New 2012 Defender 90

[Fastrunn3r]

Good Evening,
Just wanted to briefly say Hello - I've just purchased a 2012 Defender 90 (only 37.5kms) and it's fairly stock.
Very excited to join the crew, although I've driven the 4x4 and 6x6 version of these in far off lands in another career, and wanted to get some advice as to basic upgrades...
I've ordered:
- Sawtooth Alloys,
- ADR approved LED front lights,
- Momo 350 steering wheel (and attachment),
- Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform
- Tint-a-Car Octane tint.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

[FV1601]

Your accessory list is going to depend on what your aim is.
Without knowing this, it is hard to say, however here are a couple of suggestions that are worthwhile regardless;
Extended seat rails for the drivers seat.
Protection for the Fuel Cooler/Connections.(If fitted it is on the inside of left chassis rail, below pass. feet area)

Neither of these are very bling or sexy, but have been crucial for my enjoyment of the Land Rover Experience..
Rich.

[4xsama]

Welcome to the fraternity. Great forum you have selected too. Best mods I have done are;

Exbox centre console
Intermittent wiper mod
Headlight upgrade (Trade)
Mulgo seat rails

I haven't done a huge amount of expedition or extreme 4x4 work but if that's your bag the members here will be a vast pool of knowledge

Cheers,

Andrew

[jackdef90]

Decat
Disable or blank egr
remove both anti roll bars
Install a relay for headlights
lots more.......
theres a hell of a lot more I’ve done to my 90 but from looking back this would be my priority

much better vehicle like this if you ask me

[Andrew86]

remove both anti roll bars

I can only imagine what a Defender becomes like to drive on the road with no anti roll bars [bawl]

[ninetubes]

I can only imagine what a Defender becomes like to drive on the road with no anti roll bars [bawl]

I imagine the drivers seat becomes referred to as "the wheelhouse"", and left & right become port & starboard...


To the question at hand. firstly, welcome and congratulations. my 2c:

My rhino platform is ok, but I think I might have preferred a solid unit as I worry about fasteners coming loose.
Steering & fuel cooler protection offer great peace of mind. Diff guards depend on what your aim is, as do HD steering rods
Re-map & slickshift are pretty enjoyable on a day to day basis
Rear bumperettes may save you from damaging the rear sill, which would suck
One of my personal favorites is my rear door bag (tuff-trek)
Silblade wipers actually clear the windscreen which is nice.


good luck!

[D90 orkney]

Welcome!

Touring

-Turf the rear seats and build a shelf across the wheel arches to create a flat floor
-Gullwing Windows
-Recovery points

Off-roading

-Lift and shockers. 2 inch. Bilstein or Koni
-Mud terrain tyres. 285/75/16 are good to start with
-Bar and winch

On-road

-ECU tune and intercooler
-Ashcroft output shaft

[jackdef90]

I can only imagine what a Defender becomes like to drive on the road with no anti roll bars [bawl]

Its a little Boat like around corners but can be sorted with the right shocks. You generally allways ditch the sway bars when you raise suspension anyway.
makes a very big difference off-road a lot more stable, traction control barely ever comes on and it flexes a lot more.

[DiscoMick]

I definitely agree with those who say Mulgo extended seat rails - I couldn't drive mine without them.
Also the stay on the rear door opener, a rear wheel carrier to take the weight off the door, a larger fuel tank and under body protection.
Rear drawers also make the vehicle so much more useful.

[Fastrunn3r]

Thanks for all your feedback everyone.

I think I also need the OEM sidebars/steps - it's a long drop! Grateful if you could recommend where to get these and the other accessories you've listed.
Similarly, if the Rhino Platform is not the best, what is?
Thanks again!

[YOLO110]

Unless I am not reading this correctly, quite a find to find a 'new' 2012 Defender in 2018 with under 40km!

Well done mate! [biggrin]

What was the story behind that one then?!!

[Fastrunn3r]

Unless I am not reading this correctly, quite a find to find a 'new' 2012 Defender in 2018 with under 40km!

Well done mate! [biggrin]

What was the story behind that one then?!!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/newreply.php'do=newreply&p=2765391

:)

[DieselDan]

Thanks for all your feedback everyone.

I think I also need the OEM sidebars/steps - it's a long drop! Grateful if you could recommend where to get these and the other accessories you've listed.
Similarly, if the Rhino Platform is not the best, what is?
Thanks again!


Have a look at the Mulgo (Expedition Centre) side rails as well as OEM type ones, but depends on whether you want to keep the original sills in place or not and how high a drop you can cope with!

I've got a K9 roof rack (3/4 length on a 110, just covers the horizontal bit and stops where the roof starts to slope to the windscreen) if you want a flat rack but want to look at other options than a Rhino platform. Available through Dolium I think. Hannibal and Frontrunner also do flat racks.

[Fastrunn3r]

Have a look at the Mulgo (Expedition Centre) side rails as well as OEM type ones, but depends on whether you want to keep the original sills in place or not and how high a drop you can cope with!

I've got a K9 roof rack (3/4 length on a 110, just covers the horizontal bit and stops where the roof starts to slope to the windscreen) if you want a flat rack but want to look at other options than a Rhino platform. Available through Dolium I think. Hannibal and Frontrunner also do flat racks.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[uninformed]

Before spending money on accessories, make sure all service items are done and up to date. If there is excessive back lash, maybe consider a Ashcroft centre diff ATB, if doing this, add the extended sump to the lt230. Also isnt the adapter shaft on the Tdci's a problem area?

Check axle shaft and drives shaft splines for excessive wear. Id convert to oil lubed bearings (needs some seals removed and new oil seal hub seals installed.

When was the cooling system serviced? What about a bigger intercooler (not so much for power but to help cooling)

Decat for sure, not much $$$ and many benefits to it. When were last oil changes through out, correct oils? Fuel filters?

No point spending money on springs and shocks until you know what you want to achieve and have your weights sorted. If you do some offroading, look at Maxidrive HD steering arms. If you dont, look at them anyway. Ive seen bent track rods on vehicles that havent been off road!