What defender ute to look for?

[blue_mini]

Hi,
Ive finally decided (after a lot of thinking about pros and cons of EVERY land rover model) to get a defender ute.
Id be keeping this for a while and doing it up for camping and long distance driving (planning on going to duntroon so driving there and back). So id be looking to improve economy and cruising speed.
What model defender has the potential for the best economy? Pay the extra cash for a td5 up front or try and improve a tdi?
Id need a full size tray to carry things in. Do the 130 dual cabs have an 8"x5" tray? Or a shortened one?
Thanks for any replies and anything ive missed out on.
Cheers,
Joe

[pc3]

Joe,

some people have 2.4m trays on there 130 DC's I have a 2.2metre on mine, about a foot shorter than a standard cab chassis tray..........+ you get the rear seats.

Cant help on the other ? I own a PUMA 130...............its more economical than my cruiser 1999 tray back diesel was.

[spudboy]

How tall are you? The single door utes don't allow the seats to go back all that far. There are a few rare "extended cabs" still with 2 doors, but they have an extra foot or so of space behind the seats, so you can shift your seat back further.

If you are only looking at dual cab (4 door) utes then this won't be an issue.

Also - can't see the Dual Cab having an 8' x 5' tray! I have a single "extended" cab 130 and the tray size is 2.2m x 1.7m from memory. That's about 7' x 5'6", so it will be significantly shorter on a dual cab, although mine does not have a lot or rear overhang...

Cheers
David

[87County]

How tall are you? The single door utes don't allow the seats to go back all that far. There are a few rare "extended cabs" still with 2 doors, but they have an extra foot or so of space behind the seats, so you can shift your seat back further.

If you are only looking at dual cab (4 door) utes then this won't be an issue.

Also - can't see the Dual Cab having an 8' x 5' tray! I have a single "extended" cab 130 and the tray size is 2.2m x 1.7m from memory. That's about 7' x 5'6", so it will be significantly shorter on a dual cab, although mine does not have a lot or rear overhang...

Cheers
David

This is right, however the legroom problem for taller (over 1.8m tall) can be comfortably overcome to an extent by raising the seat mounts up to 25mm.

Still, a ute cab does not allow for much space behind the seats, but the relatively small centre seat can be removed (if not needed) for a storage box.

Anyway, once you are driving it all these problems will fade into insignificance...........

[weeds]

What model defender has the potential for the best economy? Pay the extra cash for a td5 up front or try and improve a tdi?


what fuel economy are you looking for

pretty sure tdi and td5 are about the same, the td5 does have a few more gee gees

cruising speed, my tdi will sit on 100km/h all day consuming just under 11l/100km

[blue_mini]

Somewhere 10l/100 would be good.
Would get an LPG/methanol injection on it, for the small gain in economy and smoothness rather than the extra power. Then tall skinny tyres for road use to get it crusing easily. All out speed isnt an issue, im building a turbocharged classic mini to get those kicks.

Im a little bit over 1.8 metres, so i guess ill have to sit in one and check that.
Im currently driving my dads single cab 4wd bravo, and can drive that comfortably, just looking for something with more character.

A 130 dual cab trayback could work, but not as practical if i want to sleep in the back or go camping. How do people find theirs for functionality, like carrying sleepers and doors home from bunnings or ikea flat packs?
Thanks for all of your replies.
Joe

[weeds]

my tdi has been tweeked and apparantly blows a bit f black smoke

i'm 183cm and have no troubles fitting into a wagon

[Killer]

The standard 130 DC tub is 1700mm long, easy to sleep in with your feet overhanging on the tailgate. I have found it great for carrying most things, although I haven't tried sleepers or doors.

Cheers, Mick.

[newhue]

a standard MMM alloy tray for a twin cab 130 is 1800 x 1830mm. Just a tad short for sleeping without the feet hanging over the back, but you could sleep diagonally.

Another option is to fit a standard 2400 x 1800 tray and shorten it to your liking or requirements. It's not hard, I have done this and you can find good second hand trays anywhere between $300 and $1000.
A tray manufacturer told me the tray is not meant to hang any further out than 1500mm past the centre of the rear wheel. The standard twin cab tray hangs 1350mm past axle centre. Not sure if this is true, or what state it may apply to, but manufacturer would not supply an extended tray to me in Qld however.

The width of a tray plate is 200mm, so you can easily end up with a 2000x1800 tray that still looks like it should be there, and legal as well apparently.

I'd image a Defer TC 130 with 1500kg pay load, you can chuck as much Ikea as you want in the back and it will do the job.

[Sitec]

The tray on my 130 is 1850 x 1850, as said before, not enough to sleep on but put a canopy on it and mount a roof tent up there and you still have room for a roof rack on the cab and an empty tray for all your gear. Avoid the Td5 with more than 180000 on the clock (I only say that as mine is being an annoyance at the moment.. Head gasket last month and now injectors... debris from the head skim!!). I'm looking for an original tub if you end up buying one and want a tray! Good luck.

[blue_mini]

Thanks again for all of the advice, going off these 2 defenders, it seems the 130s have an even longer tray again? Is this the case?
1997 Defender 300 TDI 130 Ute - For Sale - British Off Road (http://www.britishoffroad.com/Cars/CA0056/cardetail.htm)
1995 Defender 300 TDI Ute - For Sale - British Off Road (http://www.britishoffroad.com/Cars/CA0091/cardetail.htm)

And sorry for all of the questions, but is there a special bonnet you need to get to mount a spare tyre on the bonnet? My plans are also to have a desert paintjob with a winch under the back of the tray. Should i try and look for one with the bonnet or can i buy a bonnet to suit separately?

Atm im leaning towards a 110 single cab ute, probably with a 300 tdi. But then again you can fit more stuff under the tray of a 130.

And another thing i just thought about, arent 130s longer than a standard parking space? The single cab 4wd bravo i drive atm is pretty much bang on as big as normal parking space? How does everyone go?

[newhue]

There are two types of 130's. One is a twin cab, and the other a single. The 130 relates to chassis length. A 110 ute (standard ute) has the same chassis length as the wagons.
The LR brochure put a 130 TC style side ute (HCPU) with no BBar at 5170mm. Tray backs will be a bit longer again, so car parks are a challenge, as to is the turning circle of a Defer. I guess I often see women doing a 3 point park in a Hyundai so things being equal, expect some backing and forwarding to get it in the park.

I would expect you can buy a bonnet tyre mount kit. They would have been an LR option upon first sale, but some one will do an after market one. Probably easier to buy a secondhand bonnet with one already on.

[weeds]

you should still be able to buy a bonnet mount kit.....

i wonder if the one without the canopy has maxi drive axles.....as it has maxi drive flanges fitted

[spudboy]

....And another thing i just thought about, arent 130s longer than a standard parking space? The single cab 4wd bravo i drive atm is pretty much bang on as big as normal parking space? How does everyone go?

130 and parking space should not be mentioned in the same sentence :p

A bit like 130 and turning circle.

[austastar]

130 and parking space should not be mentioned in the same sentence :p

A bit like 130 and turning circle.

Hi,
Parking the 130 ute is easy enough cause you can see all 4 corners from the driving seat. Yes the turning circle is of geographic proportions, but power steering compensates.
Traffic calming roundabouts in small streets just have to be treated with the disdain they deserve.

cheers

[blue_mini]

I had a quick carpark comparison today, with my current 4wd bravo with a full rear canvas canopy, and itll be an extra 300mm on the end of that. So shouldnt be that big of a change. Ill wait for a good one and let everyone know i go.
Any input is still welcome.
Cheers,
Joe

[newhue]

ok, my 130 TC with a TJM bull bar, and MMM alloy tray comes in at 5430mm, and it's 1800 wide. Yes there will be car parks it wont fit because it's too long. Car parks because it's too high, and car parks you just can't turn the bloody thing into with out a 3 or 4 point turn.

I simply park outside the car park and walk in, less dints that way as well.

[slug_burner]

I think that there are a couple of threads where people have photoshopped the various combinations of trays and cabs on here somewhere.

Want to take the girlfriend and another couple and you'd be better of with the DC. Also provides a little security and shelter. The DC appears to be the best of both worlds.

[gatesy]

130 and parking space should not be mentioned in the same sentence :p

A bit like 130 and turning circle.


Hahaha I agree :D It worth it though. I think it helps me exercise a bit more, I end up parking further away so I can find easier parking spots ;)

I wouldnt swap my 130 for anything

[Tikirocker]

The DC appears to be the best of both worlds.

Exactly why I bought a County DC conversion with tray back ...

Simon.

[George130]

Parking a 130 at Duntrron is easy. Just pick carefully and revers in so you can get out. There are a few of us Defender drivers around those parking lots.
As said otherwise admit it turns like the QE2 and drive that way and all is good.

[blue_mini]

Ive been scouring ebay a bit more, found a few neat 110 wagons close to me, damn these options lol.
Has anyone seen this fender around?
1997 Land Rover Defender 130 (eBay item 230560930869 end time 18-Dec-10 14:38:27 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats
The ks on it seem pretty low.
Just seeing if anyone knows about it.
Cheers,
Joe