Advice RE: The Right Defender

[mike_beecham]

Hi All,
The wifey and l are planning to take Long Service Leave in 2015 and travel to WA/NT to work in schools/missions for 12 months. (This could blow out to 24 months).

In the process, travel around and see this big country.

I am going to buy a new (or near new) Defender for the trip. My dilemma is l cant decide between a 110 wagon or 130 tray. Does anyone have some pics of a 130 setup with steel tray etc for touring?

I have had 3 110 Wagons in the past so l am familiar with setup in these, but we did have a farm ute (Rodeo) and l did reaaly appreciated the tray and the flexibility that came with that. (Dog box, canopy etc). Very handy.

I am conscious that TC/ABS is not standard on the 130s. This is something l have enjoyed and appreciated in 2 previous TD5 110s. Nor the alloys. As there will be weight on the back l am not to concerned about the 'ride'.

I am a little apprehensive about the real world reliablilty of the new Defender - there are some serious horror stories on here about engines, clutches, silly Rover things that stop them in their tracks. These are of concern.....mmm.

This is link to what l am looking at: http://www.carsales.com.au/demo/details/Land-Rover-Defender-2013/AGC-AD-13101842/?Cr=13

The idea would be to buy it mid-next year to have time to get it modified, prepped and ready for the trip. (Plus drive it for 6 months to HOPEFULLY sort out niggly little stupid Rover warranty things before we go).


Any advice appreciated, as usual.

Thanks in advance.
Mike

[The Cone of Silence]

Mike,

I can't speak for the 130 as I've never driven one, but what I can tell you is that forums are always full of horror stories. I'd go so far as to say that seeking assistance when something goes wrong has become the primary use of the forum for most if its members, so don't panic and worry about it.

Nobody ever calls the electricity company to say "Wow, thanks for the great power yesterday, awesome, love your work!".....people only ever call them when there's a problem.

I've had a few wee dramas with mine (2008 110) but nothing I wouldn't expect from any car that I regularly take off-road and nothing that's ever required a tow or a flat-bed.

(touches wood furiously)

Bobby

[inken_dave]

Hi Mike! Sounds like a great trip!

Just speaking from my perspective, I own a 2013 110 Defender (Only five weeks old) and so far so good. But like with any new machine, either new from the showroom floor or new to you, it needs to be "got to be known". I think good preparation is also about "testing" the car and equipment before you leave for the big one!

Especially if you go "new", Id leave as much time as possible between buying it, and locking the house up and heading off! The more time before, the more likely any manufacturing faults will be picked up early.

Often you learn so much on a weekend away, that it can really save you when things go wrong in the middle of no-where! Tooling is a great example, having the right tools, makes the difference between a great weekend, and a forgettable one!

If you go "new" get a copy of the workshop manual. What seems complicated when looking into the engine bay at first, after reading the workshop manual briefly, now seems quite straight forward and logical.

I'm really happy with the 110. The 130 is a great option. Having a waterproof and lockable rear area is needed though especially travelling in the NT through communities!

Hope something helps.......David

[frantic]

An option could be the 110 , 2 door wagon with a mulgo bed and the side gulwings on the windows. This would let you get abs/tc and a large lockable cargo area(maybe a barrier behind front seats?) with your bed made and ready wherever you stop. There are numerous options for this set up , you just need to decide whats right for you.

[Sitec]

I run a 130 Td5 at the moment and have been very happy with it. It has done everything we've asked of it and more. When I first bought it the tray was very long and clumsy, so I manufactured a new shorter tray and detachable camp body, gave it a lift and some larger tyres and now it no longer feels clumsy. We detach the body when away so leaving a light tray back crew cab for touring. Ironically ;) its for sale at the mo as I have a perfectly good diesel car sat in the shed not being used, and I have the desire to own something stupid once again. To fund the stupidity, the 130 has to go. As an all round vehicle, I don't think you'd be disappointed owning a 130 or a 110. Space is a plenty in the 130 but as 'frantic' suggested, a 110 would also work well with bed inside... Re the later Pums's.. Having not owned one I can't advise on those. As an outsider I see 50/50 god and bad for them. (van engine!!:p) Sorry, couldn't resist!

[Summiitt]

I have had 3 pumas now, one of the first 110wagons, a single cab 130tray and now a 130 dual cab hcpu, i don't believe everything I read on forums, between the 3 vehicles I have never been let down or had any major issues, the wagon was only a touring rig, but I did a hell of a lot of hard core 4wd trips in it and it never missed a beat, the utes are my work vehicles, I load them up to their max gvm and run them off road for forestry/ earthmoving work, maybe I'm lucky but Im fairly confident that I run my 130s harder than most people. If you can design a dust/water proof canopy for a 130, then it would be close to the ultimate tourer.

[NT5224]

Hey Mike

Sounds like a great plan!

On Land Rovers, our 2012 MY Puma ute has been outstanding in the year that we've had it. Just one early niggle fixed under warranty -a rattling door.

And we work the ute hard, hauling tonne or more through mud and up and down steep, rocky inclines. It really is the perfect vehicle (in terms of performance, not dealer support) for the Territory bush.

Oh, and having a Heavy Duty HCPU 110, we don't have TC or ABS either. In my opinion they're just more electronic gizmo's to go wrong in the bush. You're better without them. The new 2.2. engine is superb.

That's my honest experience ... hope its helpful.

Cheers

Alan

[n plus one]

The most important part of your plan is your intention get the truck in advance - I'd go 12 months if possible to give you plenty of time to identify any issues.

My 09 110 has never had any issues that stopped the truck - just stuff that was fixed under warranty as part of scheduled services.

The closest I've come to being stuck was when I dropped the front diff oil the other week (precautionary maintenance pre Simpson crossing) and discovered the diff was about to lunch itself. That was at 90k with plenty of off road work and heavy towing. Not ideal, but the front diffs are a known weak point.

[Old Rangie]

Bought my 2000, Td5 about 2 years ago. Had the usual oil in injector loom, sorted it. It required extensive r380 and T/f box rebuild. It now has 270,000 on it.
You are interested in touring; well it had an extra 200mm in the cab length done by Telstra and I added a pair of Recaro's. You can stretch right out and not touch the floor if you want, unless you are really tall. I also added Momo 14 inch steering wheel. Works fine with seating position and old style dash. Also storage behind seat. Trouble is access to under seat things ie ECU or battery. Fitted 500 amp master switch as insurance. Also big Anderson plug under bonnet to battery for quick connect to jump leads.
The back is Alloy box 2200 long 1800 wide with full size side gull wings doors. Good to shelter under. Remember not park too close to things for access.
Rear box was empty when we bought it except power supply from aux battery on drivers side. So went to Gloucester in NSW and had kitchen and draws fitted with twin opposing fridge drop slides. (Fridge and freezer).

Rear overhang is dumpy so reasonable off road with twin lockers, 2 inch lift and 33 mud tyres.

It already had Les Richmond ECU upgrade. and 120 l fuel tank. Goes well even at 3.5t normal load. Then we add 2.5t 20 ft van on the back. Sitting on 90-100 kph gets between 17 and 20 l/100 consumption 13 without trailer.

We are heading to Simpson/ Hay River track. We have rooftop tent or a car topper boat but not both.

My favorite features are the twin full length draws underneath chock full of tools etc.

Can't seem to find good photos on just the landie on my portable drive.

Re touring it is excellent but needs 15 m turning circle. Gross of around 6t it does a good effort. Cheers old Rangie.

Looking at other comments, and the potential vehicle, the dual cab will have more rear overhang but more cab room without doing what my vehicle had done.

The wheels will need tubes in tyres (I changed mine to aftermarket alloys unrated for tubeless.)

I like the ability to securely lock things away out of sight if touring.

I put air lockers F & R in to counter weak diff centres and HiTuff rear halfshafts, maxi drive flanges.

I run rear cameras on both caravan and rear of Defender just above towbar really helps in hooking up. Also convex wide view mirrors helps.

Especially like the idea of buying in advance to get to know the thing. They all have little things going on. Gives them character.

Hope that helps

[mike_beecham]

Hi All,
This thread is incredibly helpful. I will definately buy 12 months in advance!
In terms of the mechanical Rover niggles - this is a given with Defenders and something l am used to.


I like:
- Flexibility of the tray like collecting firewood etc
- Security of the tray
- Still have 5 seats (l have a family)
- Can set up excellent storage systems in the tray
- Not trashing the inside of a 110 (which is what currently occurs)

My concerns:
- No ABS/TC: l have had 3 110s. No matter what people say, it is sensational.
- Do l go HCPU or steel tray: with steel tray l can customise things no end

Again - thank you for your advice and pics. It is really helping us!

Mike