what should I do first?

[4range]

morning all,

Just wondering if I can play with your gang now? do I need to change my user name? (the poor old rangie now sits forlornly in the garage, no less loved, just without the attention!)

I am the recent proud owner of a 2008 Deefer 110.

I guess like many others here, I learnt to drive on an old 88 inch & fell in love with the landrover product at an impressionable age.
You always knew that despite the god awfull noises, the cabin with more airflow inside than outside & wipers that were better off, than on, that when you slipped (ground) it into low range & locked the hubs, there was absolutely nothing that could stop it!!

(I still love driving it by the way - I think it is my first true love)

I make no excuses for my addiction - we all make our choices !

anyway, back to the point!

I am now the proud owner of a 2008 puma in relatively stock condition other than winch bar (no winch), rear wheel carrier, side steps & rear draws & mulgo cubby box.

Apart from replacing the wiper blades as No. 1 priority, what is the consensus about the next most important thing to do, modify?

I would like some decent tyres (has the general grabber standards) & some driving lights , dual batteries & the list goes on & on & on & on ..................

So what do you think should be a priority?


PS,

also had my first defender wave!

[vnx205]

There are some of us who manage to enjoy ourselves immensely without feeling the need to change the vehicle from the way Land Rover built it.

How many modifications did your old Series need to be a capable vehicle?

So what should you do first? Enjoy driving it rather than modifying it.

[Tank]

I would install at least one locker and upgraded axles or if you want a true 4WD then install front and rear lockers, no other modification will make more of a difference to your Defender, Regards Frank.

[KarlB]

How you set up a vehicle is a very personal thing and should be determined by what you want to do with it rather than what others have done. I still run the original tyres and will replace them with something different when they are worn out. In the mean time they are more than adequate and I believe there are more important things to spend my money on. Driving lights? I put a pair of LightForce jobbies on 6 months ago at considerable cost. I haven't used them despite covering a reasonable number of kilometres. Dual batteries are important if you run a fridge. I consider my setup money well spent. If dual batteries, then some extra outlets is a good idea. An increase in fuel capacity is important though with a 110, not as much as it was with my 90. Some people go on at great length about the value of bullbars. I don't consider them highly and opted for an OEM A-Bar with winch. Most people can easily live without a winch. I have a raised air intake. Do I need it? Probably not. Give some thought to a roof rack if you carry a lot of gear. I wouldn't give any thought to raising the suspension or fitting lockers. Be mindful that any modification may affect warranty and insurance. Defenders are great vehicles out of the show room. They will take you virtually any where in Australia with out modifications. Get out and enjoy it.

Cheers
KarlB

[LowRanger]

What to do first will depend on your intended use of the vehicle.
You would do different things to a vehicle that is going to be a tourer than you would for a vehicle that will mainly be used up in the mountains around Sydney.
But the first thing I would do,is throw away the side steps,unless they are sliders,that double as steps.That will help alleviate sill damage.

I think driving lights should be well down the priority list unless you intend to do a lot of driving at night,otherwise they are just **** value and belong on Jap vehicles

[4range]

thanks for the replies,

I guess I was really thinking along the lines of those little tips & tricks that make them a little easier to own.

Like Carpet to reduce noise or the updated door seals - that sort of thing.

cheers

[Sue]

thanks for the replies,

I guess I was really thinking along the lines of those little tips & tricks that make them a little easier to own.

Like Carpet to reduce noise or the updated door seals - that sort of thing.

cheers

I got my hubby to spray that stone guard silencing stuff under the wheel hubs because every time a rock flew up off a tyre and hit one it was so loud I nearly jumped out of my skin.. best thing we ever did and it cost less than $40..

[The Cone of Silence]

Same model
Same year
Same town!
Stornoway Grey and his name's Monty. Wave if you see me around.

Once I'd done the bullbar, steering guard, driving lights (including a rear working/ reversing light) and UHF, I got the spare wheel carrier done, a Safari snorkel and then wheels and tyres. Those were the most important things that enabled me to go and spend a few weekends away with my mate.

Since then I've had the windows tinted, installed a cargo barrier, made a rear roof shelf for the interior, mounted a Hi-lift jack and installed the Mulgo Ex-box and a Dept of the Interior Roof console....both of which are awesome.

My most recent modification was the Melvil and Moon seat covers which I am extremely impressed with.

Next on the list is to make my own drawer for the rear, a fridge platform and then do the dual battery installation and purchase a shiny fridge.
After that it'll be a roofrack, rooftop tent, an awning, aux or long range fuel tank and then finally an OME suspension change (not sure about a lift yet, I've heard such bad things about lifting Pumas) and a winch.

Then, I'd like to think I'll stop spending money on Monty and concentrate on getting out there and having some fun.

You're welcome to come and have a look at any of the mods if you like, mate. PM me.

Bobby

[Loubrey]

thanks for the replies,

I guess I was really thinking along the lines of those little tips & tricks that make them a little easier to own.

Like Carpet to reduce noise or the updated door seals - that sort of thing.

cheers

As KarlB said, they are incredibly individual and each one seem to be pretty much unique with it's own "personality". There are too many drivability mods on this forum than you can ever list in one post!

The main thing is to drive it for a while, get to know it and if you feel something in particular needs altering, just post a thread and you'll have all the suggestions possible.

The biggest trap to avoid is to "Jeepify" the vehicle just for the sake of it. As a Rangie owner you'll obviously know the need for good recovery points and if you do enough mud driving to justify the expense, a set of mud tyres and that should be it initially.

[newhue]

Drive it, see what it can do, and work out what you want to do with it. Look at what others have done, what works what doesn't. Be carful of marketing in magazines. Spotties are a wast of time if you don't drive at night. The when you do you may find a $120 narva set works just as good as a $400 light force set. If you drive a lot then other lights may be better suited.
If you camp a bit, a fridge and second battery set up will make you happy. As does a water tank. Bull bars steal your approach angle, and again if you don't do highway miles then maybe you don't need one.
A UHF is a good initial purchase as it make convoy and coms a whole lot easier.