Hello All,

So all I can say is that I love my D90 more today, than I did when I brought it home. I finally got my 2023 Hakuba D90S (with the 4 cyl), black 19's, black top, no sunroof, black interior, black headrest, air suspension, cold package, and smaller screen, at the end of March of last year. The first thing I did was to remove the spare with a kit I bought from overseas. Maybe it's the weight loss of that spare, but my D90 4cyclinder, is plenty fast enough for me. I cant imagine needing more power AT ALL. I also am so glad I got the air suspension. Not only does it look better when parked, due to the lowered setting, but the ride is also so much better and it's easier to get in and out of. So far I have dealt with a cracked wind shield, though it did have all the evidence of a rock strike. I also have had a couple instances of the speakers not working properly. After shutting the vehicle off and returning to it, it's always back to normal. Thats it. I love the way it drives and I LOVE the way it looks. Mines a real head turner and never fails to impress at the valet stand. I tinted the windows to match the rear. It's a real beauty and I am so glad I have it. If you are getting one and can deal with a 2 door, I couldn't recommend it more. It's just way cooler of a truck (sorry 4 doors, but having no children is always sexier)

X-

 

Can you share more info and Pics of the spare tire delete?

 

Love your 90! I would've gotten a 90 too, but couldn't deal with the silly floor hump in back and non-removable (or at least not designed to be removed) rear seat. But you're absolutely right about it being the sexier vehicle and a real head-turner. I saw an all-white 90 earlier today and it sure turned my head.

Congratulations on yours!

Myron

 

Actually I do not find removing the rear bottom seat cushion to be remotely challenging to get the backs to fold flat. The only difficult part is the short wires and the hard to see plugs. I was going to install a section of wire and plugs to lengthen the run, but the plugs LR used are somewhat obscure, of course. So I may just cut the wires and splice in an extra .5 meter and be done with it. The cushion neatly sits just in front of the folded backs. Then again, I really only do this in the summer, so I may just leave the seat bottom unplugged for the season. Nobody really ever sits back there (like, let's see, 6 in the last year). I just found the 110 too much of a Behemoth to use in the area I do my field work. Besides, I no longer have larva to haul either. Realistically I have never been fond of 110's in the field, even the old designs Defenders and the Series 109's, the turning radius was expansive and doing 3 point turns on crappy hillside roads was...challenging due to the length of the vehicle. I still have a 110 (older Defender) I use in South Africa, but thankfully in that site I don't have to maneuver much.

To say the least, I am very happy with my Defender 90 aside from a few points, which are common on all the new Defenders.

 

The kit was like $500 .. it's just two plastic filler pieces.. not sure if anyone else is making them, but if they are, they are probably cheaper by now.

 

Apologies for my ignorance, but what is exactly the benefit in deleting the spare tire? Is it pure aesthetics? Do you now ride without a spare or do you cram it up in the (already too small) boot?

 

It def looks great, but also, there is a weight savings that makes a difference. As far as having the spare for flats, from what I hear, it's extremely difficult to change the tire by yourself due to the weight of the tire and its high placement. I have roadside anyway. If I was going to take it on a long distance road trip or remote trails , I would reinstall it.

X-

 

I personally would not have bought my d90 without the spare attached to the rear. Without the spare is like watching Theloniuis Monk play without his hat to me.