Highly capable on the road and off, the Land Rover Defender 90 (1990-2016) is the perfect vehicle to take you from work to the weekend. During downtime, its agility off-road promises plenty of thrills. While in the week, the Land Rover Defender offers strong pulling power for the toughest of work tasks as Honest John details:
“With a payload capacity of up to 1351kg and a 3500kg towing maximum, the Defender makes the most of its workhorse approach. It furthers this with superb entry, ramp-over and departure angles for off-road work. It can also wade in water up to 500mm deep without the need for a snorkel, so the Defender can take on almost any job straight from the showroom floor.”
Long term, the characterful Defender is likely to go up in value, not down. It ranks third in this rundown of the slowest-depreciating cars of 2025, making it one of the best classic 4x4s to invest in right now!
There really is a lot to love about the Land Rover Defender 90. But, with the very same model described as hard work on the road, an uncomfortable ride, and a basic and outdated setup, the following work-ready upgrades might just come in handy.
Upgrade your suspension
This classic Land Rover Defender is synonymous with a particularly bumpy ride. Upgrading your suspension is the way to solve this very common issue. When it comes to top-rated suspension packages for the Land Rover Defender 90 and 110, the Old Man Emu OME Nitro Plus Suspension Lift Kit is the best of the best.
It’s tough, durable and integrated to ensure the perfect solution for both on and off road use. It also offers fantastic results for heavy towing, commercial use, overland travel and camper builds. With an upgraded suspension system, you can avoid the problems that come with extended heavy use. Unlike your factory suspension setup, this kit will not corrode, sag, leak or buckle under pressure.
Gain more traction
Tackling any terrain is easy with the right level of traction, and you can gain just that with the addition of our Harrop Eaton Elocker. Embrace all the advantages of a manually operated open/closed differential without the need for an air compressor or air lines. This upgrade is also straightforward to install, reliable and push button activated.
Maximise your storage
Whether carrying supplies and equipment for work or play, having a setup that can transport everything you need and keep it secure along the way is a must. The Britpart Expedition Roof Rack ticks all these boxes, with a high-grade, lightweight yet robust aluminium alloy design that is destined for on and off road use.
This UK-made 4×4 storage essential attaches to your Defender’s gutters, and comes complete with nut channels to allow the easy fitment of many third-party accessories so you can customise your setup to your exact requirements.
Don’t forget the inside!
You can introduce savvy storage solutions inside your Defender 90 too thanks to our ARB Outback Modular Drawer Storage System. This configurable, premium drawer system is the first choice for adventure and commercial applications, and is already relied on by countless tradespeople, veterinary surgeons, emergency response vehicles, overland enthusiasts and more.
The units are heavy duty, while the runners they sit on are precision-folded, stainless steel for extra smooth, extra quiet operation. With 100kg capacity per drawer and units fully stackable, you can fit so much more into your Defender.
Looking for more work upgrades for your Land Rover Defender 90 (1990-2016)? Shop with us today!