In the event you’ve obtained 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 car to your precise specs, chances are high you in all probability know a couple of methods to maintain your 4×4 completely satisfied. However are you aware all of them? Right here we reveal 10 of probably the most important suggestions it is best to know as a {custom} Defender proprietor.
1. Ensure you use a specialist insurance coverage dealer
Many don’t realise that, if you happen to 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 car is one in every of a form, so that you may discover that common insurance coverage doesn’t really offer you the best stage of canopy for all of the bespoke components and extra options you’ve chosen to 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 coated too.
Plus, our insurance policies will be tailor-made to your wants, making them extraordinarily versatile. We provide a variety of non-obligatory extras, together with:
- Agreed worth cowl
- House owners 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 trying all shiny and new, if you happen to don’t take correct care, corrosion can construct up and unfold fairly rapidly, particularly if you happen to’re taking your Defender on off-road adventures or unpaved roads. After an outing, it’s integral that you just take away any construct up of mud to stop rust from forming.
Rust is most typical within the chassis, footwells, doorways and firewall of the car. Don’t be afraid to slip underneath the car and examine the underbody at common intervals.
3. Be further vigilant about corrosion in winter
Apart from the construct up of mud, one of many largest culprits of corrosion is the usage of highway salt throughout icy periods in winter. If that is left to construct up in your car, it could trigger severe harm. One of many best methods to take away highway salt is to make use of heat water, which will be blended in equal components with vinegar, and apply this to your car with a tender brush.
You too can assist forestall the build-up of salt by waxing your Defender earlier than the winter months.
4. Be part of a Land Rover Defender proprietor’s membership or discussion board
There’s no higher option 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 traditional Land Rover homeowners and discuss upkeep suggestions, restoration tasks, and extra.
There are additionally quite a lot of completely different UK boards for Land Rover homeowners, permitting you to maintain updated with the most recent 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 just’re an fanatic and extra more likely to deal with your car properly.
5. Take layers of clothes with you
It’s no secret that lots of the traditional Defender fashions are draughty, so if the climate’s trying prefer it’s about to show or the forecast is trying grim, it’s a good suggestion to pack a couple of further layers. Be further ready when off-roading simply in case you get caught or find yourself staying longer than anticipated.
6. In the event you’re fascinated about going off highway, be certain that your car can deal with it
Though Land Rovers by their very nature are designed to go off-road, the kind of modifications you get may have an effect on whether or not you need to journey throughout rugged terrain. Some {custom} builds, as an example, lean extra closely in direction of making your Defender a luxurious car to be used on common roads, whereas others will give attention to enhancing the Landy’s pure off-roading skills.
And that’s to not say that road-spec Land Rovers can’t nonetheless deal with going off-road, however if you happen to’ve opted to decrease your suspension otherwise you’ve chosen much less grippy tyres, you may need to seek the advice of with the mechanics who carried out your {custom} construct to see how properly geared up the car is to your deliberate adventures.
7. Think about 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 have to pay the LEZ or ULEZ cost for almost all of traditional Defender fashions – or you can also make them compliant with emissions requirements to keep away from the cost. Which means 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 by a conversion have additionally famous that the improve has decreased the noise stage of their Defender.
There are a lot of firms that perform retro-fittings within the UK. This contains Cybrand (however just for fashions made after 2011), Nene Overland and Twisted Automotive. Word 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. Benefit from your {custom} professionals’ aftercare providers
Most {custom} builders provide aftercare providers to maintain your car in the most effective form doable. As an example, Nene Overland supplies vehicle servicing, MOTs, rustproofing, and extra.
Though this could 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 car higher than the individuals who made it. They’ll even have entry to substitute {custom} components, that means any adjustments are precisely as you requested whenever you first configured your construct.
You’ll additionally discover that almost all {custom} professionals are completely satisfied to speak with you about any points you’re having along with your car, so that they’re an excellent level of contact and it’s properly price staying in contact with them.
9. Sustain along with your upkeep schedule
Most homeowners 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 if you happen to’re going off-roading you may need to verify your gearbox and axle fluids commonly 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 commonly. 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 units
Latest Range Rover thefts have been within the information, and though it looks like these are on the decline as a result of new expertise fitted to fashions, it’s higher to be protected, particularly with a car as valuable as a completely customised construct.
Storage Wire not too long ago reported that there was an increase in Land Rover Defender thefts, and a few traditional Defenders have even been stripped for components, so it’s a good suggestion to suit trackers and different safety units in your 4×4.
Including further safety to your car may additionally assist to scale back your insurance coverage premium. We are inclined to suggest two units used along 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 units can all contribute to protecting your car protected.
Get specialist Land Rover insurance coverage from Adrian Flux
A car as particular as yours deserves a novel form 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.
