The Land Rover Defender
The Defender that we know and love was effectively introduced in 1983, though the actual Defender name was introduced later on in 1991, when the Discovery was launched. The 110 was introduced first in 1983, with the 90 following a year later. Its history can be traced back to 1948 when the Series 1 was introduced. It took over from the Series 3 with multiple vast improvements, delivering a significantly more capable and refined vehicle. The Defender has been produced in a variety of body styles and sizes, and has become one of the most popular and iconic off-road vehicles in history. It was highly successful from the start and went on to become one of the most iconic and beloved 4x4 vehicles of all time.
Over the years the Defender evolved, though it maintained its core identity, introducing uprated brakes, improved engine and gearbox options, and refreshed interior features. It has been used by military, public, and private entities across the globe, and is famous for its durability, ruggedness, and capability in extreme off-road conditions. In 1993 Land Rover decided it was time to take the Defender to the US after the success of the Range Rover since 1987, they felt it could offer a more upmarket alternative to the popular Jeep Wrangler targeting adventurous buyers. It was eventually discontinued globally in 2016 after 33 years in production, and it’s claimed that more 75% of the Defender’s ever produced are still in action around the world.
This Land Rover
Built on the 22nd of October 1998 in Solihull, England, this is one of the very first Defender produced with the Td5 engine. Land Rover sought to replace the ageing 300Tdi with something more modern, powerful and refined. The Td5 engine was conceived all the way back in 1993 and was to be the first Defender controlled by an Engine Management Unit, or ECU. Developed in conjunction with Lucas, the ECU regulates fuel delivery by taking into account a number of factors from both within the engine and externally such as inlet pressure and temperature, coolant temperature and throttle position from the new fly by wire, accelerator pedal. The 5-Cylinder Turbo Diesel engine uses the same R380 5-Speed gearbox and LT230 2-Speed transfer case from its predecessor.
The Defender has undergone a comprehensive Tier 2 to restoration involving breaking the vehicle down to its bare chassis, and rebuilding it back to the vehicle you see today. The chassis was sandblasted, and powder coated in the original satin black finish as it left the factory. The axles have been repainted, again in satin black, the differentials have been inspected for wear. The axles were rebuilt with new stub axles, wheel bearings, and oil seals throughout. The front axles also received new swivels.
New AP Lockheed brake callipers have been fitted with new discs and pads at each corner. The hard brakes lines have been replaced with modern Copper-Nickel lines and the flexible brake lines replaced. The brake servo and master cylinder has been replaced with new OEM items.
The suspension has all been replaced with new OEM springs and new Bilstein shock absorbers. All mounts have also been replaced. The suspension was reassembled with polybushes throughout. The steering box has been overhauled and new Heavy Duty steering rods fitted with all ball joints replaced.
The Defender has been refinished in its original colour of Caledonian Blue with a contrasting Alpine White roof. It was decided to style the vehicle after the Heritage Edition Defenders produced in 2015. As such, a heritage front grill has been used along with cast aluminium front and rear badges. The headlight surrounds and wing mirrors are painted in body colour, and the front bumper and door hinges have been finished in Silver..
The Defender sits on a matching set of Wolf Steel wheels painted in the Caledonian Blue body colour, and are wearing a set of new BF Goodrich AT tyres in the size 238/85R16. A set of stainless Steel wheel nuts have been fitted and the spare is located on a swing away wheel carrier mounted to the rear door. A NAS, or North America Specification rear step is fitted to make accessing the rear much easier, and this has a US 2 Inch receiver for accessories.
The vehicle was completely disassembled during the restoration, with all the panels painted individually off the vehicle before being later assembled. Five new doors were fitted during the restoration. The vehicle was completely repainted inside, out and underneath in Caledonian Blue
This Defender features our LED light package consisting of LED headlights, and LED side lights, indicators, brake light and fog lights, reverse and numberplate lights. These are in the Red, Amber and White colour like the original lights. Anyone who’s driven a Defender will know how substandard the stock headlights are, with these understated LED Headlights providing good visibility on both high and low beam. Stainless Steel hardware has been use
