Landrover 110 leg space

[bj4x4]

Wasup defender owners ,

Well im thinking of purchasing a defender 110 or a landcruiser 70 series sometime this year, im still yet to decide which one to go for. I don't really have a landrover dealer close by where i can have a sit in a defender. So my question is how does the leg room in the drivers seat compare to a landcruiser troopie (what my parents have and i have driven a fair bit)? Ive been told by a mate who is fairly short that he only just fits in one and me being 6"3 has got me abit worried that i won't find it real comfortable.

Cheers,
Matt

[the_preacher1973]

Wasup defender owners ,

Well im thinking of purchasing a defender 110 or a landcruiser 70 series sometime this year, im still yet to decide which one to go for. I don't really have a landrover dealer close by where i can have a sit in a defender. So my question is how does the leg room in the drivers seat compare to a landcruiser troopie (what my parents have and i have driven a fair bit)? Ive been told by a mate who is fairly short that he only just fits in one and me being 6"3 has got me abit worried that i won't find it real comfortable.

Cheers,
Matt

Seat rail extensions are available to fix any comfort issues you may have regarding leg room.

Far cheaper than rectifying the hard ride affecting comfort of the 70 series.

Ergonomics of the Defender is a bit strange. You definitely sit in a different position compared with most vehicles out there. As such, an initial test drive may seem uncomfortable where in reality its probably just unfamiliar. The amazing thing about this driving position is that over long distances, "it just works".

[jx2mad]

I can vouch for the comfort. Whilst I am only 5'10" I drove my 110 across to Perth and back on standard seats. Drove long hours and never got sore at all. Jim

[carlschmid2002]

I once test drove a 70 series. My question to the salesman was- Don't you think for $70000 Toyota could fit something more comfortable than milk crates for seats? I am 6' 2" and i fitted Mulgo's seat rails from the Expedition Centre. Perfect now.

[Marty110]

its a lot easier to fix the leg space in a Defender than to pay $20k plus extra for a cruiser - buys a lot of mods. My choice was the same as yours and I went the Defender - much more comfortable and better off road IMHO. Also better economy and cheaper to fix

[vnx205]

It isn't always easy to predict what someone will think of the ergonomics and particularly the leg room in a Defender.

I am about 1.8 metres tall and 62 kg and I find the Defender very comfortable without the need for any seat modifications. That probably isn't particularly remarkable.

However I was very surprised that my brother-in-law had no problems in the passenger seat. That is in spite of the fact that some people carry on about the way the A/C steals the passenger's leg room and in spite of the fact that he is significantly taller than you and is quite large framed.

[lebanon]

Hi I am 6' 2" and have no problems driving my 110 perhaps the only hassle is when I need to reach the window handle.

[bj4x4]

cheers for the replies everyone. Im currently look at the ex army defenders on greyonline atm so i figured they would have to be able to fit some pretty big army lads in there haha. Is leg room pretty much the same between the 110 wagon and 110 single cab ute?

[carlschmid2002]

I once test drove a 70 series. My question to the salesman was- Don't you think for $70000 Toyota could fit something more comfortable than milk crates for seats? I am 6' 2" and i fitted Mulgo's seat rails from the Expedition Centre. Perfect now.

I mean my LR defender 90 is perfect now. Never bought the Cruiser. Too expensive. Very happy with the LR.

[NT5224]

Hi Bj

I'm about 6' 3" and find my 110 single cab very comfortable over long distances. Its just an individual thing I guess.

Trouble is, it always feels very cramped at first until you get your own seat configuration and driving position sorted. That can take several weeks and not something you will find on a short test drive.

So buying a single cab is a bit of a leap of faith , but one that for me worked out.

One more thing, being tall/ long legged is a distinct advantage getting in and out of the Land Rover. Mine has heavy duty suspension and so rides about an inch higher than regular pumas. I've noticed some short arses really struggle trying to get in and out -especially with the thoughtful absence of hand holds that Land Rover have perfected over the last half century.

You gotta love the beast. I bought mine after testing the V8 cruiser as a replacement for my old 70 series ute. Forget the legroom, the overall seating position is so much more favourable than in the Tojo....

Cheers

Alan

[Bush65]

With a single cab, you can't utilise seat extension rails like a wagon can. The back wall of the cab limits your rearward travel.

For some like myself, a single cab is the ideal set-up, and I am ok with the legroom, but at 1.8m, not as tall as you.

Some time ago I measured the main cab dimensions to compare a 79 series cruiser to a single cab landie side by side and they were within a whisker identical except the base of the cruiser windscreen is further forward, and the smaller diameter steering wheel on the cruiser is a better size (on my list to change in the landie). The landie seats are far more comfortable, but the hand brake lever needs to be tilted a little away from the driver's left leg. The cruiser has a left foot rest, which is also on my list to fit to the landie.

[vnx205]

the hand brake lever needs to be tilted a little away from the driver's left leg.

That is another one of those things about which there is not universal agreement.

Some people find the handbrake position a problem. It has never caused me any discomfort or inconvenience.

[bemm52]

[QUOTE=NT5224;1910211] I've noticed some short arses really struggle trying to get in and out -especially with the thoughtful absence of hand holds that Land Rover have perfected over the last half century.

/QUOTE]

Is there an after market handhold available......windsreen side support as a mounting position perhaps

cheers Paul

[mox]

I found the standard Defender handbrake position annoying. Solution was to move it 5 inches to the left - about as far as it is possible to go. Needed to cut pieces out of transmission tunnel to accommodate this and a somewhat fiddly job making bits to cover the holes. Would have to go and have a look at the job done several years ago to remember exact details involved.

Was a lot easier to do on mine than with the standard difficult to work on setup designed by Land Rover engineers. Long ago I removed the transmission tunnel and cut it in half lengthways down the middle., ie in front of and behind gear lever. Now easy to get off in two halves or just remove one side if that exposes what is wanted. eg Recently I pulled of left half for full view of and access to reversing light switch. Mate needed one in a hurry just before taking a Discovery for roadworthy inspection. I scored a new switch to replace it a couple of days later. Note the rubber transmission tunnel floormat piece covers hacksaw blade width cut between tunnel pieces.

[Aaron]

Im 6'5 and not a small guy. With MUD rails I find mine 110 nice and comfortable.

[Tomo]

I have got a 2009 Landcruiser 76 series for work and a 2009 110 Defender wagon and I feel better getting out of the landy after a long drive, especially if it is on corrugations. The V8 TD is quite addictive thou....

I am 6'2ft and have no seat extension rails.

[Loubrey]

Our company has an exclusive car hire deal with Hertz, and when I'm up north we always get newer than 12 month old Toyotas as mine spec vehicles.

I usually get allocated one of the new 200 series with the weird FJ lights on the back or a Prado as second choice.

Every now and then though I have to drive a Troopie and I find them truly awful cars! Maybe its because they're new, but I find the 8 cylinder engines short geared and asmatic to say the least. At 6'1" with most of my height in my legs I can't get comfortable behind the wheel and the passenger side is worse! The tyres they come with is absolutely useless off road and heaven behold you need 4WD as I find they're weight distribution all wrong when empty and the lack of grip from those tyres are epic...

Don't even get me started on the Hilux... narrow, cramped and downright dangerously "loose" when unloaded on gravel road.

Maybe I'm just excessively partisan, but IMO vehicle by vehicle there is nothing in the Toyota stable that comes close to competing with its (near) equivalent in the Land Rover marque in terms of driveabilty and off road ability.

Back to topic, I'm 6'1" and 100kg and I've got the Mulgo rails fitted. Having been comfortable in Defenders for near on 18 years, I've suddenly realised a new level of comfort with the rails - I can totally recommend them!

Hand brake has never bothered me in its normal position...

Cheers,

Lou

[ezyrama]

I am 5'11" and 100kg, I love mine, but I have just raised the cubby box by 90mm and am fitting seat rail extensions shortly. Now I dont even have to take my arm off the cubby box a I run thru the gears and the handbrake lever makes a VERY comfortable left footrest when on a long cruise. A lot more comfortable than any toymota I have ever driven.

[VladTepes]

In answer to a few of the questions you raised:

Leg space for driver in all variants (single cab, wagon, twin cab etc) is the same.

I had issues with a single cab in that my head (I'm 6' tall) was basically resting against the rear bulkhead - not comfortable.

It's the easiest thing in the world to fit a grab handle above the passenger door (or any other door for that matter)

A better option if the handbrake bothers you, is to get a Range Rover handbrake lever, fit it beside the cubby box and reroute (slightly) the handbrake cable. A simple and inexpensive conversion.

I can drive a Defender for many hours without being uncomfortable. I drove a work LC 70 series and found that it was terrible in the ergonomics department (for me anyway). I also found the Defender more comfortable over long distances than my 1996 Discovery. The seats, as someone else said, "just work".

[Dorn]

I've owned a Defender 110 for a while now. I'm 6'5 and 95kg and originally I had the standard seat setup which I found comfortable except for the door handle constantly pressed against my outer thigh. My biggest concern was in the case of an emergency braking situation, where my leg would hit the steering wheel in an attempt to go from accelerator to the brake. Other than that I was comfortable, even after 8hrs over rough terrain.
About 3 months ago I had the Mulgo seat rail extenders fitted, which even at 6'5, I'm 3 pins from being all the way back. Though I love the extra leg room, it comes at a price. The 3cm increase in seat height, though doesn't seem like a lot, is a massive factor for me now. Find I'm always leaning forward to look around and under windshield (and most of my 6'5 height is all leg). I find the raised back of the seat now very uncomfortable as you slide forward more and the extra set rail length now means more bounce in the seat and movement in the rails as there's an extra lever in there now. It's a hard trade, back to comfort, but more cramped, possibly less safe, or sore lower back from leaning forward all the time. First world problems haha

[jon3950]

Did you put any of the original spacers back under the front of the rails?

Without any spacers the front of the seat is too low and feels funny. By packing the front of the seat up you get a better angle, more support under your thighs and it doesn’t raise your seating position.

Cheers,
Jon

[uninformed]

Did you put any of the original spacers back under the front of the rails?

Without any spacers the front of the seat is too low and feels funny. By packing the front of the seat up you get a better angle, more support under your thighs and it doesn’t raise your seating position.

Cheers,
Jon

I dont agree with rasing the front of the seat. The more of an angle up the thighs/knees are from the back and lower back, I find more problems and yes with the legs getting stiff etc. I would raise the rear of the seat before the front as the angle is already at or past 90 from thighs to spine.

Im 6.1 driving a truck cab so know the 110 cab problems more than 4 door versions.

[jon3950]

Fair enough, we’re all different. I find it more comfortable with front the packed up a bit so I don’t feel like I’m sliding down the seat.

Cheers,
Jon

[uninformed]

Fair enough, we’re all different. I find it more comfortable with front the packed up a bit so I don’t feel like I’m sliding down the seat.

Cheers,
Jon

Is your seat all compressed?? The seat box is angled up towards the front and the seat base itself is higher/thicker at the front. Head scratching.....

[jon3950]

No, seat is good - it's only two years old.

Fitting the Mulgo rails on their own lifts the rear of the seat but not the front. Obviously this changes the angle of the seat base. Adding spacers to the front basically returns it to it's original angle, which is more comfortable for me.

I've replaced the Mulgo rails with Mud rails as I was concerned that the Mulgo rails were letting the seat rails flex slightly and opening them up. The Mud rails sit very slightly higher which I really noticed at first but am now used to. I think these would probably put anyone taller than me (6') too high relative to the windscreen.

I'm happy with the seating position now and find it very comfortable for a long trip - so it's all good.

Cheers,
Jon

[NovaRover]

I remember the 1st time I sat in a Defender, I thought to myself you have to be joking this is the worst Ergonomic cockpit I have ever sat in. It didnt stop me from purchasing my 130.
For some reason it just works, Im 6'3" and feel like farmer Bill driving his tractor and love it, love being able to lean against the pillar,my favorite position is when my elbow is out and lm huging the door, my mate wore though the paint in his old Defender where his arm hung out the window. It just works for me, I can can drive for days and still have a grinn on my face.I still have a grinn on my face every time I start her up in the morning.[emoji304][emoji3]

[rick130]

Is leg room pretty much the same between the 110 wagon and 110 single cab ute?

[edit] oops, I didn't notice the date of the post I was replying to! [bigwhistle]

No.

In the wagons and crew cabs you can lift the seat rails 19-22mm and the rails then slide over the seat box bulkhead giving much more legroom.
This is ideal if you re over 180cm and long of leg.
You can't do this in a single cab, unless you can find a rare TD5 Telstra extended cab version

[uninformed]

I remember the 1st time I sat in a Defender, I thought to myself you have to be joking this is the worst Ergonomic cockpit I have ever sat in. It didnt stop me from purchasing my 130.
For some reason it just works, Im 6'3" and feel like farmer Bill driving his tractor and love it, love being able to lean against the pillar,my favorite position is when my elbow is out and lm huging the door, my mate wore though the paint in his old Defender where his arm hung out the window. It just works for me, I can can drive for days and still have a grinn on my face.I still have a grinn on my face every time I start her up in the morning.[emoji304][emoji3]


The problem with the length and width of the Defender is not just leg room. As you decribe, many LR owners drive with the window down and elbow/arm resting on outer door edge. My paint is worn through also... This is not done out of desire or some romantic notion, its because of the lack of space. Now even in a 110 truck cab with the seat back, this driving postion, with the shoulder againts piller and elbow out rolls the shoulder forward. Rolled shoulders are a big problem in general life these days - work - life etc. As the shoulder rolls forward it comes down out of its joint. Now not being fully supported. This becomes the normal postion and is much more prone to injury or problems. This would be further amplified the further the seat goes back.

The doors really need to be 6 inches longer. 4 for seat travel and 2 to allow the shoulder to square up....

just my opinion

[DazzaTD5]

Sometimes its a case of if you have never had better, you dont know any different...

*My Pa (dad) is impressed with how well the a/c works on his Defender TD5 (his old 200/300tdi, series never had a/c).
*Defender TDCi (puma) 2007 on the a/c dare I say is of the standard you would expect for a commercial vehicle.
*Both myself and Pa have never had an issue with where the handbrake lever sits, in fact think its way easier to get to when offroading.
*As mentioned, seat base extensions are a good option.
*My Pa complains about the position of the window winder (always has) and wants it converted to the sliding window set up which I have been very slow to act upon. Would rather fit electric windows.
*Neither of us has ever had an issue with how the seat sits close to the door, when off road you tend to tilt your head slightly left to prevent hitting door frame.
*Yes with the seat base extensions on, the door closeness is more noticeable.

*All subjective I guess but I prefer sitting (and even driving) in a Defender over the mining spec Land Cruiser, Discovery 2, Discovery 3.