 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > standard to XS spec. Cost for upgrade? is it worth it? |
 
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324  
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I think you've picked up all of the obvious bits. Other details include the Brunel grill and headlight surrounds, heated windscreen, clear front indicators and I think the cubby box lid is different.
Whether it's worth it or not really depends on what you're happy with and whether you're trying to build a faithful replica or just get the bits that you want. All of the changes can be done at a cost, but come resale time you won't get your money back. On top of that, most that want an XS wouldn't settle for a conversion, even knowing it's a relatively easy job to do. For me, the biggest benefit of an XS was the A/C and heated screen. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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25th Oct 2018 7:35am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6298  
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not sure what about ABS, alloys and suspension?
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25th Oct 2018 7:39am |
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| Paulcmccormack Member Since: 23 Sep 2018 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 48 
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Heated screen can be done for about 250 all in. It's fiddly, but possible. say 300 for the professionals.
Boost alloys are about 600 second hand (ish) ABS you've no chance to upgrade I assume. It was more a thought process as found a lovely non XS with the right look. |
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25th Oct 2018 7:49am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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Ah, good point about ABS, which also brings with it traction control. Wheels are the easiest thing in the world to change. I don't think there's anything special about XS suspension above a regular station wagon. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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25th Oct 2018 7:50am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6298
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in terms of 110 I thought the xs has HD suspension (probably just springs), but then how about anti roll bar?
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25th Oct 2018 7:53am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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The HD springs are to offset the weight of seats and passengers but that doesn't change with trim spec. and would also apply to other station wagons.
Anti-roll bars originally used to just come with alloy wheels but I'm pretty sure they were later fitted to all passenger carriers (as opposed to pick ups and hard tops). Again, a very easy addition if starting with a base vehicle that doesn't have them though. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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25th Oct 2018 8:09am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3751
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I don't know what the standard car is missing from an XS
You seem to have most covered and an easy fix. The big ones would be Air Con, ABS, Traction? I would miss the Air Con in my Black 110 especially on the european trips. It's even good in Good old British weather if your out and get wet to demist all the inside. Everything else you can add and change to the spec you like such as seats, heated seats, cubby box, carpets etc If you will not miss A/C and the car is right you can easily make it your own |
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25th Oct 2018 8:54am |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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I too have a TD5 110 CSW non-XS and have thought many times of trying to upgrade to ABS and TC... It is just not worth it.
The easiest way would be to get two axles from an XS spec'd wrecker as the axles ends and brakes are different. The piping and wiring wouldn't be much of a problem, just fiddly. I came to the conclusion that if you want TC then it'd be way cheaper and easier to buy a set of Ashcroft ATB diffs and you'd be better off as the Defender TC is a bit... agricultural... Coupled with a set of BFG AT KO2s and you'll have a very capable vehicle. Plus you won't go through brake components quite as often.. As for the ABS part... Took a skid pan course and learnt to cadence brake properly. Think it cost about £100 and has saved my life too many times to count. Brunel silver paint in a rattle can is an easy and cheap upgrade for the grille and headlight surrounds. Previous owner retro-fitted AC at about £4k fitted as he travelled through France a lot. It's a good OEM spec'd kit, but I have never used it, not once. The condenser mounts rusted away a few years back so removed it when I installed a full sized intercooler. Have considered converting the AC fan and ducting to an additional heater system linked up to an eberspacher heater... I did the (Puma) XS half leather seat up grade, keep an eye out on eBay as I got mine for £200 incl heaters, then bought the proper switches (£20) and the loom from mobile centre as I was feeling lazy. The Puma seats a re a superb upgrade on the earlier version of the seats. The spot light loom I got as a kit off eBay too incl lights, relay and proper switch £150 all in. Missing the heated screen and every year I wished I had one... Still not justified it yet. Cubby box is a Mobile storage systems one and is leagues ahead of the LR XS version. It is likely that the XS models came with running board steps too. All in all... The cheaper mods are well worth it. The rest would be nice but I have not really ever thought "damn, i wish i had TC as I will never get up that hill without it"... |
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25th Oct 2018 5:32pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5818  
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I suppose the key question is is this lovely, right look non XS that much cheaper as to make all the upgrades, faff, time etc worth it? Have you ‘done the math’? If there’s a big difference and a saving after all the mods, why not? Indeed bar AC I think non XS is a great start point for a project, if that’s your eventual aim. If, however, you would just turn it into an XS, then perhaps just wait. Mine is non XS, has all the mods you mentioned (including retro fitted AC), plus other extras such as Bowler wheels, Recaros, soundproofing with Carpet on top, Focal speakers etc. Better value than if I started with an XS.  Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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25th Oct 2018 5:43pm |
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| Badger110 Member Since: 06 Feb 2018 Location: South hams Posts: 1039 
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XS version good bits for me;
Heated seats Heated windscreen Everything else is a waste or there to ponce up an agricultrual vehicle. It isn’t worth the extra money imho |
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26th Oct 2018 5:41pm |
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| Badger110 Member Since: 06 Feb 2018 Location: South hams Posts: 1039
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P.s. i’ll Sell you an air con set up if you like
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26th Oct 2018 5:42pm |
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| Mike c Member Since: 11 Aug 2017 Location: Maldon, Essex Posts: 928 
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I was quite lucky with my td5 county spec (non xs) so came with electric windows, central locking which was standard on county trim + air con and abs/traction control fitted as options obviously from new. No heated screen or seats though.
I added the heated front screen and think that is probably one of the best things to have on a damp cold or icy morning in any car. Not bothered about xs heated seats but can see that it's a luxury on a real cold day! The air con is handy and adds comfort in summer but not hugely necessary in this country but glad it's there. The abs and traction control is a good safety feature Mike |
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28th Oct 2018 4:14pm |
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