The Defender 90's military styling and toughness is built in, which ranks it right up there at the top of the coolness chart for us. Every time we see one we immediately think of far-off adventure and safaris into the deepest jungles. However, dropping back down to reality, we just don't see enough of them on the trail. Perhaps it is because these Defenders are a bit costly and rare to use as trail vehicles, or that many people just don't appreciate what a built Defender can do out on the trail.
We ran into Eddie Bostock and his custom '95 Defender in Johnson Valley, California. We couldn't help but notice how well the D90 worked on some of the toughest trails. The rig was definitely built to take a beating, and we were impressed with the vehicle's agility and its ability to negotiate and conquer very difficult obstacles with ease.
As the owner of West Coast Rovers in Irvine, California, Eddie is no stranger to Rovers. Over the years, he has compiled the experience and the knowledge to build Rovers for real hard-core trail use. This Defender was built and equipped with the best of everything a dependable and capable trail rig needs like 1-ton axles and a custom long-arm suspension.
The old 3.9L Rover engine...
The old 3.9L Rover engine was ripped apart and rebuilt. The new 4.6L displacement utilizes a custom-made cam from D&D Custom Fabrications, which also made the adapter plate for the Turbo 400 transmission. The transmission is mated to the 4.3:1 Atlas transfer case, giving the Defender low-gear power and inertia.
The front and rear Dana 60...
The front and rear Dana 60 axles were salvaged from a junkyard and then rebuilt and fitted with American alloy axleshafts and ARB lockers for traction. Inside, the rear coil springs are specially designed droop springs, which allow the suspension to drop out 4 more inches than conventional springs.
The cockpit of this Defender...
The cockpit of this Defender was well planned out; all the levers, switches, and shifters are within easy reach. The rollcage protecting the driver and passenger when the action gets critical was built out of 1.75x0.120-inch-wall DOM tubing.
The long-arm suspension was...
The long-arm suspension was built from 4130, 2x0.250-inch-wall chromoly tubing and uses 2.5-inch Johnny Joints at each pivot for smooth articulation. The suspension worked amazingly as we watched the D90 literally walk right over 3- and 4-foot-tall boulders.
Eddie Bostock's D90 was built...
Eddie Bostock's D90 was built for wheeling the harshest terrain. The Defender's wheelbase was stretched 13 inches to 103 inches for added stability. The suspension, rollcage, bumpers, and fuel cell were all custom made by Jon at Castle Fabrication in Irvine.
Vehicle: '95 Land Rover Defender 90
Drivetrain
Engine: 4.6L Range Rover V-8
Transmission: TH400
Transfer Case: Atlas 4.3:1
Front Axle: Dana 60, 5.13 gears
Rear Axle: Dana 60, 5.13 gears
Suspension
Springs & Such: Custom coil springs, King remote-reservoir shocks
Steering: Steering box, ram, and pump custom built by Lee Mfg.
Tires & Wheels: 40x13.50R17 Pro Comp Xterrain tires, 17x10 Pro Comp wheel/Champion bead locks
Other Stuff: Custom fabricated front fenders and fenderwell walls, Warn 8,000-pound winch