Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i Land Rover Monthly

THERE is a photo doing the rounds on the internet of the touchscreen display on an almost new car. It states: ‘Unfortunately the most recent software update failed to install correctly. The vehicle cannot be driven’. This would be annoying enough on a laptop: to see such a message on a motor vehicle is almost incomprehensible to those of us who grew up in the days of contact breaker ignition and Stromberg carburettors. Modern cars are undoubtedly far safer than old ones, and electronics have played a big part in that. An ordinary family car today will come equipped with systems which prevent you straying out of the lanes on a motorway, will apply the brakes if it detects an object ahead, and will do everything possible to prevent you…

Awise man once said that there are two types of people in this world – those who already own Defenders, and those who want one. While that may not be strictly true, there’s no denying that the legendary Defender is likely the model that springs to mind when the words ‘Land Rover’ are mentioned to diehard car nerds, people without a shred of automotive nous, and everyone in between. Although its unmistakable silhouette and ‘face’ have made it somewhat of a fashion icon in more recent years, the Defender’s talents are far more than that – its true capability and versatility are what have earned it rare status as one of the few vehicles that are not only truly classless, but able to adapt into exactly what you need from…

IT may seem surprising now with the demand for all things Defender still being high and the latest offerings from Land Rover Classic being snapped up within a matter of days, but some of the limited editions turned out to be slow sellers. Whether it wasn’t the right time for them, the wrong price, wrong spec, or just special edition fatigue, some sat around for ages. And when the Defender was still in production, used special editions still weren’t that sought-after – and many just got used as standard vehicles and reached the end of their naturals lives. Are they worth searching out now? They’re definitely interesting parts of Land Rover’s history and will typically command a premium over the equivalent age standard models of the day. The only wrinkle…

“I’VE had this vision in my head for years, so I’m really pleased my family persuaded me to go ahead and do something about it,” laughs Matt Fisher, creator of this unique hybrid. “I’ve had a few Land Rovers in my time; three Series IIIs and a One Ten County back in the 1990s, before I went over to Discoverys for a bit more comfort and safety for the family – a Disco 1, then an early 2 and finally a later facelift. One day, one of my sons bought a 1996 Defender 110 (knowing I had a soft spot for the older Land Rovers) and after a short drive, I remembered the reason why I changed to a Discovery! The rattles, the noise, the water leaks when it rains…

BARTEK is living his best life, adventuring in his much-loved Discovery 2 to remote and beautiful European locations, which he then expertly captures with his camera. These memorable trips involve lots of wild camping, usually miles away from the hustle and bustle of urban areas and other human beings. Bartek is living proof that our lives can sometimes take unexpected turns as we head off in a different yet more fulfilling direction. For 22 years the Polish national played the piano in concert halls around the world, yet deep down he knew he needed more. “I was missing out, and the life I wanted lay elsewhere,” he reveals. Today Bartek has a new, more rewarding lifestyle; packed concert halls are but a distant memory, and he now thrives on the…

ON A pleasant day, the English Channel is a beautiful ribbon of blue between the UK and France. But when the weather turns, conditions can become rather more challenging and hostile. The Channel Islands have been sculpted by unforgiving forces of nature and when a storm rolls in there are few vehicles better suited to help clear the aftermath than a Defender. Tree surgeon and owner of this lovely 90 truck cab, Scott De Carteret, takes up his story. ‘‘I wanted something I could utilise in my new tree surgery venture, and had been keeping a casual eye on the local market. I have owned two Td5s and two 300Tdi variants in the past but on consideration I knew I needed something ultra-reliable, and although the Td5 is a great…

WHY not drive across the Sahara Desert for your holidays this year? Friends and family may think you’re having a midlife crisis, but if you’ve always fancied taking on the original Dakar Rally route – all while supporting a good cause (injured military veterans suffering from PTSD) – Driven to Extremes SAHARA from 19 September to 6 October might be the challenge for you. We think it’s very reasonably priced, too, with the entry fee for this two-week 4x4 driving adventure priced from just £895 per person. That includes a professional support crew (leader, doctor and mechanics) in expedition prepared 4x4s; Freelander 1 vehicle spares; return ferries from Spain to Morocco; nine nights camping and two nights hotel accommodation; UHF radio hire; branded desert shirts; satellite mapping and vehicle graphics.…

TDCi AIR FILTER HOUSING £POA. Contact: allisport.com This new all-aluminium air intake housing for the Defender 2.2 and 2.4 TDCi seals and flows far better than the plastic original, and looks incredible while doing it. It’s available in a choice of polished or black powdercoated finishes and with a number of options including paper or foam filters, different silicone intake pipes and more – drop the team a line on sales@allisport.com to discuss your requirements. UPRATED BRAKE SERVO £TBA. Contact: lofbrakes.com Reduce pedal effort and increase braking force with this Powerboost servo kit. It’s a direct fit for all non-ABS equipped Defenders with either standard or upgraded brakes, with more versions expected later. The uprated servo is due to hit the market imminently, so keep an eye on LOF’s socials…

THE biggest considerations to make before actually going out to view Defenders are the wheelbase you want and the type of body that will suit your needs best. Yes, Defenders are known for their brilliant adaptability and the ease with which you can swap panels about, but if you can find one that’s already right, it’ll save a lot of time and money getting roofs and sides painted, or cutting holes in existing ones. If you’re after a weekend toy or occasional leisure user, you can be a bit less stringent about what you choose. Maybe a soft top would suit? But if the Defender is to be your main mode of transport, you need to really think about what length and body style will fit your lifestyle and requirements.…

The first One Tens, launched in 1983, came with engines that were lifted straight out of the outgoing leaf-sprung Series III. With consumers demanding more power and torque, Land Rover soon offered larger capacity units, and then turbocharged them to make the most of the new coil-sprung truck’s better suspension and brakes. There’s been a whole host of engines used over the years, some petrol, some diesel. If you plan to cover a lot of miles in your new purchase and want to be able to keep up with modern traffic, you really want at least a Tdi – the revolutionary powerplant that was introduced with the Defender name in 1990. Older units will do the job, but the newer the engine, the smoother and more refined they become –…

FIRST of all, it’s important that you don’t drive anyone else’s pride and joy on public roads without the correct insurance, so be sure to get this sorted ahead of time. This is a good time to mention that if this is going to be your first Defender and you haven’t driven one before, be aware that even the newest, tightest example won’t drive like a normal car. However, there’s a big difference between how a good Defender drives and a tired one, and you’ll be using all your senses to determine whether your potential purchase is the former or the latter. Before you even set off, hold the steering wheel at the top between your thumb and forefinger and see how much side-to-side free play there is before the…

UPGRADE your Land Rover Defender 2007-2016 stereo with the HEIGH10 10-inch digital touchscreen infotainment system. This complete kit provides a comprehensive view of your Defender’s capabilities by seamlessly integrating vehicle, performance, and off-road gauges. Stay entertained with the convenience of DAB digital radio and effortlessly connect your smartphone using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Enjoy hands-free calling via Bluetooth streaming, and even utilise the HDMI input for added versatility. Prioritise safety with the HEIGH10’s four camera inputs, offering enhanced visibility during every driving scenario. Elevate your auditory senses with audiophile-approved sound quality courtesy of the built-in amplifier, 15-band EQ, and Toslink optical audio output. Upgrade your Land Rover Defender and embark on a journey where innovation meets convenience. The HEIGH10 is not just a radio upgrade; it’s a comprehensive enhancement that…

HANDS up if you’ve ever made an Airfix kit. Everyone at the Dunsfold Collection certainly has. That’s probably why they were so pleased when Airfix called to say that it wanted to make a 1:43-scale plastic kit of a Series I and asked if it could scan the museum’s 107-inch pick-up. Needless to say, the answer was yes, not least because it would be interesting to learn more about how a life-sized vehicle gets turned into a collection of injection-moulded plastic parts. Everyone’s heard of Airfix, but not many know the history of the company. Remarkably, the story goes back to 1939 when Hungarian refugee, Nicholas Kove, created a company in the UK that manufactured inflated rubber toys. He named it Airfix, apparently inspired by the process of ‘fixing’ the…

ONE of the big plus points of owning a Discovery 4 is that it’s a superb all-round vehicle that can easily adapt to the role of the day, whatever that may be. In this case, it was marshalling at the Ilkley & District Motor Club’s Historic Jubilee Rally. This is a regularity rally for classic cars, with road sections and a special test. For the event, myself and the D4 had two roles – first assisting with setting out the route and tests on the Catterick military range in North Yorkshire. With the space in the back easily accommodating all the equipment needed for the 12 miles of route and special tests, none of the obstacles on the military range’s tracks would faze a D4 except maybe the odd spent…

Aregular event in the Series 2 Club’s calendar for over a decade now is the Yorkshire Christmas Pudding Run, organised by the S2 Club Yorkshire area rep, Gordon Lowe. With the number of vehicles limited, places on the run are taken up very quickly once details are announced. On Saturday 30 December, 30 Land Rovers assembled in the market square at Masham, North Yorkshire, for the 12th annual run. Most vehicles in attendance were Series IIs obviously, including a Forward Control, but there were also a handful of Defenders and a 101. Also in attendance was a rather special Series II bonnet that is travelling around the country to mark the 65th anniversary of the model, and being personalised by all the S2 Club regional areas on its journey. Gordon…

WHEN we think about Land Rover brake components needing replacement, our minds tend to picture worn-out pads, and sometimes discs, from thousands of miles stopping the vehicle from all sorts of speeds. And for the most part, it is mileage that finishes off the consumable parts in the braking system. But, as you’ll see in this guide, time can be just as unkind to brakes as hard miles, and rectification work is needed to keep the brakes strong and performing consistently. Because the brakes are positioned where they are – on the ends of the axles – they are subjected to grit, muck and salt on the road, and mud and water off it. All these corrosive substances land on the often-hot brakes, baking on and promoting rust. The cycle…

DURING this Discovery 4’s pre-MoT inspection the rearward bush in a rear upper control arm showed signs of excessive play. Any worn suspension bush can impact vehicle handing, causing vibration or shimmying and adversely affecting steering. It can also increase stress and wear and tear on other suspension parts and tyres, and even component failure if extreme wear allows metal to metal contact. So, not withstanding the obvious MoT failure, a worn bush needs to be replaced as soon as practical. This 2010 Discovery was still on its original factory fitted rear control arms, which is surprising given that worn bushes seem to be a common problem on Discovery 3 and 4 models and Range Rover Sport 1. There is the option to replace just the worn bush or bushes…

MORE AT LANDROVERMONTHLY.CO.UK/EVENTS/ February 3 – 4 ARDVENTURES OVERLAND ADVENTURES, YORKSHIRE MOORS Robin Hood Bay, North Yorkshire ardventures.co.uk February 4 4X4 LAND ROVER AND VINTAGE SPARES DAY Three Counties Showground, Malvern bit.ly/lrmevents1 ANGLIAN ROVER OWNERS CLUB, CCV AND RTV TRIAL Newman’s Quarry, Morton-in-Marsh arocoffroad.co.uk CORNWALL AND DEVON LANDROVER CLUB, CCV TRIAL Lobb Valley, Lobb, Devon cdlrc.com LINCOLNSHIRE LAND ROVER CLUB, RTV AND LADIES TRIAL Wickenby, Lincolnshire llrc.co.uk SOLENT & DISTRICT LAND ROVER CLUB, GREENLANES Bath, Somerset sadlrc.com SCOTTISH LAND ROVER OWNERS CLUB, RTV TRIAL TBC slroc.co.uk February 10 OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE TRAVEL, WILD WALES ELAN VALLEY 4X4 OVERLAND EXPLORER TOUR Knighton, Powys, Wales offroadadventuretravel.com February 10 – 11 ESSEX LAND ROVER CLUB, RTV/CCV TRIAL TBA elrc.info PEAK & DUKERIES LRC, CCV TRIAL Bonsall, Derbyshire panddlrc.uk February 11 BRECKLAND LAND ROVER CLUB,…

AS some of you might already know, the time has come for John Bowden to leave Gumtree 4x4 and retire. Gumtree Enterprises – as it was originally known – was born over 42 years ago when John was made redundant one month before expecting his first child, Rebecca. He started the business in the driveway of his house and some old farm buildings in Plumpton, East Sussex, doing car recovery and transport as well as buying and selling the odd Land Rover in his spare time. Gradually the Land Rover and 4x4 side of the business took over and they built a workshop in 1986 with four employees (Nick Fraser, Martin Stapleton, Roger Kemp and Jason Woollven). Between them they created a busy and successful Land Rover business, and every…

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO MARTIN@LRM.CO.UK Surprise! I was wondering if you could help me surprise my friend, Danny Cullen. He bought his Land Rover around a year ago, stripped it down and he’s now putting it back together, replacing what’s needed but keeping the original outer panels the same. I’m by no means a mechanic but I’ve been giving Danny, his dad and his son, Jamie, a hand with the project and I know he’d be made up to see it in the magazine. I’ve attached some photos of us (and the dog) having fun with the Land Rover, I’ve had a really good time helping out. Dean Toombs MARTIN REPLIES: No problem at all Dean, hopefully Danny likes his surprise, and good luck with the rest of the project.…

IN 2018 JLR launched the Jaguar I-Pace, its first all-electric SUV that was an instant sales hit. It was the 2019 European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year, and also won Best Design and Best Green Car awards as well. But the company failed to capitalise on it and the I-Pace was soon overtaken by other manufacturers’ offerings, and it is about to become an automotive dead end. Meanwhile, the Land Rover side of the house – sorry, the Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender side of the House of Brands, as JLR prefers to call it – slipped further and further behind in the electrification race. But we’ll come back to that. Jaguar in effect became frozen in time in 2021 after ex-CEO Thierry Bolloré cancelled…

MOTHER Nature decided to do some landscaping work on my garden in the recent storms, and the tree which lay across the lawn was a bit too much for my weedy and blunt chainsaw. That meant I needed to call in a professional, and rather than rely on sensible recommendations from previous customers or friends I obviously chose the company which runs Defenders. This selection method has worked well for me in the past with everything from kitchen fitters to IT specialists. But you need to make sure they quote for the job and not an hourly rate, as you’ll inevitably spend ages talking about transfer ’boxes and Td5s. The tree man turned out to be one of those Land Rover owners who loves his Defender but treats it very…

I decided to spend the period between Christmas and New Year tidying up the workshop, and in particular my extensive and chaotic store of used parts, many of them salvaged from dead engines and gearboxes. For a while now I have just been piling parts on top of other parts until I could no longer find anything at all and had forgotten what was at the bottom of the pile. It can be hard to decide what to keep, what to sell and what to throw away. Do I really need eight inlet manifolds for 12J non-turbo diesel engines? Probably not. But what about sumps? They take up a lot of space on the shelf, but I have changed enough of them through off-roading damage to know that however many…

The 90 (actual wheelbase 93 inches) is as manoeuvrable as Defenders get, with a stumpy rear overhang and that helpfully-short distance between the axles; even with the relatively poor steering lock, it’s more than manageable and the nimbleness is a real advantage in some off-road situations. The payoff is that it feels twitchier at speed, and the back end of commercial variants can feel over-sprung and damped on bumpy roads when unladen. 110 is the happy medium. Yes, it can take a bit more thought in tight spaces, but the extra inches make all the difference both on the road and off it. The ride is smoother and less choppy on B-roads, and the extra stability when towing is appreciated for those who regularly pull long trailers. Off-road, you’ll find…

1 Cap your price If you know exactly how much you want to spend, set all your search parameters to that price straight away and don’t be tempted to stretch your budget. This way you won’t end up paying over the odds and you’ll still have some cash in the pot to sort out any niggles. 2 Do your research Thanks to the internet, you can find out all sorts about a potential buy. Head to the gov.uk website or search MoT history online, pop in the reg number and you can see exactly how much MoT is remaining, if it had any defects on the last one, and get a feel for how fastidious the previous owners have been by seeing if any advisories have been dealt with between…

Urban seat range PRICE: From £1438.80 CONTACT: exmoortrim.co.uk This new range from Exmoor Trim is available in standard and upgrade trims, plus bespoke leather options for customization. The mounts fit the standard classic Defender mounting points, so you can upgrade your interior in moments. Engineered to be superior to original Land Rover seats, they are fitted with heater elements in the base and backrest, and are supplied with a complete wiring harness for easy installation. The seat base is removeable to allow you to access the battery and ECU boxes and they’re fitted with adjustable lumbar support and multiple recline positions so you can be properly comfortable wherever you’re driving.…

HEATED WINDSCREEN Even the TDCi models with their updated heating systems struggle to demist the windscreen, be that on an icy morning, or when you – and maybe your dogs – get back in after a rainy walk. A heated windscreen speeds up your departure, and it can be clear by the time you’ve scraped the side windows. We showed how to fit one last issue (LRM, Feb 2024) and it’ll cost you around £360 for a screen and wiring. Treat yourself by also fitting a pair of Mud UK heated mirror elements (£36) for clearer rear vision. LIGHTS Are standard Land Rover headlamps really that bad? Seven-inch headlamps have been around for 70-plus years and there have been gradual improvements in optical design over the decades, and they are…

AS the summer of 1966 faded into autumn, England was still basking in the glory of July’s historic 4-2 victory over West Germany in the World Cup Final at Wembley. But Rover engineer Geof Miller had other things to focus his mind on, because he had just taken on a new role and been tasked with organising an event that history would later refer to as the ‘Eastnor Safari’ or the ‘Designer’s Safari’. Unlike England’s World Cup victory, the Safari would lead directly to something that was absolutely not destined to be a flash in the pan: the Range Rover. We touched on the Safari in last October’s LRM in our feature on the first V8 Land Rovers, one of which participated in the Safari, and a number of readers…

AROUND 18 months ago, Jonny, an equine vet colleague of my wife Louise, fell in love. No, not with his wife-to-be, Vicky, but with our Td5 Defender. Jonny’s dream is to own a Defender one day. But in the meantime, with a new house and a wedding to plan for, that dream would need to wait. He did, however, ask Louise tentatively if he could borrow our Land Rover for his wedding day. We presumed back then that Vicky might have other ideas as, let’s be honest, a 90 might not be the most ideal of vehicles to climb aboard while wearing a rather nice dress. Moving on a year or so, and with their wedding plans coming to fruition, Jonny made sure we were still on-board with the idea…

lrmtechnical@gmail.com WITH the exception of motor insurance, which is compulsory, other insurances such as breakdown cover and car warranties are optional. The decision with those is not so much which company to use, but whether it’s financially cheaper to not take any cover and instead take on the risk ourselves. Some warranty policies have so many get-out clauses that they’re hardly worth paying for, and the cover on parts and failures can be far less than expected when it comes to making a claim. These warranties are usually included within the asking price when buying a vehicle, though if we decline the cover, there won’t be a reduction in the vehicle price – they just appear to make the purchase that little bit safer. The major warranty companies can provide…

Awinch has always been one of the most popular accessories for our Land Rovers. They are surprisingly simple to fit, not least because most are made for beefy winch bumpers, meaning the bumper and winch both bolt to existing holes in the Defender’s chassis, using suitably rated high-tensile strength fixings. Problems arise around wiring the device to the vehicle. Doing this correctly is of huge importance, not least because the winch’s feed wiring goes straight to the battery. Encounter any wiring issues, such as the insulation of a positive lead rubbing through, and those beefy power leads are free to short all that direct current at will. Equally important, is that all the ancillary components are balanced to the current demands of the winch. If not, the moment we use…