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srsmithy



Member Since: 11 Feb 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 9

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
My First Defender .....
Hello, I’m new to the site.

I’m new to the world of Defenders and bought my 12 month old XS 90 Hardtop in December (15) – We will hopefully keep her for a long long time. It was pretty much standard other than the black alloys & Roof Rack - and in the perfect colour. Previous LR was a fully loaded D4 Commercial we had from new, but wasn’t using it – just dogs and shooting hence the swap to a Defender …… I am completely in love with it, the wife hates it but she is warming slightly - she has to unless she want to load wet dirty spaniels into her BMW……

I’ve got a lot from this site, Thank you ! So I thought I’d share my Defender experience so far.

Mods completed ..…. And the errors .

X-Eng Column lock …. Fitted without a problem in my nice warm garage but stupidly wanted to check the ignition, went a little too far and off she went – I was outside the car and managed to pull her out of gear and yank the hand brake on 1m before hitting a tree and the recently sold (but not collected) D4 ! No harm done to me (very fortunate - Stupid - – bent bumper, cracked grille, minor scratches and snapped aerial. Lesson learned – open the garage door & don’t leave her in gear and put the hand brake on !


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So….. New bumper (DRL - wired correctly !), grille, aerial, plus chequer plate to make the rack useable from the front. All to my personal preference and taste.



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Then making the inside suit our needs – Premium front seats, DAB, went with a Clarion Subwoofer, bulk head removed – then extended to form a dog guard. Rear dog gate. Insulated and lined with 6mm plastic. Rear bench seat for the odd occasion we need a third seat. Rear camera to give a bit of confidence for the wife.



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Jobs to do …. Dinitrol, powder coating the side steps, debating spot light / light bar, steering wheel, cubby, head lining, leather bits ….. I think the list will go on.

Thanks for the invaluable information !
Post #512378 9th Mar 2016 11:36am
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3696

United Kingdom 
Hello


Looks great, love the dog picture looking forward,,,


Can you post or PM me details of the overhead cubby and the screen / camera you are using. I'm still looking for a sollution for this and that's a neat idea.


Many thanks
Post #512386 9th Mar 2016 11:59am
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srsmithy



Member Since: 11 Feb 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 9

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
I need 3 posts to PM .... it's on its way.

Love that picture too ... Thumbs Up
Post #512394 9th Mar 2016 12:12pm
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RRUK
Site Supporter


Member Since: 31 Mar 2010
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 2015

United Kingdom 
You could just share it with all of us! We are always looking for new neat ideas and that's a great one. 2016 D4 HSE

1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF

1982 Series 3 SWB Petrol
Post #512399 9th Mar 2016 12:30pm
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RRUK
Site Supporter


Member Since: 31 Mar 2010
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 2015

United Kingdom 
And re the lights, a full width LED light bar would sit nicely on that rack. 2016 D4 HSE

1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF

1982 Series 3 SWB Petrol
Post #512400 9th Mar 2016 12:31pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3696

United Kingdom 
I think with those lovely front seats your cubby box is crying out for one of these...


http://www.fcx.co.uk/#!product/prd1/258068...eplacement


Very Happy
Post #512404 9th Mar 2016 12:38pm
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srsmithy



Member Since: 11 Feb 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 9

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
RRUK wrote:
You could just share it with all of us! We are always looking for new neat ideas and that's a great one.


I’ve had a few PMs about the rear camera ….

All off ebay -

The camera is mounted in the void above the registration plate. obviously not central - but is effective. Just have to be aware that you don’t get a view of the driver side rear but is great for distance perception. I currently have the live from the interior light but plan to change that for a live from the ignition (currently the camera/screen switch is permanently live) – I was going to wire from the reversing light but wanted to keep an eye on the trailer while towing. In reality it’s not a great view of the trailer but OK and serves a purpose.

The Screen bracket needed modifying to mount from the console but all mods are hidden so looks great. All wires etc under the roof lining and behind the rear speeker pod. Wife happy ….. Job Done !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390722899311?_tr...EBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371501535249?_tr...EBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261984436874?_tr...EBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251170272304?_tr...EBIDX%3AIT



Click image to enlarge



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Post #512415 9th Mar 2016 1:03pm
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
Re: My First Defender .....
srsmithy wrote:
chequer plate to make the rack useable from the front.

Click image to enlarge


Is there any deflection in the bonnet when you are standing on it? What thickness of ali did you use?
Post #512422 9th Mar 2016 1:40pm
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srsmithy



Member Since: 11 Feb 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 9

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
3mm from paddocks .... have the outer plate in my garage unused, debating whether to fit or not.

Doesn't seem to be any deflection with me on it. Only viewed it from the side with the wife on it but she is considerably lighter than me ! Bit of a pain to fit because of the inner liner and used countersunk bolt/nut.
Post #512423 9th Mar 2016 1:46pm
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srsmithy



Member Since: 11 Feb 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 9

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
RRUK wrote:
And re the lights, a full width LED light bar would sit nicely on that rack.


Yes, that is my favoured option, but big price difference between Chinese imports and 40" lazerlamp/front runner/flatdog. need to save my pennies. Shocked

Thumbs Up
Post #512424 9th Mar 2016 1:49pm
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couplands



Member Since: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 1826

United Kingdom 2001 Defender 90 Td5 HT Oslo Blue
^^^ I bought a cheap one (from Australia, and still cheap even with postage) and its still going strong. Fitted to my roll cage it gives great light while I'm green laning.

If its raining/snowing then the raised position is pretty useless, otherwise its great.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271281787482?_tr...EBIDX%3AIT



Click image to enlarge


cheers

simon
Post #512426 9th Mar 2016 2:00pm
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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Lovely truck will have to keep my eye open for you.

The rear view camera screen is the best option I have seen so far and think it may be the option for me great idea Thumbs Up
Post #512588 9th Mar 2016 9:01pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3696

United Kingdom 
Which bits need removing to fit the camera / wires

does the headlining need to come off?


I've a 110 so looking at the wiring from the camera to the head unit is there enough?


Does the camera get the power from the screen or does that need power also?


I think this is also the neatest solution without having an additional screen on show. How did you attach the screen to the RDX unit?


Thanks
Post #512601 9th Mar 2016 9:18pm
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srsmithy



Member Since: 11 Feb 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 9

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
The screen bracket was straight forward to modify.


Click image to enlarge


Screen and camera will need power - I used a switched live (switch also mounted on the RDX console), to switch both camera and screen on together (trailer check and reverse). Then connected camera and screen with the video cable. I just loosened the head lining to route the cable. I used my own video/power cable but looked sufficient supplied for your 110.

It wasn't difficult but you should check with an auto electrician if you're not sure !
Post #512696 10th Mar 2016 8:37am
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srsmithy



Member Since: 11 Feb 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 9

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
The screen bracket was straight forward to modify. Should read spot of glue ...


Click image to enlarge


Screen and camera will need power - I used a switched live (switch also mounted on the RDX console), to switch both camera and screen on together (trailer check and reverse). Then connected camera and screen with the video cable. I just loosened the head lining to route the cable. I used my own video/power cable but looked sufficient supplied for your 110.

It wasn't difficult but you should check with an auto electrician if you're not sure !
Post #512700 10th Mar 2016 8:41am
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