Is there any other vehicle on the plant that says “off-roader” like the Land Rover Defender? At ECD, we don’t think so. The Original Land Rover Defender has not only established an unmatched legacy among adventure-seekers, but it has also become a coveted vintage vehicle among all gearheads. Now, technology and innovation have enabled these iconic Defenders to be completely customized from top to bottom.

Through ECD restoration projects, the iconic Defenders of the past can even be equipped with custom drivetrains and modern engines. One popular modern engine option for an ECD Defender is the 2.8-liter Cummins Turbo-Diesel. Find out more about the benefits of a restored Defender diesel build out below.

A Look Into the Legacy of the Land Rover Defender

The history of the British Land Rovers runs deep as it is not only interwoven into British culture but has expanded its legacy worldwide. Looking back, the Land Rover can trace its origin story to World War II. The coveted Land Rovers of today were originally inspired by the jeeps that the British Army utilized during the war. The Rover Company, a British car manufacturing company, manufactured the first Land Rovers in 1948, and the rest is history.

While Land Rover went through a series of hands, from The Rover Company to Leyland Motors to British Leyland to Land Rover Ltd, the iconic vehicles never lost their style nor their influence with consumers (like spartacus slot or other slot machines that became a classic in gambling world). In 1983, in the hands of Land Rover Ltd, a new Land Rover was introduced to the iconic Land Rover lineup, the Land Rover One Ten. After instant success with the One Ten, Land Rover introduced the Land Rover Ninety to its lineup in 1984. Examining the names of these two Land Rovers, the numbers corresponded to the wheelbase measurements in inches.

In 1985, Land Rover introduced a new pickup style Land Rover called Land Rover 127. Once again, the name stemmed from the wheelbase measurement. A key difference between the One Ten and Ninety was that the 127 was always marketed numerically instead of spelled out. However, by the early 1990s, the marketing would change as the Land Rover Defender was born in all three models.

When Land Rover decided to introduce the Land Rover Discovery to its lineup, they realized that they needed to differentiate between the new Discovery lineup and the original Land Rover One Ten, Ninety, and 127.

Benefits of Choosing a Diesel Drivetrain for a Restored Defender

There are a variety of Defender drivetrain options that ECD customers can choose from when restoring a classic Defender. The primary custom engine offerings at ECD include the following:

• The 6.2-liter LT1 V8
• The 6.2-liter LS3 & LS3+ V8
• The 6.2-liter Supercharged LT4 V8
• The 2.8-liter Cummins Turbo-Diesel
• The Tesla Motors Direct drivetrain

While there are pros and cons associated with each drivetrain, there are some clear benefits when it comes to choosing a diesel drivetrain. Two of the biggest reasons to choose a diesel drivetrain over other custom drivetrain options are mileage and fuel economy. While diesel is more expensive at the pump compared to gasoline, a diesel engine typically gets better fuel economy. With newer diesel engines like the Cummins 2.8L turbo diesel being more fuel-efficient than past diesel engines, this can lead to cost savings for gearheads who choose to go with a custom Defender diesel.

What Defender Diesel Is Right For You?

At ECD, every Defender diesel can be customized with the Cummins 2.8L turbo diesel. Compared to the original classic Defender diesel engine, the Cummins produces almost twice the horsepower and four times more torque. Are you still on the fence about what Defender diesel is right for you? Check out more about the various custom Defender options outlined below.

Restored Defender Diesel: Defender 90

The restored Defender ECD 90 is the classic two-door Land Rover. The restored vintage Defender 90 is a luxurious off-roading SUV known for its nimble chassis that provides it agility and performance. The Defender 90 is available in both soft-top and hard-top options. The starting price for a Custom Defender ECD 90 is $219,995.

Restored Defender Diesel: Defender 110

The restored Defender ECD 110 is the four-door classic Land Rover re-imagined. The Defender 110 is built to meet daily demands as well as off-roading adventures. Offered in two trim levels, custom or signature, the starting price of the base-level Custom Defender ECD 110 is $224,995. The starting price of the base-level Signature Defender ECD 110 is $284,995.

Restored Defender Diesel: Defender 130

The restored Defender ECD 130 is the reimagined version of the four-door Land Rover that features an extended truck bed. The ECD Defender 130 is available in two trim levels, including custom and signature. The starting price of the custom trim level is $239,995, and the starting price of the signature trim level is $299,995.

Let ECD Built Your Custom 2.8L Cummins Defender Diesel Today

At ECD Automotive Design, we specialize in restoring vintage Land Rover Defenders and outfitting them with the latest features that technology has to offer. Of course, with Defenders being a British off-roader, getting your hands on a vintage Defender can sometimes prove challenging for gearheads in the States. Luckily, at ECD, we have found a way to seamlessly bridge the gap between British Land Rover imports and American consumers. So, however, you envision your restored Defender Diesel, ECD can make it happen.

To get a glimpse of how your restored Defender Diesel could come to life, check out our online Defender builder to test out some colors and styles for your Defender restoration project. When you’re ready to get serious about your Defender build, feel free to contact us to get your restoration project up and going!