 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > What first? |
 
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| Landowner Member Since: 06 Jan 2023 Location: Somerset Posts: 66   
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So I now have a 2012 2.2 Puma Defender HT. absolute basic spec, which I don’t mind, but looking to make improvements.
Two, initially stand out. 1st, the clutch biting point is very low so I need to look at what and what can be done. From scanning these pages it looks like there may be possibility of adjust, worst case a master cylinder change? Second up are the rear seats, I want to replace the factory fitted forward facing seats with inward facing. Maybe someone looking to do the reverse would be up for an exchange, I’m just not entirely sure that all mounting points for seatbelts are compatible? Sound proofing, carpets, maybe smarter wheels will follow, in between maintenance activities of course. Happy to be here! |
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22nd Jan 2023 7:55pm |
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| matchap801 Member Since: 05 Aug 2021 Location: Somerset Posts: 120 
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Yep. Go for the security upgrades first. You can assemble lots of the parts and make them yourself. A few are easier to buy the kits.
Do a good service withba quality oil. Gearbox and transfer box oils. Front and rear diff. It will make a difference. Strip and clean the EGR, fit a new VCV when you have the space. Clean the inlet manifold and put new seals in. A frame ball joint is prone to wear. Fuel breather pipe perishes. I have resisted doing updates that change the appearance too much. Double din dash and android play. Heated seats. Heated mirrors. Drivers seat riser. Heater deflector. Glove box. Led bulbs to interior lights. Led footwear lights. Keep an eye on your brake pipes and callipers. Truly great fun and driving though. 2009 Defender 90 CSW 2.4 TDCI. Ex Army Mechanic still living the dream. |
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22nd Jan 2023 9:23pm |
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| Landowner Member Since: 06 Jan 2023 Location: Somerset Posts: 66
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Thanks for the replies.
Maintenance tasks go without saying, just need to find a good specialist down my way. The owner of a local garage that I would trust explicitly has unfortunately passed away. As far as mods go, correct, nothing that doesn't help. I read a lot on hear about the seats and inward facing seem to be neither illegal nor would fail the MOT, but they would allow greater use of the vehicle. I've made a list, I can see more money disappearing fast !! |
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23rd Jan 2023 9:12pm |
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| matchap801 Member Since: 05 Aug 2021 Location: Somerset Posts: 120
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Indeed the money does go fast.
I have just ordered fr & rr pads, discs, callipers, seals, swivel seals and pulley vee belt. I am lucky in that I can do most of the work, service and brakes etc myself which helps keep the hassle and cost down. 2009 Defender 90 CSW 2.4 TDCI. Ex Army Mechanic still living the dream. |
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24th Jan 2023 7:18am |
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| Jabberwocky Member Since: 27 Oct 2021 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 223 
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Smaller steering wheel and mudstuff seat rails are transformative is you are of a larger size, smaller steering wheel means you can almost go round a roundabout without having to wind down the window for some elbow room, and the seat rails mean you can get higher and further back from the wheel.
The first thing I had to do with mine was change a front calliper, it was weeping a tiny bit of fluid out of a piston, not even an old calliper, guess it was a dud. But at least I now know how to do that job. |
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31st Jan 2023 6:35pm |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3414  
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I guess you mean SW (Station Wagon) not HT (Hard Top) if you have forward facing seats on a 90.
The seat belts on pre 2007 rear inward facing seats were simple lap belts mounted to a rail that was bolted on the tub which in turn bolted to a bracket to the chassis. As sad earlier, check local legislation, as it might be illegal to fit inward facing seats on a post 2007 Defender. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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31st Jan 2023 6:53pm |
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| Landowner Member Since: 06 Jan 2023 Location: Somerset Posts: 66
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Defo a t (van) b had windows and seats fitted as a factory options.
There’s lots on this forum about legislation around the seats, most of it seems to point at it not being illegal and not a mot failure. I’ll do a final check with my local garage, who I’ll use for mots) and decide from there. |
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4th Feb 2023 5:33pm |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1400 
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Hi, as mentioned above, there is some confusion over what model of 90 you've got.
A Station Wagon would have had windows and seats fitted at the factory. A Hard Top would be a van type body with no side windows, there was no option to have have windows and seats fitted to a van at the factory. To clarify the situation post some photos of your Defender, inside, outside and the seats and seatbelts. We'd all like to see it, and it will help anyone trying to answer your questions.  |
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4th Feb 2023 9:24pm |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1841 
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Crikey! I’ve had my car so long that it’s morphed over time from being a scuba diving mule and tow vehicle; to the family holiday truck with bikes and canoes; and now in it’s latest iteration as a more dedicated camper. To try and think “what came first” is an entertaining challenge.
But.. the main reason I posted was on the clutch biting point. I don’t know if the internals changed for a Puma vehicle (anyone?) but on Tdi/R380 cars if bleeding it and checking for leaks didn’t make a difference then I’d be wondering about the clutch fork inside the bellhousing - they can punch through over time. This is probably irrelevant… I’ll get my coat! Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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5th Feb 2023 9:28am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17372 
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What shape are the "seat boxes" over the rear wheels? Do they have flat tops or SW-style two-level tops?
AFAIK there are no genuine forward-facing options for the former and no genuine side-facing options for the latter. |
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5th Feb 2023 10:04am |
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| Landowner Member Since: 06 Jan 2023 Location: Somerset Posts: 66
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 Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge I guess the two level is what I have then. Definitely registered as a Hard Top though. |
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5th Feb 2023 10:44am |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1400
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That's a genuine factory Station Wagon.
The registration descriptions after 2010 became very confusing. All models were classed a commercial vehicles with a N1 registration class. My 110 station wagon says Double Cab on the registration document, even though it had 7 seats in 3 rows when it was made. I totally get where you're coming from with wanting to change the seats, removing them was the first modification I made on the 110. While you may be able to change them for side facing and get it through an mot, with a lot of fiddling and modifications, it will be a modified vehicle. The new seat configuration will not be Type Approved for a post 2007 vehicle and Insurance companies may not be willing to provide cover. Check carefully first. |
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5th Feb 2023 11:18am |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3414
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As above, that is a genuine station wagon.
Being a 2012, it will be registered as a light goods vehicle, hence N1. On my CoC (Certificate of Conformity), the code for bodywork states BB-Van... whatever that means. It is a genuine SW as well. Edit: The BB in my bodywork raised some curiosity in me, and from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en...32018R0858 I found: 4.2. BB Van A lorry with the compartment where the driver is located and cargo area within a single unit. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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5th Feb 2023 11:47am |
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| Landowner Member Since: 06 Jan 2023 Location: Somerset Posts: 66
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Click image to enlarge I guess this answers that question! And I guess this picture qualifies for the “Defenders and their dogs” category |
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11th Feb 2023 9:57am |
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