Won't make it past clipping up the seatbelt before bailing out challenge

Excellent, now you know. Buy the Defender, you’ll love it.

All of the ‘issues’ you have with the Defender, G-man, are positives in my book.

They make me feel at one with the vehicle. The opposite (as you’ve described) to a phat Toyota.

I like leaning on the B-pillar, I find it comfortable. And I like the commanding vision being close to a flat sided door affords.

I like leaning my left leg on the handbrake.

I like the upright seating position, it’s the most comfortable by far on a long journey.

I like the forward position of the front seats, less wasted space. I like the simple flat upright dashboard. The flat windscreen and side glass is also much cheaper to replace if it breaks.

As you’ve correctly identified, the flat-sided Defender enables excellent all round vision, but also easy packing. A phat Toyota with all its interior curves is a pain in the butt to pack. Also you won’t find much room in the back or a bed as the ceiling is much lower.

Simplicity is totally under-rated in the contemporary world of vehicle design. A Defender is the simplest and the best IMO. Don’t change the suspension height or the tyre size. You don’t need to! and the Defender will ride better on long trips.

Enjoy your trip to the Cape! with your elbow out the window! 😎

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Originally Posted by Geedublya

He will never look at a D3/4 or 200 series as they have IFS and that doesn't suit his image of what a real 4wd is.

The poster is stuck on the image of a big tyred solid axled monster truck as the only vehicle that is capable enough to get him where he wants to go.

My personal opinion is he needs to buy a cheap D1/D2, 80/100 series or GQ/GU Patrol and join a club do some off road and then realise what is really required.

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This, and the exact advice I gave on the weekend.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cripesamighty

There are seat rails available that will help with stretching out your legs in a Defender. You can also buy a small insert for the centre console that lifts it just enough for you to be able to rest your left elbow on it to help with the comfort stakes (plus you have already seen the door arm rest mentioned in the previous post).

MUD Seat Rails - MUD Stuff - Products

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I have the rails - they give a couple of inches fore/aft but equally important they give about an inch extra height. Of course if you run with them fully back (as I do) then you have issues with shoulder on B pillar! I'd certainly recommend them before a long trip.

Oh, and MUD also have a sub enclosure that sits under the console to lift it. Yet to try it but sounds much more fun than just a lift!

Hi G Man. I'm a 188 cm 100 Kg 64 Year old bloke type. My longest one day hops are: Rainbow Beach to Sydney X2, and Silverton to Sydney. 16 Hrs and 18 Hrs respectively. No dramas and no ill effects. My son who was between the ages of 10 and 13, did not complain once on any of those trips or any others for that matter.

Well, I reckon you have given honest feedback....and given you posted it on a Land Rover forum the die hards will always defend their ride.

I guess I have been driving defenders long enough to have adapted.......agree they are quite different to what the majority of the population have experienced I.e. nearly all would have never sat in one.

All I can say is a defender will either grow on you or not.....

Good luck in the search for the right balance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geedublya

He will never look at a D3/4 or 200 series as they have IFS and that doesn't suit his image of what a real 4wd is.

The poster is stuck on the image of a big tyred solid axled monster truck as the only vehicle that is capable enough to get him where he wants to go.

My personal opinion is he needs to buy a cheap D1/D2, 80/100 series or GQ/GU Patrol and join a club do some off road and then realise what is really required.

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Maybe. But if he does think that there is plenty of support for a view that IFS anything is a compromise off road just as live axle front and rear is a compromise on road.

Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ozscott

Maybe. But if he does think that there is plenty of support for a view that IFS anything is a compromise off road just as live axle front and rear is a compromise on road.

Cheers

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I think it depends what you see as a compromise.

I been in solid axle vehicles on the road before.

What is the compromise? Comfort? Safety in wet conditions?

I find the solid axles very comfortable for the road, so no compromise there. Not meant to try and drive fast in rain/wet even with a race car nor do we drive that way, very cautious drivers, so safety no compromise either.

But the off-road inability of IFS will be a compromise.

All depends how you view it I guess [thumbsupbig]

There is truth in that. However they are a compromise on high speed corrugations. The d2 rides very well in those conditions. Especially with good shocks and springs however it is not as smooth and safe as a Pajero, D3 to 5 etc. I love mine and its better than some independently suspended vehicles out there on high speed corrugations but not the well sorted IS ones.

Cheers