Must have options

[Guardian]

We are going with the safari glass, not for the utility but because they enhance the aviation appearance of the cockpit.
Hope they don’t leak!
What about the saddle leather? I see it’s not included in the warranty. How does one care for that steering wheel?

 

[globalgregors]

We are going with the safari glass, not for the utility but because they enhance the aviation appearance of the cockpit.
Hope they don’t leak!
What about the saddle leather? I see it’s not included in the warranty. How does one care for that steering wheel?

Saddle (eg lanolin/neatsfoot blend) wax, bees wax or leather conditioner 1-2 times per year.
They all do a similar job, but you may prefer the scent of one or the other.
Saddle wax can make a closed cabin smell like a Sunday roast.

 

[Guardian]

Will do. Cheers.

 

[Ovrland Bill]

We are going with the safari glass…they enhance the aviation appearance of the cockpit.

They are called ‘eyebrow windows’ in that trade.

 

[LC0013]

Having owned several Defenders, I am paranoid about any unnecessary holes in the roof (or sides, or floor...). Water WILL come in.

What I thought about all those sunroofs in the 70's and 80's and none seemed to hold back the water. I have 3 vehicles with sunroofs and they have never been opened. Ordered mine without the safari windows but, they are cool and, IF I lived in Arizona or Nevada I would have probably ordered them.

 

[evomind]

What I thought about all those sunroofs in the 70's and 80's and none seemed to hold back the water. I have 3 vehicles with sunroofs and they have never been opened. Ordered mine without the safari windows but, they are cool and, IF I lived in Arizona or Nevada I would have probably ordered them.

I DO live in Arizona and the sun is very brutal 6 months out of the year.
I would end up tinting them pretty dark.

 

[Stu_Barnes]

I DO live in Arizona and the sun is very brutal 6 months out of the year.
I would end up tinting them pretty dark.

I think the aftermarket will come up with a solution to this, I'm actually really surprised that INEOS dont offer a solid GRP panel as an accessory.

 

[evomind]

I think the aftermarket will come up with a solution to this, I'm actually really surprised that INEOS dont offer a solid GRP panel as an accessory.

Stu, I dont need some fancy aftermarket stuff...
Just a dark, hair dryer applied tint!!

 

[RYAustralia]

I DO live in Arizona and the sun is very brutal 6 months out of the year.
I would end up tinting them pretty dark.

I did darkest legal tint for Australia for the safari Windows and it worksreally well in the North Queensland Australian sun. I also got privacy factory glass, plus dealer applied UV proof clear film on all the side windows as the UV index here is off the charts.

 

[Tom109]

I did darkest legal tint for Australia for the safari Windows and it worksreally well in the North Queensland Australian sun. I also got privacy factory glass, plus dealer applied UV proof clear film on all the side windows as the UV index here is off the charts.

I wonder if the factory dark privacy glass has any UV rating?

 

[DaveB]

I wonder if the factory dark privacy glass has any UV rating?

Yes it is heat reflective

 

[James]

I wonder if the factory dark privacy glass has any UV rating?

So, this is much misunderstood.
heat relective is not uv reflective necessarily - heat is infra red, or ir.
laminated glass, like windscreens, stops both uv a and b. Toughened glass, like car side windows, only stops uv b. no tinting required for these.
you would hope any added tinting would include uv a, but I dont know.
uv b is the worse of the two for cancer/sunburn, but a does have a role in cancers.

 

[James]

Ps - essential options….
really depends on use. I would say, if youre at the more rugged use end, then the extra wiring prep, diff locks, cubby box. The trialmaster is overkill, but good.
nothing you can bolt on later matters, but side steps of some sort are needed.
safari windows, very personal. Dont listen to anyone else, sit in both, choose.

all the other things like saddle leather etc, do the same. If you want it and cost is ok, the this car is all about you liking what you bought. Buying to appeal to others, or to sell later is not really what its about. It is very free-ing to just please yourself. Have fun!

 

[DCPU]

Having owned several Defenders, I am paranoid about any unnecessary holes in the roof (or sides, or floor...). Water WILL come in.

Water HAS come in, so I think you can safely say you're not paranoid by this measure.

 

[DCPU]

I did darkest legal tint for Australia for the safari Windows

Is there a legal standard for the tint on a sunroof in Oz?

 

[DaveB]

Is there a legal standard for the tint on a sunroof in Oz?

No
Side front windows and side rear windows have standards
Rear side windows can be much darker than front side windows as front must allow cops to see in.
For stock and logical reasons window tinting companies will use darkest legal tint as the standard description.
So they would probably use the same tint as for the rear windows.

 

[bemax]

No
Side front windows and side rear windows have standards
Rear side windows can be much darker than front side windows as front must allow cops to see in.
For stock and logical reasons window tinting companies will use darkest legal tint as the standard description.
So they would probably use the same tint as for the rear windows.

View attachment 7825558

View attachment 7825559

So you can not darken the side rear windows as much as you like to?
I assume it would be allowed to paint them black here in Europe (if you feel like it’s a good idea)
Only the front side windows and the windscreen have to stay untinted here.

 

[Cheshire cat]

We are going with the safari glass, not for the utility but because they enhance the aviation appearance of the cockpit.
Hope they don’t leak!
What about the saddle leather? I see it’s not included in the warranty. How does one care for that steering wheel?

I don’t think you have to care very much with the saddle leather. It is far more robust. I chose it as a last minute option and it was one of my best decisions when it comes to ‘things to admire’.

 

[Tazzieman]

Leather doesn't like being dry; it cracks.
"Hide food" is what it needs now and again. As with good leather shoes.

 

[tnkatoy]

No safari roof - we have had a number of cars with sun roof's and barely used them in Qld, the sun it too bright and hot

Good general use options:
Side steps - don't know if the after market ones are compatible with the side protection rails
Checker plate on the front - didn't get the in the original order, but they are surprisingly convenient to put things on, that would otherwise scratch the paint
Roof rack / platform - sitting on the roof is a good place to get away from everyone (full length platform isn't compatible with safari windows)
Roller for the rear of the roof rack/platform - the car is high so a roller to load longer, heavier items (tents, kayak, portaboat) will be useful (often used by tradies for loading ladders)

Expedition options:
the usual necessities offered by Ineos, including tow bar, double battery, bull bar, side protection rails ...
Front and rear lockers - being solid axle I prefer this to be done in the factory
Winch - for solo expeditions (i have no friends - can also be used to rescue others and make friends, or at least get given beer)
Side track-mount brackets for additional fuel &/or water, without adding height, roof loading or taking up internal space (something like this - https://expeditionhq.com.au/product/xspec-30l-gravity-feed-diesel-tank/)
Will also look at heavier duty after market under body protection
Window block-outs - will probably make my own
Haven't really checked out the lighting on the Grenadier, so not sure if additional driving lights are needed