2013 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 LIMITED EDITIONDEFENDER
D
AMIAN swept this limited edition Defender 90 from the
showroom floor back in 2013, and he’s spent the years
since tinkering and perfecting the Land Rover to be the
ultimate weekday workhorse-cum-weekend warrior.
Damian’s a carpenter by trade, so the 90 was originally
purchased as a work rig, but it’s now far more capable than just
transporting hammers and nails during the working week. The
2.2-litre four-cylinder-powered Defender – with power hiked
from 90 to 130kW thanks to an ECU tune – spends an increasing
amount of time helping Damian and his better half scratch their
off-roading itch.
“She enjoys the camping aspect of it more, and she grits her
teeth on the way there,” Damian laughed. “We like Caledonia
River and Butcher Country in the Vic High Country.”
Eager readers may recognise the Orkney Grey hue of this
Defender, as it was featured in the April 2017 issue of 4X4Australia. However, as with any 4x4 worth its salt, progress has
been made since we last drove it.
Only recently, after breaking a couple of rear shock absorbers,
Damian opted to add Les Richmond Koni long-travel shocks
and coils to soften ride and enhance the Defender’s off-road
credentials. Since this tweak to the shocks and coils, Damian
reckons the 90 has never felt better.
“The suspension has been the biggest difference. I was
breaking shockers and it was a much harder suspension. It’s now
softer and moulds to everything a bit better.
“I don’t have any sway bars in and I’ve got soft coils,” he added.
“So handling isn’t perfect on-road, but you get used to it. It’s soft
for off-road.”
The suspension work is polished off by the ARB twin
compressor, Ashcroft front and rear lockers, Ashcroft CVs,
Hi Tough axles, oil-lubed bearings, heavy-duty flanges and aROVACRAFT BULLBAR
WIDER FLARE ARCHESRUNVA 11XP WINCHJW SPEAKER HEADLIGHTSROOF RACK WITH HI-LIFT JACK,
AWNING, DUAL JERRY CAN HOLDER48 & 17-INCH LED LIGHT BARS444 http://www.4X4australia.com.auCUSTOM DEFENDER V FJ V WRANGLER