The new Land Rover Defender walks in the shadow of an off-road and overland giant, the Classic Land Rover Defender, which some claim as a classless vehicle that only does essential things. And ever since the new vehicle was eventually unveiled in September 2019, we have been waiting for the aftermarket accessories industry to provide us with options to equip our vehicles so that they too can do essential things safely.
Expedition One recently launched its latest product lineup for the 2020 and beyond models of the Land Rover Defender. The range includes:
- A robust front winch bumper;
- A well-crafted rear bumper;
- An optional Smooth Motion Tire Carrier system;
- The Ultra roof rack.
These additions strike a balance between aesthetic appeal and functionality, bringing an elevated off-roading experience to the Defender owners while providing functionality and protection.
Each powder-coated bumper is engineered to integrate seamlessly with the factory park sensors, front and rear cameras, blind spot monitors, backup camera washer, and factory recovery points. The robust construction of the bumpers includes 3/16-inch steel reinforced with two 1-inch thick recovery shackle mounts, offering maximum strength and durability. These bumpers provide compatibility with factory fog lights or aftermarket 3-inch square lights, while the rear bumper also features ports for a 2-inch light that can be connected to the factory fog light switch.
The front bumper takes utility and protection a notch higher with an integrated winch mount and an aluminum skid plate. The options for a 2-inch diameter center hoop or an XD wrap-around bullbar on the front bumper let you customize your vehicle to mirror your individual style and needs.
The Ultra roof rack is composed of 1/8-inch aluminum and Expedition One’s proprietary heavy-duty extruded aluminum load bars; the roof rack features a standard provision of five load bars, with the possibility of adding two more. It is designed to carry roof-top tents, traction boards, and other overland gear, and comes with a textured black powder coat finish, compatible with the OEM side ladder, OEM side mount utility box, and the factory sunroof.
An optional light bar cutout ensures an unobstructed rearview mirror camera view, while the no-drill requirement for installation furthers user convenience.
The rear bumper is designed for durability and is composed of 3/16-inch steel. The light ports for 2-inch square lights offer optimal rear visibility and can be connected to the standard rear fog light switch. The dual 1-inch thick recovery shackle mounts, internally and externally welded, are tied into the core structure, offering strength for vehicle retrieval in challenging situations.
The Expedition One rear bumper and Smooth Motion Tire Carrier system are configured to operate in harmony with the standard park sensors, blind spot monitors, backup camera, backup camera washer, and factory recovery points. The Smooth Motion Tire Carrier system is built with 1/8-inch and 3/16-inch steel; the carrier system bears a sturdy boxed structure and features the largest carrier hinge currently available in the market, with a 3.25-inch outer diameter, all in a system that swings with your vehicle’s rear door.
These premium products by Expedition One command a premium price, but that is not to say they are unaffordable, considering the available alternatives, which, in the case of the front bumper, for example, are few. A quick Google search revealed that a genuine Land Rover front bumper is an eye-watering $10,000! That is nearly four times more than the Expedition One bumper and with fewer features.
$2,650 | Defender 2020+ Front Bumper
$2,150 | Defender 2020+ Base Rear Bumper
$3,150 | Defender 2020+ Smooth Motion Tire Carrier Rear Bumper System
$2,300 | Defender 2020+ Mule Ultra Roof Rack for the 110 Model
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