This 2023 Land Rover Defender 90 V8 Carpathian (L663) was purchased from Land Rover Gwinnett, internet sales manager Monica Joiner. In case you're wondering, a certified car from these guys means dead key fob batteries, a crankcase that was overfilled .5-1 quart, alignment that was all over the place, and rear tires almost down to the treadwear indicators....all by their certified service staff....and failure to provide the owners manual/service records outside of a Carfax report- things that cost them nothing but will cost you....at this point I'm rethinking the dealer warranty sold to me as a manufacturer warranty- BUYER BEWARE.
The SC V8 is the AJ133S.
Dealer Video HERE, build sheet is HERE .
Purchased SMARTLINER All Weather Custom Fit 2 Row Floor Mats & Cargo Liner from Amazon on sale.....really purchased for the rear cargo mat which was almost the same price as the set, floor mats in storage for later use.
I didn't like the cheap "SMARTLINER" stickers but they are easily peeled off (as pictured), mat has rubberized texture so things will not slide around.
NOTE: The following is provided for informational purposes only, user assumes all risks- YMMV.
Valentine 1 Gen2 radar detector (Owners Manual, Quick Start Guide, Programming Guide, Troubleshooting, How To Upgrade) hardwire installed using a Xislet Radar Detector Hardwire Power Cord Mirror Plug Tap with Inline Fuse from Amazon, I used the cord with the smallest pins. A good forum thread on how the trim pieces come apart/off to access the mirror plug and tap wiring is HERE.
Using the Bluetooth connection to the V1 from my Android phone with the JBV1 app adds a lot of useful functionality- Some discussion around the JBV1 app can be found HERE, helpful settings guide HERE.
BlendMount (P/N BV1-2038) was ordered and installed (Installation Instructions HERE). Customer Support with BlendMount is AWESOME
When removing the plastic mirror cover to access the plug to tap, think of it as a clamshell that snaps together and around the mirror stem. I used my hands to slightly pry apart at the back and then a plastic trim tool to work/unsnap all the way around. Only the driver side was removed to access the plug.
Purchased Lucky8 Central Storage Box to make this space more useful.....per my wife.
Also pictured is the plug-in voltage gauge that I purchased from Amazon.
Purchased TuffAnt Rock Sliders from Jake (Expedition Yankee/TuffAnt USA) in Chattanooga TN.
Got a few tips from Jake and some from a forum thread HERE.
First step, organization and tool prep. The 2.25" hole saw had a drill bit that was too long, removed with hex wrench, cut to desired size (-10mm), deburred, and reinstalled.....and then I ended up going with a larger 2.5" hole saw suggested by several for a little more wiggle room. All spacers labeled on top for easy ID and no visibility after installation. Few issues: spacer bolt retention circlips were too large and fell off (I may just source correct size if I ever have to take them off), bushing on right side had to be modified to work with gas tank skid in the way, and right side tab for felt mount had to be bent out of the way to allow room for the spacer and access the bolt hole. Probably the biggest time waster for us was wanting to get it done, doing then having to undo- don't start any bolts until you have looked around and see where the slider might have to be dropped down to go under/between some existing mount. Also as others have mentioned, the front bolt hole may require flexing the tranmission plate some to lineup all of the sandwiched holes, I used a small pry bar. Any plastic rivets removed were reinstalled prior to mounting the rock sliders. These are the best looking rock sliders out there for the Defender IMO, should work well for their intended use and double as steps. Since this is her Defender and she wanted to help wrench......did make my job a bit easier. TuffAnt D90 Fitment Guide (see my pictures/notes for tips/challenges specific to the D90), TuffAnt D110/130 Fitment Guide, Tyson Annotated D110/130 Guide.
Purchased eBay VPLER0190 copy Roof Rails to replace the splitting rubber blanks on our V8 L663 90.....kind of an experiment if you will, I am guessing that like OE all copies are also made in China so why pay more?
Delivered well packaged but not perfect for $120 (even comes with a security socket to remove OE bolts), OEM VPLER0190 installation instructions and the powefulukltd video apply for the most part but you'll have to figure out the gaps. First gap is no specific instructions (and assembly is required) 4 less bolts than OE, but those bolts are for the front plastic piece supports which really are not structural so reusing the removed/shorter OE bolts with new blue Loctite should be fine.
[EDIT] Purchased second set from different vendor as backup for same cost, this set did have specific instructions, all hardware, and came assembled- YHTAUTO Roof Rack Rails for Land Rover Defender 90 are the ones to get.
When removing the plastic mirror cover to access the plug to tap, think of it as a clamshell that snaps together and around the mirror stem. I used my hands to slightly pry apart at the back and then a plastic trim tool to work/unsnap all the way around. Only the driver side was removed to access the plug.
My WWW Garage
