Since I got the Defender last May we have been steadily working on it, with renovation of existing parts where needed and upgrades where desired. As of January 2016 it looks like this. Obviously this isn’t a vehicle for most people and up close it betrays its 16 years in places. Nevertheless, I am quite proud of it!

Once the weather is warmer and funds allow I have a second round of things I think we can do ourselves:

• replacement rear door trim
• replacement front door trim
• LED interior lamps
• LED reverse lamp
• LED fog lamp
• LED side repeater lamps
• replacement door hinges
• replacement slam panel crossbraces and fixtures
• replacement instrument panel switches (e.g. hazard lights) ?
• replacement front bumper and bolts?

There are other things which I would have to leave for a garage … rust treatment and replacement of the bottom of the front doors, replacement side and alpine windows, replacement LED headlights, replacement black wheels (?) and finally certain body blemish repair and full repaint. Plus, any mechanical issues, which of course I hope don’t happen!