The 10 BEST Defender Upgrades YOU NEED to make your Land Rover 90 110 XS & Utility EVEN BETTER

What are the best modifications, upgrades and improvements you can make to your Land Rover Defender 90 110 130 XS Utility when using it as a daily driver? This video goes through ten simple but very effective upgrades you can easily make to your Defender to transform how it drives, handles, and sounds. Everything from remapping a Defender, changing the suspension on a Defender, soundproofing the panels, improving the turning circle, how to upgrade the security on a Land Rover Defender, fitting a new smaller steering wheel to the defender with a removable boss, how to improve the stereo and sound system, and many other great upgrade recommendations that can make daily driving your Land Rover Defender even more enjoyable.
Whilst you’re reading this - Adrian Flux have kindly offered my audience up to 15% discount on all insurance quotes when calling them for a quote on 0800 587 5431 and mentioning my channel ‘Al S’. I insure several of my cars with them and they’ve saved me loads, plus they’re great when it comes to specialist vehicles like the Defender which often have lots of unique modifications. Give them a call for your free quote if your insurance is due soon.
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[@al-s]

Grab your discounts at all the best automotive brands at www.CarPerk.co.uk - save on everything from performance upgrades, car care, interior & exterior styling, wheels/tyres, security, and more.

[@neilwipperman3025]

Good list Having a dodgy knee my self I did the spring but also did the master cylinder from LOF no regrets made so much easy Would say with winter coming heater deflector from mud stops you burning your left leg and keeps your feet warm Rear door strut as well stops that door hitting u in the back and rear wheel carrier Great advise

[@cwtindall]

Great advice and sensible upgrades, in addition I would recommend a heated front windscreen for frost removal inside and out, front seat risers and lastly a cubby box riser (which then makes for a perfect height left armrest)

[@jackmartin9008]

can't agree more very good list, in addition i got cruise control installed to my td5, now mines also a daily so motorway miles are an absolute dream, it works just as you'd expect tap the brake and it turns off... i also have a stage 2 remap from empire and with the stage 2 you will 100% need to upgrade the clutch to a LOF power spec which is noticeably smoother ONCE YOU GET USED TO IT. another great upgrade with the LEDs all round is to get rear work lights i use them a lot for reversing at night with a rear view camera which doubles as a duel dashcam.

[@craigross4971]

I have the defender 90 xs. 2009 model. Also live in Scotland and needed the wiper upgrade badly!! Rains a lot here. Rain-X has been a game changer.

[@themartiandefender2128]

Good video & having done most of the same mods to mine fully concur !!

[@landroveranorak357]

A cheap and easy suspension upgrade for a USW is to fit CSW rear springs - the ones marked white/green/green - which eliminates a lot of the crashiness from the rear end. Add some Discovery 2 spring isolators to the tops of the front springs and Old Man Emu OME80PR10 isolators to the tops of the rears to take out some of the overall harshness.

[@robertdrum6857]

No.11: For highway cruisi’n change the transferbox to the old 3speed auto Range Rover transfer box. Less interior noise and the low range ratio is kept. No.12: change the frontseats to the Exmoor ones with longer seatbase for better comfort😊

[@kizzyp2735]

Two more I would thoroughly recommend .. 1.fit the windscreen washer nozzles to the wiper arms so the water goes directly on the screen 2. Sycnro gearboxes slick shift ..transforms the gear changes to almost car like .

[@michaelsecomb4115]

I left the suspension unchanged, but fitted rear Airbag Man airbags. The airbags maintain height when towing our caravan. Running 15psi also firms up the rear and reduces body role. Headlights need both a wiring upgrade with relay and better lights. The relay means the power is not constantly running through the switch, burning it out. Rather than LEDs a much cheaper option is to fit plus 200 bulbs from Phillips, Narva etc. Gives a huge improvement. Also fit LED bulbs in the other lights.

[@undisputedrayan475]

Great video enjoyed going to up grade mine

[@olliewall889]

If your after comfort don’t go for the B6. They are a very harsh ride… very good if you Ike to drive fast however. I’d recommend Fox 2.0 or old man emu. Much better than standard and not to harsh.

[@XxGRIMMxREAP3RxX]

Great video!

[@ScoutTheDefender]

Great video! Agree with all these 👍🏼

[@milliondollarwhippet8515]

Same the clutch spring is one of the cheapest and best upgrades. Keep pumping videos out guys need my defender fix when I'm not sat in my defender lol

[@yusufsaleem7920]

Thanks for this video of the 10 things that can make the defender more drivable as a day to day car. I have installed 5 of the 10 (suspension, Momo steering, sound deadening and absorbing, radio and LED headlights and signals) and found they made a huge change. Will certainly try the clutch spring and wipers next. I also found that front power shutters were a big plus as shutter lever is so low on the door, a rear camera made reversing super easy, a dual air condition (as I live in a tropical country) kept me and passengers cool even in the hottest weather and I am thinking of a installing a cruise control system to make highway cruising less of a strain on the right leg on gas pedal. I also changed front seats to sports seats which is also super comfortable but this will depend on personal preferences I believe.

[@al-s]

I toyed with the idea of a rear view camera, but the spare tyre on the back door makes the perfect parking sensor 😄 Have just put new seats in, video on that install coming soon.

[@chechen_power1jz]

@@al-s brother Tips for 2.5 carburetor land rover defender to get more hp and better on fuel ... please

[@OneHeartMission]

Great video with some great ideas. In South Africa, we are more worried about the heat than the cold. I like the wheel spacers idea. Also, Defenders are one of our least stolen vehicles funnily enough! Thanks again for a great video! I've subscribed

[@al-s]

Thanks very much! That's crazy Defenders are one of the least stolen over there, such a contrast to here 😅

[@sukottora]

1 - Done. By that nice chap at Storm Tuning. 2 - Spacers (good advices about hub-centric spacers) 3 - Done.. didn't bother with the roof though. 4 - Smaller one for sure. I have a Momo Millenium I didn't bother with a removable one 5 - Recently done the dampers and springs. Makes a massive difference. I did the poly brushes too. 6 - Yep. LED all the way but point them a little lower because they are bright. 7 - Yep! Dead easy to fit (as long as you need a big screwdriver to lever it on). 8 - Oh for sure. I had mine stolen with all the our and the kids gear (cloths, toys the lot) outside of Legoland in Windsor on the way down to Cornwall from the Highlands a few years ago. I have a big yellow security box that fits over the pedals now. 9 - Yeah. I have a nice Kenwood DAB system. It connect to my phone so I can listen to my podcasts. 10 - Yeah, the Bosch ones are great. You can get some posh silicon ones too but they are really expensive. For the bonus.. 11. Fit a Slick-shift. It really makes a difference to the quality of your gearshift. It tightens them up so changing gear is less like stirring porridge.

[@al-s]

Great to see someone else already running these mods too! That's mad you had one stolen at Legoland 😬 we've been there a few times and thought it'd be safe enough in the car park. Clearly nowhere is safe.

[@sukottora]

@@al-s It was grim. 500 miles from home too. It was yards from the entrance so though it would be perfectly safe... it was not. As soon as I bought its replacement I ordered a pedal box.

[@al-s]

Scumbags, what a way to end a nice family day out there. They must have known you had kids with you yet still took it regardless. Absolute cretins.

[@jeremyledgester6958]

Roughly what's the cost for all this work?

[@podiatryassociates]

when i did my audio upgrade i mounted my two front kicker speakers in the seat boxes facing forward, brilliant sound, nice vibration and couple of years on have`nt caught my foot on them.

[@al-s]

Might need to look into that, sounds like a clever place to put them

[@dabmouse]

Very good video

[@MrScalpel69]

The Lof power spring works nicely. But….that was a very tough fit! The video from LOF makes it look easy. I dropped the pedal to the floor with the bolt as described. But that spring is so difficult to get into the bushes. Once the old one is out and the new bushes fitted you are at the point of no return. My thumbs are wrecked and the mole grips saved the day. 2 hours. Sound proofing, LEDs and a pioneer flip up single din (linked the hard wired reverse camera) are next. Great vids. Thank you!

[@MrScalpel69]

The Startech steering wheel is great on the Optmill boss.

[@al-s]

😅 that's why I opted to have it fitted whilst it was in for a service. I'd heard enough horror stories to not chance fitting it myself!

[@murraywigzell9431]

Great list, have done a few, already planning some of the others. Aerial trick is awesome. Only thing I would add would be seat rail extensions for anyone over 5'6" tall, cos the leg clearance in the drivers seat sux.

[@dianacostiuc5075]

Also consider if your a tall guy to fit the seat runner extenders , get another 2” of legroom , huge difference to comfort if you’re over 6’ .

[@jimmybobinny8013]

Hi thanks for the informative vids. I’ve enjoyed watching them and learnt a lot. Did you find the LOf clutch upgrade made a significant difference?

[@al-s]

Thanks Jimmy. I have a video going live shortly about the recent LOF powerspring upgrade, it's definitely an improvement.

[@Jason-cl8hk]

Some good comments, however, with the comfort springs don’t expect a massive improvement as they don’t but you will benefit from the lowering aspects you allude to.

[@al-s]

Yes the springs would be for the height mainly. Definitely need to change dampers to improve general compliancy 👍

[@elliot3811]

Great video! I was wondering what I could do to improve the comfort of long journeys. I've got a big list of things to do now. The small trips are fine but bugger me the journey from Devon to the north and back, my eyes took two days to stop shaking, my ears were bleeding and my back was knackered. I was still smiling though 👍

[@al-s]

😅 sums up Defender ownership perfectly, completely ruins you but still leaves a smile on your face! I brought my wife back from Cornwall to Surrey in the defender with a freshly-repaired dislocated knee, she's never cursed at me so much for not taking the Range Rover on that trip 🙈😂

[@elliot3811]

@@al-s 🤣 brilliant!

[@gallantdevelopmentsltd]

What about upgrading the windscreen spray nozzle?

[@TechTrendTrove23]

Hi. Can you send us a link to purchase the headlamps?

[@TheRobn007]

I have a 2014 XS. Just want a softer ride for long journeys (the wife is getting too shaken up) What's the best suggestion please?

[@omarnoukhili7013]

what metal used to build the old land rover defender?

[@olewurtz7625]

I like the idea of lowering the car and some of the other items you mention. However, the clutch spring is a little suspect. Is it a replacement for the original or is it an extra spring that will help with pressing the pedal ?

[@al-s]

It's a straight replacement for the oem spring. Here's a video on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWG2ZpqVqa2Clac

[@craigallen5469]

You should go for air suspension, that way you can adjust the height when needed

[@al-s]

Would be nice but costs £5K+ to do it properly.

[@jamesshaw7171]

Hi mate, I’ve just stuck a set of bilstien b6 shocks and standard springs on and it has transformed it

[@laurentbideau2605]

I do it on front weel. Have you make it to rear wheel too?

[@jamesshaw7171]

@@laurentbideau2605 the full shock kit is £464. Front+ rear and steering damper. Bit more bouncy however it doesn’t roll in the corners

[@laurentbideau2605]

@@jamesshaw7171 thanks ! I agree with you. Now il will do the same thing with my rear wheell

[@Marty_macfly2000]

how much weight can you cut from an older Defender through modifications? Would a chassis swap be worth it?

[@greythought2]

I love the Momo idea but where can I find the quick disconnect you showed? What is the name of the hub? I would like to buy that one.

[@al-s]

Have a look at Optimill for the removable boss

[@Iohhx]

Hi, great video - trying to find a phone holder for mine at the moment without sticking/drilling anything to the dash, how does yours fit? Thanks in advance

[@al-s]

Thanks very much, I use a Mega Mounts air vent attachment. Works a treat.

[@stevepickering5866]

Try RAM mounts, they do a dash mount and 360 twin ball mount, absolutely brilliant when you use their quick release spring phone holder…

[@CPROsalmo]

I just bought a bowler 2015 with bilstien b6 springs. On road amazing. Off road is bumpy as hell. Is this normal?

[@al-s]

Possibly. A friend of mine has B6 on his and said similar to you. May need to look at what shocks you're running.

[@mwahahaha]

Great video! Any good recommendations on headlights?

[@al-s]

Thanks! JW Speaker always come highly recommended if you want to go premium.

[@tomdowell6311]

Or nolden headlights, the later adventures had them, unbelievable.

[@alibashamakh9168]

Great Videos! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Which headlight setup do you have on?

[@al-s]

Thanks very much, take a look at JW Speaker for headlights.

[@alibashamakh9168]

@@al-s I did, but yours seem to have a unique drl configuration 🙈

[@Ic_Ciantar]

What size is your momo prototipo 350mm or 370mm? I would love one but have no frame of reference

[@al-s]

Mine is the 350mm

[@Ic_Ciantar]

@@al-s thanks man looks fantastic.

[@alancrossley4461]

I have a Td5 90 which I have owned for approximately ten years and am familiar with most of the irritants of ownership very well. I have heard that changing the rear axel for a Discovery will make motorway driving pleasurable. Do you have any thoughts or observations which might provide me with more information?

[@al-s]

I've heard that too but have no experience of it as mine is a 2012 so probably doesn't benefit from an axle swap. Have a look on the forums, that's probably your best bet.

[@simonsmith2901]

If you're looking to raise the gearing, it;s not the rear axle you need to change, but the transfer box. Don't forget both axles have to have the same ratio.

[@alancrossley4461]

@@simonsmith2901 thank you for your help Simon.

[@johnribble]

Sound advice

[@philbailey8082]

Point 8 should be point 1. Spend your money on security before you spend on anything else, a mixture of visable deterants and hidden layers to slow any theives down if the visable deterants don't put them off.

[@marcopeel]

Where do you live?

[@janstafford1490]

Still have to be careful with CE it also means Chinese Export and they often use an incredibly close font.

[@pinkpotato1]

I wouldnt go for bilstein shocks, i ran them with soft springs and they were still too firm and crashy. I have adjustable fox ones now and theyre so much better. Even the standard fox ones are a lot better than the bilsteins.

[@al-s]

I keep hearing that about the bilsteins... maybe fox or OME it is then.

[@graham-martin5847]

re route the wire from the battry box to on top instead of underneath to the fuse box under the drivers seat ! also install a battery backup siren too another must if you dont re route the power cable as i can assure you thiefs know all about it

[@stephenbrennock1332]

Avoid the Bilstein dampers. Made the ride very hard on my truck. Have since swapped them out for Fox shocks which made the ride much more compliant.

[@sukottora]

I quite like the Bilsteins. I like the look of the Fox Shocks but they aren't half expensive.

[@al-s]

I'm going out in a friend's 110 with Bilsteins fitted soon, I hear a lot of good things about Fox too though, so am slightly torn between those really.

[@philippevoordecker6956]

For confort I have old specifications damper

[@amancalledlimey]

Recaro seats...? worth the money/comfort?

[@al-s]

Very tempted, but I tried ordering the Sportster Cross CS with removable bases a while back, only to be told they don't make them with removable bases any more. I didn't mind paying the premium to keep that quick access, but if I still need to remove the entire Recaro seat to get at the box underneath it's not that different to fitting Corbeau or Sparco which still look/perform great and cost less.

[@marcopeel]

Can you remap a Puma engine?

[@al-s]

Absolutely

[@deanh3741]

Remap? Don’t have any ecu’s in mine 😀

[@stevepickering5866]

Me either, 300 Tdi all the way, don’t want none of that electrickery nonsense…plus mines a 24v Wolf !

[@Kiwiadventurerandoverlander]

Maybe install air suspension instead of permanent lowering the Defender

[@babangidayaudanhausa4022]

This is a very good presentation only that you need to be showing the image/photo of the vehicles most, not your face only. The vehicle is the subject,

[@stephenthomson2196]

change your tyres for a more road based ride bfg are awful in wet and go so hard over time

[@harrysalci3981]

🍺

[@simonevans343]

MOST CAR PARKS ARE SEVEN FOOT TWO. SOME ARE LESS

[@mhm3437]

I want the new technology, new interior with the old exterior look is that too hard Land Rover????

[@richylad]

Sorry, but the title to this video like many others should be “tell me you have bought the wrong vehicle without actually telling me you have bought the wrong vehicle” just saying

[@al-s]

😂 and why's that? Some of us actually enjoy the process of modifying and making these vehicles our own. I'd much rather have a Defender over some god awful non-descript modern car with no character, but I guess that's the joy of free choice. It would be a very boring world if we all liked the same thing 👍

[@cpwillig]

Agreed. Design is beautiful optimized for its designated use. I am mechanical engineer BEng MSc btw. Increasing engine output seriously lowers longevity, note same td5 in Discovery is uprated and per dealer experience notable less longevity. I was almost born in Series 1 abroad, grew up in Series 1 & 2, father worked for Shell Exploration Company, my own 110 Station Wagon first built after prototypes, 1983, 40 years first owner, 620,000+, many explorations, "retired" now, lots of towing. 1994 upgraded to 200tdi using genuine Land Rover kit. Standard Heavy Duty springs + Koni shock absorbers, no anti roll bar, rear axle central Boge ride leveler shock absorber as this first built featured, great setup for towing heavy caravan 4000 lbs and other trailers.