The Defender body is very narrow. The width hasn't changed since the introduction of the Series II Land Rover.
If you compare a Classic Rangie, which has the same axle track, it is easy to see how the Range Rover is a lot wider in the body.
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I made some elevators for a friend to put in his County. Used 1" square tube and 16 gauge tabs welded on in the shape of the feet on the seat rails. took the seats back 2" and up 1". Much better for big men. Other problem is insufficient room in the foot well to fit both the driver and the bloody handbrake.
As far as seat room goes there isn't much difference between all work utes and even trucks.Hilux's,LC,s,defenders most Hino,Isuzu's have poor seating.It is something you have to live with and with all the crap you carry around because of OH&S you always get hung-up on something.More and more blokes are getting wider around the mid section too which doesn't help. Pat
In wagons and CC's, as Brian suggested lift the seat a little.
Mine are lifted 22mm using some heavy wall tube and the runners and it is fine for me at 6'1,3/4" and mostly legs.
As everyone has suggested, shoulder width is at a premium, which is why I tend to drive with the window down...and heavy jackets in winter make me feel really cramped with the window up :o
I suspect it is easier to modify the driver than to modify the Defender.
I am 180cm (5'11") and 62kg (138lb) and I have no complaints about leg room, shoulder room or belly room. :p
Whether that is because there really is enough room or just that my body has been trained by 26 years of driving a Series III, I don't know.
Anyway. it doesn't really matter. I'm happy. :D
Should be VBigJon! :p
I'm 186cm, 90kg and have no complaints about available room in the Defender - in fact, I find it very comfy.
Okay, I think I now know why the Deefers are not sold in the United States. :D