Land Rover Defender Modifying Manual: A Practical Guide to Upgrades (Haynes Modifying Manuals)

I had previously bought the equivalent guide for the landrover discovery - and was surprised and impressed with the comparison. This guide was written by Lindsay Porter - who has been for several years and continues to be the Technical Editor of the Land Rover Monthly (LRM) magazine, and is highly active with advice on the various online Forums.Unlike the Discovery manual, the author vary carefully starts each section with a detailed but easy-to-understand description of how that system works, what you should consider when planning a modification, where he would advise you think carefully (if not against it), and not only how he carried out that particular modification, but the alternative mods available.Then, like each Haynes manual, it launches into exacting detail of How To, with detailed, full-colour pictures supplemented where necessary with exploded diagrams. Lots of them - often 40+ per mod. The modifications are often carried out by the major companies/manufacturers involved, such as Allisport, Extreme 4x4, MobileCentre etc. The level of detail is fantastic - so much so that the print in this manual is often quite small. One small quibble would be that some of the modifications run into one another - with a new modification starting halfway down a page rather than the next one. This is no doubt just because of having to fit it all in, but makes it a hair more difficult if you are leafing through for a particular thing. Ok, I'm just impossible to please...Given the 30+ year history of Defenders, it is very hard for this book to be all things to all people - it can't detail how procedures vary between 90, 110, 130 through 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td5, TDCi etc. But of course, it isn't designed to - it will give you a good idea, then you may have to go away and consult the workshop manual and/or specialist advice for your exact model. Although, 90% of the mods in here you could do with just this guide and maybe the haynes manual. I don't recall seeing anything on the 200Tdi, although the 300Tdi bits are well covered. And it certainly goes up to TDCi, although home modification starts to get a bit more limited by the complex electronics.There are a few gaps - I would have liked to see more on security than simply fitting 2 different types of Tracker for example. But the headline items - engine tweaks, suspension, trim, electrics etc - are covered in great detail, and have given me some new ideas despite the fact that I've been looking at this for some years. Published in Jan 2012, it is certainly up to date with some of the latest products on the market, and the law changes to MOT and LED lighting etc that only came in very recently.Overall, extremely well-detailed and presented - even if you are experienced, and have already done substantial modification to your Defender, I would recommend this - you might learn something!

Bought as a gift for a Land Rover owner, looking to carry out very basic mods, he was very pleased with it.. Not really suitable if you want tips on how to build a challenge truck...

A quote from my husband, for whom this was a gift: Best prezzie ever!We've recently bought our first defender, our 2nd off-roading chariot, & I thought that the combo of the Haynes owners manual & this modifying manual would be a spot-on christmas present. I am reliably informed (because I haven't been able to get anywhere neither either of these books yet!) that the modifying manuals is a real eye-opener! The book itself is full colour, with loads of useful pictures mirroring the step-by-step easy-to-understand instructions. Upgrade jobs that we would normally have taken straight to garage now look well within our reach despite despite our relatively novice-level skills. Great stuff!

I wanted this book to check what's on the market or advised to upgrade my 2012 SEB station wagon.This book is aimed at the earlier models as most of the updates have already been incorporated in my LR. I still think the book falls way short on certain good updates like what you can do about the handbrake eg electric alternative or using a disco or range rover type handle (to make room for your legs!) and some information on seat risers and/or seat squab extenders and DAB and Bluetooth upgrades. Sadly all these we're missing and were what l had bought it for. It would be an ok book for early models though which need to be brought up to date with electric windows, coil suspension, carpetting, sound proofing, et al

Useful book but be advised that it is mainly based on modifying a TD5 Defender so particularly the front interior/dashboard area, seating are completely different from the later Puma engined vehicles however a lot of other items are interchangeable. As another reviewer has stated some of these articles have appeared in Landrover Monthly and some can be found on-line but still a worthwhile purchase and shows what can be done with our Defenders.

The one

Arrived on time, as described by the seller, price not too bad.

Recently bought this for my father, as he's a mad Land Rover enthusiast, and thought it would be the same thing he's seen in various books but he was thrilled with it! Colour photo's were a big help to him and the book is sat in the garage as a quick reference. Good buy for any fan.