Defender campervan

[gasman]

Hi.

I am currently looking at 4wd campervan options and can't leave the defender 130 cab/chasiss option alone.

The critera is a go anywhere and get home again 4wd campervan that is not to big for the standard tracks Australia. The camper will be fiberglass or equivilant and I want to be able to access the van from inside. Pop top roof with bed over cab, large upright fridge/freeze, 2 burner cooktop, external shower and external B-B-Q.
Suncamper do a nice one!:)

Now for the good bit and you will think i'm completely nuts, (my wife does). :p
I reckon the only thing stopping me and my bodgy spine from getting into a defer, is the driving position, handbrake position and doorframe.
So, who will put their hand up to move the door and centre pillar back 100mm so I can see out, move the handbrake to the centre somewhere and fix the seat so it slides back that my 183cm/110kg bodgy frame can get in, stay there and get out without the help of the fire brigade?

Oh, I just need MY door moved, as the wife don't care really!

I am deadly serious about this. I have had the latest Hiluxes and they are rubbish and i'm not that keen on spending $75,000 on a Lancruiser ute either as they also offer a cramped driving position.

What does comes close though is a Nissan GQ, but, but, but!

So, anybody got an idea?

[The ho har's]

Have you sat in a fender 130 before? The reason I am asking is hh is very close to your size and he has no trouble geting in and out, the 130 seat goes back a lot further than 110's, and driving to very remote places for weeks on end with our camper on board:)

Mrs hh:angel:

[gasman]

Thanks Mrs HH for the tip. Is it the cab chassis or the dual cab that is bigger?

[austastar]

Hi,
How about some thing like:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/1104.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/1105.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/1106.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/1107.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/1108.jpg

It is an Innovan (innovan.com.au), and it ticks all the boxes for us.

cheers

[The ho har's]

Thanks Mrs HH for the tip. Is it the cab chassis or the dual cab that is bigger?

Duel cab is bigger..


Off to post a pic war with Austastar

Mrs hh:angel:

[austastar]

Duel cab is bigger..
Off to post a pic war with Austastar
Mrs hh:angel:

Hi,
I'll see your back seat, and raise you a diesel heater and slide-out sink!

cheers

[The ho har's]

here you go pics with a camper on board of a 130:D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/11/397.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/1088.jpg


Sorry that is a blatant add there:o:wasntme::D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/07/1089.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/07/272.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/516.jpg


If you need more just ask;):D

Mrs hh:angel:

[The ho har's]

Hi,
I'll see your back seat, and raise you a diesel heater and slide-out sink!

cheers


Is great to see you have got your camper up and running:D

Have done much trips in it yet?

Sorry OP we transgress:o:D

Mrs hh:angel:

[Bushranger1]

Hey Austastar I need to pick your brain on your great looking setup.

Like gasman I am in need of replacing my current Hilux (2nd one I have owned) & I am somewhat disappointed at the new model Hilux so am considering purchasing a new defender.
I came across the Innovan website yesterday & my wife & I are pretty keen on having a closer look.
We do some pretty serious off road work in the Victorian Alps & the outback & are a bit concerned about restricting our travel options with a slide on camper. So my questions to you are.

1. Is your Innovan sitting on a Defender 110 or 130? (sorry the defender line up is new to me.)
2. Have you got a suspension upgrade?
3. Whats it like when you encounter a side angle? Does it feel unstable?
4. How does it handle hundreds of kays of corrugations?
5. Have you got it permanently mounted or can you easily take it off?
6. Lastly & most importantly. How is all the defender running gear holding up to the extra weight?

Cheers
Stu

[austastar]

Hey Austastar I need to pick your brain on your great looking setup.

Hi

1. Is your Innovan sitting on a Defender 110 or 130? (sorry the defender line up is new to me.)

Defender 2009 130, every thing standard except bar and snorkel

2. Have you got a suspension upgrade?

Standard out of the shop, did have to pump the tyres from 28psi to 55psi when I put the Innovan on.


3. Whats it like when you encounter a side angle? Does it feel unstable?

No, but I can feel it on grooved roads, but not excessive. I'm nervous of side angles at the best of times


4. How does it handle hundreds of kays of corrugations?

Have a look on the Innovan website, they did the Simpson and Cape York as a shake down when developing the setup. The vehicle was a 4.2 Patrol with Air springs (not sure if they are totally air or supplementary air)

5. Have you got it permanently mounted or can you easily take it off?

It is held on with 4 chains and turn-buckles down to the chassis. I did make custom attachments for this, and I didn't get them quite right. They will be adjusted some time when the weather warms up a bit to work out side.
Should come off in about 5 minutes, has wind down legs to lock into the sides in the sub frame. I haven't taken it off yet as I don't have any where level to do it, nor had the need. When I get a carport set up it will come off when I'm not using it for trips.

6. Lastly & most importantly. How is all the defender running gear holding up to the extra weight?

I've only had it since May, but it weighs in at about 400kg, (check this on the innovan website) and the Defender 130's rated load is 1700kg. The Defender 110 would just carry it, but my 130 inch wheel base is 20 inches longer and is not carrying the load weight behind the rear axle. I did research the Toyota and Nissan cab chassis, but their tare weight, carrying capacity, and tray length overhang were just not in the race.

Cheers

[Bushranger1]

Thanks for the detailed info on your setup Austastar.

Might look at the Defender 130 instead of the 110 I have had my eye on. Don't want stress the chassis with too much rear overhang as you say. I will see if I can get a look at the Innovan down here in Vic.

Only objection to it is that it looks a bit retro for the old styling of the defender! Maybe a bit of outback red dust will tone the look down a bit. Very practical though looking at the videos on their web site.

Cheers