Land Rover Defender • Desirable or Overpriced? Modifications Overview

[@AirbornePirates]

Roof tent recommendations? 😬

[@Landsammal]

Pick up a second hand iKamper, double the price new than most other options but having both the iKamper is the best on the market quality wise

[@IanMurdoch-u6k]

@@Landsammal I have a Vickywood Mightyoak 190 hybrid roof tent with annexe and awning and would argue mine is the best on the market too

[@Landsammal]

@@IanMurdoch-u6k haven’t seen them before they look very similar. Being in the uk our options are much more limited where iKamper is probs the best but anywhere outside of the uk with more options I wouldn’t know.

[@Philip_Taylor]

Yeah that's a proper vehicle for sure. Nice

[@AirbornePirates]

I love it

[@davidryall-flanders6353]

Mate, what a beauty! I had a Land Rover Defender. Mine was an ex Aus army Series 3 soft-top troopie. Not a luxury in sight! Had to double clutch it from 2nd into 3rd and I could tell when the spare tyre on the bonnet was low cause it would start bouncing around against the tie-downs. It had electrical gremlins so sometimes when I hit the high beams I'd lose ALL the lights; headlights, tail lights, dash lights! Ah, good times.

[@Zapple12]

Chassis looks mint.... No need for an expensive galv replacement!

[@Roobarb_Defender]

100% agree. Absolutely no need to waste money replacing the chassis when it is that good. Save the money.

[@ethankiernan9588]

Looks absolutely mint and good mods!

[@grahames9228]

That's a lovely Defender 90. Look after it and it will run forever.

[@seanzealony9499]

Got a 110 Defender 1997 300tdi. Had to have a new galv chassis 11yrs ago as original has perished. Not a blemish on that new chassis. Can’t say the same for all 5 doors though. 2nd row doors have almost disintegrated now, and with the cost of brand new replacements it’s going to be very expensive. I’m going series doors which are 1/2 cost of new defender doors. More space throughout as no window winding mechanism to bulk out the doors. It’s done 238,000 miles and still going well. Real workhorse but has no comfort for distance work. New seats or replacement sponges which again cost a packet. No ABS or air con but it’s ok for UK. It’s a 20yr on going project and that’s ok as do all work myself. I went mad a few years with a major upgrade and had a radio with a cd player.

[@AirbornePirates]

Series doors look so good too, great that they’re cheaper. 300tdi engines are robust, I’ve seen a. Few with 400k miles on. They’re just fun to work on and play with aren’t t they 😬

[@seanzealony9499]

@@AirbornePirates Series doors do look great don’t they 👍🏻 I know some Landie purists will be shouting sacrilege but it’s a work horse and meant to be easy to fix. The 300tdi is the last of the real DIY engines before all the electronic stuff arrived but it’s a great piece of kit. Having had Landies for nearly 40yrs I have to admit the Fun bit working on them is a like my hair nowadays. Non existent 😂

[@pollatso]

Looks really nice head lights were a bargain for £50. Great review great bit of kit inside & out 👍👍🙏

[@AirbornePirates]

Thanks 👍 yes I’m very impressed with them, saw them in LR live channel first

[@leslieleighton5963]

Good video. Enjoyed watching.

[@lefthandedscrewdriver3954]

Great walk round. Never seen those arm rests before. M57 engine swap would probably be the next big upgrade. Mahker also do so e heavy duty stainless steel 5mm cills which look great

[@AirbornePirates]

I’ve seen those on Mahker’s channel. They look immense

[@neilkelsey3178]

Love the Gucci kit and now I’ve got more to add to my kit list. On the roof top tent, I was going that route but changed my mind and went with a Haven safari hammock instead. Really comfortable. Very quickly to take down and put up, cheaper even if buying 4 (depending on tent choice) and more flexible. Just throwing a suggestion out there.

[@markriley2733]

The optimil steering boss is a great asset. On suspension I have the alive tuning comfort pack standard height with fox shox had it about 2 years and it the best upgrade I’ve had in my experience

[@AirbornePirates]

I’m suspecting my fox suspension wasn’t very well setup, the Alive tuning pack seem to have it sorted. I am happy with my OME though, handles brilliantly

[@jinbo031288]

This a beauty love ya channel for Sharks you have a Defender was obsessed as a kid I would say you really have a beauty look after her she get you anywhere!!

[@AirbornePirates]

Thanks! Been obsessed with both landrovers and sharks since I was a kid 😂🏴‍☠️

[@MrIanmmackay]

Brilliant - mine is a 2002 TD5. I bought it in 2004 when there was around 18k on the clock, it's now at 99k. It's taken a beating, although I don't go off road, I use it for tip runs etc. and I played in a band for around 12-years and carried my gear in it. Yours is looking Ace, not too much bling just tasteful upgrades. I think it'd look good with a Snorkel and like you say rock-sliders, other than that I can't think of much. I'm not sure if yours leaks around the door-seals, mine does so that's one thing I'll be doing. The other thing maybe a heater upgrade, as they take for ever to warm up, although I generally drive with the window open no matter what the weather is doing. I think the Galvanised chassis is a must for you, especially as you are obviously near the sea. I had thought about a roof tent, but I may opt for one of those Dutch Army Surplus ones that you've just reviewed - I really like the look of them! I am hoping to get up to Scotland too maybe this year or next, some places I want to revisit including Loch Ness (I may even swim in there again!). But yes, one you're bitten by the Landy Bug, your done for. I'm on my third and wouldn't rule out another before I'm much older! Take Care and keep the videos coming!!

[@AirbornePirates]

Thanks for commenting, the TD5 is such a nice sounding engine, probably my favourite ❤️ I agree, I’m conscious not to go too bling just tasteful and functional upgrades 😬 Enjoy Scotland, the Dutch army tent is quality so far

[@qsstores6933]

A great working piece of British kit.

[@AirbornePirates]

Sure is! Iconic

[@greatgalar5772]

Great vid of your landy, they are just so competent off road, but if you're a bigger chap and in a previous job wore body armour, it was a giggle watching me trying to fold myself into one. But it towed lots of vans out of fields on a particularly wet creamfields.

[@jameshammal5819]

Looking good brother 🤙

[@AirbornePirates]

When you training me for a triathlon? 😬

[@christopherwhitlow]

Class lad!

[@pjt.2829]

I have just got my 1st land rover D90 1995 from Walton ? good company . and you like what you have done a good job thanks for info. PJT

[@AirbornePirates]

Thanks 👍

[@kevinmee3501]

Good review if anyone is in the market for buying one, a few have winches on the front if that's something you could use.

[@Roobarb_Defender]

Genuine Land Rover snow cowl (metal) from PA Blanchards is £59.95 + VAT - part number RRC6818. Fitted to Wolfs etc. You can’t get better for the money. 👍🏻

[@AirbornePirates]

Thanks for that tip mate, that’s the one I’ll go with! Land Rover people are the best 😎

[@HeliRy]

Very nice! Curious, how do you like the rear view video display vs a standard mirror, does it take some getting used to? And how is it at night? Since you asked, if it were mine the only thing I’d do is swap out the BFG tires. In a place where you deal with wet roads as often as you do, they’re not a great choice. I would throw on some Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires, they’re WAY better in the wet than BFG. And they’re still a Fantastic AT tire.

[@AirbornePirates]

It’s great! I’ve had no issues with mine at night too! Nice one for the tyre recommendation. Hopefully the BFG last me a while 😊

[@chrishughes7315]

It's a really nice vehicle. I fitted the tyres on it 👍

[@AirbornePirates]

Cheers Chris! You did a cracking job mate 😬😎

[@robkearsley293]

Have a look at a Demand engineering exhaust, one of the best purchases I made on mine. How a Defender engine should sound.

[@AirbornePirates]

I’ve got my eye on one of those funnily! Thanks Rob

[@matthewfroggatt8784]

Second that - my 110 has one - jokes

[@stevewray1838]

Great video with useful info. I also have a 2008 Defender XS in great condition factory spec apart from LED lights and rear door gas strut. Can I ask how often you change the engine oil? I read mixed service recommendations for the 2.4 Puma engine.

[@AirbornePirates]

Every 6 months irrespective of mileage 😬

[@perils1400]

I love my cars (and bikes) mate, that is a pukka vehicle. Chuffed for ya 👍

[@markriley2733]

Love the landy. I’m upgrading my roof rack to the front runner soon. The ORE wheel carrier is the one to get don’t go Brit part or mantech. Why the airborne in your channel are you ex Para Reg?

[@AirbornePirates]

No mate, purely from my skydiving and Paramotor flying 😊 respect for all who serve

[@markriley2733]

@@AirbornePirates you have a lot of military mannerisms so I guess you’ve got that from the fire service Loving your content only just found you 👍🏻👍🏻

[@nnoddy8161]

M57 is a MUST. Get in quick before they are all gone!

[@koadaridgeback9004]

ORE one is the best rer wheel carrier..Cant seem to find where you got your badge made? Rover Plates? Cant locate it ?

[@AirbornePirates]

I can’t seem to find them on Instagram either, perhaps they have stopped?

[@lweleven3423]

It’s one of the best and one of the worst , I’ve owed 4 , all had problems all cost me a packet tho I know nothing about the 2.4 looks a nice one for sure

[@wingding028]

best thing i done to mine was a alive remap tho mine is a 2.2

[@KeithEdwards-f2l]

There is a lot of people removing there fox shocks due to the chrome piston rods rusting and the ride quality. A little bird told me recently that alive tuning are developing there own shocks with a big manufacturer apparently there test has taken a very long time but they are far off know 🤞

[@AirbornePirates]

Be interested to see what they’re like 🤩

[@peterpontikos3786]

you are aware that 2008 is the 60th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) Land Rover! a USP for consideration, Mate..

[@AirbornePirates]

How can you tell? I suspected something with the grill

[@thibor1975]

Please don't be offended but how much was total cost after work and upgrades so far and roughly how much did you pay for that year model it's exactly what I am looking for especially with a tent box.. absolutely love the channel and the way you film edit and choice of music i look forward to your videos and never disappoint regards Rich

[@AirbornePirates]

Thanks Rich drop me a DM on Instagram and I’ll happily tell you

[@thibor1975]

I'm not on Instagram but no worries absolutely love the Life you live my parents always took me to the seaside as a kid I think that's why I have a affinity with the sea and sharks and you're channel brings it All together keep up the Great work Rich

[@sihooperkelly8798]

2 inch lift Kit an Don't waste your money on Galvanised Chassis you have waxyoiled an it looks fine just clean it down aftr offroading or deep muddy conditions an power wash it fully underneath an check for any rust or corrosion,But what you say an show its Solid so do not put Galvsnised till presenst Chassis is knackered

[@AirbornePirates]

Personally not a fan of the lift kits 👍 cheers for the advice on the chassis 😊

[@farangtravels3956]

I prefer to keep my defenders standard spec

[@AirbornePirates]

Agreed although standard hinges are too easy for theft so Optimil is a must for me

[@kw8757]

@@AirbornePirates Do you have a problem with crime on the IOM? I thought the police and authorities there would have the scumbags under control, I thought it was more like the UK in the 1950's.

[@Kevla74]

What do you do for a living channel owner??

[@AirbornePirates]

Firefighter 🔥

[@StevenCavanagh-od8lq]

You've given Clarkson and co a run for there money 🤣👍

[@AirbornePirates]

😂 I’ll be farming next

[@StevenCavanagh-od8lq]

@@AirbornePirates what's after that ....a pub 🤣🤪🍻

[@job7973]

Nice car mate, if you ever get some Crypto gains in the future, you could do what I did and purchase a Defender 130 (8 seater) V8 with full specs. It's a monster!

[@AirbornePirates]

V8 would be insane’ the chap who does the mechanical stuff on mine has a V8! It’s a thing of beauty

[@Foxer223]

It’s desirable and over priced 😂 biggest regret is not buying one 10years ago

[@AirbornePirates]

That’s a a fair description 😂