Does converting to electric kill the Defender spirit or prolong & enhance the experience?

  • Kills the spirit maaaan!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Prolongs the life for shizzle!

    Votes: 2 100.0%
  • Total voters
    2
E~FENDER

E~FENDER

Active Member
Hi all. I've been a member for a while but only just getting around to introducing myself. I'm currently onto my 4th Landy and 3rd formal ownership of a Defender. The original was a 1998 110 300Tdi whilst we lived in Uganda that served us magnificently for 4 years and even featured in Land Rover Monthly. We were sad to see it go and purchased a newer 2007 90 XSi on our return to Edinburgh. That has subsequently gone and I am the proud owner of a 110 again. This time around it is a V8 petrol from the late 80's and one that was only recently imported from South Africa where it was assembled at birth.

Controversially maybe (poll above), we have joined the queue at Electric Classic Cars and it'll be going under the knife in 2023 to remove the fossil fuel heart and emerge from its chrysalis as a 'brand new' electric defender - or E-Fender as I'm dubbing it.

I'm sure there are better things to spend a big chunk of money on and I have some sweaty nights thinking about it, but we're only on this earth once, so this is my mid-life crisis which I'm super excited about (and have the wife's approval on)!
---
P.S; If anyone needs/wants any or all of the parts that are coming out please drop me a message - I'd be keen to try and raise a bit of cash to pay off some of the upgrade works.
 
Probably like many here, e defender will be the same as owning a Evoque.
Having issues with the engine and gearbox makes you learn. While electronic gubbins maybe a chore in modern defender, the smell of oil diesel and exhaust fumes are blood.
Electric defender on the other hand, for a new driver who can afford it or never owned one, will have suped up suspension, smooth drivetrain.
Only chargrin is knowing you will need deep pockets, to cover any issues arising of simple to serious reality check failure. Why Evoque similarity simple no soul dull box ticking design. It maybe a seller but would you admit it compared to better range of models
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Oh come on, its not come to THAT! :D

Fair points well made. I feel I've had my time & fair share of dealing with the oil, spit and blood after a wee while stuck in very remote East African villages or remote Scottish valleys to enjoy the reliability & far extended life span of the ev conversion --- amazing who and what you find in the most unlikely of places! And the chaps at ECC are second to none when it comes to these things. Of course I can guarantee I'll probably be a pariah to the 'base,' but happy to share the conversion for those that are interested, or even a tad curious.
 

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E~FENDER said:
Oh come on, its not come to THAT! :D

Fair points well made. I feel I've had my time & fair share of dealing with the oil, spit and blood after a wee while stuck in very remote East African villages or remote Scottish valleys to enjoy the reliability & far extended life span of the ev conversion --- amazing who and what you find in the most unlikely of places! And the chaps at ECC are second to none when it comes to these things. Of course I can guarantee I'll probably be a pariah to the 'base,' but happy to share the conversion for those that are interested, or even a tad curious.
Click to expand...
Welcome to LZ.

I don't have a problem with electric conversion. It is your motor, you can do what you want with it.

However, being a pedant, I will just mention that a 1989 vehicle with a factory fitted V8 probably isn't a Defender, they weren't sold until 1990.
So more likely a Land Rover Ninety or One Ten.

Also, be wary of praising the conversion company to the skies. For a start, they haven't done the job yet. And secondly, some of the more suspicious members might get a whiff of Spam.
 
Turboman said:
Also, be wary of praising the conversion company to the skies. For a start, they haven't done the job yet. And secondly, some of the more suspicious membe
rs might get a whiff of Spam.
Click to expand...

ECC have a youtube channel and has his own electric Landy and has converted many more...but OP has another thread asking for help fitting parts to his vehicle in Matlock as he doesnt have the time his converstion is going to cost north of 20k I'm sure they can fit a cubbybox and swingaway spare wheel at the same time...
 
Shippers said:
ECC have a youtube channel and has his own electric Landy and has converted many more...but OP has another thread asking for help fitting parts to his vehicle in Matlock as he doesnt have the time his converstion is going to cost north of 20k I'm sure they can fit a cubbybox and swingaway spare wheel at the same time...
Click to expand...
Highly likely, I should think.
 
Everything about E cars is unappealing including the extensive mining of rare earth minerals and copper, the problems with predictable power output to cover real world driving situations, the problems with driving at distance in cold temperatures, the lack of charging stations, the cost of battery replacement, the lack of technicians able to fix the damn things far from home and the cost.
All in one sentence.
 
Shippers said:
ECC have a youtube channel and has his own electric Landy and has converted many more...but OP has another thread asking for help fitting parts to his vehicle in Matlock as he doesnt have the time his converstion is going to cost north of 20k I'm sure they can fit a cubbybox and swingaway spare wheel at the same time...
Click to expand...
I'm trying to get some initial work done before I drop it off with the ECC guys ... saving time at the end of the conversion
 
Last edited:
Hi and welcome!

Personally I’m happy with my 200Tdi, but it’s your Landy so go with what suits. Let us know how you get on. These conversions will only get more common.
 
Knappster said:
Hi and welcome!

Personally I’m happy with my 200Tdi, but it’s your Landy so go with what suits. Let us know how you get on. These conversions will only get more common.
Click to expand...
An short update to this post in regards to the conversion process for those that are interested; I dropped the car off down in Mid-Wales with the team at ECC. It'll be with them for a few months, but they have already removed much of the old ICE drive system, including the old V8 and transmission. I'm led to believe this is a relatively unusual setup based on it being a South African assembled motor ... not sure if any of you guys have any knowledge of this? (5 Speed, Petrol V8).

The engine will be replaced with '2nd hand' Tesla drive unit (off a Model 3) and batteries (16 of them) to give it 100kWh. I downgraded the motor to reduce the acceleration slightly and focus on range. These all come from insurance right-offs and thereby enhances the sustainable focus of this conversion.



I also had the chance to drive the (e)Spectre version while I was there. Pretty incredible what they have achieved and it certainly still feels very much like an old Defender, but with the reliability and ability to hear the World around you --- although I'm sure there are others on here that don't want either of those things!:D
 
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