Thread: Who has done 'unusual' Defender mods? (esp interior)

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Yes true.... Ended up making another table that folds down in front of the Fridge and it gets stored beside the fridge. Not sure how it will go but time will tellIMG_5169.jpg

Now packed and ready to hit the road for the Defender's 1st Family Trip.....

Can I ask if that is the original door trim you have attached the table to or if it has been replaced with something stronger?

Finally got my new dash fitted, not all gauges are operational, I'm going to replace some with matching VDO gauges when I get the chance.
I'm happy with how it came up, and having everything pulled apart gave me a chance to tidy up a lot of the old birds nest that was hiding in there
I took it for a run today and calibrated the new electronic speedo.

Cheers, Murray

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Can I ask if that is the original door trim you have attached the table to or if it has been replaced with something stronger?

No, it’s not the original but a sheet of 9mm plywood with marine carpet..... it has worked a treat on our current trip.... but we haven’t used the 2nd table I made....


Got a few repairs to do after being absolutely smashed by a wild storm that hit us while we camping at The Gorge along the Clarence River....

Talking of tables, I recently made up one for the rear of mine, I didnt want to obstruct the rear door or access in anyway (some people have complained the fold out ones are a pain if you need to access the drawers when its down....everyones set up is different though!) and it was more of a secondary table and on-the-road table to use. Its been fantastic for the stove and quick stops for making sangas on etc.

Ive recently added the MSA drop down fridge slide too so when the fridge is out its great because I can access the fridge from the table top/stove top for ingredients/sauces/butter when making lunch or dinner. Been fantastic for me.

Also good having an extendable leg so regardless of if your on a hill or not you can get it pretty even for cooking on.

IMG_4028.JPGIMG_4532.jpgIMG_9760.jpg

Originally Posted by In A Landy Down Under

Talking of tables, I recently made up one for the rear of mine, I didnt want to obstruct the rear door or access in anyway (some people have complained the fold out ones are a pain if you need to access the drawers when its down....everyones set up is different though!) and it was more of a secondary table and on-the-road table to use. Its been fantastic for the stove and quick stops for making sangas on etc.

Ive recently added the MSA drop down fridge slide too so when the fridge is out its great because I can access the fridge from the table top/stove top for ingredients/sauces/butter when making lunch or dinner. Been fantastic for me.

Also good having an extendable leg so regardless of if your on a hill or not you can get it pretty even for cooking on.

IMG_4028.JPGIMG_4532.jpgIMG_9760.jpg

Hah, I had the same idea and reasoning, but was toying with the idea of having it fold down off the ladder and having it semi permanently there so it takes less space inside (and I would run a gas line from the bottle that's going on the bottle mount in the rear and add a water line once I get the tank).

Might just do what you did though, seems a fair bit easier! What did you use to attach it to the back of the truck? Any other photos?

Originally Posted by JoeFriend

Hah, I had the same idea and reasoning, but was toying with the idea of having it fold down off the ladder and having it semi permanently there so it takes less space inside (and I would run a gas line from the bottle that's going on the bottle mount in the rear and add a water line once I get the tank).

Might just do what you did though, seems a fair bit easier! What did you use to attach it to the back of the truck? Any other photos?

I had the exact same thoughts, but I decided against it folding down off the ladder because a) it wouldn't look all that pretty (that matters to me lol), and b) I do use the ladders from time to time and it would get in the way. Doesnt take up too much space but I am looking at where I can store it permanently inside.

Thats the next step, running a gas line from the rear gas holder (RHS) through to a quick-connect plug next to the table (so I dont have to take the gas off every time).

Some more pics attached, I spent HOURS in Bunnings looking for something that would do the job, these were the best thing I could find. They are for door locks, they come in two pieces and I used a rivet gun to attach the back plate to the truck, and then some gel metal glue to attach the front (I used gel as it had more of a bonding surface area than normal metal glue)
LINK HERE

I cant recall the name of the bolts that slot into the table itself, but they were a perfect fit into the above slots and hold it pretty steady.


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I also grinded off the bolts on the hinge but dont have a pic of that.
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I also want to add spirit level into it at some stage, just to improve it a little for cooking. No big drama without though.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Love the fold down tables. Can I ask if they are mounted to the door trim or to something in the door?

I had some 3mm Aluminium cut and folded up to mount/screw behind the door grab handle using the same bolts, then sikaflexed some rubber mounting blocks to the back of the vertical sheet down low to stop movement. I had to line the aluminium with chequer plate contact adhesive as aluminium oxide can leach out into food if prepared directly on the bare surface. Capped the edge with small door trim, card table hinges from bunnings and a bit of jack chain onto a 5/32" hex head screw to hold it closed when not in use.

Another option to attach a table to the outside is something like this for caravans:

CaravansPlus: Table Wall Support, 2 Piece 490mm | Tables, Legs &

Simply lift up the end not attached to the wall and it unclips. Thinking of something like this on the outside of my van.