JP's 130 Defender.

[jplambs]

Hi All,

My new 'Fender arrived at the dealers this morning... two months ahead of schedule. Originally told that it would arrive around about mid July, then it was shortened to the 20th of June, and then it turned up.

I now have to decide on what length tray I go for, am currently thinking of trying a 6'6" tray. I've read all the tray threads and I still haven't seen a good side shot of one that length so hopefully it looks alright. Bullbar and towbar are on the way so I'm hoping that I'll be driving it within the fortnight.

Will update with more pics as they come.

[lambrover]

Ha mate looks like we share our last name and I also own a 130 haha.

What are you using the car for to need a 6'6 tray?

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[Summiitt]

Dead sexy defender! 6"6' shouldn't be problem as long as it's steel and supported properly, wouldn't like to put a full ton+ behind the rear axle though..I wanted a dual cab but couldn't get a long enough tray on it, ended up with a new 130 single cab with a 9' steel tray. Getting a good tray builder is a must.

[jplambs]

Hi Lambrover, I'll be using it on the farm a bit and we have a couple of fairly large quad bikes, main reason thought is to have the best of both worlds, 5 seats as well a decent tray. It's going to be a steel tray Summitt, with rubber blocks between the tray and chassis to hopefully take a bit of the shock out and stop the mounts cracking.

[lambrover]

Ok so it's a farm car. If it was for the bush it could have been a bit to long

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[wally]

Hi All,

My new 'Fender arrived at the dealers this morning... two months ahead of schedule. Originally told that it would arrive around about mid July, then it was shortened to the 20th of June, and then it turned up.

I now have to decide on what length tray I go for, am currently thinking of trying a 6'6" tray. I've read all the tray threads and I still haven't seen a good side shot of one that length so hopefully it looks alright. Bullbar and towbar are on the way so I'm hoping that I'll be driving it within the fortnight.

Will update with more pics as they come.

If you're concerned about it looking 'right' then I think 2m is about the right length. 6'6" would look a bit too long to my eyes.

[jplambs]

Thanks Wally, I was sort of tossing up between a 6'3" and the 6'6" as both would probably do the job. Just rereading you post then - 6"6' and two metres are roughly the same measurement, did you mean less than 2?

[towe0609]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

This is 2.1m

[newhue]

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/421/img0457rf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/171/img0457rf.jpg/)

1.8m

[2stroke]

The factory hicap tub is 1750 (outside measurements). I recently picked up an aluminium tray from the wreckers to put on my (older Tdi 130) which is 1760. It looks about "right" to me from the side. I guess if you need to carry a quad, make it just long enough for that. That red and white one with 2.1m would be fun to hook a trailer to if you need to tow, not to mention what the chassis would have to say if you put a load at the back and use it in anger offroad.

[wally]

Thanks Wally, I was sort of tossing up between a 6'3" and the 6'6" as both would probably do the job. Just rereading you post then - 6"6' and two metres are roughly the same measurement, did you mean less than 2?

You're right, of course. Sorry, my mental metric converter malfunctioned. Some years ago I had a tray made for a 130 and went through a similar process to yours. I settled on 2m (or 6'6") and I always thought that it was a good compromise. I thought it looked fine and it gives you plenty of tray (for a dual cab).

[2stroke]

Just finished fitting the 1760 tray and after seeing it on the street for the first time it looks like the tray could have easily been a little longer though it has plenty of space for my needs.

[jplambs]

Thanks Wally and 2Stroke, it's about trying to get the balance right between functionality and looks, and seeing as I do need to tow with it - a fair bit - I'll have to make sure the tray is not too long. Either that or make up an extension for a H/R type fitting.

[newhue]

You may want to think about width as well. My MMM tray is 1830 wide and 1800 long. It overhangs the body by about 100mm each side. I would have preferred 0 to 50mm. The trouble ordering a tray with the car is manufactures have a specific size tray that fits and and that's it.

In the past I have purchased from the wrecker as 2stoke has done and altered to fit. Both trays have been single cab trays and cut down. Both around $300 each. If you wish to pay $500 you could most likely get a shinny one to match the new vehicle as well.

If you are after a two bar I have one 1/4 the price of what LR will charge you. Check out the markets section.

[jplambs]

Cheers newhue I hadn't really thought about the width, I'd better check that with the tray builder as well. My dealer uses the local engineer to build the trays so I can pretty much order it to what ever size I want.

I'm afraid I ordered the Bullbar on Friday but thank you all the same.

I quite like the look of the length of the tray on the following vehicle - I've PM'd the owner but haven't heard back. Is anyone else able to work out the length of the tray from the photo? I don't have a 130 to measure to figure it out.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/09/560.jpg

[Don 130]

That one looks about the same length as mine, but it's dark now. I'll try to remember to take a photo tomorrow with the measurements. it'll only be a phone photo.
Don.

[Don 130]

here's a picture of my grubby truck.The overall length of the entire tray structure is 2.050. The usable deck legth is 1.950. At 6'1" in the old money, I can just fit in the canopy with my pillow to sleep. Let me know if you need any further details.
Don

[newhue]

Just to add to the decision process again. Size is one thing, but what and how you store stuff as well should be considered beforehand. Spare tyres for instance, on head board, roof, or under tray. Water tanks or fuel tanks can be mounted under tray. However as with mine 80lt fits but the 140lt tank I wanted was 50mm to wide for the trays rails. Probably an easy mod in the manufacturing process but painful once made.
Angled side are good for off road through trees, but water comes in when sides are up, unless made to avoided this. Square sides makes it easier to stack stuff against the side or allows for something with a bit of height. Soft sides are easy but not lockable, hard sides at some point will ge takes out by something because you drove off without closing.
Do you need a roof gage or not, if so a gard top awning is required. I had a 6inch rebate made on the passengers side of the roof cage, this allowed me to fit an awning that didn't hang out past the tray, but runs for 3/4 or the car.

Don't rush it, as it's easier to get it right the first time with a little time.

[jplambs]

Update: The dealer sent through a couple of photo's of the 130 with its new tray yesterday, thought I would share. Just waiting for the bullbar to arrive now.

Also I would like to give a shout out to the dealer, Mac Landrover in Millicent, I've been dealing with the youngest salesman there - Jack Davies - and he has been nothing short of brilliant. I guess you know that you're on the right track when the dealer principal owns a defender himself.



48168

48169

[Benz]

very nice!

I like how they have used the original lights

[juddy]

Looking very good...

[jplambs]

I finally picked up the 'fender yesterday, got to the dealers and they had been kind enough to detail it for me as well as putting in a full tank of fuel. Although I did wonder about the detailing, by the yesterday evening I had managed to get it to look like a well used farm vehicle.

Thoughts so far - I love it - can't get the smile off my face. I'm really appreciating the quietness compared to my 300tdi, the 6th gear is a brilliant idea. Loving the way it handles dirt as well as the bitumen. I have to organise some side steps, not so much for me but for passengers. I've done almost 500kms in the last 48 hour now so I am starting to get a bit of a feel for the vehicle. The gearbox takes a little getting used to after driving japanese utes, its almost like a road ranger in the way it likes to be at a certain RPM before changing. I'm very happy that I went with the 6 foot 3inch tray, it seems to be just about right.

Photos after the jump.

[Summiitt]

Good looking ute, well done. They look better dirty anyway! My 130 tray top really didn't free up until around the 25k mark, the fuel consumption dropped, and the engine started to rev out more freely, as a heavy duty work ute, it's hard to fault after 75,000km in 2yrs.

[pannawonica]

My 110 has taken about 30k/km's to free up, also cylinder head temp sensor reports 2/3 deg lower temperature when travelling.

[pannawonica]

It is a good looking truck, I have a bit of envy as her indoors did not think that she could handle 130.

[timandcarly]

Very nice!

[redneb72]

Love the colour! That looks schmick!

[Nova]

Nice looking bus mate, I had heard that you had ordered a new one.

Who did the tray, wasn't McKenny from Naracoorte was it? Looks like they did a good job, like the latches for the sides and the checkerplate.

Have to catch up before tennis starts again.

Cheers,
Nova

[jplambs]

Hi Nova,

I'm presuming that I'm talking to Scott S. ? You had me for awhile with the "Near Adelaide" in your byline.

I had the tray built by the engineer at Millicent, LJR Engineering - Motor Vehicle Bodies and Accessories (http://www.ljr-engineering.websyte.com.au/) really, really happy with what he did, I think I'm going to get him to make up the sidesteps as well. I had the choice between Rick and Leigh but I went with Leigh as he was really accommodating with the build and the paint job on the rodeo that we have on the farm hasn't been fantastic and that was a Naracoorte tray.

I pinched the idea for the latches and the chequerplate from Vanders' ute. How's the rain out there? We had 5mm when I got in this evening around 10:30.

JP

[Nova]

Thats me.

I got my last tray done by Rick and I also pinched the checkerplate idea from Vanders ute, it is holding up really well and I think it will be something I get done on all utes from now on.

As for rain, took out 10mm this morning, another 6 at lunch time and still more showers this evening. Just finishing the last of the seeding so it is all good.

Cheers,
Nova