZVwqFUr yR3uBK77ZkETWsjFvr6RthCitukwNGR&shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3DCUSADE2-BB%26)
It also costs about $270AUD, which is cheaper than the Mulgo Exbox...

It helps when we compare Apples with Apples...
The nakatenga box is not comparable to our Mulgo Exbox as such. Exbox has the fittings holes to move your vehicles' electronics, whereas the nakatenga box is for storage of valuables only.
If you look only at the price however you will be surprised to see that the standard Mulgo Exbox is $250 against the standard Nakatenga box for $270. Then there are options for both units,
Nakatenga box with 1 double USB socket and 1 12V socket is $330. If you get the Mulgo Exbox with same sockets you also get the necessary wiring as well as a 6-way (or 12-way) fuse box with it for $350 (or $370).

Cheers,
Daniel

[Mulgo]

Can anyone thats installed the Exbox in a 2013/4 Defender, with the Amp on the back of the cubby box - comment on how it went...

We have installed quite a few of these with subwoofer now. You will need to drill two additional holes, one in the bade of the exbox and another one at the back to feed the wiring for the subwoofer through. There is enough standard cabling for the connection.

Cheers, Daniel

[dullbird]

Daniel has there been any warrant issues with the ex box being fitted?

[Mulgo]

Daniel has there been any warrant issues with the ex box being fitted?

Everything you fit to your vehicle could potentially impact on warranty, if the fault can be traced back to the modification. I have however not heard of any warranty issues in relation to the Exbox so far.

[specwarop]

Mulgo, what if you are only after an extra storage space, for valuables etc - and arent interested in shifting the electrics?
Does the ex-box come with a locking mechanism? If so, I would rather get the ex-box instead of the Nakatenga box...

[specwarop]

Regarding the warranty, I heard its not the installation of the box that voids the warranty, its the shifting of the electrics to the box that is...

[Mulgo]

Regarding the warranty, I heard its not the installation of the box that voids the warranty, its the shifting of the electrics to the box that is...

Only if the fault can be traced back to moving the electrics.

[Mulgo]

Mulgo, what if you are only after an extra storage space, for valuables etc - and arent interested in shifting the electrics?
Does the ex-box come with a locking mechanism? If so, I would rather get the ex-box instead of the Nakatenga box...

The latch at the front has provision for a padlock.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

We have installed quite a few of these with subwoofer now. You will need to drill two additional holes, one in the bade of the exbox and another one at the back to feed the wiring for the subwoofer through. There is enough standard cabling for the connection.

Cheers, Daniel

+1

Put one in my MY14 with subwoofer recently with no issues, and without any extra drill holes. :cool:

My tips:
- route the sub cable out the passenger side under the box, where there is a divot in the panelwork (between the two seat mount bolts)
- sit the plug of the sub cable just after it gets in to the cabin
- to get extra length on the sub cable, pull the sub off and you will find extra cable in there. Heatshrink to make it pretty and give it a bit more protection ;)

After install, folding the seats forward rubs the seat against the sub, but not badly enough to be a big worry.

During the installation I also rerouted my abs cables on the chassis rail (factory install has then sitting quite low) and repositioned two transmission sensor cables to get more length. Spent more time on those tasks than the work required to put in the Exbox :eek:

[specwarop]

Is there a better place to mount the Sub, as I am assuming it would get kicked a lot by rear passengers also...?

[Wildcard8]

Only if the fault can be traced back to moving the electrics.

Is there anything additional required for Ex-Box if you have the CC pack? And does it affect the functionality of the new under-seat storage box?

I guess i could wait for my Deefer to turn up and fine out myself, but learning stuff off AULRO is much better than working.