Thread: Defender campervan

Hi.

I am currently looking at 4wd campervan options and can't leave the defender 130 cab/chasiss option alone.

The critera is a go anywhere and get home again 4wd campervan that is not to big for the standard tracks Australia. The camper will be fiberglass or equivilant and I want to be able to access the van from inside. Pop top roof with bed over cab, large upright fridge/freeze, 2 burner cooktop, external shower and external B-B-Q.
Suncamper do a nice one!

Now for the good bit and you will think i'm completely nuts, (my wife does).
I reckon the only thing stopping me and my bodgy spine from getting into a defer, is the driving position, handbrake position and doorframe.
So, who will put their hand up to move the door and centre pillar back 100mm so I can see out, move the handbrake to the centre somewhere and fix the seat so it slides back that my 183cm/110kg bodgy frame can get in, stay there and get out without the help of the fire brigade?

Oh, I just need MY door moved, as the wife don't care really!

I am deadly serious about this. I have had the latest Hiluxes and they are rubbish and i'm not that keen on spending $75,000 on a Lancruiser ute either as they also offer a cramped driving position.

What does comes close though is a Nissan GQ, but, but, but!

So, anybody got an idea?

Originally Posted by Bushranger1

Hey Austastar I need to pick your brain on your great looking setup.

Hi

1. Is your Innovan sitting on a Defender 110 or 130? (sorry the defender line up is new to me.)

Defender 2009 130, every thing standard except bar and snorkel

2. Have you got a suspension upgrade?

Standard out of the shop, did have to pump the tyres from 28psi to 55psi when I put the Innovan on.


3. Whats it like when you encounter a side angle? Does it feel unstable?

No, but I can feel it on grooved roads, but not excessive. I'm nervous of side angles at the best of times


4. How does it handle hundreds of kays of corrugations?

Have a look on the Innovan website, they did the Simpson and Cape York as a shake down when developing the setup. The vehicle was a 4.2 Patrol with Air springs (not sure if they are totally air or supplementary air)

5. Have you got it permanently mounted or can you easily take it off?

It is held on with 4 chains and turn-buckles down to the chassis. I did make custom attachments for this, and I didn't get them quite right. They will be adjusted some time when the weather warms up a bit to work out side.
Should come off in about 5 minutes, has wind down legs to lock into the sides in the sub frame. I haven't taken it off yet as I don't have any where level to do it, nor had the need. When I get a carport set up it will come off when I'm not using it for trips.

6. Lastly & most importantly. How is all the defender running gear holding up to the extra weight?

I've only had it since May, but it weighs in at about 400kg, (check this on the innovan website) and the Defender 130's rated load is 1700kg. The Defender 110 would just carry it, but my 130 inch wheel base is 20 inches longer and is not carrying the load weight behind the rear axle. I did research the Toyota and Nissan cab chassis, but their tare weight, carrying capacity, and tray length overhang were just not in the race.

Cheers