In case you’ve bought a {custom} Land Rover Defender from the likes of Nene Overland, Twisted, Overfinch, Afterwatch, or any of the opposite gifted professionals devoted to constructing you a automobile to your precise specs, likelihood is you most likely know a couple of tips to maintain your 4×4 glad. However have you learnt all of them? Right here we reveal 10 of probably the most important ideas it’s best to know as a {custom} Defender proprietor.
1. Ensure you use a specialist insurance coverage dealer
Many don’t realise that, for those who personal a {custom} Land Rover Defender, you may get higher safety by taking out a Land Rover insurance coverage from a specialist insurance coverage dealer like us.
Your automobile is one in all a sort, so that you would possibly discover that common insurance coverage doesn’t truly offer you the suitable stage of canopy for all of the bespoke components and extra options you’ve chosen in your construct.
At Adrian Flux, we’re capable of present like-for-like cover on modifications, that means that each one the bells and whistles you’ve added to your customised Landy are lined too.
Plus, our insurance policies will be tailor-made to your wants, making them extraordinarily versatile. We provide a variety of non-compulsory extras, together with:
- Agreed worth cowl
- Homeowners membership and discussion board reductions (extra on that later)
- Restricted mileage reductions
- Cowl for off-roading
- Protected no claims low cost
Name us on 0800 369 8590 to get an insurance coverage quote, or book a callback at a time that fits you.
2. Preserve a detailed eye out for rust
If there’s one factor to look out for on a Defender, it’s rust. Whereas your {custom} construct will arrive wanting all shiny and new, for those who don’t take correct care, corrosion can construct up and unfold fairly shortly, particularly for those who’re taking your Defender on off-road adventures or unpaved roads. After an outing, it’s integral that you simply take away any construct up of mud to forestall rust from forming.
Rust is commonest within the chassis, footwells, doorways and firewall of the automobile. Don’t be afraid to slip below the automobile and examine the underbody at common intervals.
3. Be additional vigilant about corrosion in winter
Apart from the construct up of mud, one of many greatest culprits of corrosion is using street salt throughout icy periods in winter. If that is left to construct up in your automobile, it could possibly trigger critical injury. One of many best methods to take away street salt is to make use of heat water, which will be blended in equal components with vinegar, and apply this to your automobile with a gentle brush.
You too can assist forestall the build-up of salt by waxing your Defender earlier than the winter months.
4. Be a part of a Land Rover Defender proprietor’s membership or discussion board
There’s no higher approach to meet fellow Landies than by becoming a member of an proprietor’s membership within the UK. Proprietor’s golf equipment offer you entry to occasions, permitting you to rub shoulders with different basic Land Rover house owners and discuss upkeep ideas, restoration initiatives, and extra.
There are additionally plenty of completely different UK boards for Land Rover house owners, permitting you to maintain updated with the newest information, alternate recommendation about your loved one 4x4s, and organise off-roading trips.
Becoming a member of an proprietor’s membership or discussion board also can assist reduce your insurance premiums with us because it tells us that you simply’re an fanatic and extra prone to deal with your automobile effectively.
5. Take layers of clothes with you
It’s no secret that most of the basic Defender fashions are draughty, so if the climate’s wanting prefer it’s about to show or the forecast is wanting grim, it’s a good suggestion to pack a couple of additional layers. Be additional ready when off-roading simply in case you get caught or find yourself staying longer than anticipated.
6. In case you’re occupied with going off street, be certain that your automobile can deal with it
Though Land Rovers by their very nature are designed to go off-road, the kind of modifications you get might have an effect on whether or not you need to journey throughout rugged terrain. Some {custom} builds, as an illustration, lean extra closely in direction of making your Defender a luxurious automobile to be used on common roads, whereas others will give attention to enhancing the Landy’s pure off-roading talents.
And that’s to not say that road-spec Land Rovers can’t nonetheless deal with going off-road, however for those who’ve opted to decrease your suspension otherwise you’ve chosen much less grippy tyres, you would possibly need to seek the advice of with the mechanics who carried out your {custom} construct to see how effectively outfitted the automobile is in your deliberate adventures.
7. Contemplate retro-fitting Adblue for diesel Defenders travelling in low emission zones (LEZ)
Though some older 110s will already be ULEZ and LEZ-exempt for being over 40 years previous, you’ll must pay the LEZ or ULEZ cost for almost all of basic Defender fashions – or you may make them compliant with emissions requirements to keep away from the cost. Because of this diesel-fuelled Defenders might want to adjust to Euro 6 requirements.
An possibility for doing that is retro-fitting a brand new Selective Catalytic Discount (SCR) system and Adblue. This mixture helps enhance the effectivity of the catalytic conversion whereas additionally decreasing NOx emissions in step with requirements. Some people who’ve gone via a conversion have additionally famous that the improve has decreased the noise stage of their Defender.
There are numerous firms that perform retro-fittings within the UK. This contains Cybrand (however just for fashions made after 2011), Nene Overland and Twisted Automotive. Observe that Twisted use completely different strategies than the one outlined above and also can modify petrol fashions to make them compliant with Euro 4.
8. Reap the benefits of your {custom} professionals’ aftercare companies
Most {custom} builders supply aftercare companies to maintain your automobile in one of the best form potential. As an illustration, Nene Overland gives vehicle servicing, MOTs, rustproofing, and extra.
Though this may really feel like an pointless expense, particularly after you’ve forked out tens of 1000’s of kilos (and even tons of of 1000’s of kilos) in your dream 4×4, there received’t be a mechanic who is aware of your automobile higher than the individuals who made it. They’ll even have entry to substitute {custom} components, that means any modifications are precisely as you requested if you first configured your construct.
You’ll additionally discover that almost all {custom} professionals are glad to speak with you about any points you’re having together with your automobile, so that they’re a superb level of contact and it’s effectively price staying in contact with them.
9. Sustain together with your upkeep schedule
Most house owners will attest that Land Rovers want loads of TLC, so be sure you’re maintaining with a upkeep schedule. Common oil, filter and coolant checks are a should, and for those who’re going off-roading you would possibly need to verify your gearbox and axle fluids usually too.
It’s additionally a good suggestion to lubricate the grease factors on the entrance and rear propeller shafts’ u-joint nipples and slider nipples usually. That is notably true after intensive off-roading journeys because it helps forestall the elements from operating dry.
10. Match a tracker and different safety gadgets
Latest Range Rover thefts have been within the information, and though it looks like these are on the decline because of new expertise fitted to fashions, it’s higher to be protected, particularly with a automobile as valuable as a completely customised construct.
Storage Wire just lately reported that there was an increase in Land Rover Defender thefts, and a few basic Defenders have even been stripped for components, so it’s a good suggestion to suit trackers and different safety gadgets in your 4×4.
Including additional safety to your automobile might additionally assist to cut back your insurance coverage premium. We are inclined to suggest two gadgets used together with each other: the Tracker Retrieve Battery Powered and the Tracker Community Nano Help. These merchandise are made by the one monitoring firm that has a proper collaboration with all UK police forces.
Immobilisers, steering wheel locks, catalytic converter locks and different gadgets can all contribute to conserving your automobile protected.
Get specialist Land Rover insurance coverage from Adrian Flux
A automobile as particular as yours deserves a singular type of insurance coverage coverage. As a specialist insurance coverage dealer, we’re capable of tailor your Land Rover Defender insurance quote to your wants. Name us on 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that fits you.
