Heated Screen

Another task that I completed recently was to wire in my heated screen, that I had installed when I swapped the bulkhead. It’s been on my list for a while. The first task was to start running wires, as you can see it looks like chaos, which always seems to be the case when working on the Defenders electrics.

The relays and fuses will live under the passenger’s seat.

And will be switched from the centre console.

All complete and looking good, I also put in to 12v power outlets – one each side of the console.

Mud Flap Modifcation

Mud Flap

So the fitting of the new exhaust system did throw up a couple of issues. One of which was the extent the pipe sticks out the side of the vehicle, this isn't too much of an issue so for now it stays as is. The other is that the exit of the pipe completely stops the mud flap and bracket from being fitted.

So a custom map flap bracket was required. I worked out that if I altered the shape of the original design and mounted it slightly further rearward on the outside of the vehicle it could work. First task was to make a cardboard template. The picture below is after a lot of trial and error, but I’ll skip the boring bit. 

This template was then transferred onto a sheet of 3mm steel.

Which was cut out with the plasma cutter.

The rough edges were then ground down and the unit polished.

The locating tabs bent into position.

The holes were then drilled out, and the mud flap test fitted.

And then the flap and bracket were tried for size. The mud flap it's self needed to be trimmed so not to rub on the exhaust. In the picture below the exhaust is pushing on the mud flap.

 Then it was painted, dried and final fitment.

 

Job done.

Green Laning

It’s been a while since the Defender went of road so me and an friend met up and did what we thought would be a quick few light green lanes – but it ended up being more like the Camel Trophy (well not really, but closer than I wanted it to be)! The first lane took us 2 and half hours.

The first lane was too badly abused, we shouldn't have gone down it. But my mate was eager and we neglected to walk the course. So once stuck there was no choice, won't be going down it again mind.

Being stuck was also quite interesting - as we both were running the same type and size tires, but my mate struggled a little more than me. Might be the lift, or the wheel base not sure.

Never the less we still had fun, as you will see. After the Camel Trophy section there were some proper green lanes and a ford so interesting day.

I did however get a few scuffs in new paint work and glass. Both of which I think I can polish out. Annoying none the less, but to be expected considering.

New Exhuast

Its been a very long time since my last post, and you may have noticed a pattern here. The cause for this pattern is my other project - full house refurbishment. I'm pushing this on to completion so the Defender and this blog has taken a bit of a back seat. Neither the less, I have worked on the Defender, and the below was written shortly after my last blog, but I've just not had time to upload it........ So back to it.

Since my last post I have done some green lane-ing. In fact it was the next day as the prior post suggested, but more of that in the next blog.

Next day at work I ordered a new exhaust, as there was an insane level noise coming from the Defender. Double S full Sport on its way……

Which arrived promptly. So first task was to strip out the old.

Which went unbelievably well, up until the last bolt I undid snapped off…..

Proper pain. It took about 3 hours of drilling an abusive language to get this thing out. I brought two different types of stud extractor all of which failed. In the end drilling it out was the only option. There wasn’t much left by the time it was out, luckily there wasn't much damage to the block thread.

But in order to get it out I had to take off the wing, which i was hoping not to do.

But once that was sorted I set about installing the new system.

As you will see from the above the bore on the end section is much bigger, and there is no silencer….. J

All in all not a bad job to do (other than the snapped bolt), the exhaust fits together very well, looks good and sounds great.