Thread: JP's 130 Defender.

I finally picked up the 'fender yesterday, got to the dealers and they had been kind enough to detail it for me as well as putting in a full tank of fuel. Although I did wonder about the detailing, by the yesterday evening I had managed to get it to look like a well used farm vehicle.

Thoughts so far - I love it - can't get the smile off my face. I'm really appreciating the quietness compared to my 300tdi, the 6th gear is a brilliant idea. Loving the way it handles dirt as well as the bitumen. I have to organise some side steps, not so much for me but for passengers. I've done almost 500kms in the last 48 hour now so I am starting to get a bit of a feel for the vehicle. The gearbox takes a little getting used to after driving japanese utes, its almost like a road ranger in the way it likes to be at a certain RPM before changing. I'm very happy that I went with the 6 foot 3inch tray, it seems to be just about right.

Photos after the jump.

Good looking ute, well done. They look better dirty anyway! My 130 tray top really didn't free up until around the 25k mark, the fuel consumption dropped, and the engine started to rev out more freely, as a heavy duty work ute, it's hard to fault after 75,000km in 2yrs.

My 110 has taken about 30k/km's to free up, also cylinder head temp sensor reports 2/3 deg lower temperature when travelling.

It is a good looking truck, I have a bit of envy as her indoors did not think that she could handle 130.

Very nice!

Love the colour! That looks schmick!

Nice looking bus mate, I had heard that you had ordered a new one.

Who did the tray, wasn't McKenny from Naracoorte was it? Looks like they did a good job, like the latches for the sides and the checkerplate.

Have to catch up before tennis starts again.

Cheers,
Nova

Hi Nova,

I'm presuming that I'm talking to Scott S. ? You had me for awhile with the "Near Adelaide" in your byline.

I had the tray built by the engineer at Millicent, LJR Engineering - Motor Vehicle Bodies and Accessories really, really happy with what he did, I think I'm going to get him to make up the sidesteps as well. I had the choice between Rick and Leigh but I went with Leigh as he was really accommodating with the build and the paint job on the rodeo that we have on the farm hasn't been fantastic and that was a Naracoorte tray.

I pinched the idea for the latches and the chequerplate from Vanders' ute. How's the rain out there? We had 5mm when I got in this evening around 10:30.

JP