Thread: Defender vs 80 series cargo space

Whether a Toyota or a well maintained 300Tdi Defender is more reliable is moot. Defenders with that motor are getting long in the tooth. So in the country, support is Toyota's strength.

Space-wise I'd guess there isn't much difference. Depends on what you want to carry. The limitation with a Toyota Troopy is that it's a two door so the additional passenger doors give you more accessibility options in the Defender.

The Defender would definitely be larger in the cargo space than the 80's due to its square box shape.... I've recently setup the rear of my 110 to sleep in and at around 6foot in height, I can just manage to sleep in the rear. I recently measured the rear length of a Troopy to compare it to the Defender and the Troopy was an extra 20cm longer so for sleeping in it would be far more room, the only downside is the leaf spring setup

Defer
may have more length.....
Rear access is smaller
Probably better for sleeping in

I am living out of my 2002 Toyota Corolla wagon at the moment so I think I can sleep basically in anything lol. I am 179cm tall btw.

I am a minimalist so I am not carrying any un-necessary and I am not planning to put a fridge in it. I will only store the absolute essential and some spare parts and tools maybe? I will put toiletries in the pelican case on the roof etc.

I will definitely sleep in the 4wd i choose and remove the rear passenger seat. Is the interior height of the defender taller than the 80 series since waking up and without my head hitting the roof is a blessing.

I am in Canberra btw is there anyone here as well? Appreciate all your inputs thanks.

Lewis

I have a mate with an 80 . Its huge and heavy but seems smaller on the inside than our 110.
They have carpet and defender dosnt which is an advantage of the defender to us.. Defender more fuel efficient .
You will need to be handy with a spanner for both but out in the sticks it will be easier to get parts with the 80.
My head would say 80 but i love the landy.

That’s exactly what’s happening
Head said 80, heart said defender!

Originally Posted by lewishim1988

I am in Canberra btw is there anyone here as well? Appreciate all your inputs thanks.

G'day Lewis,

I'm currently in Canberra and have a Defender set up for sleeping in if you want to have a look. I don't have much experience with 80s but I doubt they'd have the length for sleeping in.

I had 15 years of Landys then got a 40 , 80 & 105 Cruisers for 10 years , then back to a Defender .

One thing I'll say is during my Toyota ownership , dead set my tools went rusty .

The only breakdown I've ever needed a tow truck was the 80 series, catastrophic engine failure on Cape Leveque road @ 540,000km 1HDT . Landys break more often but I can always fix them & get home .

to answer your question the 80series has heaps more usable room than a Defender 110 SW . I used both as a work vehicle & had to tow a work trailer with the Landy - never had to with the 80 / 105 .