1992 (J) Land Rover Defender 90 Custom Build

Originally a 1992 Land Rover Defender 90 Truck Cab, what we now see is a unique opportunity to own a virtually new, supremely competent off-road sports vehicle, built to the highest of standards by some of the best companies and individuals in the business. 

Presented in the most exquisite of conditions, the truck was acquired by its current owner in 2011 and was already 'well-sorted’ with a galvanised chassis and many new body panels. Used for off-roading, the owner soon began to develop a taste for improvement, and in 2014, he embarked on a 'money no object’, body-off, nut-and-bolt restoration to build his ultimate 4x4.

Clearly the exterior is far from standard and an absolute eyeful. With the body shortened by repositioned bumpers to give that ’stubby’ look, raised wheel arches and a superb bare-metal respray completed by Essex Autospray in Land Rover Phoenix Orange, this truck is truly a sight to behold.

Prior to painting, all body panels were replaced, with particular attention paid to the precision of the rivets and capping’s and the way the panels fitted together, which clearly shows upon closer inspection. 

All external lights are LED and are switchable from the cab, with rear Laser Utility work lights, a Laser Linear 48 front light bar, LED Trucklite headlights up front and with clear NAS style lights to the rear.

Custom rubber chequer plate has been applied to the rear bed with an access panel to the Warn XP9.5 rear winch carrying nylon rope. Beneath the winch sits a detachable custom-built towbar with electrics. A custom-made, heavy gauge chassis-mounted roll cage, rock-sliders and tree-sliders wrap around and over the truck to protect its glorious bodywork. KBX Premium Hi-Force wing-top inlets, front grill, headlight surrounds, and a tubular front bumper with winch mount complete the truck’s facial features with style.

Nothing has been overlooked in this build. There’s even an external 12V power outlet and an air compressor with a train horn just for a bit of fun.

Open the bonnet and the quality of the engineering continues. 

V8 Developments built and fitted the new 4.6 petrol V8 featuring their Torque Master camshaft, carbon fibre trumpets, a remapped ECU, RPI ignition amplifier, distributer, ceramic headers by Headman and high-performance leads. Mated to the engine is an Ashcroft Engineering LT380 gearbox, new transfer box and fully rebuilt differentials. All the ancillaries have been replaced with new, and a new wiring loom has been expertly fitted by Audiofile-Incar. 

Sailsbury Axles feature at both the front and rear, a 3” lift provided by Xtreme 4x4 suspension with extended shocks, remote reservoirs, wide angle props and dislocation cores. Bead-lock Modular wheels and huge 37” Maxxis Trepador tyres give the perfectly aggressive look and traction, but unlike most vehicles built to look similar, the amended differential gear ratios of 4.7 / 1 and the correct geometry allow for the truck to drive exactly as it should. Uprated discs and callipers sit within each wheel. 

With approximately 200BHP, starting the engine treats your senses to a fantastic V8 sound that sees the car rock as the engine is revved - think muscle car on steroids and you’ll get the picture.

Although this truck has never been off road since its re-build, for the benefit of those who decide to do so, it has a Kenlowe electric fan with an isolator and high speed override, a diff-locker, and the ECU has been relocated to inside the cab. There’s also a split-charge system with twin Optima batteries.

Open the driver’s door and you’re greeted by an interior that meets the expectation set by its exterior and engine.

Full interior sound proofing is hidden by custom luxury carpets which feature throughout the cab and is completed by stainless steel finishers.

Pull yourself up and into the custom Recaro CS Sportsters Low Base seats, finished by B-Trim in Nappa Leather with Orange stitch and complimented by matching dash-top, cubby box and door cards, and you’ll immediately feel like the king of the road (or off-road!). The seating position is fantastic, both for driving and comfort.

An alcantara headlining sits above your head and matching sun visors sit at the top of the heated windscreen.

Modern day technology, security and entertainment hasn’t been overlooked either.

With two sets of keys, remote central locking, an immobiliser and a Vodafone tracker, the truck is unlikely to be enjoyed by anyone but yourself and your friends.

A forward-facing witness camera with WiFi, and a reversing camera help to protect your truck from its surroundings, whether that be the streets of London or the wilds of Wales. 

To entertain you further, the sound system is a feat in itself, with a Pioneer double-din head unit featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Europe-wide satellite navigation. Sound is delivered via Focal 3-way front components and three sub-woofers, all expertly fitted inside custom speaker pods by the renowned Audiofile-Incar. Turn on the two-stage heated seats, sit back, and listen to exceptional acoustics.

Completed in 2016 after two years of work, the owner absolutely loves the end result. A little bit too much perhaps. Having invested heavily, both financially and emotionally, he’s been unable to reconcile with himself to take the truck off-road. Such is his concern, this can be your gain with the truck only having covered a mere 2,000 miles on tarmac roads, always garaged and only ever driven in the dry.

Supplied with many images of the build and a plethora of paperwork, two keys and everything else you would expect, it also includes the very relevant registration number MUD3Y.