Essentials?

[TeZZaP]

Hi All, as the owner of a new shiny Defender 110, are there any modifications you would consider essential, or at the least worthwhile, with regards the basics? I'm not really talking about snorkels or winches, but was thinking of a current thread here regarding water in fuel problems. Plus I've had the lighting switch stop working on my last Defender, so upgrading the wiring makes my list of essential upgrades...

Assuming these two 'issues' are still valid for the current model, my list at present is;

Racor Separator Filter
COMBO headlight and driving light wiring upgrade kit

Are you guys aware of any other potential failings, or things that would be a bit of a 'nuisance' when your stuck up a dirt road miles from nowhere?

[abaddonxi]

There was a good thread a few months ago, extending the breathers on the new Defenders to address the water in fuel problem.

Cheers
Simon

[Chucaro]

I would fit a water level alarm and a oil pressure gauge on it. The oil pressure light is not reliable for monitoring the pump performance in any vehicle.
A fuel prefilter above the water trap is another add on which will help to keep the engine in a good order.

[aew849]

1. Chuck out Land Rover jack - replace with a high lift.

2. Chuck out wheel nut spanner - replace with extendable 1/2" socket bar and socket to match.

I once stupidly decided to do a tyre rotation with std LR screw type jack. The jack was stuffed after that...as was the lug wrech which started to licorice (ie twist).


aew849
04 130 DCPU "Bev"

[one_iota]

WRT the lighting upgrade:

The new Defender has relayed switching to the headlights so the burnt-out switch shouldn't be the problem that it once was.

However one of the benefits of the wiring upgrade kit is that you can increase the amount of "juice" that gets to the lights and they will be brighter. The combo will get the driving lights organised as well.

When I installed the Traxide kit I modified the feed from the battery to the relays that would normally be located on the passenger side of a Td5 to the driver's side accessible from the dummy panel in the wing.

You will see some of that installation here:

Fitting the Traxide Lighting Upgrade and Driving Light Kit to a 2007+

[leeds]

1. Chuck out Land Rover jack - replace with a high lift.

2. Chuck out wheel nut spanner - replace with extendable 1/2" socket bar and socket to match.

I once stupidly decided to do a tyre rotation with std LR screw type jack. The jack was stuffed after that...as was the lug wrech which started to licorice (ie twist).


aew849
04 130 DCPU "Bev"

The various versions of 'Hi Lift' jacks are RECOVERY tools and not standard maintaince tools. They can be dangerous as well. To change a wheel with a hi lift you have to get play out of the suspension system unless you have a suspension strap or ratchet strap to hand.

For wheel changing at home use a trolley jack and axle stands. In the 'field' use a bottle jack, load spreading plate and folding axle stand.

I carry a 3/4" breaker bar and 27mm socket


The standard LR temperature gauge is a bit crappy so get a decent temperature gauge preferably with an alarm function. Save the head gasket for us. Think there is a combined tem/water level alarm these days.


Regards


Brendan

[camel_landy]

IIRC - Landrover have gone back to using bottle jacks with the '09 MY Defender... but I don't know from which chassis number. If yours has the crappy jack, just buy yourself a bottle jack to replace it with.

I'd reiterate what Brendan says regarding the Hi-Lift - Only use it for recovery and use a bottle jack for changing wheels. The bottle jack is a lot more stable & safer, etc...

M

[muddymech]

has anyone fitted the racor filter yet, its something im thinking about, espeacally after my last years experiance

[Chucaro]

has anyone fitted the racor filter yet, its something im thinking about, espeacally after my last years experiance

I adapted a pre filter on the top of the water trap on my old Disco1 Tdi300.
There is not room under the trap in my Defender to do the same modification