Defender90 drivers comfort modifications help.

Ill make the badgers fit aslong as I can use the electrics amd move the seat am happy

Might have another mark out 2nyt

Seen a couple of pictures of rangey rear bench seats fitted up front. You have the folding central arm rest for when you don't have 3 aboard, or the middle seat for when you need it. You'd have to rig the whole bench to move fore and aft or alternatively have it fixed in the right position for you.

I've never found the handbrake to be a problem, personally. It's certainly a bit different compared to a car but once used to it it's fine.

Well thanks for the replies. now its a case of hurry up and wait for probate

my intended plan of action will be:

13 inch steering wheel
total bulkhead removal with a P&P bar
dog cage fitted to hold heavy diving items in the back.
still deciding on the handbrake but that can be done at a later stage

then its shopping for the FUN stuff like positive offset alloys, decent tyres, external roll cage, and some other cosmetic mods in the cab (i want my analogue aircon back)

I've fitted the seat risers without removing the bulkhead (as there is a frontrunner water tank bolted to it) ... They do make a difference. I don't have a problem with the handbrake but the interior door handles can be annoying when bouncing around off road. I changed mine for the nylon / rubber mud versions. Dog guards are great for dogs but do make a racket if you want them to be removable for longer items .... I fitted a flat strap cargo net (like you see on rally roll cages) .... Totally silent and will stop your belongings paying you an unexpected visit under heavy braking. You just need to add some light duty anchor points.

Thanks for that info sandon. out of interest do you know if a guard that is not easily removable is also noisy or is it simply the ones that are removable not being secured.

i had not considered webbing. but thinking about it thats a good a good way to go assuming i can draw it tight enough to not hang loose so it holds the stuff in place. have to have a look at the weave sizes as dive gear can be small but relatively heavy

likewise i had not considered the inner trim stuff as yet but that is a good point given the accelerator outside of the vehicle positioning LR went with.

I've got Scooby seats in mine, I'm 6 foot and I fit perfect with the seats right against the bulkhead

Range Rover Classic handbrake lever. I find it much better than the original one - I can reach it's full travel without moving my upper body at all.

If the guard is permanently fitted, bolted to the bulkhead and roof, it should be fine. It the ones that bolt to the bulkhead (hand screws) but rest in a slotted roof bracket that rattle about.

You can get a hell of a lot of tension in the rally style nets ... And you buy Molle style accessories (a huge variety of) to attach to it.

The wheel is a good plan as well ... I fitted a mota lita one which was a touch extravagant but definitely improved things. Be prepared for the odd sensation that a smaller wheel generates at first use ... Particularly on faster bends. I fitted an RTC steering damper at the same time and my first drive out was an education.

retroanaconda.

thanks for that. from someone with the mod done how is it comfort wise? does it create any negatives?
and thanks again sandon. its a real help.

Paul_cavanna said:

retroanaconda.

thanks for that. from someone with the mod done how is it comfort wise? does it create any negatives?
and thanks again sandon. its a real help.

Click to expand...

No negatives that I have noticed. I guess it does put more of a bend in the handbrake cable but as long as it is in good condition this shouldn't be a problem. Mine's been like that for about three years now and I haven't had any issues. Much better than the standard location.

I suppose another negative is that it precludes the fitment of a centre seat, but that isn't an issue for me.

you mean the center seat that could only have been designed for an amputee dwarf pigmy? yeah thats not an issue for me at all.

regarding the bend. is it something that could be eased by a small pulley wheel to increase the radd of the turn? im guessing the location is underneath not on the level itself

What other seats have people fitted easily?

well id just like to say a big thanks for all your advice and help with this

as it happens i am getting a much newer truck than i envisioned, a 9 month old 90 hardtop van with partial bulkhead removal as that is all that i needed. thanks to Paul at Rodger Young (Saltash) bringing his own truck with the bulkhead cut down for me to sit in and see if that was enough for me.
turns out i can then move the seat around enough to be comfy without needing a smaller steering wheel, plus it seems new defenders only have a 16 inch wheel not 17 so there is a touch more space for belly.

elected to not alter the hand break at the moment as ill give it a go stock for a while.

now its time to save to get all the fun shiny addons i want. Ohhhh shiny shiny