Land Rover Defenders are very capable vehicles for difficult 4WD in the mountains. That's why we've chosen them (as have the Australian Army). However we have also discovered their limitations (we have four 300Tdis) through over 8 years' operation in our 4WD tour business. So we've developed modifications which also could save other owners a lot of expensive problems:

Rear Axle/Seal Upgrade

Problem: Internal corrosion, spline fretting, axle twisting and eventual bearing collapse (wheel may break off)
Solution: High strength axles and thicker drive flanges with bearings converted to oil lubrication and anti-corrosion treatment of axle-casing.
Price: Parts $950 plus fitting (4~5 hours) and oil.

Front Axle/Bearing Upgrade

Problem: Internal corrosion and spline fretting requiring expensive replacement of front CV joint/axle assemblies.
Solution: Better-fitting drive flanges with bearings converted to oil lubrication.
Price: Parts $350 plus fitting (2~4 hours).


Front Cabin Water Sealing

Problem: Roof cracking, gasket failure near windscreen, and water leakage into front foot-wells, causing corrosion.
Solution: Modified fixings and sealing.
Price: Parts $50 plus fitting (1 hour)

Rear Maxi-Drive Diff Lock

Problem: Improve traction with a diff lock which is more reliable than air-operated types.
Solution: Install Maxi-Drive vacuum-operated diff lock. (May additionally involve diff overhaul.)
Price: Parts from $2,000 (incl. axle/seal upgrade) plus fitting
(8~12 hours). Includes loan exchange of rear axle assembly.

Rear Camp Kitchen Unit

Problem: Camping gear storage
Solution: Kitchen unit (fits fridge, stove and storage bins).
Price: Module (removable) $1,400 plus fitting (4 hours)

Serpentine Belt Tensioner Modification

Problem: Possible unexpected bearing failure (immobilising vehicle), requiring expensive replacement of complete unit.
Solution: Tensioner modification to make bearing easily serviceable "in the bush".
Price: Parts $100 (incl. spare bearing) plus fitting (1 hour).

Steering Pitman Arm Modification

Problem: Wear on ball joint requiring expensive replacement of complete unit.
Solution: Recondition by replacement of ball joint with new, greaseable type.
Price: Parts $80 plus fitting (1 hour).

Steering Track Rod Upgrade

Problem: Track rod is vulnerable to damage by rocks.
Solution: Replace with high strength unit.
Price: Parts $220 plus fitting (1 hour)

Differential Re-Shimming

Problem: Driveline backlash/clunking during gearchange.
Solution: Remove (using our specialist tools), dismantle and re-shim front/rear/centre differentials to optimise tolerances,minimising backlash and maximising bearing life.
Price: Parts and labour depends on requirements.

We stock and fit
MAXI-DRIVE ENGINEERING AUSTRALIA
products

We use and recommend
PENRITE LUBRICANTS

Links:
Land-Rover Exchange
Our parts disposals

For some items we can supply parts only, however in most cases we believe it is more cost effective for these modifications to be done in our Morwell workshop. Also our low overheads should make the fitting cost ($40/hour) very attractive.
A deposit is required on placement of order. Balance is payable on delivery.
Designed, manufactured and installed by our affiliated business:
MTE 4x4 ACCESSORIES Ian (Inspector Gadget) McCowat > More photos
Phone us for mail order on (03) 5133 6001 or use our online Order Form.