Thread: JP's 130 Defender.

Just finished fitting the 1760 tray and after seeing it on the street for the first time it looks like the tray could have easily been a little longer though it has plenty of space for my needs.

Thanks Wally and 2Stroke, it's about trying to get the balance right between functionality and looks, and seeing as I do need to tow with it - a fair bit - I'll have to make sure the tray is not too long. Either that or make up an extension for a H/R type fitting.

You may want to think about width as well. My MMM tray is 1830 wide and 1800 long. It overhangs the body by about 100mm each side. I would have preferred 0 to 50mm. The trouble ordering a tray with the car is manufactures have a specific size tray that fits and and that's it.

In the past I have purchased from the wrecker as 2stoke has done and altered to fit. Both trays have been single cab trays and cut down. Both around $300 each. If you wish to pay $500 you could most likely get a shinny one to match the new vehicle as well.

If you are after a two bar I have one 1/4 the price of what LR will charge you. Check out the markets section.

Cheers newhue I hadn't really thought about the width, I'd better check that with the tray builder as well. My dealer uses the local engineer to build the trays so I can pretty much order it to what ever size I want.

I'm afraid I ordered the Bullbar on Friday but thank you all the same.

I quite like the look of the length of the tray on the following vehicle - I've PM'd the owner but haven't heard back. Is anyone else able to work out the length of the tray from the photo? I don't have a 130 to measure to figure it out.

That one looks about the same length as mine, but it's dark now. I'll try to remember to take a photo tomorrow with the measurements. it'll only be a phone photo.
Don.

here's a picture of my grubby truck.The overall length of the entire tray structure is 2.050. The usable deck legth is 1.950. At 6'1" in the old money, I can just fit in the canopy with my pillow to sleep. Let me know if you need any further details.
Don

Just to add to the decision process again. Size is one thing, but what and how you store stuff as well should be considered beforehand. Spare tyres for instance, on head board, roof, or under tray. Water tanks or fuel tanks can be mounted under tray. However as with mine 80lt fits but the 140lt tank I wanted was 50mm to wide for the trays rails. Probably an easy mod in the manufacturing process but painful once made.
Angled side are good for off road through trees, but water comes in when sides are up, unless made to avoided this. Square sides makes it easier to stack stuff against the side or allows for something with a bit of height. Soft sides are easy but not lockable, hard sides at some point will ge takes out by something because you drove off without closing.
Do you need a roof gage or not, if so a gard top awning is required. I had a 6inch rebate made on the passengers side of the roof cage, this allowed me to fit an awning that didn't hang out past the tray, but runs for 3/4 or the car.

Don't rush it, as it's easier to get it right the first time with a little time.

Update: The dealer sent through a couple of photo's of the 130 with its new tray yesterday, thought I would share. Just waiting for the bullbar to arrive now.

Also I would like to give a shout out to the dealer, Mac Landrover in Millicent, I've been dealing with the youngest salesman there - Jack Davies - and he has been nothing short of brilliant. I guess you know that you're on the right track when the dealer principal owns a defender himself.



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