Matt’s Defender Build Thread.

[MattSedg]

S3 has been gone a month now, and I haven't missed it one bit, guess that proves I never used it enough

couple of small things I do miss from the S3
fuel consumption.....yep. I actually miss the mpg I got in the S3, or should I say the mpg I could achieve. Defenders like to drink
B&O system, the sound system in a defender is horrible, but thats to be expected, and its to be upgraded in the future.

 

[TYb]

S3 has been gone a month now, and I haven't missed it one bit, guess that proves I never used it enough

couple of small things I do miss from the S3
fuel consumption.....yep. I actually miss the mpg I got in the S3, or should I say the mpg I could achieve. Defenders like to drink
B&O system, the sound system in a defender is horrible, but thats to be expected, and its to be upgraded in the future.

My girlfriends old one rarely got into the 20 mpgs. Lack of aerodynamics, weighed as much as a bus and the gear box was a mess. She still loved it though until she got her 7.5 t and then HGV license, then no more need for the trailer puller.

 

[MattSedg]

My girlfriends old one rarely got into the 20 mpgs. Lack of aerodynamics, weighed as much as a bus and the gear box was a mess. She still loved it though until she got her 7.5 t and then HGV license, then no more need for the trailer puller.

sounds like a 5 speed TD5?
i drove my mates 2003 TD5 and it makes my gearbox feel brand new!!

she got rid of the landy?

 

[TYb]

sounds like a 5 speed TD5?
i drove my mates 2003 TD5 and it makes my gearbox feel brand new!!

she got rid of the landy?

Yeh, her and her parents bought a horse lorry with living quarters etc as she events, which tends to be at least one night stop overs, that costs money just to sit still.

Her Landy was a mess, different doors and bonnet from original and had been used as a farm vehicle, she still loved it though and was good for pulling.

 

[MattSedg]

so! picked the landy up yesterday from the garage getting the bits sprayed, they sprayed the new light surrounds and the raised grill surround, also sprayed up the whole front fascia/rectangle from edge to edge where the previous surround and grill had nipped the paint with the tightness, not a bad colour match considering they never blended the panels, not looking for absolute 100% perfection on this car, nice freedom.
they also fitted the decat downpipe which I will have to get a video clip of, much better sound, turbo spools better and hopefully a touch better mpg its claimed?

one little tweak i do want to do to this setup is spray the small struts over the intercooler like the pic below, thinking a dark bronze/gold colour, think bronze would be subtle but still noticeable and go well with the green.


and now just fitted these "dirt defenders" on all 4 corners, supposed to lessen the fling and spray the wheels give off, also looks pretty cool i say.

 

[josul]

Really enjoying this thread @MattSedg keep the updates coming mate. I have no need for one, but I am kinda wanting one!

 

[MattSedg]

also, slimline black aluminium roof rack has been shipped!

good to hear @josul , like a big boys mechano set! if you are realistic about defenders they are pretty crap as a car, but theres something about them.

 

[Sandra]

Really enjoying this thread @MattSedg keep the updates coming mate. I have no need for one, but I am kinda wanting one!

Don’t you be worrying, @MattSedg is not going anywhere.

 

[NevMan]

Really enjoying this thread @MattSedg keep the updates coming mate. I have no need for one, but I am kinda wanting one!

Ditto that

 

[BarryG79]

@MattSedg can’t believe how many defenders I’ve seen on the roads since u got yours. Had always thought they were just for farmers before. But there is actually some really smart ones out there, yours included.

Just need an engine conversion now




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MattSedg]

@MattSedg can’t believe how many defenders I’ve seen on the roads since u got yours. Had always thought they were just for farmers before. But there is actually some really smart ones out there, yours included.

Just need an engine conversion now




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

always buzzin when I get a wave off one, always a good laugh!
ahh cheers pal

150k for them 70th anniversary V8 things, and heres the best part, they are untouched stock that LR have, put them back in the factory and added the V8 and trans to, amongst other things.
if that isnt a money grab I dont know what is

 

[royalsteve68]

@MattSedg can’t believe how many defenders I’ve seen on the roads since u got yours. Had always thought they were just for farmers before. But there is actually some really smart ones out there, yours included.

Just need an engine conversion now




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

£150k is just laughable for something that’s as aerodynamic as a brick

 

[josul]

also, slimline black aluminium roof rack has been shipped!

good to hear @josul , like a big boys mechano set! if you are realistic about defenders they are pretty **** as a car, but theres something about them.

I do a bit of wild camping and canoeing so would be idea for that, its the only reason I have come up with to get one.... Although even with how much it hurts having to do things like the below to my pride and joy even I cant get the man maths to stack up to carry a canoe a couple of times a year!


Another trip in the same spot:


Since getting my S3 I have thankfully not had to use it to carry a canoe (yet). In September I got to drive my mates S5 with and without a canoe on the top, I could not bring myself to take a photo of it! Newcastle to Loch Maree, picking the canoes up in Inverness we achieved 34mpg which we thought was a good result.

 

[MattSedg]

I do a bit of wild camping and canoeing so would be idea for that, its the only reason I have come up with to get one.... Although even with how much it hurts having to do things like the below to my pride and joy even I cant get the man maths to stack up to carry a canoe a couple of times a year!

View attachment 169644 View attachment 169645
Another trip in the same spot:
View attachment 169646 View attachment 169647

Since getting my S3 I have thankfully not had to use it to carry a canoe (yet). In September I got to drive my mates S5 with and without a canoe on the top, I could not bring myself to take a photo of it! Newcastle to Loch Maree, picking the canoes up in Inverness we achieved 34mpg which we thought was a good result.

Yeah your pride and joy is never an ideal thing to be slapping stuff on top of but 34mpg does sound a very good result!!

Thankfully I'm being a bit more relaxed with the defender than the S3 so don't mind the idea....
Roof rack is going on tonight then just before spring I'll be toying with the idea of a roof tent and maybe a 270° awning to go out camping and walking further a field, highlands. And locally round the lake

 

[MattSedg]

I do a bit of wild camping and canoeing so would be idea for that, its the only reason I have come up with to get one.... Although even with how much it hurts having to do things like the below to my pride and joy even I cant get the man maths to stack up to carry a canoe a couple of times a year!

View attachment 169644 View attachment 169645
Another trip in the same spot:
View attachment 169646 View attachment 169647

Since getting my S3 I have thankfully not had to use it to carry a canoe (yet). In September I got to drive my mates S5 with and without a canoe on the top, I could not bring myself to take a photo of it! Newcastle to Loch Maree, picking the canoes up in Inverness we achieved 34mpg which we thought was a good result.

Never wild camped myself yet, and I've been hiking at least every other weekend for just over a year now, so come spring I think it's time I start!!

 

[josul]

Yeah your pride and joy is never an ideal thing to be slapping stuff on top of but 34mpg does sound a very good result!!

Thankfully I'm being a bit more relaxed with the defender than the S3 so don't mind the idea....
Roof rack is going on tonight then just before spring I'll be toying with the idea of a roof tent and maybe a 270° awning to go out camping and walking further a field, highlands. And locally round the lake

I wouldn't mind with a roof rack, we get them blow up things from the canoe hire place.

Dude don't tell me things like that, I want one even more now!

 

[Bristle Hound]

so! picked the landy up yesterday from the garage getting the bits sprayed, they sprayed the new light surrounds and the raised grill surround, also sprayed up the whole front fascia/rectangle from edge to edge where the previous surround and grill had nipped the paint with the tightness, not a bad colour match considering they never blended the panels, not looking for absolute 100% perfection on this car, nice freedom.
they also fitted the decat downpipe which I will have to get a video clip of, much better sound, turbo spools better and hopefully a touch better mpg its claimed?

View attachment 169569

one little tweak i do want to do to this setup is spray the small struts over the intercooler like the pic below, thinking a dark bronze/gold colour, think bronze would be subtle but still noticeable and go well with the green.
View attachment 169579

and now just fitted these "dirt defenders" on all 4 corners, supposed to lessen the fling and spray the wheels give off, also looks pretty cool i say.

View attachment 169577 View attachment 169578

@MattSedg - Landy looking ace buddy
Liking the mods

 

[josul]

Never wild camped myself yet, and I've been hiking at least every other weekend for just over a year now, so come spring I think it's time I start!!

If you like your outdoors and hiking then you have just got to try it but I'll warn you now, it will be another expensive hobby!

Off to Google roof tents for S3s....

 

[TYb]

We need a latest pic of the whole beast

 

[MattSedg]

We need a latest pic of the whole beast

tomorrow hopefully now the roof rack has just gone on! rain or shine in the lakes I'll be getting an updated pic

the rack got a bucket load of swear words thrown at it, 3 adjustable legs on each side, which all slide in rails so you can adjust it to be centered over the truck....such a nightmare!

 

[Sandra]

tomorrow hopefully now the roof rack has just gone on! rain or shine in the lakes I'll be getting an updated pic

the rack got a bucket load of swear words thrown at it, 3 adjustable legs on each side, which all slide in rails so you can adjust it to be centered over the truck....such a nightmare!

Really can’t stop laughing at the bucket load of swear words, not heard that expression in a while. Look forward to the pic Matt x

 

[MattSedg]

Really can’t stop laughing at the bucket load of swear words, not heard that expression in a while. Look forward to the pic Matt x

wasn't far off of a truck load!

 

[MattSedg]

#nicerack

 

[Sandra]

#nicerack

View attachment 169753

Looking awesome. All the changes have been very tasteful Matt x

 

[oli356]

Looks bad *** Matt

 

[TYb]

#nicerack

View attachment 169753

What a beast, looks great.

 

[MattSedg]

out and about in Great Langdale doing yes, more walks.
not me giving the fingers, would never consider being so vulgar

 

[NevMan]

Looking awesome. All the changes have been very tasteful Matt x

+1, and does look the business

 

[MattSedg]

a 20,000 lumens light bar is on its way

 

[Jcbmally]

a 20,000 lumens light bar is on its way

Everything but no speed strips then lol

 

[MattSedg]

Everything but no speed strips then lol

havnt thought about which colour i want them yet mate!!!!

 

[JonW]

I ****** love this, what do you think of the Bowler style gearstick arrangements? Would love a 90Defender but they seem to be a lot of work to keep tidy, had one in the family and it used to suffer a bit with rust, rear crossmember being one area, and the fitment net the front window, this it was the primer not etching very well, are they an alloy?

This looks mint though, would love for the fishing kit.

 

[MattSedg]

I ****** love this, what do you think of the Bowler style gearstick arrangements? Would love a 90Defender but they seem to be a lot of work to keep tidy, had one in the family and it used to suffer a bit with rust, rear crossmember being one area, and the fitment net the front window, this it was the primer not etching very well, are they an alloy?

This looks mint though, would love for the fishing kit.

glad you enjoy mate!

you mean these gearsticks? if so i wouldnt even consider them myself, look massively out of place.

bowlers wheels on the other hand, may be a future option

aye its part of the defender game i guess, can end of spending a fortune, luckily the one i had my eye on was already in very good condition and had all the rust preventive measures done like zinc painting the underneath.

rear crossmembers will always rust, and eventually rot and need replacing, which isn't a major job from what i know, paint flaking is usually where two different types of metal panels are in contact, aluminium and some other metal, eventually causing paint to blister.

they are good "craic" to own and modify.

 

[MattSedg]

got a picture in mind which involves astrophotography, so i took the chance of a clear night to have a trial run! something new to me

 

[voorhees]

Not bad

 

[Sandra]

got a picture in mind which involves astrophotography, so i took the chance of a clear night to have a trial run! something new to me
View attachment 171446

Very nice shot Matt. x

 

[Jassyo06]

got a picture in mind which involves astrophotography, so i took the chance of a clear night to have a trial run! something new to me
View attachment 171446

Absolutely stunner of a photo mate, keep posting photos like this

 

[Flying Scotsman]

A great pic Matt. A true starry night can only be caught miles away from any towns and cities. Your neck of the woods and the Highlands are great areas to view those nights. A bit of a pity as a lot of city folks have never seen those nights.
The best I have seen were in the high Artic of the North West Territories and also spectacular Northern Lights.

 

[MattSedg]

Absolutely stunner of a photo mate, keep posting photos like this

That's the plan, this was a first attempt and it came out way better than I thought it would!!

Time off over Xmas so I've got some spots in mind to go to for pictures!

 

[MattSedg]

A great pic Matt. A true starry night can only be caught miles away from any towns and cities. Your neck of the woods and the Highlands are great areas to view those nights. A bit of a pity as a lot of city folks have never seen those nights.
The best I have seen were in the high Artic of the North West Territories and also spectacular Northern Lights.

This is looking into the middle of the Yorkshire dales and it still seems to be picking up a bit of light pollution!
Would love to see the northern lights someday....might have to camp out at Shap! They say they can be seen there rarely.