Roam.Wild
Well-known member
We’re looking at importing a Defender 110 from South Africa, most likely with the 300tdi. It would mainly serve as our weekend warrior and primary camping/adventure rig here in Colorado. I’ve done a fair bit of research, and it seems most Land Rover owners embrace the “struggle” of ownership, something always needs tinkering. Usually, it’s minor, but still: why so many little issues?
My plan would be to go through the truck systematically and rebuild/refresh whatever’s needed to make it as reliable as possible. My wife will not be impressed if we end up stranded in the Rockies because I chose an old African import over a new truck with heated and massaging seats. So, I’m curious: any 110 owners here with positive stories of ownership? Instagram is full of jokes about Defenders constantly breaking down, but I also follow a few long-haul overlanders who circle the globe in them, though even they end up wrenching in some pretty exotic places.
For weekend mountain duty, are we realistically better off with a 60-series Land Cruiser? Probably. But Defenders just have a different presence, and around here in Colorado, it feels like everyone has a Toyota. I have had a slew of the latest and greatest trucks over the past 5-6 years and now have a calling to something older, something that's more of a tinkering project instead of just throwing the catalog of shiny new parts at it. I want something that’s fun to work on/build, but still dependable enough for mountain trails and remote camps. I’ve even considered an OM606 swap down the road if the 300tdi proves underpowered at altitude or it pops. I’d also keep a dedicated spares kit in a storage box, just to be safe.
For Defender 110 owners:
What are the must-do preventative fixes or upgrades for reliability?
What spares do you carry on trips, and how often do you actually need them?
How realistic is it to daily or weekend-drive one in a place like Colorado, with lots of steep passes and high altitude?
Any common pitfalls with South African imports specifically (rust, wiring, drivetrain differences)?
Have any of you gone the route of an engine swap (OM606, LS, etc.), and was it worth the effort over a refreshed 300tdi?
And finally, what keeps you in a Defender instead of moving to a Toyota or another classic 4x4?
Would love to hear some balanced stories, not just the horror reels!
Any other Defender specific forums (pm me as I don't think we can link here) I should be checking out? I did google a few and they are sparsely populated, unlike MUD which has everything I could every want to learn about a 60. Itching to learn more!
My plan would be to go through the truck systematically and rebuild/refresh whatever’s needed to make it as reliable as possible. My wife will not be impressed if we end up stranded in the Rockies because I chose an old African import over a new truck with heated and massaging seats. So, I’m curious: any 110 owners here with positive stories of ownership? Instagram is full of jokes about Defenders constantly breaking down, but I also follow a few long-haul overlanders who circle the globe in them, though even they end up wrenching in some pretty exotic places.
For weekend mountain duty, are we realistically better off with a 60-series Land Cruiser? Probably. But Defenders just have a different presence, and around here in Colorado, it feels like everyone has a Toyota. I have had a slew of the latest and greatest trucks over the past 5-6 years and now have a calling to something older, something that's more of a tinkering project instead of just throwing the catalog of shiny new parts at it. I want something that’s fun to work on/build, but still dependable enough for mountain trails and remote camps. I’ve even considered an OM606 swap down the road if the 300tdi proves underpowered at altitude or it pops. I’d also keep a dedicated spares kit in a storage box, just to be safe.
For Defender 110 owners:
What are the must-do preventative fixes or upgrades for reliability?
What spares do you carry on trips, and how often do you actually need them?
How realistic is it to daily or weekend-drive one in a place like Colorado, with lots of steep passes and high altitude?
Any common pitfalls with South African imports specifically (rust, wiring, drivetrain differences)?
Have any of you gone the route of an engine swap (OM606, LS, etc.), and was it worth the effort over a refreshed 300tdi?
And finally, what keeps you in a Defender instead of moving to a Toyota or another classic 4x4?
Would love to hear some balanced stories, not just the horror reels!
Any other Defender specific forums (pm me as I don't think we can link here) I should be checking out? I did google a few and they are sparsely populated, unlike MUD which has everything I could every want to learn about a 60. Itching to learn more!
