Land Rover Defender meets Japanese perfectionism!!! (Ep128)

In this video we meet up with more Land Rover family on the island of Hokkaido.
The Japanese have a well deserved reputation for hard work and perfection. Combine that with a passion for Land Rover...
Check out this video to see the result!
Our time spent with the 9Connexion crew was a very special experience. Not only did our Land Rover Defender get some extra special attention but we made friends for life.
9connexion Ltd
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Music : Epidemic sound
Join us as we travel the world overland, exploring the cultures and traditions of all the countries we visit.
In our Land Rover Defender camper which is our full time home we will take you rock climbing, hiking and exploring across all the continents on this planet.

[@silentfleet]

Leigh & Stephy, Thank you for the BIG LOVE, the movie you guys have done is amazing! We always wish you guys a safe journey and GrizzlyNbear in a good shape! Matane!

[@gajosmugmug]

This guy takes the saying "do it right the first time" not to the next level but way beyond. All repairs should be this way, totally impressed by the professionalism and craftmanship.

[@tonydownunder5703]

You two keep coming up with videos like this and your definitely going to get the KZbin video of the year award 🏆 Fantastic video 👍👍👍👍 I know!! I'm a work shop man 🤗🤗 So I appreciate what I seen 👍👍 Take care and stay safe the both of you and just keep on going. From 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@kabaottoemulsion1869]

OMG! I think they are the very best! I understand Japanese people are very serious with their hobby! Perfectionist! I did not know there are so many Defenders in Japan! I love Sushi! But I can no longer eat them! Bloody Gout!

[@charlkorb2717]

The Japanese are beautiful people, with such a rich heritage of respect, honor and precision in everything they do. Blessings on your awesome journey guys!! South Africa

[@geraldswain3259]

You should try telling that to the Chinese people, the atrocious way they treated us westerners as their prisoners of war ,way way beyond comprehension in their shear brutality . You want to do a bit of homework and ask yourself would they do the same again .

[@shreckm6470]

@@geraldswain3259 Thats called war and it changes the minds of many us included and at this stage we aren't there . Also they are an friend and ally to my country and with the Chinese rattling there sabers I'm grateful. Shit how far off topic can we go.

[@BelloBudo007]

I've often thought about Land Rovers 'if only they were made in Japan'. I think you have found the next best thing.

[@nmapson]

Look up the Honda Discovery

[@BelloBudo007]

@@nmapson Thanks for the info. I never knew about this. It seems quite a lot was going on with exisiting LR reliability issues, BMW and Honda's lack of R&D in 4x4 vehicles.

[@apesintanks162]

They did and called it Land Cruiser

[@nicktorea4017]

There's next level and then there's Gak level.

[@morrowh]

Really the 9connection guys do a nice job. Expensive? . Thanks for the vídeo Steph and Leigh

[@andicog]

Just to say to Gak, the Td5 engine had nothing whatsoever to do with BMW and was actually the last diesel fully designed and built by Land Rover.

[@gcworldtour]

That’s what I thought.

[@silentfleet]

Now I understand that the Storm was Rover design and BMW was taking over Land Rover in 1994. Thank you for the knowledge, always learning. :)

[@4bnewb969]

Enjoyable video. That cataloging of parts is used in the aircraft maintenance industry. Just loved the boys reactions as they pulled apart Bear. Cheers from a locked down Melbourne Oz...

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

Very nice i like land rover fc from thailand.

[@ossa60]

You guys must be very very sad about the new defender....which is really not a defender at all.

[@holgermuller2987]

Hola .... German Wuerth stuff and Hazet tools in a Japanese workshop combined with Gak’s experienced ?! Impressive and speechless you went to the 1 in a million ! Cheers

[@silentfleet]

WURTH stuff is our standard, so other workshop all over the world. We use most of hand tool brands, Hazet, Wera, Stahlwille, Knipex, PB Swiss Tools, Facom, USAG, BAHCO, Snap-On, Mac Tools, LANG, Wiha, KTC, Nepros, Ko-Ken, TONE, Deen and etc.

[@holgermuller2987]

silentfleet . Ko ni ji wa, great collection and answer info. Seems you missed one name for engine special tools ! Matadore. Cheers mate

[@silentfleet]

Holger Muller That’s right, ratchet pioneer!

[@ge_song5]

Gak inspires me to do a better job at my current work.

[@pedrolucas164]

GrizzlyNbear :D you are amazing! congratulations from Portugal ;)

[@MrMeriloto]

Your videos are endulging food for the soul! Salutations et bon boyage!!

[@stevepowell1651]

Imagine... if, with such precision and eye for detail the Japanese produced their own 4x4 vehicle. 😜

[@leighdearle5965]

Ha ha yeah yeah... 😜 Although Gak does explain why they don't use Toyota 😉

[@torpano]

Like the Land Cruiser 70 series? ;)

[@Nick-sd7um]

They already built the greatest 4wd on the planet that ever was and ever will be. The 4.2TD Nissan GU Patrol.

[@stevepowell1651]

@@Nick-sd7um presuming that's the brilliant y60

[@equestrianalways6132]

Have the same calendar in our workshop in Wellington NZ

[@dritanmeqa1947]

Japanese golden hands, such a pleasure watching them.

[@robinwelch1000]

Excellent Guys, really enjoyed it and worth the long long wait, shows you the corrosion that can happen quickly when your on the road.

[@RoadRunnerTheRR]

Those guys could be my Dentist and i wouldn't be afraid :)

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

they are kind of surgeons

[@kacanggorengku]

Wooowww.......that workshop is insane...!!! 😱👍👍👍

[@harleycg75]

Superb video guys.

[@thebrightsideoflife2236]

Greetings from Germany, great video as always😃👍🏼✌🏼

[@Boediprasetya]

Wowwww....Your defender meet a perfect worlshop with good mechanics and familiar crew....Keep rolling we wait next advanture

[@stevestott3652]

Wow what a nice shop . Those guys were awesome , looked to be great fun to have as new friends . And Cheers to 9connextion for a great job on Bear we all thank you for taking so good of care of grizzly & Bear . And also thank you Leigh & Stephy for sharing your passion of meeting new people and awesome places with us your over landing friends & family . Cheers 🍻. From Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A.

[@bryandailey4174]

Enjoy the videos! Your positive energy is infectious and inspirational. I love your Defender and most of all, the outstanding Land Rover community. Thank you for sharing your adventures.

[@overlandme]

Very exciting episode. Very talented people. Taking LR mechanic to next level. Thanks for bringing out this content for us.

[@landcruisingadventure]

What a difference, all that green compared with the thick snow we had in Hokkaido. Absolutely gorgeous too!

[@safif31]

Wow what a great team and nice guys. ❤️❤️🤟🏻🤟🏻😊

[@essentialsandaccessories3218]

LOVE you both alot. always very happy to see you together, with ur great passion. u people r really incredible. Always be careful while climbing to rocks. u loved eachother very much which is very respectable for me. I wish to see u both always happy, together and always exploring this world. ur Defender specially ur Camper is amazing. Love you both again from PAKISTAN.

[@WoodcockFamilyOverland]

Brilliant episode! You can see why the Japanese are great at making cars! Great engineers!

[@keiththomson7276]

Absolute stunning! Love that Gak! Thanks for sharing this guys!

[@cameronknight1567]

Gak, you are truly amazing! Your garage is an obsessive compulsive’s dream! I can’t wait to see your finished defender.

[@richardcoates1398]

The TD5 isn't a bmw engine, it was developed by land rover befor they were bought out by bmw with the intention of making a 4 and 6 cylinder versions

[@fastinradfordable]

That doesn’t mean it isn’t better than any Bmw engine ever made.

[@svenvanwesterloo173]

@@fastinradfordable Well, it isn't.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

How many of you guys checks their A frame, ball joint over the weekend ?

[@ryan71954]

I know mine needs doing. Any recommendations on purchasing one? Because they always seem to go

[@elrey8876]

I could watch 9connexion work on Defenders as ASMR relaxation. Been waiting for this post and it was completely worth it.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Big smile on my face !!!! When editing I was thinking I would love to make mechanic ASMR videos. I've been enjoying Rescue&Restore lately.

[@axelcordes]

mhh very cool - so I know where to go, when we come to Japan .... young people with fresh heads - Chapeau! cheers axel

[@jiramito1044]

Great show.... and grand salute to 9 connections 👍

[@Joricano]

very nice food and good mechanics

[@simoncbroadley9577]

Great video Keep it up guys

[@spearfish]

I love Japanese work ethic

[@peter1951225]

Just started watching your trip nice job u guys we did something similar in the seventies from Istanbul to India and Nepal overland .Keep good work up we r enjoying your shows.Peter Brisbane Australia

[@donewhiskey]

I am completely outclassed. Gak is a next level master mechanic.

[@leighdearle5965]

Not to mention completely self taught 😉

[@silentfleet]

Thank you Mr. Whiskey, my main occupation is running a general contractor, so I’ve got different perspectives as a mechanic from civil engineering and architecture, I studied how nature and environment affect to materials. By the way, you’ve got a really nice name, I’m a single malt heads, visiting Scotland every year and trying to open a distillery in my home town. Cheers.

[@donewhiskey]

​@@silentfleet The way that your perception guides your machine work is very evident, but you are also intensely curious and precise. I would really like to see more mechanical videos, on your channel. I'm going to subscribe. Thank you for the complement on my name. I am drinking a Scottish single malt right now. Videos about your distillery efforts would be a huge help to people trying to do the same. Also, really interesting for the rest of us.

[@donewhiskey]

@@leighdearle5965 Rub it in, Leigh. :D

[@narzisadventureandtravelvl2161]

I believe JLR should consider assembling there Landies in Japan now.

[@navu600]

Great keep safe and happy journey ❣️ from India

[@geroldknoebel2402]

Great and good luck for the future. Best and greet regards from Frankfurt, make it best in all situations.

[@DmitrySh.]

I succesfully noticed the video and watched it during my lunch breake at work. A minute of English. Best wishes from Russia! You are the best!!!

[@coadyg]

That A frame ball joint is a common problem for clunking. Also the play in drive flanges. It will drive like a demon now. Another great 👍 video.

[@gerardcawley3815]

Thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I love the preciseness (not a real word) and meticulous work of the mechanics. And of course the Assie accent and Frenchys smile.

[@roldannunez9866]

Most respect for the Japanese people!👍👏

[@trialsted]

Impressed with his knowledge.. says TD5 engine was made by BMW :'( The TD5 engine was a 100% Rover development. He's right though, it was the best Land Rover engine

[@OverlandingwithBruce]

Wow. I wonder how long it will take me to get there from South Africa so they can work on my 130. Awesome work and great bunch of guys! Thanks Stephy for another awesome video! (I am assuming Leigh didn’t make it 😂) Safe travels. Now to wait another 7 days!

[@mouvement3949]

I don't know about engines But Japanese people are 👌

[@marchawkins5072]

Love y’all stuff stay safe.

[@pistonmiston2183]

Absolutely loved every second! Love you guys so much! Keep going! ahh

[@36659836]

gak,, amazing every part n details rust free .... great video ,be safe best wish from india

[@CJ3B1]

Legendary the way only Japanese are 🙏

[@sierramantrvlnus]

Those guys surely were professional. Another great video!

[@geleklobsang4722]

Awesome ...JDM.....

[@badgerpa9]

looked like fun, glad Bear is happy. stay safe and healthy.

[@bobjoncas2814]

...good one ,keep and travel safe..

[@kotimoto]

I don't think there could have been a bette place than this anywhere!

[@oldrocker5609]

Those guys know their business !!

[@mrx1702]

Are they going to use loads of Japanese parts to make a reliable 👍

[@rorykennedy5257]

BMW did not make the td5 engine it was one of the last land rover designed engines they ever produced before using French and Ford transit engines

[@u2kjib4cjkqn]

It’s a bmw design built by Landrover

[@silentfleet]

I’ll do deeper research and let you guys know. But, I personally really don’t care who designed this, TD5 is TD5 as it is.

[@gregkeegan7715]

Great video. More details on the food - it left us hungry. And what a great place to sit out covid-19.

[@rjl110919581]

thank you special sweet detail video wish best further travel around world

[@holgermuller2987]

Great vid. You own a Land Rover you have a job for your live !!! So what is in your next live ?? Just kidding. Love your work and Gak is a genius !!! Cheers mate

[@MINKIBIZ]

So funny that I am watching this in the UK, live and work near Ashcroft and order parts from various manufactures that are listed here. Super cool that the parts go across the world to Japan!

[@silentfleet]

Thank you, I think we're only company in Japan deals with more than 30 parts maker/supplier for just Landy over 8 countries. We visited Ashcroft and met Dave (the CEO) last year. We went to Starbucks near Luton Airport with a big motor caravan, hardly scratched body to bollard to get into car park and completely stopped traffic... Haha

[@MINKIBIZ]

@@silentfleet everyone has issues there... They did widen it earlier this year because of the amount of complaints... Its a bit silly really - massive speed bump and bollards far too close together...

[@stoggie95]

Those guys are bad ass!

[@gf04rce76]

I am truly humbled by their attention to detail .... a true eye opener.... happy travels guys.... 👍

[@Simonandisla]

What a corker of an episode and what a great bunch of guys. Think I'll check mine in for a service 👍👍

[@leighdearle5965]

Thanks mate, it was such great piece of mind to have these guys giving Bear the once over 😉

[@shreckm6470]

Should let the Japanese design an build a new Defender with 200 KW straight six an 600 Nm torque do a better job than Landrover has done.

[@huguesentretienjardins9088]

They do they call it Toyota land cruiser ! 😂😂😂

[@gilliandearle9771]

I loved this video, what gorgeous guys and I can’t believe how neat they are. Even I was so taken with their mechanical wonders. Fantastic video guys, I was completely captivated. What a great country, such friendly generous people. Love Mum ❤️❤️🥰

[@leighdearle5965]

They are just amazing guys 😍 His garage was almost as clean as your house mum 😘😜

[@jmena19]

What an amazing video! From the start it was outstanding, stepping it up Steph 👌🏻 So good! Quite amazed by the 9 Connection Garage, impressive work and also expected that detail from Japanese people! Btw great Defenders they have there... Glad you guys were able to sort those issues in Bear. Again, love this video so much! Thanks for sharing this outstanding content! 🙌🏻

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Thank you for your nice message. I really enjoyed making it knowing that our Land Rover family might be interested .

[@jmena19]

GrizzlyNbear Overland thanks to you for the amazing footage 🙌🏻 Hope you guys the best and safe travels 🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@pizzafloof4253]

Those guys were great!

[@alifgilani9611]

Really enjoyed the episode - especially the intro! Keep it going stefi

[@clementwilliam9395]

omg...fantastic amazing expert Japanese perfectionist engineering mind...i really would like to study their language and study as mechanic about motorcars specifically landy...best video greetings from Sarawak Malasia🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵

[@josemarquez86]

Wow cool thanks for video also hello from Texas USA🙋‍♂️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@BurtonsAttic]

Pro team of gear heads!

[@promenteryrobbins]

Great content Leigh & Stéphane - good to find such knowledgeable and passionate Land Rover experts to help fix Bear. Must be a great feeling to know that he’s fixed and ready for the next part of the journey

[@peterellis9678]

I love Landrovers

[@nunofeliz2472]

Awesome work, love to see the atention to details. Makes the difference.

[@moremoneyfordreadnoughts1100]

I'd hate to be that guy's girlfriend. LOL

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Especially when he stays in his garage until 3am !! And his wife said "how come your car only looks like a chassis" lol

[@lemuelcasillas7572]

You are so fortunate to find great people on your journey. I’ve never been to Japan, but now I have to go. Maybe someday.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Every encounter in Japan has been very special

[@Fumingzeus]

He can make a fortune out of his indexing list.

[@gibsonethirty2836]

Yeah, pity its not his, its from Land Rover Workshop, the owner there (guy called Will) has spent years getting ALL Series/Defender parts listed. You can tell by the website on Gak's mobile its Will's.

[@silentfleet]

Yes, that database is Will’s www.lrworkshop.com (I also thanked Will after this video was uploaded) He has his KZbin channel as well. You can also access the database of JLR classic parts parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.com/parts/index/brand/key/land-rover/ however, LRworkshop.com is more usuful. We only use JLR for checking parts for other Land Rover vehicles such as Discovery, Range Rover and Freelander. As we are parts wholesaler, JLR can be used when checking availability of Genuine parts.

[@willcowell8197]

Really really impressive workshop and professionalism. Such wonderful hospitality also, amazing people

[@MiladyLandy]

Hi Stephy and Leigh, this was the first video I watched from your channel. I am impressed by the quality of your material and will certainly watch your other video's. We are planning to visit Japan on our world trip, hopefully to restart soon, and this video has made my plans more certain. Happy travels to both of you and who knows, see you on the road...

[@bajamedic]

The way you guys are eating is killing me, beautiful food!

[@jesta1865]

to be fair, there were britpart labels in there at the beginning, give those boys a chance :-). massively impressive though, now subscribed.

[@aggyMI]

I enjoyed this video, this is the sort of team of mechanics I wish I had at my beck and call

[@garagefaff]

Great to see a bunch a Landy nuts even in the land of the ToyMotor 😂😀👍👍

[@leighdearle5965]

There's plenty here in Japan 😍 World wide Landy family 😉

[@marcovalenzuela4177]

Japanese people are sensational, i had a magical time in Japan, and i love the defender.

[@Fumingzeus]

Do any of these guys have a KZbin channel?

[@silentfleet]

We will, let you know when it’s ready :)

[@kevanharding9716]

1 word........ amazing !

[@RogueCorps]

This is awesome! Just like my Japanese friends in design school. Sticklers for doing things right!

[@defender110SVX]

YES, it s a crime against humanity ! Steph, do something !

[@alanmay7929]

i think toyota has sold over 13 million land cruisers and has alot of spare parts to manufacture ans send all around the world, thats why they can be scare in japan, toyota spare parts are really demanded worldwide.

[@twelfthmanau]

This is literally ASMR for overlanders. XD