Engineering Report mod-plate Tasmania

[Landy Red]

Hi all. So, I have decided I am going to be using my Defender as a daily driver and family car. If it is going to be doing all those extra k’s there is an increased chance of getting interest from police and more importantly of being in an accident, so safety and insurability are priorities for me now.

As it stands, I know my Defender is not really quite legal in terms of modifications but because it’s just been my camping/4wdriving rig I have ‘gotten away’ with it as is, and it handles and performs really well. So, I am trying to decide if I should take it back within standard parameters or get an engineering certificate. Which brings my first question, can anyone out there recommend someone in Tasmania that may be familiar with modified Defenders that could do this?

Here is what I have done that will push it into illegal territory. I have a 2-inch lift and run tyres that are about 1 inch taller (285/75/16) On their own, these mods are within acceptable limits BUT Combined, these would make the car roof 3 inches higher than standard. I believe 2 inches taller roof height from ground in total is legal. Worse, I have -25 offset wheels, so the track width has been increased by much more than the allowable 50mm. I calculate my trackwidth has been increased on each side by +33 (standard) + the -25 so, 58, x2 for both sides to get 116mm total. Someone please correct me if you think have calculated this wrong.

I have a couple of mods which now I am starting to worry about too. My Defender once had the rear seats and is registered as a 9-seater. Do I need approval to take seats out?? It is currently a 5-seater, with a cargo barrier behind middle seats. Furthermore, I have covered the rear windows, is this going to be an issue?

So, do I go down the path of getting a mod -plate/ engineer’s certificate or ‘modify back’ within range? I am thinking best option may be to change down to a 265/75/16 tyre on a +8 wheel to come within track width parameter and total lift height requirement. Only problem is, I have extended flares, so these may look like little shopping trolley wheels. But I guess could always go back to standard flares.. Or do I keep it as is (I do like it a lot as is) and look at getting the engineer's certificate?

I've attached a couple of shots to illustrate. 138627138628

[Tombie]

285s are 33 ish - Standard is 32 only 1/2” [emoji41] so your closer than you think [emoji41]

[Tombie]

Wouldn’t be hard to engineer.

[Landy Red]

285s are 33 ish - Standard is 32 only 1/2” [emoji41] so your closer than you think [emoji41]

So maybe I look at a different wheel then? I am thinking the wolf rim perhaps with a 265/75/16? I think they're about +20, That would put it well back in; regarding track width. I am also considering taking the flares off completely and running standard/original rims (if I can find some, wish I never sold mine now!) with 7.50's or 235s in an all-terrain pattern for family duties. (then I could just bolt back on the flares and the muds for trips.) Don’tknow how a defender would look with no flares at all though..

[Bigbjorn]

I don't know about Tasmania but in Qld. seats can be temporarily removed for carriage of cargo. If the removal is intended to be permanent then certification as a 5 seater is required and the registration record will be changed to reflect this. My 110 county wagon is complianced as a "motor omnibus", 9 seats. With the 4 rear seats out for "carriage of cargo" I can use Brisbane city Council's loading zones. I have had and won a couple of arguments with BCC Parking Control about this when inspectors unfamiliar with their own rules have issued a parking ticket.

[Tote]

A couple of thoughts, as stated above I wouldn't be too concerned by the lift, the springs have probably sagged a bit and tyre sizes vary. Go find the standard roof height and compare your vehicle. WRT to track problems Wolf rims might stretch to 255/85-16 but you would need to check. I have ZU alloys which are 10mm offset from memory and they will accommodate 265/70-16 tyres. You may need to engineeer 0 offsets in Tassie though if you want to comply with the letter of the law. There is a thread here Wheel offset (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/247764-wheel-offset.html) that has a bit more info but the offset interpretation will depend on the starting point and whatever the maximum for your state is.

Regards,
Tote

[Landy Red]

Thanks so much for the replies. I have actually found some boost alloys with general tyres in 235/85/16, in really good condition for a very reasonable price, 5 of them too. So I think the plan will be to run them on road and keep the bigger mud tyres and wheels for 4wd trips. Less wear and tear, better fuel economy, more power, better steering, and mud tyres will last forever.. actually looking forward to going back to original! If they look funny under the big flares, I have found some original replacements at a wrekers for a decent price too.