New Defender finally arrives

[Craig]

Well after a long wait my new 2008 Defender is finally home in Halls Creek

I took the old 300Tdi Defender down to Perth a few months ago and still haven’t sold it, but Kevin at Rover-tech has been nice enough to let me keep it at his place for a while… hopefully it sells soon.

So the new one… Well after waiting for what seemed like an eternity, and Barbagallo making heaps of excuses about it being stuck on the wharf for an extra 2 weeks, I finally took delivery on the 23rd of May. I then spent the next week madly running around Perth getting as much as I could fitted before heading back home to the Kimberly.

I managed to get the thing rust proofed and window tinted, got a Roo bar, Roof Rack and rear ladder from Russel at “Front Runner”, and I have had the Autron cruise control fitted.

So now after 2 weeks and 3500km on the clock I have finally had a chance to sit down for a minute and have a little boast about my fantastic new car.

What can I say… its awesome!!! I mean my old ‘94 300tdi Defender was fantastic, but this is just… wow!!! Its quiet, powerful, and the other day I was driving in the rain and I didn’t get wet.

So next on the list will be getting the Spot lights and work lights hooked up, fitting the cargo drawers and getting a cargo barrier, with leads me to a few questions…

1st Spotlights, is there any big juicy wires already under the bonnet from which I can grab 12v, or should I run a new wire from the battery?

2nd Cargo Barrier, when I contacted Milford, they said that they don’t have one for the 2008 model. Does anyone know if the two-position one for the TD5 fit or if there is another one available?

Thanks in advance…

Craig

Pics to follow when I get a chance.

[one_iota]

Congratulations :) tinged with envy;)

Ican'ardly wait for mine to arrive.

How long from order to delivery was it?

back to the Questions:

I understand that it is the revised rear seats that make the pre 07 Milford Barrier not suitable for the new model. I hope they are going to make a version that fits.

I am going to use one of traxides wiring kits for my lights:

www.traxide.com.au (http://www.traxide.com.au)

This will also deal with the dreaded burnt switch issue.

[Xavie]

Need to run new wires for your lights.

No barriers available but you can have them made up if you find someone who is happy to take a casting of the area. I know someone but they are in Sydney so ask around your local area.

Xav

[dullbird]

Need to run new wires for your lights.

No barriers available but you can have them made up if you find someone who is happy to take a casting of the area.
I know someone but they are in Sydney so ask around your local area.
Xav


may i ask who as we really need a cargo barrier, spoke to department of interior and they said we need to find one, milford dont make them as of yet, not been able to track any others down

[timaus13]

What can I say.
you lucky, lucky, lucky,lucky, lucky, luckylucky, lucky, luckylucky, lucky, lucky
lucky, lucky, luckylucky, luclucky, lucky, luckyky, luckylucky, lucky, lucky Bugger.
nearly forgot.
Pictures,Pictures,Pictures,Pictures,Picture,Pictur es, lots and lots and lots and lots of em.
cheers
Envious Tim:D:D:D

[numpty]

Congrats.

Hope you and yours;) have many happy days together.

[Craig]

Thanks for the answers guys.

I was thinking I would run new wires anyway. Shame about the cargo barrier, I need something to keep the dogs of the new seats.

Craig

[slug_burner]

there should be a nice juicy wire on the back of the alternator, that should do to feed a relay. then pick up a control line for the relay off the high beam circuit. QED

[WildOne]

Congrats on the new fender, as for your lights, i would also recommend one of traxide's headlight wiring upgrades for your driving lights and headlights, great product at a great price and will save you any issues should you want to up the wattage of your existing headlight bulbs.

Cheers, phill

[Rugrat]

Hey aint if fun finding bits for a new model :p Anyways - if you fine a Barrier for the new model then please let me know - i'm in the same boat.

As a FYI to those interested -
Pirhana will have the new Dual Battery tray available soon for the TD4 and
Safari should have the new Snorkle out soon - they had my 110 for a week to scan and prototype.
I know there are imported brands around for the above 2 items but its nice to know the Oz stuff is on its way.

[Fendy130]

2nd Cargo Barrier, when I contacted Milford, they said that they don’t have one for the 2008 model. Does anyone know if the two-position one for the TD5 fit or if there is another one available?

Hi Craig,

Congrats on your new Defender! :BigThumb:

I am not sure what type of drawers you are planning on getting for it, but I know that Black Widow are now doing cargo barriers that fit the new 2007 Defenders. However, I don't know whether the Black Widow cargo barrier can be used without their drawers, or with other manufacturers drawers. I see RMB3218 posted some pics a while back of the Black Widow cargo barrier in his 2007 Defender here: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/47635-07-defender-black-widow-storage.html. Hope that helps.

[Craig]

Slug Burner, my first thought was to go to the back of the alternator, but it isn’t the most accessible thing on this new engine. (btw, nice use of Latin, there’s not enough of that these days)


For those that recommended the Traxide HL upgrade, I was thinking about that before I got the new one after having upgraded the lights on the old one, but the new headlights are really good standard.

As far as the Cargo drawers I have gone with the Boab ones for a few reasons, they are well priced, I like the idea of the plastic ‘gomo’ boxes, and the whole drawer can be removed if I need to. Having said that I do like the black widow setup of RMB3218


Craig


PS. I cant figure out how to put photos in, so here is my gallery
http://www.aulro.com/app/showgallery.php/ppuser/8509/cat/500

[Craig]

Congratulations :) tinged with envy;)

Ican'ardly wait for mine to arrive.

How long from order to delivery was it?



Handed over the deposit on the 10 Jan 08, was told March build and late april Delivery. I was then was told that the boat got into Fremantle on 28 April and it would be 10 - 13 days in 'Bond'. Finally got delivered on 23 May, but probably would have taken longer if... a: I hadnt called them often, and b: If i wanted heaps of gear fitted by LR.

So it took a while

Craig

[Pomgonewalkabout]

Congratulations on your new arrival.
I saw a few new 2007 models whilst in the UK late last year. They had seats in the cargo area, fitted carpet everything! Nice new dash layout. Then I saw one the other day at the Woolongong dealership. It was a relief to see no carpets but not sure about no seats in the cargo area? I noticed more passenger legroom with the relocation of the aircon unit
Not that I'm in the market for one, but do you get a choice in Oz or just a basic model?

The dealer said it had a transit engine, I wasn't sure what he meant until I cottoned on that he meant a Ford Transit engine.

Enjoy

[tolinja]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
got to love the new defender
heres mine
cargo barrier is also on my list
cheers
tony

[one_iota]

Hi Tony,

Last night I dreamt that mine had arrived :eek:

That looks like a Safari snorkel...what's the story there as I thought Safari hadn't got its version on the market yet? Or is it an Airtec?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Counting down Mahn!!!

not long to go!!
:D

[one_iota]

Counting down Mahn!!!

not long to go!!
:D

Morning Peter,

On the boat I believe.

I hope it isn't a slow boat.

I am tired from Defender Dreaming.

Arrives Sydney July 31 :)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

so the new one gets
AULRO2

?

:p

[one_iota]

No. As much as I would like a fleet of Landrovers with a series of AULRO plates, the plates will be swapped and the Disco will go to a good home...Cousin John is interested :). He'll then own three

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Thats GREAT!
The ol'e girl goes to a good home AND
helps the NEW mistress start off on the right foot.
:clap2:

[Captain_Rightfoot]

It's black! Looks great!

[mac]

Hi Craig,

How is the new cruise control? I'd like to get cc for my new Defender too. Any issues with warranty? Was it expensive?

Milford said they would make a cargo barrier during the second half of 2008 for the 2007- + Defenders.

Thanks,

Mac

[Craig]

Hi Mac,

The Cruise control is great, at first is was a bit touchy/jerky, but it settled down after a few hundred km's. Its easy to use, just turn it on, get up into 6th and hit reusme, it remebers what speed you were doing last time you drove it (even from the day before).
The only thing I dont like is when you set a speed, it accelerates by 2-3km/h then settles backs to the speed you set.

Overall I think that it was worth the cost. Retail was $850 but the Westside Car audio in Canninton (Perth) had a special on for $712. I took them the whole day to fit it, but I think that they will be quicker on the next one.

Cheers

Craig

[Rugrat]

That looks like a Safari snorkel...what's the story there as I thought Safari hadn't got its version on the market yet?

It is a Safari - must be the TD5 model - which works but you need to **** around to get it in. The TD4 one will be available shortly - I'm waiting for the call back to have the internal piping altered. Peter & Dean had my TD4 for the week and they reckon it will be another 10weeks (now 7) before they have it finalised.