Thread: What are your top 5 Mods?

Soundproofing? I thought only defender owners did that:-)

1. 2" spring for larger tyres and also add 2" body if running 33's or larger
2. Upgrade rear axles + locker
3. Dual battery system (traxide makes brilliant ones)
4. Good air compressor. Arb ones are pretty quick.
5. Front and rear bars with good recovery points.
6. Winch.. Specially if travelling solo

PS. Keep the V8, diesel conversions are expensive, vibrate and sound like crap

Has yours got abs? If so your brakes won't need upgrading

Camo

I must be getting old, because I want my car to be as quiet as possible!

About the 2" lift, there are, of course, about 50,000 threads here on that subject and over years of reading it does seem like there are two main problems: driveshafts wearing and vibrating and so on, and it seems like a rear lift can cause some trouble with the steering as well. So, research and research.

If yours is the Air suspension model (started in 93 but told that some late 92's were...) and it's been converted to springs, then you could put polyairs inside your coils and loft only when you need to. - The front shocks are mounted in front of the 'spring' on the EAS ones.

If yours is the (original) springs model, then the front shock lives inside the spring, so you can't do this...

Either way, you cannot have too much Quiet... Except if the deadener is water absorbent and you regularly drown it...

Once again everyones experience is a great help. Currently the plans are coming together to look something like this. I already have springs and polyairs, so plan on doing the 2" suspension lift and putting in new polyairs when I get home. This should give me all the clearance I need for the 31.5's that I have on the vehicle now. I currently have rated recovery points front and rear, but will be replacing the stock rear bar with a steel one to support a wheel carrier. Currently there is also a dual battery system in place but only one battery, so I will get all the electrics checked and install the 2nd battery. Once the wheel carrier is in place I'll build a set of rear drawers to hold recovery gear, tools, a portable compressor I have, and a fridge. Then I'll start to look at strengthening the transfer case or at least the output shaft as recommended (thanks supequaq), CV joints (thanks Davo), putting in a rear diff lock and stronger axles, an engine monitor and some soundproofing, and getting a mounted electric winch instead of the hand winch I have been using (so far never in anger). So this is the starting point, I wonder if there will ever be an end point? For me I reckon it will simply be a matter fine tuning based on the places I get to. After all that what its about, just getting out there. Thanks again for all the advice. Jules.

Originally Posted by Camo

Soundproofing? I thought only defender owners did that:-)
Camo

I think the L322 has spoilt me Camo..... But I also want to reduce the amount of heat coming through the firewall/floor.

Hi,

If you're going for a 2" lift you'll end up with 0 or slightly negative caster at your front hubs.

You'll find the steering annoying compared with what you're used to especially on the highway. The 'shopping trolley' effect.

The best way of restoring the original caster is slotting the swivel balls. Les Richmond in Vic can do this, as could others commercially.

I did mine myself. Do a search about this topic on this site...........there's heaps of info.

cheers, DL

Originally Posted by bacicat2000

I think the L322 has spoilt me Camo..... But I also want to reduce the amount of heat coming through the firewall/floor.

My 94' must have better insulation or something. I've never felt any heat or thought it was noisy but you are right I find my l322 very quiet with the windows up. Lucky as I hate the sound of a Diesel engine.

Camo

Originally Posted by waparamedic

. . . I wonder if there will ever be an end point? . . .

No!

I forgot to add before that a bash plate would be good for steering protection. I haven't gotten around to it yet but I can see that even a little roo would bend that front steering shaft. I don't have a plate on the Landie and several years ago I hit a wallaby and that was enough to bend the shaft.

I've been sloooowly rebuilding the Rangie because there's nothing else out there that is so well-proven over so many decades but still simple enough to repair yourself.