Thread: Defender as a tradesman /sparky vehicle

Hi Mittsy,

If you want a cheap reliable 110 work truck you can't beat a Perentie. Set it up exactly how you want it and it will give you years of trouble free service. They are very tough and allow a custom fit out very easily. You could pick up a tenexed(rebuilt) example with around 5000-15000 kms on the clock for around 12-14k. I scored mine for 14k with 5000kms on the clock. My daughter picked up an awesome FFR with 10000kms on it for 11k about 3 months ago in Brisbane. Try getting a Defender with that sort of mileage on the clock for those sorts of prices! Perentie's are exceptional value. If you purchase the guide to buying a Perentie you will have a good understanding about what you need to look for. Check it out on the Military Coil Sprung section of the forum.

The Isuzu 4BD motor is good for around a million kms if serviced regularly and looked after. I use mine as a daily work vehicle and am very happy with it. If you want it to double as a family vehicle on weekends then you would be better off with a Puma or earlier model defender, maybe a 130 as others have suggested, as you will get the rear seat and rear doors. Reliability will not come close to a Perentie though.

I picked up a 2000 year model commodore wagon as my weekend family get about for a very cheap price and it does the job way better than a Defender for taking the kids to footy and getting around to the shops in my opinion. Perentie for the tough jobs and commodore as the family shopping trolley. Works for me! Good luck with your quest for your family and buisness requirements.

Regards Warrick.

My 130 has carried a tonne since I got it in '99. For access and security, the aluminium canopy is the go.
That's it in the middle.(photo by Nick P)

Couldn't think of anything worse. Get a dedicated work car, I.e a van. Builder is different, turn up to the job in the morning, and your there for the day. As a Sparky you can go to 8 different jobs in one day, and you also need to carry as much material as possible so your not off to the wholesalers 5 times a day. Been doing this for 23 years, some grave's can get away with using there play car as a work car, sorry but it doesn't work for us sparkies.

Vern is somewhat correct , but if I tried to use a van around here , it would be dead in a month .

Originally Posted by dero

Vern is somewhat correct , but if I tried to use a van around here , it would be dead in a month .

Yes dero, but tipping your not working in the city. My van is pretty sad after 4 years in a rural area, but its still does its purpose, if and when i start just doing the odd sparky job (getting out of trade) then a duel cab tray with canopy will suit me fine.

Originally Posted by Vern

Couldn't think of anything worse. Get a dedicated work car, I.e a van. Builder is different, turn up to the job in the morning, and your there for the day. As a Sparky you can go to 8 different jobs in one day, and you also need to carry as much material as possible so your not off to the wholesalers 5 times a day. Been doing this for 23 years, some grave's can get away with using there play car as a work car, sorry but it doesn't work for us sparkies.

Agreed,but if in a rural area,as the OP has said,a van won't handle bad roads for long.We use vans,but don't do any dirt road work,although we do some country work.Vans keep everything locked up and out of the weather,which is good,but hopeless in inner city carparks as they are to high.
Jap vans are also very reliable.

Rick130 seems to have disappeared,but he has used his 130 for fridgies service work for ages.

Original post says he is in the burbs and city. Not rural.
I am rural (not tanami track rural&#128522, quite a few dirt roads, van is still the best to work out of.

There's a reason 9/10 sparkies has a van. They work perfectly.
If you wanted a defender for a work car and a play car I'd have to say 130 trayback with a canopy for work that you could remove and Chuck all your camping gear on the tray. Also a very common setup. But you gotta carry a lot of stuff as a sparky, like odds and ends. It can be done.

Maybe a trailer?

Also maybe think about a part time kit. Might be worth your while if you drive around to 5 or so sites a day. Backlash might drive you up the wall.