The Land Rover Defender has always been the ultimate off-road vehicle for many car fans and enthusiasts. The vehicle, since its original release dating back a few decades ago, is believed to have always been built with a strong body. Its design and make are intended to withstand any form of beating it may encounter during rugged adventures.
One particular standout feature in a Defender is its chassis. The classic base is usually made of steel and this helped it to be durable. However, there’ve been modifications being made to these classic cars today. It’s possible nowadays to acquire a custom Defender from companies that combine features like quality and luxury. They restore Classic Defenders and use modern technology to introduce different enhancements to their vintage appeal.
These modifications also include works done on the Defender chassis like galvanizing it. In turn, the quality of the chassis is believed to be significantly improved and it offers several benefits.
To learn more about the different modifications possible on a custom-made vintage Defender, you can watch videos like this and others available on the Internet.
Benefits Of A Galvanized Chassis
Galvanization involves the process of coating the chassis with zinc to help protect and improve its quality. This modification is said to bring several benefits to your car. Here are some of them:
- Protection From The Elements
Even though steel is said to be heavy-duty, it’s not immune to rust as it’s an iron alloy. Using and driving an unprotected Defender will mean that the chassis will be exposed to different elements such as water and air, which eventually form rust. The rust, in turn, will cause corrosion of the steel and significantly reduce the quality of your chassis over time.
As a solution, you may choose to galvanize your chassis and save it from possible rust deterioration. When you coat the steel with zinc, the chemical reactions between water and air won’t take place on the chassis’ surface. You can then enjoy stress-free rides in places that can expose your chassis to moisture without worrying about compromising its quality.
- Adds To The Potential Resale Value
A galvanized chassis is a good addition to your Defender’s design. In turn, the car’s value is likely to increase, especially if you’re planning to sell it in the future.
For starters, potential buyers won’t incur the cost of having the Defender’s chassis galvanized again, giving the seller better bargaining power in the asking price. Secondly, your car will have a better presentation which can command a much higher overall value of the car.
It also shows that the seller has gotten to different measures to keep the car’s condition well. This may make prospective buyers think that they’re getting their money’s worth for very little maintenance and safety inspections will be needed if they proceed with the purchase.
Having your Defender’s chassis improved not only potentially adds more to the car’s future resale value but may also aid in making the reselling process a lot easier and faster.
- Increased Base Stability
Even though this is usually assumed, galvanizing can increase the chassis’ overall weight. This, in turn, can improve the car’s overall base stability. When the chassis is galvanized, it’s usually coated with molten zinc. This process can consequently add up to the heaviness of the chassis by up to 5%, which may seem insignificant but is crucial to Defenders.
These vehicles usually have high and robust suspensions, which means that the stability isn’t as excellent as other low vehicles. As a result, the base of your vehicle needs to be solid and heavy enough to support the vehicle and increase your car’s safety when accelerating speeds. Hence, galvanizing your chassis can be a significant part of your car’s upkeep.
- Lowered Maintenance Costs
For vehicles such as Defenders, modifications and maintenance are said to be important. This is because of the type of roads and environments they’re exposed to. These maintenances could significantly eat into the owner’s finances as you’d be required to check and replace any possible corroded parts, including the chassis.
However, these expenses can be greatly reduced when you choose to galvanize your chassis. It’ll last longer and be immune to any form of corrosion, meaning you’ll avoid the hassle of having to replace it frequently. This, however, doesn’t end the need for frequent lubrication sessions which are essential to both galvanized and non-galvanized vehicle chassis.
- Improved Aesthetics
For some car owners, the look of the vehicle is usually given a lot of importance. Whether they would like to keep their Defender’s original build or introduce new features present on newer versions of the vehicle, there’s a likely increase in the car’s visual appeal. One of the best ways to do it is by galvanizing your chassis.
It’s possible the chassis won’t get the same kind of attention as the other parts, but it’ll play a significant role in improving the exterior aesthetics of your Defender. A corroded chassis gives your car an unpleasant look, mainly due to the car’s higher elevation, which may expose the car’s base. However, when you choose to galvanize it, your car can look beautiful and highly presentable.
Conclusion
If you have a Defender and planning to restore or improve its quality, one area to consider having fine-tuned is the chassis. A Land Rover Defender’s chassis usually face major beatings from rough terrains and exposure to the elements that can potentially damage it.
It’s therefore paramount that you have your Defender’s chassis undergo galvanization. It has several benefits to your vehicle that you can’t afford to miss. With a trained team of professionals handling the process, it’s a fast and fuss-free improvement project that can add value to your car.
Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
