There’s nothing quite like cruising down the road behind the wheel of a classic Land Rover Defender. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a 1980s or 1990s Defender when they were new, you already know all about the Land Rover legacy. While these Defenders were truly something special, their age is starting to show. Luckily, there is a way for both you and your classic Defender to revive your youthful side and relive those glory days. The answer isn’t a time machine but rather a custom Defender restoration. Here’s a look at how you can bring new life to your Defender with ECD.

Bring Your Own Base Car and Restore the Glory Days 

While the team at ECD is more than happy to track down a base model Defender for your restoration project, you can also bring your own classic Defender into the garage for a complete restoration. If you have a classic Defender base vehicle that you love, we want to help you restore the glory days by transforming your Defender and rebuilding it to your exact specifications.

The possibilities are truly endless with a restomod Defender from ECD. The team at ECD can outfit your classic Defender with all the interior luxuries and modern tech you could ever dream of having. However, if you already love the interior of your classic Defender and just want an engine swap, ECD has got you covered. You can transform your classic Defender into a powerful restomod by sending in your base vehicle to ECD and swapping out the classic engine for something a little newer.

You can say goodbye to your Defender’s outdated engine and say hello to a powerful modern drivetrain that provides optimal performance. Whether you’ve got a Defender 90, Defender 110, or a Defender 130, you can replace your Defender’s factory engine with a 430-hp or 565-hp LS3 engine, a 640-hp LT4 engine, a Cummins diesel engine, or even the second generation ECD electric drivetrain.

Take a Look at These Defender Restoration Projects 

If you’re looking to transform your classic Defender into a one-of-a-kind restomod, then you need to see what ECD has to offer. When you look at the lineup of restomod Defenders that have rolled out of the ECD garage over the last several years, the ECD difference becomes undeniable. Here’s a look at some of the best Defender 90, Defender 110, and Defender 130 build projects the team at ECD has taken on over the last few years.

Project White Diamond 

A gorgeous restomod, Project White Diamond is the perfect example of what a Defender 90 can become during an ECD restoration. This D90 was built to our client’s exact specifications, finished in Eggshell Carpathian Gray with black accents all around. Project White Diamond sits on satin black 18-inch Khan 1983 wheels and sports BFG all-terrain tires. The exterior is finished off with an external roll cage, a classic front bumper, and two LED work lights located in the rear.

The interior of this D90 is dominated by a black color scheme. The steering wheel is Momo Prototipo featuring black spokes and black leather, and the gauges are stunning V8 Red Steelie Series Gauges. Project White Diamond features a 2/4 seat layout with two Corbeau Trailcat captain chairs and four inward-facing jump seats in the load area. All six seats are finished in a single vertical Diamond stitch Garrett Cadence Licorice leather.

This Defender 90 restomod is powered by a 450-hp LT1 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Along with this powerful drivetrain, this D90 restomod is stacked with an array of modern tech features. Some of the top features inside Project White Diamond include an Infinity Kappa sound system, Apple CarPlay, a wireless charging station, and USB ports located throughout the vehicle.

Project Limitless 

A 1993 Defender 110, Project Limitless is a custom ECD restomod build project that features a multi-point soft top and roll cage. This D110 is finished in full gloss Porsche dark blue with silver accents all around. Project Limitless sits on 18-inch silver Sawtooth wheels with BFG all-terrain tires. On the exterior of this Defender 110, you’ll find a tubular a-bar front bumper with a Warn Winch and four LED spot lamps up front.

When you step inside Project Limitless, you’re met with a gorgeous tan and black aesthetic. This Defender 110 features a 2/2/4 seat layout with two Corbeau Trailcat captain chairs up front, two additional captain chairs in the mid-row, and four inward-facing jump seats in the load area. All eight seats in this D110 are finished in a stunning single-stitch vertical Diamond Garrett Tan Avion Reindeer leather.

Under the hood of this Defender 110, you’ll find a powerful 6.2L LT4 engine that produces an impressive 650 hp. Project Limitless also features an 8-speed automatic transmission. Along with its top-of-the-line power and aesthetics, this Defender 110 is stacked to the nine with modern tech like an Infinity Capper audio system, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, rear AC, and access to USB ports throughout.

Project Ghostrider 

A head-turning Defender 130, Project Ghostrider is what Defender restoration dreams are made of. This 1984 Defender 130 sports a stunning gray finish with black accents all around. Project Ghostrider sits on 20-inch custom ECD wheels finished in black and features oversized all-terrain tires, which help to make the D130 appear a bit wider out on the road. This D110 also sports a full external roll cage, sand tracks above the truck bed, LED lights in the front and rear, and a truck bed sprayed with a Raptor Liner and built with seating benches on either side.

The interior of this D130 is a blend of luxury and sport. The aesthetic features black leather that is stitched together in red thread throughout the vehicle. Project Ghostrider also features a unique flat-bottom steering wheel that provides the feel of a racecar. This D130 seats a total of five passengers, with two captain chairs in the front and a bench seat that seats three in the back.

The original engine of this D130 restomod was swapped out for a more powerful LS3 engine. Project Ghostrider also sports a premium sound system with a JL audio subwoofer and tweeters to create a surround sound system. With just a few Defender 130 builds rolling out of the ECD garage each year, Project Ghostrider is not only unique but also one of the best examples of what a classic D130 can become through an ECD restoration.

Let ECD Handle Your Defender Restoration Project 

If you’re ready to reclaim your glory days with a newly restored Defender, look no further than ECD. Whether you just want an engine swap or a head-to-toe restoration for your Defender, the dedicated team at ECD is ready to turn your dreams into reality.

Once you’re ready to start your Defender restoration project, contact us to learn more about the entire design and build process at ECD. However, if you’re not quite ready to start your build or are simply looking for some more inspiration, feel free to check out our showcase or our 3D Build Simulator to discover more about the endless possibilities that are available when you build with ECD.