Originally Posted by
steve_a
Very similar thoughts at the moment. I have 2 changes left I can make to improve to make for better towing, the VGT and the 1.4 defender gearing.
TD5 inside map
235/85R16 tyres
Allisport intercooler
HD Torque converter
Boost (currently) tweaked to 1.34bar
The problem is that the VGT is $1500 to $2500, the transfer case is probably a minimum of $500, more likely $1000.
I'm trying to decide on whether to live with the setup now and run it till it explodes and then move on to something else (and that something else is almost certainly not going to be Land Rover...) or spend a few more $$ and see how much longer it will last out.
I hate to think of what I've actually spent at the moment, which is what is playing in the back of my head, but perhaps it's better to do those final commits as at least they should be longevity improvements....
$13,000 Initial purchase cost
$01,500 ARB bar
$00,300 Snorkel
$01,000 Suspension lift
$04,500 Autobox & HD converter
$01,000 Intercooler
$02,000 random stuff (electrics, rear cargo, mods etc)
So I guess, that's ~$23K into it at the moment, though it only as 205k on the clock, so pretty young still. My preferred alternative would be the Toyota cruiser with the 4.5L V8 Twin Turbo, either the wagon or double cab ute, which will be at least $70k.... Which makes me more twitchy....