Transforming your 4×4 into a modern Defender is simpler than you think. We know you love your classic Defender, and that’s why you want to run with it for as long as humanly possible. However, old cars eventually tend to show us signs that it’s either time to let go or make some improvements.
And at Classic Overland, we always opt for making improvements first.
When it comes to restoring classic Defenders, it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference. We’re here to tell you a few simple ways you can modify your Defender and keep adventuring with your beloved off-road companion – for years to come!
Find the Right Tires to Tackle Your Terrain
Tires are often the very first thing that is either replaced or customized when transforming a 4×4. Where do you enjoy off-roading most? What kind of terrain do often you find yourself driving on? These are the questions you need to ask yourself when choosing the right tires for your Classic Defender.
A good set of tires that are suited for the type of driving you will be doing will make a world of difference.
For the Mud-Eating Defenders
You need a tire that’s going to provide more traction and an aggressive off-road tread.
For the Rock-Climbing Defenders
Larger tires will make a big difference as they roll over rocks and ruts much easier than smaller ones.
Upgrade Your Suspension to Dodge the Potholes
A suspension upgrade will have your classic Defender feeling better than new and enhance its off-road capability. Not only will it be stronger and be able to take more punishment from corrugations, but it will also carry heavy loads better and provide improved performance. This is perfect for when you plan on going away on an off-road adventure with the whole family.
In general, most vehicles will benefit from a heavy-duty 2-inch lift suspension kit . This will give your vehicle more ground clearance and wheel travel. This will make a big difference when you’re flexing it up through big ruts and potholes.
Shed Some Light on Your Adventure
We’ll be honest and say that the headlights installed in the Defender models from the 1900s were or are not exactly ideal for off-roading. This is because older incandescent headlight globes were terribly inefficient. With less than 10 percent of the power they consume converting into light, and the rest turning into heat, today that would often be considered a road hazard.
Luckily, there are things like Modern LED headlights available in a few different conversion styles. These headlights will not only produce significantly more light, it’ll put less strain on your electrical system in the process. This means there is more energy left over to power fridges, radios, and driving lights.
Make Your Defender’s Bite Bigger Than its Bark
If an old dog can learn new tricks, so can your classic Defender – with a little more power in its engine. Most vehicles, but especially older ones, can benefit from extra power for both highway and off-road use. At Classic Overland, we repower all our restored Defenders so your old pal can drive and perform better than new.
We also only squeeze in a few extra horses into your Land Rover engine once we have inspected your vehicle and it is deemed safe to do so. Some classic Defenders, depending on their age, do not take well to power upgrades, so we need to be sure that it’s the best thing for your 4×4’s lifespan.
There’s No Adventure Without a Soundtrack
As off-road enthusiasts, we know the adventure isn’t complete without the perfect tunes playing to motivate you through the humps and bumps of rocky terrain. Upgrading your stereo is a simple yet effective way to make your off-road journeys exciting again.
Turn your classic 4×4 into a modern Defender with some Bluetooth technology. This feature allows you to play your favorite road trip tunes without a mess of cords, and allows you to take phone calls while adhering to the ‘don’t text and drive’ rule.
A Modern Defender That’s Better Than New
At Classic Overland, we transform your classic driving companion into a modern Defender, while still keeping it’s ‘rugged’ originality. And upgrading your 4×4 is not as complicated or as expensive as you might think, because we know that the smallest changes make the biggest difference.
Are you ready to show off your new and improved off-road companion? Contact us to get the exciting process started. Your fellow adventurers will be green with envy!