The new Land Rover Defender has many great features and comfort–– high tech, excellent performance, and reliability. Some may argue, however, that it doesn’t come close to the charm, grace, and simplicity traditional older versions bring to the table.
If you’re one of those that reminisce about the vibe good old Defenders exude, you may consider a custom Defender to maintain the retro design yet meet modern quality standards. But before you go ahead with your project, consider looking into the following factors below.
- Utility
Many aspects are considered when coming up with a custom design, but perhaps the first port of call will be the vehicle’s intended use. Defenders can be used for various purposes, ranging from city driving, off-road use, combined driving, and so forth. Your Defender’s proposed usage will be the starting point for the other following factors because it’ll determine the type of customization that’s a great fit and you’ll go for.
If you want to use your Defender for long-distance travel, for example, then an upgraded engine that’s faster than the classic 90 or the 110 engines may be required.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking to use your customized vehicle off-road, then you may think about the proper type of suspension, rims, and tires. Campers and adventure enthusiasts also think about such functional additions like the accent, roof rack, and storage. Hunters may consider the type of lighting and so on.
- Cost
For a good customization job, you have to make sure all the required parts and materials are available as and when needed. Cutting corners could lead to a shoddy job which might also compromise your safety. This means, to ensure your car runs according to standards, you have to cover the necessary budget. For you to have an idea of how most customization experts go through with the needed modifications on your car, you can watch videos like this.
Having your Defender customized cover funds that may run a hole in your pocket if you don’t prepare for it beforehand. Money is needed for acquiring items like suspension parts, the engine, transmission, body spares, paint, and interior designs. You’d also need to think about the extra expenses for different equipment pieces such as the winch, steps, steering guard, roof rack, and LED lights. Topping all of that is the cost of labor incurred.
Some professional Land Rover custom companies will normally have a cover charge for different packages, so it might be worth comparing quotes before you go ahead with your customization.
- Safety
Like in any other car design, safety may be one of the most crucial considerations when customizing your Defender. Never underestimate the importance of safety when tweaking your vehicle.
Also, of importance is the fact that vehicle safety standards have all been improved over the years. If you’re customizing a model older than the 1998 Defender, chances are it won’t have airbags installed. So, depending on your intended use for the customized car, you may want to improve on safety features such as the following:
- Antilock brakes (ABS),
- Traction control,
- Electronic stability control,
- Safety-belt features, and
- Lower Anchors and Tethers or LATCH.
Other more obvious safety features that can’t be ignored are the types of tires you put on your customized car. There are tires designed for road driving, then there’re those for off-road. Again, it all depends on what you need to use the car for.
- Interior Design
The interior is where you’ll get to spend most of your time when you drive your Defender. You have to give some thought to how you’ll want it to look and feel. Like the exterior, the inside will also have functional and aesthetic features.
Depending on your preferred use of the car, you could consider adding technological gadgets like GPS, reverse assistance monitors, and a modern dashboard. If you want to maintain the classic look, you could choose a dash with simple utility features.
The interior will also include the type of seats you’d want–– are they bucket seats, heated seats, or would you rather keep the traditional seat? You could also play around with the color and texture of the interior trimmings. The arrangement of the seats is another thing to think about. The possibilities are endless.
- Exterior Materials
Customizing your Defender may mean reworking the exterior of your car. The end result should be a rust-free, well-painted, and accessible vehicle, with functionality that suits your needs.
The exterior includes the front, the sides, and the back. You have to consider the aesthetic features such as the type of paint, color, and other aspects that could give your Defender a unique look. Exterior features can also be functional, such as the rims, steering guard, and grills.
In Summary
The customization of a Land Rover Defender is dependent on various factors. Each has to be carefully considered, otherwise, taking shortcuts could compromise the safety and quality of your car and the finished result. Perhaps the most important things to think about are the intended use of the car and the cost of doing the job. Everything else should follow.
Otherwise, one easy way to manage a customization project is to employ the service of a professional company with proven experience in its craft.
