Priority upgrades to a new 110 Defender

[Wildcard8]

Hi all,

A new user to the site (long time scanner) and soon to be first time Deefer owner. Have a Firenze Red with Corris Grey roof 110 family wagon on order and due to arrive at the start of august. First land rover and couldnt be more excited.

I am after your much valued opinions on what are the key upgrades / improvements one should take shortly after delivery. Not so interested in the bolt list like bars' racks, snorkels etc as they are personal preference but what about things to improve the overall functionalityn capability and reliability of the vehicle. Replacing hoses, fittings (like the door catches), upgrading suspension components, electrical, corrosion etc. Maybe your top 5 actions to take.

It will be out daily driver down in tassie with lots of landie boffin mates keen to get us out in the wilderness scratching up the new paint work. Appreciate your inputs. James.

[frantic]

Snorkle
Mulgo x-box to move all your electricals from under your seat to under the middle cubby box (into the xbox) this will give you a largeish sized storage area under your bum. I am going to fit a side panel to get to it as am getting tired of lifting up seat all the time !
Dual batteries is your going to fit winch, fridge.
Depending upon how hard the terrain is rock-sliders.
Tint
CB
If you only have a 5 seater, a cargo barrier.
Extend the breather hoses on your diffs/gearbox up into the engine bay near the bonnet at least. You being in Tassie, you will go from a warm/hot diff into ****** cold water which will cause the diff to contract/oil to cool, sucking in air or if the breather is to low ,water , which will then damage your diff/gearbox.
rear wheel carrier , rijjidij looks good.
See how you go offroad and you may want a locker with stronger axles/cv's
there are dozens of suspension options. being a puma if you do a lift you will need to look at the propshaft.


p.s congratulations and welcome.

[Leyland1980]

Traxide headlight upgrade is a must assuming LR still haven't put in relays

and a VW 99 relay for the wipers to make them programmable

[Gerokent]

Re-map the ECU to turn off the EGR.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Congrats and welcome!

Priority - get out and drive it and then decide what you need.

Assuming you are starting 4wd from scratch:
- Recovery points front and rear should be first things to install.
- Buy yourself a basic set of recovery gear (shackles, snatch straps)
- Air compressor for airing up tyres
- An ultragauge is useful for information about what your truck is doing
- Exbox is well worth installing for the extra storage space first, elbow rest second, then keeping the electrics out of water third.

No need to extend the breather hoses on your diffs/gearbox, they already end in the engine bay as standard. The fuel tank breather on the other hand could do with a bit more pipe / height.

[Wildcard8]

Thanks a lot for your responses! Exactly the sort of advise i was hoping to receive. Will start making the shopping list and commence detailed research, starting with this website.

Any more "if it was me, i would ...." would be great.

[specwarop]

In regard to the Traxide wiring upgrade, can anyone with a 2014 Defender confirm if it is required or not?
If it is, what affect does installing the upgrade have on the warranty?

[Wildcard8]

Based on inputs and ongoing review of 'Members Rides" (thanks Bobby and Nugget for your lengthy and informative posts). This is whats currently on paper.

Defender Shopping List

Existing / Ordered:
1. Already have the Melville and Moon Car Seats delivered
2. LR Tow pack supplied
3. Wingtop Protectors supplied
4. Rubber Mats supplied
5. Cold Climate Pack (SWMBO special request and just a bit handy in Tassie)

Priority #1
1. Mulgo Exbox / X-box to remove electrics from under seat and give storage
2. Recovery points front and back
3. Recovery gear (straps etc)
4. Snorkel
5. Mud flaps or rock sliders to protect the driver
6. Window weather shields (drive with window down)
7. Door Extenders
8. Rear Door Gas Strut
9. RUNVA 11XP Winch on
10. Custom made aluminum winch bar with integrated bash plates
11. Dual Battery set-up

Priority #2
1. Traxide headlight upgrade is a must assuming LR still haven't put in relays
2. Air compressor
3. Manual deflater for tyres
4. Fold Out Read Door Shelf (copy Bobby’s design on MONTY)
5. ECU Upgrade (need to see if this affects warranty)
6. Wheel carrier to take load off read door
7. Headlight Protectors
8. Roof Racks with some awning / covering arrangement for camping and day trips
9. Driving lights (tassie is the road kill capital of the world!!)
10. Spray the rims dark / black if the originals dont look the part

[Wildcard8]

Here are the photos that gave us the inspiration to go with a Corris Grey Roof to match the grill etc on the new red order. Photos are of a black roof but the reflections give it a grey look. We liked it more than the stark contrast of black on red, plus matching the grill and logos was also important for the missus.

Hope it turns out as we imagine!!

[ezyrama]

Cool, Love the colour. Looks great. This is what I have done to the Tardis, the rear LED's, as I find it a bit ordinary to see out of the back at night and it's also good for setting up the camper on a late arrival and with the front LED's, they give great peripheral light whilst the round HID's give me a great light for distance. BTW, go to rare spares and get a sheet of 12mm sticky back insulation and fit it to the underside of the bonnet, the difference it makes is incredible. I also lined under the front floor mats with a 3mm bitumen sticky back insulation I got there as well. I have a mate who's 130 is about 10-15 db noisier without the insulation.
Cheers Ian