MY LIFE IN LAND ROVERS

Since having a Series IIA back in the mid 1980s, I think I’ve had most of the proper motors: Series I, SIIA, SIII (Lightweight), Discovery, Range Rover Classic, Defender 110 XS and, finally, YD64. This is the culmination of my life in Land Rovers.

I spent a lot of time deciding how and what I wanted to end up with. YD64 has elements of various bespoke Defender houses and I’ve been asked quite a few times “Is that a Bowler?” or “Is that a Twisted?” – which I take as a huge compliment as the sticker on the back says it all: Built by Land Rover, Improved by Me!

YD64 was bought new in September 2014 and the future-proofing started straight away. Within hours I was changing items, upgrading and, hopefully, improving it. The lights got replaced and the headlight rings were also swapped for galvanised ones, LEDS all round.

Four days from new YD64 was at JR Classics for the full Dinitrol treatment and has been back annually for a check-up.

It is quite satisfying but still worrying to put a jigsaw to a bulkhead on a motor with less than 500 miles on the clock, but it was a case of bulkhead out, heated Recaro seats in (I even stripped the inserts myself to have them sprayed white and then refitted). I installed the dual battery system myself, as well as the power distribution.

It might surprise a few but after a trip to Scotland with less than 1000 miles on the clock, the proper stuff started, with my trusted mechanic (Leigh) at Finishing Auto Touches giving it a full suspension upgrade: Polybushed, galvanised and powder-coated turrets, galvanised rings, powder-coated springs, Bilstein shock absorbers and IRC ride control system. This has three settings controlled by a button on the dash and programmed through an ipad. Leigh also installed the double din entertainment system.

A brakes upgrade followed, with vented and grooved discs all round, six-pot callipers on the front and upgraded pads all round. The upgrade required spacers on the standard Wolf rims – not my ideal solution, so, after a bit of research, I’ve obtained Wolf rims with zero offset (30mm more than standard) – meaning no spacers – and, for the oldies, the FC rim look that looked so cool on military Lightweights back in the day!

To be fair, I must admit that the Wolf look is my favourite, but I do run YD64 on Overfinch five-spokes and road-biased tyres in the summer. Gwyn Lewis and MUD UK have both helped to protect the body and chassis, as both sets of wheels run close to the edge of the arches.

With brakes and suspension sorted, It was time for the engine. Full set of silicone hoses, air filter, stainless steel exhaust and intercooler.

I was interested to know the value of all the upgrades, so YD64 was put on a rolling road in stock and with the above upgrades. The results were the same: only after the remap did we get 30 per cent more power and 40 per cent more torque.

I then installed a custom MSS full drawer system in the back, built to hold my tool boxes and chainsaws, and the central cubby box.

I’ve installed a multitude of changes that hopefully improve and future-proof YD64, but for the casual observer it just looks like a “nice” Defender.

Croytec Billet Bulkhead brackets and hinges followed, with powder-coated security bonnet hinges, Optimal rear door hinges, Mantec wheel carrier, NAS rear bumper, trailer socket in PTO spot, full stainless-steel fixings.

Remote-controlled rear LED work lights and rear Anderson socket for jump leads are all discrete changes.

Flatdog winch bumper and Warn Zeon winch were upgrades in the second year. Ardcase pedal box is the only visible security, but believe me there are further layers that I won’t be disclosing – although a garage built into a hillside and four cars in front of the door is a good deterrent.

I think YD64 will always be a work in progress, but it’s strange to think the only items that have required replacement apart from the much-reported Allisport Chinese Intercoolers (two both splitting on a weld at approx 15,000 miles each) now replaced with a BAS Intercooler.

YD64 has been back to the main dealer for windscreen surround and roof panel corrosion/paint bubbles under warranty. Also, the original mirror brackets have corroded so much they have lifted the paint and have just been replaced.

I’ve missed loads of changes (over 100 have been recorded), like additional fuel tank, cruise control, reversing camera and the most useful, variable intermittent wiper relay!

I know I’m very lucky to buy one of the last Defenders and spec it to my personal taste, but that’s the beauty of Defenders. They are all things to all people. I now own two of my dream three-car garage.