What did you do to your L663 today?

[one_iota]

A popular topic in other sections so I thought it might be here as well.

[one_iota]

The bonnet hinge wells in the SMEG fill up with leaves and these turn into compost.

It's an awkward place to clean out.

I've tried vacuuming but that doesn't work so today I got the compressor going with a blower attachment and a length of wire and eventually cleaned both sides out. It took a good half hour!

192016

In order to help keep "shrubbery" out I've inserted one strip of packing foam either side of the hinge bits. This closes the gap and allows the hinge components to move up and down. The space at the end where the water drains is left open.

192017
packing foam

192018
inserted

Hopefully this will keep the leaves at bay.

[jwb]

I fitted a Redarc brake controller. Still need to finalise the switch position.
I hate working under the dash doing vehicle yoga. As others have noted the plug is difficult to seat in the built in socket.
I sanded the plug a little before attempting but found that unclipping the socket then using a pair of multigrips made the click connection.

Previously have installed a TJM single compressor on a TLR bracket in the engine bay. Nice neat solution and use of space.

[Eric SDV6SE]

JLR fitted my Redarc. very professional job, down by my right knee. Simplest place to have it, other locations require the whole centre console to be removed.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Fitted the powerful UK reverse light upgrade kit, what a difference that makes, can see now when reversing.

[grey_ghost]

I removed the rear seat base in my 90 so that the floor folds mostly flat.

Oh and ticked over 125,000km on the way to work.

[jwb]

Got back from an 8 day loop Melbourne to Kangaroo Island and back.
Today was our first long day of 9 hours and what a pleasure it was. So effortless easy and comfortable, truly the best drive I've owned.
Had a couple of instances of the the 'Emergency braking and lane assist not available' message. Cleared on restart and I kept the cameras and radar cover clean of bugs of which there were many.
Will check with the GAP tool tomorrow to see if there are any faults logged.

[DieselLSE]

Got back from an 8 day loop Melbourne to Kangaroo Island and back.
How does the Island look now that it's been a few years since the devastating fires?

[one_iota]

....
Had a couple of instances of the the 'Emergency braking and lane assist not available' message. Cleared on restart and I kept the cameras and radar cover clean of bugs of which there were many.
Will check with the GAP tool tomorrow to see if there are any faults logged.

I had that happen on a long trip out west. It hasn't happened since. What has the GAP tool revealed?

[jwb]

How does the Island look now that it's been a few years since the devastating fires?


It was busy where we were but I don't think we went into where the big fires were. Nothing obviously burnt down to Seal Bay.

[grey_ghost]

Clicked over 126,000 and filled up the washer bottle which is quite large.

[DieselLSE]

Clicked over 126,000 and filled up the washer bottle which is quite large.
Another Landrover disaster. It's a bit rough when they undersize the washer bottle so you have to fill it up every three years!

[jwb]

I had that happen on a long trip out west. It hasn't happened since. What has the GAP tool revealed?


No faults recorded and haven't seen the problem since. If it comes up again I'll see if I can check live.

[jwb]

Tried the towing capability by pulling the D2 on a trailer 320km. Probably around 3200kg and the Defender drove like there was nothing behind it. Awesome!

Then fitted a set of Tuffant rock sliders. Love the result. Having a hoist available to work on removing all the felt panels and do the prep work was amazing. Also an extremely competent second set of hands and eyes made it a smooth job - thanks, Dave. A couple of feedback items for Tuffant and when we called them to clarify the instructions they were at the end of the phone and very helpful.

[one_iota]

Tried the towing capability by pulling the D2 on a trailer 320km. Probably around 3200kg and the Defender drove like there was nothing behind it. Awesome!

Then fitted a set of Tuffant rock sliders. Love the result. Having a hoist available to work on removing all the felt panels and do the prep work was amazing. Also an extremely competent second set of hands and eyes made it a smooth job - thanks, Dave. A couple of feedback items for Tuffant and when we called them to clarify the instructions they were at the end of the phone and very helpful.

Just had mine delivered. So the first challenge was moving 65kg from the front door to a sensible location! I'll think about documenting the install...no promises. My youngest son (spanner proficient) and a trolley jack will be essential.

[jwb]

Just had mine delivered. So the first challenge was moving 65kg from the front door to a sensible location! I'll think about documenting the install...no promises. My youngest son (spanner proficient) and a trolley jack will be essential.


Grab a couple of 6mm panel washers as well for the 2 x 6mm bolts included. The supplied cup washers barely cover the slots/holes in the slider which are clearly made for the 10mm bolts.
We added the washers to the bolts shown in the picture.

192802

[jwb]

last week drove across the Murray River for the first time, very low flow. hoped to get up Mt Pinnabar but road still closed and didn't have time to go around the long way.

193041

[one_iota]

I finally purchased a GAP IIRC tool to interrogate the vehicle's health.

No faults found!....have I wasted my money?

[shack]

I finally purchased a GAP IIRC tool to interrogate the vehicle's health.

No faults found!....have I wasted my money?They aren't a single use tool.... So no, probably not!

[Narangga]

I finally purchased a GAP IIRC tool to interrogate the vehicle's health.

No faults found!....have I wasted my money?

Definitely not - the purchase of the Defender was without doubt money well spent!

[RANDLOVER]

A GAP Tool is always a good insurance policy.

[one_iota]

Fitted a rear door fold-down table from PowerfulUK to which I have attached a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.

Useful for boiling a billy as well.

193374

193376

[grey_ghost]

Clocked over one hundred and fourty seven thousand kilometres. Still love it.

[RANDLOVER]

Fitted a rear door fold-down table from PowerfulUK to which I have attached a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.

Useful for boiling a billy as well.

193374

193376

Table or cheese grater? I think it needs a piece of sheet metal or ply, to stop things falling through, and you could still mount things to it by using rivnuts, inserted from the top/inner side.

[RANDLOVER]

Clocked over one hundred and fourty seven thousand kilometres. Still love it.

I hope you remembered to sing Happy Birthday 🎂 to it.

[jwb]

Had windscreen replaced and a couple of Anderson plugs fitted for upcoming towing.

[Narangga]

Had windscreen replaced and a couple of Anderson plugs fitted for upcoming towing.

What are you using the Anderson plugs on the windscreen for? [bigwhistle]

[jwb]

haha, thanks for the reply. it's pretty quiet around here.

[jwb]

Getting the D300 ready to pick up our new caravan. Tow hitch by Black Jack to replace the very low LR one I need about 520mm, towing mirror brackets by D3D are expensive but a solid piece of gear, Redarc plug and play brake controller.

[RANDLOVER]

Lucky you were doing hardware upgrades and not software as SOTA may be off-line due to hackers.....Jaguar Land Rover staff told to stay home after cyber-attack | Jaguar Land Rover | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/05/jaguar-land-rover-staff-stay-home-cyberattack)

[Eric SDV6SE]

Getting the D300 ready to pick up our new caravan. Tow hitch by Black Jack to replace the very low LR one I need about 520mm, towing mirror brackets by D3D are expensive but a solid piece of gear, Redarc plug and play brake controller.

I used the Mr. Hitches one, also turned upside down like you, got me exactly 520mm, van tows nice and level ( EAS takes care of the fine adjustment anyway). D3D tow mirror brackets are great, worth the money. Redarc BC I'm also very happy with.

[jwb]

Picked up the van and it tows beautifully. Barely notice it's there and liking the braking. my first time towing a van, it's 2.4t tare. checked the weights out of the dealer and will have to watch the car's rear axle loading but there's only 2 of us and we can travel lightly. the van comes with its spare wheel on the a frame and I got a bracket to move it to the rear bumper so that should give some leeway.

[Mark Bodger]

Well I thought I would show everyone what I've done to my 110 so as to show what it can be done and give you some ideas. From the delivered car (May 25) I've fitted, roof console sunglasses holder, Tuffant Rock Sliders, 275/55R20 Falken Wildpeak tyres, genuine classic mudflaps, geniune cargo rubber mat heavy duty towbar and all electrics with reverse camera cabling for caravan (not working yet???), Rhino Pioneer roof platform with RCL legs (tried the backbone system but way too much noise), DARCHE 270 XL Plus awning mounted on Rhino STOW IT system (for easy removal when not required) along with Hi Lift jack (mounted on STOW IT system), GME XRS UHF radio (hidden under dash with hand piece mounted beside drivers left knee), Escape Gear canvas custom front seat covers (Sand coloured to match interior), REDARC Tow Pro brake controller, Offroad Animal Toro bullbar, Carbon 12K winch (electronically isolated), ARB brushless compressor and Stedi 7" EVO X driving lights, spot and flood with Trailmax CANBUS adapter (wanted 8.5" but would have blocked radar sensor in the grill badge). I also have Maxtrax mounts for on the spare wheel along with the shovel and steps to get to the roof rack and D3D van mirror mounts. The car is set up to tow our 20'6 full offroad/off grid caravan any where we can get it and get out again (I hope).
194766194767194769194771194773194768194772

[grey_ghost]

Love your work! Well done!

The only thing that I did today was go past one hundred and sixty thousand kilometres..

[RANDLOVER]

Nicely done. Where's the ladder to get to the roof rack?

[jwb]

Started cleaning the car after 2 week trip including Mungo National Park, Flinders Ranges and Grampians stop over. Happy with the dust proofness but inevitably you want to drive with the windows down at times.