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I have a 2025 Defender 110 on order: before it goes to the build stage, dealer wants to know if I want to spend $1,900 on their "Front Expedition System"? without this option in the build, I do not have an exposed recovery hook up front, and whatever skid plate is standard, that's all it would have. If I buy the Front Expedition, I get the undershield plus the A Frame Protection. Pros & Cons from folks that considered it? Thanks! Would it drive any differently? Not sure of the weight.
I scratched the crap out of plastic air dam on my 110x. Installed the LRD front skid plate a few weeks ago. A few members here have done an excellent job modifying the plastic air dam to provide immediate access which may be an option. It’s my understanding that modifying the plastic air dam does not give any additional support structure as is the case with the front skid plate
All Defenders come with the front recovery point. You have to remove the plastic cover, or get the front skid plate from the dealer or an aftermarket source. I personally took a sawzall to my cover to expose the front tow hook. I wrapped it in rubber door trim to make it look nice and I think it turned out incredibly well. I don't remember the measurements off the top of my head, but if you're interested, I can get that over to you.
Heavy duty front underbody protection is 100% worth it - it has additional cross bracing under it. A frame is plastic and 100% for looks (and warps in hot sun) - absolutely not worth the money IMHO. They may also trim the front corner body panels as part of the A frame install - but you can do that yourself with a dremel tool - the cut lines are even molded on the back of the pieces.
I bought the former as standalone option, passed on the latter.
I think the front tow hook exposure is really important in the USA and not just for off roading. American tow/recovery truck operators are not that familiar with Defenders If you are not present to supervise the plastic cover removal to expose the hook good luck. The front undershield is a good investment especially if you plan some off roading. Otherwise I strongly recommend going with the cincyrovers solution.
I have a 2025 Defender 110 on order: before it goes to the build stage, dealer wants to know if I want to spend $1,900 on their "Front Expedition System"? without this option in the build, I do not have an exposed recovery hook up front, and whatever skid plate is standard, that's all it would have. If I buy the Front Expedition, I get the undershield plus the A Frame Protection. Pros & Cons from folks that considered it? Thanks! Would it drive any differently? Not sure of the weight.
Get it. I did it after the fact and it is a pain in the ***. You have to remove half the freakin car to install it. LOL. Of course, if you do it yourself, you can paint it red like I did! Hehe. To be clear, I did not do the A-frame. Just the skid which to me is a must have item. The skid part was like $900. I think $1900 for that plus the frame and not having to install it is a better deal! I bought my car used so I had no choice.
Last edited by cgardnerma; Jun 25, 2024 at 07:21 PM.
No, don't get it. Get the aftermarket version. The install is easy and there's no difference to the factory skid plate looks-wise. Strength-wise there's virtually no difference either.
Get the cheapest one from a reputable seller. They all come from the same factory. You'd be saving about $1500 over the "front expedition system" (though I have trouble imagining them calling it a system if all it is is a skid plate. Really?). And you're saving 50% over the OEM part if you can even get it.
As most have already stated:
- You always have access to the front hook. It's behind a plastic cover.
- The skid plate up front is a VERY desirable accessory if you plan to do any reasonable+ amount of off roading. YMMV as to whether you want to pay $1,900 to dealer or go much cheaper DIY. It's a skills / time / cost equation. It's about the easiest thing you can do to the Defender.
- The A-Frame is subject to WIDE opinions as to aesthetics. I don't think anyone thinks it will protect the Defender from anything larger than a squirrel. You like it, get it. Everyone customizes these Beasts to their Beauty.
First of all, there is the "'A' Frame Protection Bar" VPLE90AFP01 which doesn't even seem to exist for some trims - if I get it right, this is what most of the folks here refer to as the "useless plastic thing".
Then, there is "Front Undershield" VPLEP0436 which I think there's a consensus about being a good thing. However, from what I see folks often confuse this with the complete FEPS.
Then, there's the whole "Front Expedition Protection System" which can exist as VPLE110FEP01 "for vehicles with Front Undershield" or VPLE110FEP02 "for vehicles without" - and good luck figuring out which one of them includes what (I suspect the latter includes the Front Shield, awaiting confirmation).
And there also other part numbers for configurations without the front camera.
I'm tempted to get the FEPS for one reason alone - it seems to have raised corners, and I *know* that I *will* scratch those corners anyway on the trails I go to - for Pete's sake, I managed to dig the Rubicon Recon's metal front bumper into the ground on one of those corners at 10+ mpg (it came out unscathed).
Question is, is the metal looking central part of the FEPS really metal, or is it plastic? I really hope for the former, because otherwise it makes little sense.
Here's three pictures that helped me to figure things out somewhat, in order: stock with just the Front Undershield, then FEPS, and then the A Frame Protection Bar. Open them up in different tabs, zoom in, and flip between tabs, the difference becomes obvious. Still doesn't clear the question above, though.
Front Expedition System
