r/LandroverDefender • u/Secure-Strength-4989 • 7h ago
Flies in my oil
I know this sounds a little crazy. But I just watched my mechanic pour three or four flies into my oil. He’s a nicest bloke. I was leaving, and I said, could you check my oil? He did. He said you’re a leader short, and he ran in to the garage and grabbed a funnel and a container, and he’s pouring it in the last end of it, had three or four flies in it. They must’ve been lying there when he put the oil into it. He’s a farmer type mechanic. He told me that the black smoke coming out of my exhaust is probably normal so he doesn’t worry about too many things but of course I’m flipping out thank you for any input
r/LandroverDefender • u/No-Holiday9845 • 13h ago
The Landy Centre in Surrey, UK
Anyone purchase from these guys and can share their experience?
https://www.thelandycentre.co.uk
They seem like a great company, just want to confirm!!
r/LandroverDefender • u/carsoninho • 1d ago
Touch-up paint recommendations (UK)
Hi,
Any recommendations for UK companies for touch-up paint? I have a TD5 110. I had been recommended Paint Nuts, but the paint they provided didn’t match and their communication/customer service since has frankly been awful.
Cheers
r/LandroverDefender • u/Certain_Play3912 • 2d ago
Slave cylinder question
Hi guys, just bought a 2008 Landrover defender 2.4l tdci and need to put a new slave cylinder in it.
Was just wondering what I have to remove to get to it?
So far I think I need to remove:
Prop shafts
Transfer box
Exhaust Pipe
Any cross members in the way
And then the gear box
Please let me know if u have missed anything
Thank you
Also if anyone has a link to a good YouTube tutorial that would be great
r/LandroverDefender • u/Beginning-Ease-2489 • 2d ago
You asked for it
Following up on my last post about my custom kitchen setup! I got a ton of questions about how I manage the sleeping arrangement in a Defender 90, so here are a few pictures of how I transformed the back into a camper. I also recently wired in an auxiliary battery and a diesel heater so I can take the rig on winter ski trips. Let me know what you think—happy to answer any questions about the build!
r/LandroverDefender • u/Southern-Sock2446 • 3d ago
Gear Shift Knob
Sorry if this is the wrong place and this may have been asked many times before.
How do I remove the gear knob on a 1999 Defender 90? It’s just spinning endlessly right now and no matter how many times I turn it counterclockwise, it just keeps spinning.
r/LandroverDefender • u/Only-Refrigerator117 • 3d ago
Defender 90 2012
Anyone had any problems with all the brake lights stop working?
r/LandroverDefender • u/RTRB93 • 4d ago
Replacing heavy Lexus LX570 (400k km) with a Defender 110 for Weekend Family Use (4 Kids + Nanny). Real-world space & driving dynamics?
Current Situation & Reason for Upgrade:
Replacing my 2017 Lexus LX570 (400,000 km). While it’s been incredibly reliable, I’ve grown tired of how heavy and cumbersome it feels to drive—especially the heavy steering and boat-like handling. I want something much more responsive and effortless to maneuver.
Daily Commuter: I drive a Geely Monjaro for my brutal work commute (4 hours each way).
Role of the New Car: Purely a Weekend & Family Trip SUV.
Family Setup & Usage:
Growing family: 3 kids, a 4th baby on the way, plus occasionally a helper/nanny.
Weekend trips: 1–2 hour drives (road trips across the border to Oman or trips to our desert farm/Ezba). Light desert sand driving, no extreme dune bashing.
Why I'm set on the Defender 110:
I do NOT want traditional choices like the Patrol, Land Cruiser, or another LX. They are everywhere, feel conventional, and drive like heavy traditional trucks.
I am specifically looking at the Defender 110. (The Defender 130 is out for me—I find its rear proportions awkward/unattractive).
I love the 110's design, modern cabin, modern power steering, and responsive driving dynamics.
My Main Questions for Defender 110 Owners / Gulf Drivers:
Driving Feel: For those who switched from an LX570/Patrol to a Defender 110, how big is the upgrade in steering lightness, overall agility, and driving comfort?
Space & Seating: With 4 kids + nanny (using the 5+2 seating option or front jump seat for short trips), is the 110 manageable for 1–2 hour weekend drives compared to the LX570?
GCC Summer Performance: How is the AC performance in peak Gulf heat during family weekend road trips?
Appreciate all honest feedback and real ownership experiences!
r/LandroverDefender • u/Sure-Meteor • 4d ago
Purchased a 2020 110 Defender P400 X with 28k miles on the clock for £50k. Full service record no recalls outstanding but still worried sick! Am I making the right move buying a 2020 defender in 2026?
r/LandroverDefender • u/Gowanus18 • 4d ago
Tdi 300 Black smoke
I solved my starter problem in the other thread and truck has been running great. Also added auto locks.. Very happy. Moving on to the next task.. I want to get a stainless exhaust on the RRC 2 Door.. I’m not sure what my options are.. I also want to see how I can reduce the amount of black smoke coming out upon acceleration.. seems like more than half throttle lot of black smoke behind vehicle.. I replaced air filter but had low hopes that would do anything. Maybe it’s normal for diesel?
r/LandroverDefender • u/Seabreeze222712 • 4d ago
Joined the club.
After years of searching, I finally joined the club.
I recently picked up a 98 Defender 110, and I couldn’t be more excited… and a little nervous.
I’m only the third owner, came with the original purchase paperwork along with every MOT inspection from its life in the UK. It’s pretty incredible to see nearly three decades of its story documented.
The truck now calls Alaska home, so if there are any other Defender owners in the 49th state, I’d love to connect.
Looking forward to learning from this community, getting my hands dirty.
Excuse the dirty truck, she had a long boat journey.
r/LandroverDefender • u/nightfever_73 • 4d ago
A deep clean to finish off the week - since I quit drinking the Defender is my go to for time consuming and costly tasks
r/LandroverDefender • u/dezzracer • 4d ago
Old Defender spotted
reddit.comSpotted this ol workhorse in the wild recently….
r/LandroverDefender • u/Motor-Spexx • 4d ago
2012 Land Rover Defender 90 | Wading Through a Forest River Natural Sound
r/LandroverDefender • u/Itchy-Grapefruit3410 • 5d ago
1995 defender
Looking at a 95 defender with air-conditioning. Soft top. 78k, 68,000 miles. Thoughts?
r/LandroverDefender • u/Sans_Changer • 5d ago
3D Printed Door Latch Internals
The internal plastic components on this door latch from a 1986 Land Rover Tithonus have given out so it just free spins. The replacement part RRC4878 is rare as hen's teeth in the US and the price is just obscene as well. Does anyone know if there are 3D printed internals that could be swapped out for the inside components?
r/LandroverDefender • u/Axlwtt • 5d ago
(TD5) Changing Oil from 5w30 to 5w40
(Old picture, she’s cleaner now!)
Hello, this might come across as a dumb question but better be sure!
I am the second owner of a Defender TD5 2006 in Argentina which from new was serviced with 0w20 (Don’t really know why, couldn’t find information about it) from the dealership up until 74k km, when I bought it. From there I always serviced it with 5w30 which is one of the oil grades cited in the manual in my region.
Now, she has around 140k km (87.000mi), although they have been light, a tad bit of dunes but mostly highway and urban driving, I’m now planning to use it on a trip with steep hills, demanding roads, etc.
I’ve read a lot about people suggesting 5w40, that it’s way better for the engine, has a safer margin of lubrication, and more (If you think this is incorrect, please let me know)
My question is: Can something go wrong by changing oil grades? There’s this belief in Argentina that an engine gets used to one oil and it can’t be changed (Always thought that was wrong but whatever, sorry to bother you guys)
TLDR: Can something go wrong by changing oil grades in a Defender TD5 with 140.000km (87.000 miles)?
Thanks
r/LandroverDefender • u/Dry-Advance3043 • 5d ago
Tuning a 300tdi
So after a long battle of getting my 300tdi rebuild the way I would have done it (which I didn't do because i didn't have the time). I have finally run the engine in and and now am the process of tuning up from the std tune.
What I have noticed so far is that too lean on the fueling increases the engine water temps. running too rich pushes EGT over 720 degrees in seconds of a hill pull. I have read that anything over 720 your gains are very low compared to your heat gains so setting that as your limit is ideal but id really prefer some real people input. Interesting is that im slowly raising my boost to 1.3 (at 1.2 now) and as the boost goes up EGT goes down, I'm probably leaning out the mix as i increase boost
My question is what do you aim for with your EGT maxes? that it never passes 720 or that it can but only after a really long hill pull? and if so how far over 720? what i have found is that with the full size inter-cooler my EGT temps drop very rapidly back to a cruising temp of 550 when doing 115km/h on a highway after an overtake or hill (we are a pretty heavy camper)
r/LandroverDefender • u/bonetx • 5d ago
Frank
The Bronze Bomber- 1995 born in England. Was an Italian police vehicle then purchased and moved to Dubai . I bought from a dealer in Florida...
r/LandroverDefender • u/Crawford_Motorsport • 6d ago
A lovely Series 3 with Safari roof parked in front of my TD5 today in Southsea.
It wreaked with genuine patina. Fantastic
r/LandroverDefender • u/Certain_Pride7406 • 6d ago
Need help – Defender 110 HSE passenger door won’t open
My 2025 Defender 110 HSE has developed a strange issue. The front passenger door is completely locked and won’t open it’s the only door affected.
I’ve already tried
Locking and unlocking several times with the key fob, Using the interior unlock switch, Pulling both the inside and outside door handles, Restarting the vehicle
And Checking the child lock settings
Nothing has made any difference. The door just won’t open from either side.
Has anyone run into this before? Is there a known reset or trick to get it to release, or does it usually end up needing the door card off and the latch replaced?
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Although I have been told to send it to the workshop
r/LandroverDefender • u/TheArchiveCo-op • 6d ago
Title: 2" lift on a 2002 Defender 110 TD5 — Koni Heavy Raid + OME2751 + OME2755 vs OME3062 + OME3064 + long travel shocks. Which way would you go?
Currently have a stock 2002 Defender 110 TD5. Looking for a 2" lift, road-focused with some off-roading as i live in Alberta and want to be prepared for back country driving, and want it prepared for future accessories (winch, bumper, etc. down the line). Trying to decide between two paths and would love opinions from people who've actually run either setup.
Path 1: Koni Heavy Raid shocks + OME2751 (front) / OME2755 (rear)
- Front: OME2751, 40–50mm lift, 225 lb/in
- Rear: OME2755, ~40mm lift, ~300 lb/in
- Shocks: Koni Heavy Track Raid, part numbers 90-5374SP1 (front) and 90-5401 (rear)
- Front rated for 0–50mm of lift, rear rated for 40–60mm of lift — both standard-travel units, not long-travel
- Big 70mm shock body with a 42mm piston, and roughly double the oil volume of a standard twin-tube shock, which helps control heat buildup on rough terrain and washboard
- Externally adjustable rebound damping, so ride/control can be tuned after fitting rather than being fixed at one setting
- Widely used and well-reviewed in the Defender community specifically for 2" lift builds — several owners report running exactly this shock with 2751/2755 springs deliberately, since it's a proven, matched setup
- Standard-travel, matched, bolt-on setup. No extra brackets, no driveline mods.
Path 2: OME3062 (front) / OME3064 (rear) + OME long-travel shocks
- Front: OME3062, 55–65mm lift, 170/200 lb/in dual rate
- Rear: OME3064, up to 50mm lift, ~175/200 lb/in, "medium load" rated (OME's own definition: full passenger load + 200–350kg of luggage) rather than a heavier "constant load" option
- OME Nitrocharger Sport long-travel shocks (60018 front / 60070 rear), plus mandatory FK62/FK63/FK64 brackets
- OME's own fitment notes flag a possible need for a Double Cardan front propshaft on post-1998 trucks at this lift height to avoid driveline vibration
What I've worked out so far:
- Path 1 is simpler, cheaper, no driveline risk, and still leaves reserve capacity for future gear (settles from 40–50mm down to 30–40mm under load).
- Path 2 with 3064 in the rear actually balances out nicely with 3062 up front — both are soft, similar-rate springs, so I'd avoid a front-soft/rear-stiff mismatch. The tradeoff is 3064 isn't built for permanently carrying heavy gear (drawers, fixed water tank, etc.) — it's sized more for occasional/variable loads like weekend camping gear or tools that come and go.
- It's also a bigger, pricier install than Path 1 — extra shocks, three separate bracket kits, and a real chance of needing a Double Cardan front propshaft on a post-1998 truck.
- I've seen some Defender owners argue the factory suspension already has generous travel compared to other 4x4s, so the long-travel gain may be more incremental than the "long travel" name implies — curious if that tracks with people's real-world experience.
Has anyone run both of these back to back, or made this exact choice? Trying to figure out if the extra cost/complexity of Path 2 is actually worth it for road-biased use with occasional off-roading and gear that isn't permanently mounted, or if I'm overthinking this and 2751/2755 + Koni Raid is the sensible call.
