Hi there,

I have just been offered by a family member his 2004 Defender 110. A defender is my dream car, however their price tag in the condition I like is not so pleasant! So this defender would be a very big project however I would be given it for free, so its worth the hard work. I have a couple of questions about what I can modify on it though.

So it has been used as a towing vehicle and is the 3 door model. I was wondering if legally I am able to put seats in the back? Preferably I would like to put the bench ones in, I would at least put the lap seat belts in. Would this all be legal?

Also after you have made extensive modifications to them like extra seats, paint job, new stereo ect ect do you have to get somebody to inspect it and change the V5 forms?

Also does anyone else have any random advice on doing up land rovers?

I'm very new to doing up vehicles but have lots of people I know to call on but would like to have some basic knowledge of what I can do to it legally before I approach my connections and ask about pricing to do things on it. Thanks everyone

CMSDefender said:

Hi there,

I have just been offered by a family member his 2004 Defender 110. A defender is my dream car, however their price tag in the condition I like is not so pleasant! So this defender would be a very big project however I would be given it for free, so its worth the hard work. I have a couple of questions about what I can modify on it though.

So it has been used as a towing vehicle and is the 3 door model. I was wondering if legally I am able to put seats in the back? Preferably I would like to put the bench ones in, I would at least put the lap seat belts in. Would this all be legal?

Also after you have made extensive modifications to them like extra seats, paint job, new stereo ect ect do you have to get somebody to inspect it and change the V5 forms?

Also does anyone else have any random advice on doing up land rovers?

I'm very new to doing up vehicles but have lots of people I know to call on but would like to have some basic knowledge of what I can do to it legally before I approach my connections and ask about pricing to do things on it. Thanks everyone

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Perfectly legal to install seats and belts in the back, and windows if you want. But be aware that those mods will NOT make the vehicle legal to enter the LEZ in London.

And mods are OK, they don't need inspection, but must be done to a professional standard, and you will need to notify your insurer, who will charge you extra, depending on the mature of the mods.

Plenty of advice on LR resto on the forum, and elsewhere on the net, and in print. The vehicles are fairly basic to work on for anyone with basic mechanical skills, good tools, and the ability to read and follow a manual.

I think you will enjoy working on your defender. It's fairly easy to work on as turboman said. As you have a TD5 check the known weaknesses but otherwise it's a very good engine. There are plenty of videos or posts to help you with your kids.

mikerajjers said:

I think you will enjoy working on your defender. It's fairly easy to work on as turboman said. As you have a TD5 check the known weaknesses but otherwise it's a very good engine. There are plenty of videos or posts to help you with your kids.

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Mods...not kids. That was my spellchecker

mikerajjers said:

Mods...not kids. That was my spellchecker

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You might even get someone to help with your kids
My oldest could strip and rebuild a Series engine before he was eight

Oldseadog said:

You might even get someone to help with your kids
My oldest could strip and rebuild a Series engine before he was eight

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Impressive achievement at that age.
I was on mechanics fairly early in life, but I was more on bicycles and small engines at that age.
An interest in landrovers developed later.

He's also designed and built an award winniing engine for an 'Exocet' space-framed racer.
The only original bit was the block!
His next challenge will be to break his current records by using a Desmodromic System top end, which will certainly be an interesting developmeny!
It would be something of an understatement to say that we're extremely proud of him!!

Oldseadog said:

He's also designed and built an award winniing engine for an 'Exocet' space-framed racer.
The only original bit was the block!
His next challenge will be to break his current records by using a Desmodromic System top end, which will certainly be an interesting developmeny!
It would be something of an understatement to say that we're extremely proud of him!!

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Desmo is a good idea, although expensive to build. Should allow the valves to open and close in a much more controlled way than springs.
Seemed to work OK on Ducatis.

I believe that he has Ducati interested in working with him on the development, just as he got advice and help from the Williams Racing Team in designing the inlet and outlet ports and manifolds for optimal flow!
He's as very clever lad and as it is both a challenge and hobby, he has refused to join anyt of the development teams for Formula One!!

Oldseadog said:

I believe that he has Ducati interested in working with him on the development, just as he got advice and help from the Williams Racing Team in designing the inlet and outlet ports and manifolds for optimal flow!
He's as very clever lad and as it is both a challenge and hobby, he has refused to join anyt of the development teams for Formula One!!

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Kudos to the lad. Nice see a person doing this from a youngster. Hope he goes further.