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

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 ! Click image to enlarge 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. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 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. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 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 !

9th Mar 2016 10:36am

Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3758	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
9th Mar 2016 10:59am

srsmithy Member Since: 11 Feb 2016 Location: Stourbridge Posts: 9	I need 3 posts to PM .... it's on its way. Love that picture too ...
9th Mar 2016 11:12am

RRUK Site Supporter Member Since: 31 Mar 2010 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2025	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
9th Mar 2016 11:30am

RRUK Site Supporter Member Since: 31 Mar 2010 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2025	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
9th Mar 2016 11:31am

Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3758	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
9th Mar 2016 11:38am

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

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 Click image to enlarge

9th Mar 2016 12:03pm

Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018	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?
9th Mar 2016 12:40pm

srsmithy Member Since: 11 Feb 2016 Location: Stourbridge Posts: 9	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.
9th Mar 2016 12:46pm

srsmithy Member Since: 11 Feb 2016 Location: Stourbridge Posts: 9	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.
9th Mar 2016 12:49pm

couplands Member Since: 31 Aug 2011 Location: Peak District & Cornwall Posts: 1826	^^^ 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
9th Mar 2016 1:00pm

Sphere Member Since: 26 Apr 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 725	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
9th Mar 2016 8:01pm

Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3758	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
9th Mar 2016 8:18pm

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

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 !

10th Mar 2016 7:37am

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

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 !

10th Mar 2016 7:41am

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