Lifted 1st gen Land Rover Defender 90 Off Road Build on 33″ Tires

While modern SUVs ditch mechanical components in favor of sophisticated tech and electroncally controlled AWD systems that immitate lockers, they can rarely match the off-road capability of the good old 4x4s like the Land Rover Defender. Perhaps that’s why this British box on wheels keeps ruling the trails. But beyond its legendary capabilities, what truly sets the Defender apart is the unmistakable style – that simple, brutal, vintage SUV aesthetic that continues to captivate enthusiasts around the globe.

Loo Yong Ping from Singapore, an executive Creative Director at @tbwasg is one such guys who refuses to trade his 2006 Defender 90 for anything newer. Being a creative mind and passionate off-road fan, Loo has upgraded every aspect of his rig, starting from 33″ tires and lifted suspension to rocksliders, bumpers and other body armor. Read on to find out more about this remarkable build and get some inspiration on the parts you can use on your own Defender project!

Key Upgrades:

• 2″ Terrafirma heavy-duty lift kit
• 33″ BFGoodrich AT KO2 tires
• Off-road body armor

Off Road Build

The Land Rover Defender is hands down one of the most iconic 4x4s ever built. For decades, this legendary rig has served as the transportation of choice in the most remote and unforgiving environments of our planet. With its four-wheel drive system, locking differentials, and rugged construction, the Defender has everything a true off-road vehicle should be – reliable, capable, and relatively simple to repair when things go wrong.

Unlike many SUVs of the 2000s focused on luxury, the Defender emphasised utility and performance. It had solid axles front and rear, coil springs, and excellent ground clearance.

Telling you frankly, a vehicle designed in the 70s actually has a lot of flows. But thanks to the huge aftermarket support and massive creative engineering of other owners, it’s not that complicated to mitigate them and make the Defender more capable and convenient even by modern standards, and that’s exactly what Loo Yong Ping did to his 90.

Lift and Suspension

The suspension has been significantly upgraded to handle rough terrain while providing improved articulation and load capacity. At it’s core is a 2″ Terrafirma heavy-duty lift kit and Old Man Emu heavy-duty rear shocks that raise the vehicle’s height for better ground clearance and improves the approach angles.

Wheels

For the wheels, Loo opted for slightly oversized 285/75/16 BFGoodrich AT KO2 tires (that equal to 33″ in diameter) mounted on classy steel rims rather than flashy custom wheels – stylewise, it’s a perfect addition to the old-school rig like Defender.

The KO2 A/Ts represent a perfect balance between on-road manners and off-road capability, providing an good traction on sand, and rocks while maintaining reasonable highway performance.

Exterior

The exterior of this shorty Defender has been armored to withstand the punishment of the trails. The Safety Devices roll cage provides critical protection against rollovers that are qctually quite possible during extreme off-roading.

To provide the protection for the underbody components he installed First Four steering and fuel tank guards plus a Terrafirma diff guard.

Up front, the Terrafirma tubular winch bumper houses a WARN winch for self-recovery. Up on the sides are Famous Four full-length body sliders.

Modern 55″ roof-mounted LED lightbar, supplemented by additional LED spotlights, floodlights, and MudStuff UK slights turn the night into day. The Mantec spare wheel carrier and sidestep add functionality, while full bonnet checker plating provides extra protection against flying debris, completing this purpose-built 90.

List of Modifications

Engine

• Land Rover Defender Td5 2.5L, five-cylinder in-line turbodiesel engine
• Stage 2 tuned with a VNT Turbo
• Updated intercooler
• Straight through exhaust
• EGR delete and silicon hoses.

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Lift height and suspension

• 2″ Terrafirma heavy-duty lift kit
• Old Man Emu heavy duty rear shocks

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Wheels

• 285/75/16 BFGoodrich AT KO2 tires on steel rims

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Exterior

• Safety Devices external/internal roll cage
• Mantec Spare wheel carrier, Sidestep
• First Four steering guard
• First Four fuel tank guard
• Terrafirma Diff guard
• Terrafirma Tubular winch bumper + WARN Winch
• 55″ Roof-mounted LED Lightbar
• Famous Four Full-length Side Protection Body Sliders
• 2 x LED spotlight
• 2 x LED floodlights
• 4 x Window Guards
• 2 x MudStuff UK LED side spotlights
• 2 x MudStuff UK LED rear spotlights
• Full bonnet chequered plating protection

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Interior

• Full roof and floor soundproofing
• 2 x SSCUS Leather racing seats
• MOMO Steering wheel
• Red Seat Belts
• Terrafirma Roof Console with custom switchboard + CB radio
• Alcantara roof lining
• Raptor Engineering Dashboard
• ExmoorTrim rear folding seats
• Custom molle organizer on the rear door

About The Model – Defender 90

The Land Rover Defender 90 is an iconic off-road SUV that was in production from 1983 to 2016. The 90 refers to the short wheelbase model, making it extremely maneuverable on rough terrain. This rugged 4×4 was popular for its go-anywhere capability and durability.

Unlike many SUVs of the 2000s focused on luxury, the Defender emphasised utility and performance. It had solid axles front and rear, coil springs, and excellent ground clearance. The Defender was known for its ability to climb rocky inclines, drive through deep water, and tackle muddy trails.

Interview With The Owner

As a long-time Land Rover fan and creative director at an advertising agency, Loo had a very good idea of how to make this vehicle safer, more comfortable, and even handsome-looking in the Malaysian rainforest scenery.

How did you become interested in off-roading?

Almost 15 years ago, I was exploring parts of Singapore with my cousin in my Defender and we drove past a bunch of Land Rover owners who were gathered in the bushes in the dark about to head into the forest for some off-roading. They honked, we waved, we became friends and the rest is history!

Why did you choose this particular model for your project?

The Land Rover Defender has always been the 4×4 poster child and is the perfect base model in my opinion to create a capable overland/off-roading rig.

What inspired you to choose this modification style?

I wanted a vehicle to have the perfect balance of form and function as a daily drive, hence it needed a balance of creature comforts with safety, off-roading capabilities, and protection for those trips where it gets a bit more hardcore. Safety is a big priority for me and my wife, hence the installation of a roll cage, more so now that we have a little daughter who we do plan to bring with us on our adventures.

What challenges did you face while putting it together?

The law, local transport authorities have little patience when it comes to vehicle modifications, so the mods we do to our vehicles have to be within the confines of the law and/or only added on before we go for planned adventures.

What do you love about your vehicle?

From the way it looks – the camouflage, stance, long list of accessories, to the way it drives – high torque, great driving position, height above regular traffic, sound system in the car. I love everything about it, it’s an extension of me as a person.

Is it your daily or a weekend ride?

It is my daily driver.

Do you take it off-road? If so, where and how often?

Malaysia and Thailand. Before COVID19, we would try to do big trips every quarter with the Land Rover Owners Singapore (LROS) fam.

What are your future plans for this vehicle?

I think I might add a pair of gullwing side windows with folding guards, roof rack, and maybe upgrade my suspension and tires to a 35″ set of BFGoodrich tires.

Land Rovers do not have a reputation for being 100% reliable, having owned a Defender for more than a decade you get to learn the idiosyncrasies which come with a Defender and learn to live with it. I just hope it doesn’t break down at crucial moments. Life is an adventure after all and it helps to have an understanding wife, who “understands” when the vehicle needs to be in the workshop!

Conclusion

Loo Yong Ping’s 2006 Defender 90 represents an Advanced-level build with excellent off-road capabilities scoring 60 out of 70 possible points. Built with a balance of form and function, this daily driver emphasizes safety and capability while maintaining the iconic Defender aesthetic.

The list of modifications spans every system of the vehicle from the engine to the interior, resulting in a rig that’s both trail-ready and comfortable for extended adventures in the Malaysian rainforest. The Owner’s decade-plus experience with Land Rovers has informed thoughtful upgrades that address the platform’s known weaknesses while enhancing its natural strengths.

Technical Details

Watch the progress and find out more about this Land Rover Defender 90 project by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @cowinhumansclothing!

Stay tuned for more project reviews on Offroadium.com – Follow us on social media, and share this write-up if you enjoyed reading it!