FlyingPete
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 1,299
- Location
- Coventry
Soundproofing is always good for making it more civilized. My 90 CSW has some insulation matting under the front carpets which helps, but more wouldn't be a bad thing.
The body rolls a lot in corners as the suspension is designed to be flexible. Anti-roll bars will help if they're not currently fitted. I wouldn't bother with lowering, personally.
A radio/sound system can be fitted fairly easily, even if there's not one fitted at the moment (they were optional on some older models). If replacing the factory system on an older vehicle, be aware that not all DIN radios will fit. On mine the standard unit was quite short, and the sony head unit I replaced it with only just fits in the slot. Rear speakers are quite useful to give decent volume without driving the two front speakers too hard. Speaker panels are available as new parts which fit in the rear corners in place of the tail light wiring covers.
Consider fitting carpets in the rear if you have seats there, or rubber matting etc if not. I did the back of my 90 with some cheap carpet and it really improves the look compared to the bare, scratched wheel boxes and bulkhead. You can get ready-cut kits but it will cost you.
Depending on what are currently fitted, it might be worth fitting some road-biased tyres. They will usually be quieter and save a bit of fuel compared to some offroad treads.
I don't see a need to mess about with changing engines. The low down torque enables it to pull strongly through the gears and makes it surprisingly usable around town. Don't dismiss the transfer gear lever either- in a traffic queue, I'll sometimes put it in low box and creep along in 2nd or 3rd, which greatly reduces clutch use (compared to a car, defender clutches are heavy.) Use the view over other vehicles to see when to change range.
Whether or not to change the steering wheel is a matter of choice. I switched from a fiesta to a landy and I personally much prefer the big bus steering wheel
Are you looking for a 90 or 110? I'm a 90 driver so you know which one's got my vote- no doubt the 110 owners will be along to weigh in
The body rolls a lot in corners as the suspension is designed to be flexible. Anti-roll bars will help if they're not currently fitted. I wouldn't bother with lowering, personally.
A radio/sound system can be fitted fairly easily, even if there's not one fitted at the moment (they were optional on some older models). If replacing the factory system on an older vehicle, be aware that not all DIN radios will fit. On mine the standard unit was quite short, and the sony head unit I replaced it with only just fits in the slot. Rear speakers are quite useful to give decent volume without driving the two front speakers too hard. Speaker panels are available as new parts which fit in the rear corners in place of the tail light wiring covers.
Consider fitting carpets in the rear if you have seats there, or rubber matting etc if not. I did the back of my 90 with some cheap carpet and it really improves the look compared to the bare, scratched wheel boxes and bulkhead. You can get ready-cut kits but it will cost you.
Depending on what are currently fitted, it might be worth fitting some road-biased tyres. They will usually be quieter and save a bit of fuel compared to some offroad treads.
I don't see a need to mess about with changing engines. The low down torque enables it to pull strongly through the gears and makes it surprisingly usable around town. Don't dismiss the transfer gear lever either- in a traffic queue, I'll sometimes put it in low box and creep along in 2nd or 3rd, which greatly reduces clutch use (compared to a car, defender clutches are heavy.) Use the view over other vehicles to see when to change range.
Whether or not to change the steering wheel is a matter of choice. I switched from a fiesta to a landy and I personally much prefer the big bus steering wheel
Are you looking for a 90 or 110? I'm a 90 driver so you know which one's got my vote- no doubt the 110 owners will be along to weigh in
