We have compiled the list below after 13+ years with Land Rovers, of which nine years with our trustworthy Defender 110 Rafiki. We believe these are 7 smart upgrades applicable to most Defenders out there.

Seven upgrades for all Defenders:

1. Brass thermostat and radiator plugs
2. Engine temperature and air sensor
3. Silicon hoses
4. Upgraded lighting
5. Snow cowl
6. Blind spot mirrors
7. Extra locks and safety hinges

1. Brass thermostat and radiator plugs

One of the easiest and cheapest upgrades for your Defender is to replace the plastic radiator- and thermostat plugs with brass versions. It depends on your engine, but a 300tdi comes with very brittle plastic plugs that will crack at the slightest touch.

When traveling long-term to warm regions, or when pushing your vehicle to its limits, you will inevitably touch the plugs to bleed the coolant system. Unfortunately, the original brittle plastic plugs aren’t up to the job and can cause significant problems. If they fail when you’re far away from civilization your trip can quickly turn into a bigger challenge then you bargained for. Replace them for the brass version, maybe bring a few spare o-rings, and you will be set. Cheap and easy!

2. Engine temperature and air sensor

Land Rover Series vehicles and older Defenders come with rubbish original temperature meters. They lack sensitivity and will most likely stall at the mid-temperature level, never indicating that your engine is possibly overheating. They will give you a falls sense of safety, whilst you might be blowing up your engine on a mountain pass.

We installed the EngineWatchdog TM2 (bought online in the UK) which provides you with accurate temperatures. It even senses air (failed head gasket, or a leaking system) in the coolant system. The temperature sensor is easily installed as it is simply mounted underneath a bolt, just like a washer. We installed it on the aluminum head of our 300tdi engine to provide reliable head temperatures.

The air sensor sits in a plastic plug (yes we know, we just told you to replace them for brass) and will be mounted in the plug-hole of the radiator. It’s a simple swap with the original, or brass one you just installed.

The EngineWatchdog kit comes with a unit that shows the current engine temperature and a LED light indicating air in the system. When overheating, or when air is detected, it will trigger an alarm. This device has saved us many times over the years, indicating dangerously high temperatures or a leaking coolant system that might ruin the engine.

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3. Silicon hoses

The original rubber hoses of our Defenders are good, but not the best. They become stiff over time, and brittle ones might even crack when higher temperatures are reached. Once they become stiff it gets hard to work with them, and tightening hose clamps can become challenging.

Replacing them with silicone hoses will aid in longevity and make your whole coolant system more reliable.

4. Upgraded lighting

The original Land Rover Defender headlamps are great! Great for lighting up your closet, maybe. In all honesty, these lights don’t come close to any modern-day automotive lighting. When driving at night it can become a real challenge to see what’s ahead, especially on highways where oncoming traffic might blind you.

Installing additional spotlights will help you a great deal. However, you might want to consider upgrading to clear glass headlamps, or even better, modern-day LED lighting. The latter will make a huge difference in the long run. Depending on the brand, they will outperform most standard light bulbs and will be vastly more reliable and long-lasting. We recently installed a full Wipac LED kit, replacing not only the headlamps but also all other lights. As it improves safety at night we believe it is an essential upgrade for all.

5. Snow cowl

It was mid-winter a few years ago when we were driving in the cold of Eastern Europe when our windscreen kept fogging up. We were ice cold, even inside Rafiki. We soon learned that the heater matrix intake, the air blower providing you with hot air, takes its airflow from a vent on the wing top. Snow had covered the vent, stopping the heater from working, just when we needed it most. The installation of a snow cowl fixed everything, but, it took us months to receive and install it… Don’t make the same mistake as us, and install one when you can. They are available in plastic and metal. Although ours is a plastic version – and it does the job without problems –, we would love to upgrade to a metal version in the future.

6. Blind spot car mirrors

One super easy addition to your Defender is blind spot mirror stickers. These little mirrors are easily placed onto your existing mirrors and provide you with a view of the vehicle’s blind spot. We stuck them on both our mirrors and they have made all the difference. These days we always check our standard mirrors and these, before making a turn. Our brains are so used to them, that even when a car enters the corner and shows up in this tiny mirror, we notice it. We believe they are super handy, especially for fully loaded overland vehicles where the second-row window might be obstructed. We bought ours in a local car accessory shop for about € 2,-, so you don’t have to cut corners here.

7. Extra locks and safety hinges

Have you ever tried to open another Defender with your keys, or even a screwdriver? Don’t. If you’re lucky it won’t open the vehicle, if you’re unlucky it will and you will be arrested for breaking into a vehicle. Unfortunately, our Defender cylinder locks are the worst of the worst. When relatively new they will provide some sort of security, but when worn they can be opened with anything and everything. Keeping your locks in good condition is one, but we can’t recommend enough to install extra locks on all doors.

It doesn’t have to be a fortress, but you want to have reasonable security against break-ins. On our front doors, we have installed built-in fence locks, our second-row doors have the Thule Van Lock, and our rear door has two extra locks that are secured in place with padlocks. Of course, this is just how we solved it. There are many solutions and improvements out there, so it’s best to do some research.

Additionally to upgraded locks, it is wise to replace your hinge bolts, or your hinges completely. Standard door hinges can quite easily be removed by undoing the bolts from the outside. Luckily, there are aftermarket locking bolts available, making them much harder to remove. There are also improved hinges that will tackle the problem even more effectively, by removing the exterior bolts completely.