no wiping of activations going on at service. Doesn’t happen.

GAP can add everything except hardware.

The lockable rear diff is not lockable as I recently learned. I’m not sure what if anything it therefore adds.

Not an expensive option though and it comes with throw away Goodyear Adventure tires and a rear outlet.

Folks in the know seem not to rate the rear diff. I’m not one of them (in the know)

Hitch receiver is a must. You can activate all the software goodies that LR offer on the Defender and some they don’t in the comfort of home for a much lower price and it’s dead simple. Even an idiot like me can do it.

Adaptive cruise, dynamic mode (only offered by LR on V8), park assist (not offered at all on any trim), TR2, advanced tow assist, and lots of other items can be turned on.

tldr. I wouldn’t care about the rear e-diff knowing what I now know about it.

 

I would not worry about the rear factory e diff. It is not a requirement even if going off road. It is also less maintenance, less complex and less prone to failure. I have run very extreme off road trails without one with no issues.
As stated, the advanced pack amongst other things can be activated with a gap tool/aftermarket tool or have them activated by a company that does it with the factory diagnostic tool. Either way, if u like the truck, I would go for it. You will not be disappointed

 

I do agree with you on the reliability issue here, I guess the temptation is to get everything I want and not have to wait a (relatively) long time for it. It’s starting to seem like my options are:
1. Build/order a Defender with the options I want and wait 4-6 months.
2. Just take a Defender off the lot, missing some of these options, like the e-diff.
3. Take this GX 550 Overtrail+, which seemingly has all of those options I was looking for but is a first year model.

 

@Barmes80 Do you know what the e-diff does, or are you worried about buying a unicorn truck? If you are concerned about buying a unicorn the e-diff isn't an issue. As you've seen there are very few out there because it's not needed. Those that have it are loud about having one, but they aren't useful for 99% of buyers.

If there's anything that would make me not buy a specific Defender it would be the lack of a trailer hitch. That is an expensive add on compared to everything else.

 

I ordered mine with the off-road pack with the rear e-diff, and after off-roading with other Defenders that don't have it, I can 100% say it isn't necessary. There was a big difference with the LR4s that had the rear diff lock vs the open diff (I'm talking about V8 trucks - not the facelift V6 where they made the two speed transfer case and diff lock an option) but with Defender, the traction control system has gotten so good, the difference is negligible. Sure, if you have the diff lock, you'll have more traction on certain surfaces and it will be easier to get over certain obstacles where the open diff will spin the tires a bit before it finds traction to get over the obstacle. If I bought another Defender, I'd still spec the rear e-diff, but that's just me. If you get one with an open diff, you will still be able to go 100% of the places a Defender with an e-diff can go.

 

Thats a fair question, and I think it’s more about it being a unicorn and it being viewed as undesirable at resale. My thought was the option was low cost anyway, so might as well get it. That’s just proving to be more difficult than I thought it would be. The sales associate I’m working with did offer to dealer trade for one with more options, but I would lose the discount (which, admittedly, isn’t that much anyway at 5% off MSRP). All that to say, maybe you’re right, maybe it’s not worth it to get hung up on this one thing.

 

I agree with everything that has been said so far. I wouldn’t worry about the off road pack but I would worry about the tow hitch.

 

You answered your own question about the e-diff when you said you wouldn’t be doing any serious off-roading, so I wouldn’t get hung up on that if I were you. Tow hitch is the more important option, especially at resale, as most buyers will pass on one without it.

 

How much is it to get added after the fact? I’m a little surprised that’s the thing people pass on, but someone suggested earlier on the thread to negotiate it into this transaction. Definitely considering doing that after so many people have suggested it.

 

I don't think it can be retrofitted, but if I recall correctly, @sarek offers ARB air locker options.