Nasher

John Hi, I suppose there is a lot of crossover between here and Ribnet. Thanks to everyone for the good information, and putting up with what must be regular questions from those new to Landrovers. I'll no doubt make the mudrail type bars myself, but try to incorporate a shift to the Left of an inch or so as well to help with the elbow room. Looking around my bugget will probably stretch to a 2 or 3 year old TD5 110 and leave me around £1K to £1.5K to make some mods. I'm now saving up until the end of the year, but will be keeping a good eye on here for information and contributing when I can. Must investigate the GKN overdrive. How it works, where it fits, can I fit it myself, costs etc. Nasher.

Thanks Guys Just trying to make sure of things before I commit. Keep the comments coming. Nasher

Hello all. Just to introduce myself, and ask some typical daft questions from a newbie. I currently drive a 52 plate (new Shape) 3.2TD Shogun that I've been very pleased with, but my circumstances have changed. I no longer do a 90 mile a day commute to work, and I'm using my boat more and more, so the Shogun is on the beach a lot more and full of wet gear, kids and camping gear. The Shogun has always coped surprisingly well, especially digging itself and two tons of boat and trailer out of the gravel beach in low range with the diff locks on. However, I find it a bit fragile with regards to upholstery, trim, bodywork etc, and have always really wanted a Land Rover. I'm looking to swap the Shogun for a 2 or 3 year old Defender 110 TD5 at the end of this year, but I think I will need to make some mods. Friends tell me to get a Discovery instead, but they just don't have any appeal to me. I also believe there is additional scope to 'personnalise' the defender. Being quite tall I like the idea of some more leg room, and have noticed the kits that are available to move the front seats back a few inches. Are they worth the money? or should I look at making them myself? I have welding and machining facilities. I presume they do actually make a difference. Also being quite big means I'll need some more elbow room. Does a smaller steering wheel help that much? I'm told the TD5 responds well to 'chipping' the ECU and a larger intercooler. Is the conversion worth considering? Which companies kit is recommended? Once the extra Torque/BHP is available I'd also like to be a bit more comfortable on the motorway by getting the revs down. Again 'I'm told' I can install a Discovery gear set which will reduce the revs, noise, and fuel consumption. I know this will effect the bottom end adversely, but I won't be going rock crawling or anything. Is this conversion just the gear set, or is it the whole gearbox and/or transfer box? which sounds easier and cheaper because I can do it myself. Does it cause any issues low down? Is it really worth it? With 50/50 Road/Off-Road tyres will I still be able to hear the finer points of ZZtop at 70mph on the motorway? Thanks. Nasher.