I’m not the most handy person but built an RC car or two back in my day…. So armed with that low level of experience and too much self confidence, I’ve started cutting and soldering my new car. If this doesn’t belong in builds please move—some of you guys are impressive! I just wanted to catalog my journey.

Happy to provide any feedback if you have your eye on anything here. Doing all work myself (except for tires, wheels, Johnson rods & alignment) so far. If I can do it you can too!

I’ll update with any pics anyone might want. I’m a bit of a researcher and have tried to pick items that match my black 90% City/ 10% off-road aesthetic. This is tricky because I’m a bit picky balancing form vs function so answer not always obvious. For example, my Front Runner rack on my LR4 was very functional but in my opinion not very good looking—sort of made car look like it was wearing a top hat everyday. And certainly wasn’t designed to fit the lines (obviously, all their slimline racks = the same). Just my 2 cents. So ahead of time I’m trying to decide if the gloss chequer on Land Rover’s hood, Urban’s step and Hunter’s taillights will match. Or what rack jives with Chelsea’s wheels…. And is functional too.

If you are researcher too and have any questions, happy to help however I can. Also gave preference to UK manufacturers & vendors where could. In the US, but happy to support the Defender’s homeland…

Done so far:
- Chelsea Truck Company 20” Mondial wheels https://www.chelseatruckcompany.com/...alloy-wheels-2
- Chelsea Truck Company spare cover https://www.chelseatruckcompany.com/...re-wheel-cover
- BFG KO2’s 275/55/20 https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto...errain-t-a-ko2
- Johnson 1” lift https://www.johnsonrods.com/product-...-inch-lift-kit
- Plumb rear table https://huntersprestige.com/collecti...ts/plumb-table
- Urban chequer side steps https://houseofurban.co.uk/collectio...39492035772550
- Hunters Prestige soft close rear door retrofit https://huntersprestige.com/collecti...lgate-retrofit
- Hunters Prestige easy front shield in black https://huntersprestige.com/collecti...ld-easy-fit-oe
- Tuxmats https://www.tuxmat.com/products/8630...7948&year=2024
- Ramair intakes https://ramair-filters.co.uk/intake-...?sku=undefined
- my first mod! Made me think I knew what I was doing: https://huntersprestige.com/collecti...plumb-key-case
- Plumb ham radio ceiling rack w/ radio https://houseofplumb.com/collections...08;set-top-box
- Powerful UK door switch for tailgate (can open from inside car)

Next on list (maybe?)
- Hunters Prestige chequer taillights and bumper cover (or maybe Powerful UK bumper cover) https://huntersprestige.com/collecti...quer-plate-kit
- Lawlence’s always open/ exhaust flap mod https://landroverforums.com/forum/20...s-open-120855/
- Land Rover Australian bull bar https://newdefendermods.com/products...37622814408893
- Milspek black Cerakote edition reasonated exhaust https://www.millteksport.com/cat-bac...sxlr180mp.html and https://www.millteksport.com/defende...erakote01.html OR maybe Cobra https://cobrasport.com/collections/l...39671416750161
- ProSpeed UK roof rack https://prospeed.co.uk/collections/l...aero-roof-rack
- ToughAnt rock sliders https://www.tuffant.com/product-page...-newdefender90

Thanks for looking! For the most part, anything picked here means I’ve spent hours investigating, waffling, making a decision and going back on it occasionally. No accidents. So if you are curious of my thinking or want to argue about how wrong I am on something, let me know

 

Gotta see a pic of this rig. Please.

 

 

Ok, time to move an item from want to installed. Just signed up for ham radio license classes and got the textbook in the mail. Have also ordered:

Plumb radio face holder for cockpit
antenna
antenna mount
Icom radio
install bracket and 2nd beverage cover
Long antenna wire

my plan is to mount the transceiver on the thing that can cover the beverage holder or be stored down on the floor between seats. I’ll keep it permanently stowed as the install location under armrest. Run wires to battery from there as well as an antenna wire out firewall to front left fender for antenna and a third up to the headlining for Plumb faceplate:
Will update with pics as things arrive & I install it!

 

Looking good!