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andy---doe



Member Since: 14 Mar 2015
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 188

United Kingdom 
What is your best and worst modification?
What is the best modification you have done and why?

I will start off with my best mod:

CLARION SAT NAV MEDIA CENTRE WITH REVERSE CAMERA

It’s not a cheap mod. I believe it is several hundred pounds to purchase and have fitted, but to me it is worth every penny.
This unit fits in the stereo slot and can be set so when reverse is selected it slides out to give a fantastic wide angle vision view on the screen. Amongst other things it controls the Bluetooth phone, sat nav, stereo etc via touch panel control (or buttons)
This unit was in the four month old pre-specced car I have just purchased. It is my 3rd Defender and this is by far the best mod I have had in any of my Defenders.


What is the worst modification you have had done and why?
I will start it off with my worst mod:

WINDOW WIND DEFLECTORS.

I believe these only cost about one hundred pounds, but I hate them.

I have never thought the wind was an issue while driving any of my previous Defenders and they do nothing to improve the look of the car but the main reason I hate them is that they seriously block the line of sight, so you need to constantly hunch down to look underneath them.
Post #409412 20th Mar 2015 10:08pm
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JWL



Member Since: 26 Oct 2011
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3443

England 2002 Defender 110 Td5 SW Coniston Green
I've done a fair few mods to mine over the past 6 years, one of the best has been the Eberspacher but it isn't used all year but invaluable in the winter. I have soundproofed the floorpan and rear seat box, that has been a bonus, extra power sockets all round are usefull but the one I rate the most has been the fitting of the heated front screen. In the winter it is really usefull and through the rest of the year I have been surprised on how many times the thing is switched on, those slightly damp summer days getting in with wet clothes and the windows closed means instant misting up of the windscreen. There's been times when the wading has been a little ambitious getting water into the heater intake which in turn manifests itself all over the windscreen.
I'm hard pressed to think of a poor modification, whatever I have added to mine has been thought out especially when finances are a major consideration. I know exactly where andy---doe is coming from with the wind deflectors, my ex-wife got me to fit a full set to our Disco II, whilst yes it meant the windows could all be cracked open with the dogs in the car no matter what the weather was doing but as I am taller than what she was I suffered no end looking out the side windows at junctions. For the Defender I suppose re-bushing all of the suspension in what I thought was a good deal on metalastic bushes. They looked ok when they turned up in the post, didn't have that blue box company's name on them, in fact there was no name at all. Simple fact was they didn't last five minutes and reinforced the old adage, buy cheap, buy twice.
Post #409421 20th Mar 2015 10:37pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10381

United Kingdom 
Best.
Roof rack. Gives versatility, place to put our kayak, bolt lights to, fit awning to. A 'just in case we need to use it' bit of kit.
Not used for heavy stuff.
I like the look.



Worst.
Roof rack. Severely restricts your speed, the difference without it is massive.
I sometimes don't like the look.


Land Rovers.... Rolling Eyes don't ya just love em.
Post #409426 20th Mar 2015 11:07pm
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Go Beyond



Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Posts: 6678

United Kingdom 
Best mod - Agree, head unit with reversing camera.

I have an Alpine double DIN unit in my red hardtop with the reversing camera set up to allow me quick and accurate hook up of trailers. The sat nav and hands free is great too !

Worst mod - difficult one this, depends on your interpretation I suppose, probably the mod I liked the least was the snow cowl on my 130, it was expensive, didnt seem to do anything and in my opinion quite ugly

Edit: Just thought of another which I really regretted, swapping my standard aerial for a short fixed one, funnily enough from the same supplier as the snow cowl, that was equally as expensive and simply didn't work !

Edit: Another 'Best mod' after the worst mod above is the electric aerial on my JEE 90. It's one designed for a Jaguar XJS and has a remote motor - works a treat and saves remembering to put it down when in town to avoid having it vandalised !
Post #409427 20th Mar 2015 11:07pm
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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
Snowl cowl is an interesting one - given the amount of water that pools on the dummy vent on the opposite wing, and i park on the flat, I'm thinking it is saving quite alot of water from entering the heating intake.
Post #409505 21st Mar 2015 11:16am
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CatherineF



Member Since: 22 Nov 2014
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 762

United Kingdom 
Best modification has to be the seats as it's improved the comfort no end.

Worst modification would also be the seats because we now have to change the steering wheel to something smaller because they are so well padded they have reduced the space between your legs and the wheel. 2015 Audi Q3 Quattro S Line Plus 184 TDI Stronic
2010 90 SMC Over Land Nero Edition - Santorini Black Metallic (Now Departed)
Post #409508 21st Mar 2015 11:21am
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Lambley



Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Java Black
I actually think my wind deflectors are a good mod!
Best mod is probably gearing ratio's in the transfer box, worst mod - not done on mine - is larger 20" wheels with adapters that just don't look right.
Post #409523 21st Mar 2015 12:20pm
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stanley



Member Since: 18 Sep 2009
Location: Dorset /hampshire
Posts: 1032

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
Best mods , extra large wing mirrors and mud seat raisers

Worst wind deflectors , on for 1 day the straight off
Post #409531 21st Mar 2015 12:58pm
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Spruce Pirate



Member Since: 08 Feb 2013
Location: Stirlingshire
Posts: 124

Scotland 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 HT Zambezi Silver
Best mod is either the reversing camera or the wheel spinner - brilliant for manoeuvring trailers in tight spaces.

Worst would be those stupid vents above the rear door (not fitted by me) which to very little except let water in when it's wet (most of the time) or dust in when it's dry (the rest of the time) Rolling Eyes Dirty Deeds - Done Dirt Cheap
Post #409548 21st Mar 2015 1:31pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5110

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Best, Ali Sport full size inter-cooler much more power

worst, inclinometer, was bought it as a present but could never really see the point I never do any extreme off roading so it just seemed a cheesy gadget Whistle For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #409550 21st Mar 2015 1:41pm
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
Best mod?

Still the Recaro CSīs. Because I drove alot of miles in the two previous Defenders, I still appreciate the difference, long after swapping the seats. Lot of money, but worth every penny.

Worst mod?

The silicone wiper blades. A lot of money for no improvement at all!

Bought a set of Speaker Evo IIīs recently, to replace the excellent Wipac Crystals and Nightbreakers upgrade. I just like the dark eyed stealth look of them on a silver Defender and feel that they suit the LED signal lamps better.

Not everyoneīs cuppa, I know.

Havenīt fitted them yet, but in view of all the sad stories surrounding previous Speaker headlamps in the forums, I do wonder if Iīm going to end up regretting paying big money for the LEDīs.

Stephen

Click image to enlarge
 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons
Post #409555 21st Mar 2015 2:02pm
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Lorryman100



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Here
Posts: 2686

For me they are:

Best mods:

Alive stage 2 remap
Alive inter cooler
Alive stainless boost pipes
Alive stainless exhaust system
Alive decat pipe with brackets for OEM heat shield
VGS (landyglass)
Safari snorkel
Snow cowl, it rains a lot on the West coast of Scotland and it also stops the snow blocking the heater air intake.
FCX re trimmed cubby lid
Eberspacher airtronic d2
Nakatanenga wheel carrier, under cubby heater box, safe , glove box and fuel pipe pick up for the Eberspacher
Nolden led head lights
Head light light guards
Led light bar
Entreq bumper, steering guard, fuel cooler protector, aerial , snow cowl , front mudguard extenders and SS rear door trim
ORP Safari door hinges
QT diff guards
Leather RS6 bucket seats
Full set of M&M seat covers (up for sale soon)
Rear tool box
Dog guard
Mickey Thomson tyres, 305 AT and 265 MT
Scan gauge
Alpine H.U and subwoofer
Road hawk 1080P evidential front facing camera

Worst mods, should read: really regret spending the money and wasting the time fitting them!

Terrafirma light bar
Rear led number plate light
EBC brake pads (when cold)
Plastic indicator and side light guards
Any other mod that I have done and to embarrassed to mention on here.
Post #409558 21st Mar 2015 2:19pm
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jerseyman



Member Since: 21 Jul 2009
Location: Jersey
Posts: 279

Sorry off topic, but Stephen, that front view of yours is really smart. Naks grill I would guess, but whoseat make is the steering guard?

Brian
Post #409566 21st Mar 2015 2:48pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
My list is very similar to Lorryman's....

Best has got to be , BAS Remap, Alive intercooler and stainless turbo pipes, Mach 5 wheels (both sets)......

Worst doesn't even need thinking about......original JW Speaker headlights. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #409568 21st Mar 2015 2:49pm
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roel



Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

Netherlands 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Caledonian Blue
Best mods:

I am not sure which one is the best:
Detroit Locker
Ashcroft HD axles
SImex 35" x 10.5" tyres.
Together they are great.

Worst mod
Inclinometer (it's out already) You don't look at it when you are at an interesting angle. Twisted Evil Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
Post #409569 21st Mar 2015 2:49pm
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