ECD Automotive Design, the award-winning creator of high-end luxury vehicles, locally delivered a Defender that is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling off-road vehicles the company has produced to date – a custom Defender 90 (D90) Soft-top powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine with 430-horsepower.

The “fun factor” of driving this custom D90 isn’t entirely from having the soft-top off in Florida while cruising the beach-line, it’s from shifting through the gears of its 5-speed manual transmission. This D90, called, Project Ranger, delivers a full senses-engaged driving experience with the soft-top off, its manual transmission, and the sound of its Borla Performance exhaust system. Project Ranger is finished in full gloss paint in the color, “Terrain,” a Ford color exclusive to their Raptor model, and is matched with 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels in black to compliment the exterior.

The client already owned this North American Specification (NAS) Defender 90 and sent it to E.C.D. for a full restoration. Knowing the top was going to be off most of the time in Florida, the interior was designed to be more utilitarian than luxury. It’s upholstered in a charcoal-colored, weather-resistant canvas throughout.

“Driving a D90 Soft-top with the LS3 and manual transmission is an absolute blast. Tearing up and back down through the gears is something we all enjoy here at E.C.D.,” says Tom Humble, co-founder of E.C.D. Automotive Design.

Project Ranger Vehicle Specifications

Model – Custom Defender 90 Soft-top

Engine – 6.2L LS3 V8 engine with 430-horsepower

Transmission – 5-speed manual transmission

Exhaust – Borla Performance exhaust

Exterior

Paint Color – Terrain in a full gloss finish

Wheels – 18” Sawtooth alloys in gloss black

Tires – BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A

Front Bumper – ARB front bumper

Winch – Warn Industries

Grille – Classic mesh grille

Additional – Steering guard in black; Full-length checkered side steps; Full checker pack; KBX wing-tops; Automatic headlights

Interior

Front Seats – Exmoor Elite

Load-area Seats – Removable bench pads

Upholstery Material – Weather-resistant Canvas

Upholstery Color – Charcoal

Dash – Puma dash with waterproof canvas on the top sections

Steering Wheel – Startech LR leather steering wheel

Gauges – Moal Bomber gauges in red & black

Door handles – CNC machined aluminum

Electronics & Audio

Radio – Sony infotainment

Speakers – JL Audio 8-speaker amplified sound system with a subwoofer

Additional – Wireless charger for mobile devices; USB ports

See more of Project Ranger here!