Winterizing a Defender?
So far on or in my 1998 300tdi CSW I have:-
AlliSport upgraded heater matrix (expensive, but very very good when the engine gets hot)
Bison Heated Front Windscreen (so I can see where I'm going before the engine gets hot)
Exmoor Trim Rad Muff (to help get the engine hot quickly - and it works very well)
Exmoor Trim heated front seat kit (i admit, i'm a wuss!)
DefenderVent side window demisting kit - Available from Mud Stuff.
Mud Stuff heated door mirror kit
Good quality ice scraper.
All that keeps me warm(ish) and more importantly, maintains vision on my 30 minute drive to work. These modifications aren't cheap, but as a lorry driver that starts work in the early hours every morning, they work very quickly in sub-zero temperatures at 3am. This minimizes noise disturbance, as I like my neighbours, and Defenders aren't known for silent running!
I never have to worry about batteries, as I start the engine before I use any of my winter kit. The front screen is defrosted, and the drivers seat warm by the time the ice has been scraped from the side windows. I have heat from the upgraded matrix within 2 or 3 minutes with the rad muff in place, to keep front and side windows from misting.
On my days off, when the weather is cold, my old Defender is defrosted and driving away in about half the time of the neighbours 2016 Mercedes C Class and their 2015 VW Golf. Makes me chuckle
