Our Process
sourcing/Importing
Finding Defenders across Southern Africa is quite a job. Each vehicle needs to be 25 years old to pass US import regulations and there are less and less vehicles available. Prices have doubled over the last few years. We buy from all over South Africa and we try and find vehicles that have been well cared for by their previous owners. Many of these vehicles could write books about the African adventures they have had.
Once we have refreshed or restored the vehicle we send it on its way in a 40ft container on a ship that travels from Cape Town to Houston. This journey can take a month! When the Defender arrives in the good ol’ USA, it gets checked by customs and the DOT to make sure the VIN matches the original vehicle specifications. Lastly, the Defender is placed on a truck and sent to Arizona where it is titled and registered.
chassis, body & paint
The first step in restoring the vehicle is stripping it down. This is one of the most time intensive parts of the project. We remove the body, doors, chassis and mechanical - essentially every nut and bolt is removed and replaced.
The chassis is a sand blasted and powder coated. Then we rebuild the axles to get a rolling chassis. Each build features a combination of high performance brakes, suspension, and axle differentials calibrated to match your drive train.
interior & Accessories
We start by sound proofing the interior below the seats, along the bulkhead and in the hood. We then add custom interior choices for the carpet, upholstery, door panels and dash. Similar to a house remodel, this is when the vehicle starts to take shape and its unique character can be seen.
We also add any accessories or upgrades like a music/phone media center with reverse camera, roof rack, tent, central locking, automatic windows, nose bar etc. These are all items that make your defender unique.
Power & Mechanics
We fully refresh or restore all mechanics depending on build and condition. This can include rebuilding the original 4/5 cylinder diesel engine and transmission or replacing the engine with a Tesla electric motor and battery pack.
An electric motor simplifies the vehicle and triples the power. It provides All Wheel Drive and unbelievable traction for such a large box vehicle. Regenerative breaking is perfect for downhill off-roading while our “Off Road” toggle button reduces the sensitivity of the throttle - giving you more control as you summit those mountains.