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Fox

Member Since: 26 Aug 2010
Location: Essex, UK
Posts: 72

Modifications to make driving easier.

Has anyone made any modifications to thier Defender to make daily commuting easier?

Two of the things I had issues with in my Puma 90 were the heavy clutch pedal and my shoulder rubbing on the B post. This left me with an aching left leg after traffic and sore right shoulder. I am 6'3".

Is there a way to cure things like the heavy clutch pedal and how much can the seat be moved over while still being relatively central to the steering wheel and pedals?

I am interested in ideas as I am thinking about getting a Puma again... but would need to make it more driver friendly.

Thanks in advance!

26th Aug 2010 5:41pm

BigRuss

Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Well you could do as I do and get out of bed earlier so I get to office for 06:30 and leave at 16:00, thus missing both morning and evening traffic.

26th Aug 2010 5:51pm

Fox

Member Since: 26 Aug 2010
Location: Essex, UK
Posts: 72

I was thinking more of modifications to the vehicle than my sanity.

26th Aug 2010 5:53pm

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6611

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Auto, no roof?

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

26th Aug 2010 5:53pm

BigRuss

Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

Well I've stolen the misses disco 2 auto for the last 2 months so I didn't put to many miles on my 110 before selling it to pick up a puma next week. Isn't the clutch in the puma meant to be easier?!

Still managed to use the disco for 2 weeks after selling the 110! Made her get the bus to work.

26th Aug 2010 6:04pm

Fox

Member Since: 26 Aug 2010
Location: Essex, UK
Posts: 72

I had a new 55 plate Td5 for two years (did 57k miles) and a new Puma afterwards for 18 months (I did 20k miles in that) and I found them the same. Fine for regular use, but start hitting traffic and it wasn't nice on a daily basis.

26th Aug 2010 6:13pm

ken

Member Since: 18 Aug 2009
Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !!
Posts: 4328

Better seats

26th Aug 2010 6:45pm

BigRuss

Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

Padding on the B pillar

26th Aug 2010 7:03pm

MK

Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2422

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White

Helicopter cockpit

I´m 6.1 and thinking to move the seat 1-2" further back. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later

26th Aug 2010 7:30pm

bm52

Member Since: 04 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 2189

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Havana

i'm 6'2" and Mud Rails have made a big difference

more leg room, better angle on the clutch and i don't rub the B pillar, and i am well built. BM52

26th Aug 2010 7:59pm

TACK

Member Since: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Essex
Posts: 1045

As BM52, fitted MUD rails

before I did 2500 miles on holiday, what a difference, much better for the knees, you sit about 1-2inches higher which may solve some of your issues. Worth the £40.

26th Aug 2010 8:03pm

Naks

Member Since: 27 Jan 2009
Location: Stellenbosch, ZA
Posts: 2645

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White

Re: Modifications to make driving easier.

Fox wrote:
Has anyone made any modifications to thier Defender to make daily commuting easier? Two of the things I had issues with in my Puma 90 were the heavy clutch pedal and my shoulder rubbing on the B post. This left me with an aching left leg after traffic and sore right shoulder.

Easy. get a disco

26th Aug 2010 8:04pm

pouf

Member Since: 05 Aug 2010
Location: Athens
Posts: 456

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver

i was thinking of modification the power steering.
if you change the pump from - for example - disco II.
i don't know if this can be done, but i think it could make the driving easier.
if someone has done that i would like to hear him as i am interesting too

www.newfoundland.gr

26th Aug 2010 8:40pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17450

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

I raised the seats in mine by about an inch with nylon spacers, which improved the driving position for me (I am not tall enough to need Mud rails).

I am sure that I once read about someone who had taken the remote brake serve from a Rover SD1 (or possibly the model before, P6?) and fitted it as a clutch servo on a S3 LR. If you can find a servo and a space to fit it this would probably make your clutch lighter. (These servos were for single circuit brakes and were remote from the master cylinder, making them very useful if you needed to fit one to a S1 LR).

26th Aug 2010 10:00pm

harveyg77

Member Since: 09 Apr 2010
Location: Derby
Posts: 309

Isn't there a 'quick-ratio' steering box available from someone like Ashcroft transmissions?

I am sure about 5-10 years ago it was something a few people did on Disco's and coudl eb done on Defenders so you don't have to do about twenty turns in either direction with the hula-hoop of a steering wheel!

27th Aug 2010 6:36am

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