Extended D3/D4

[Arapiles]

Well, I've googled it extensively but no-one appears to have extended the chassis of a D3 or D4 - in theory it should be possible. Has anyone heard of it being done?

[DiscoJeffster]

But why?

[IndusD4]

To make a limo?

[Arapiles]

But why?

So you can have 6 or 7 people AND luggage.

[101RRS]

Buy a people mover.

[Celtoid]

Roof Racks? Trailer?

You'll probably notice most of the people movers that take people to the airport, etc., are towing a trailer....unless they are a very large van.

[shanegtr]

So you can have 6 or 7 people AND luggage.

Could probably import a chev suburban to acheive that[thumbsupbig]

[DieselLSE]

Considering you need an engineering certificate for anything more than a cut and polish these days, I'd hate to think what would be needed to extend a D4.
The car is already close to GVM and maximum axle load off the showroom floor. Well, sort of.
I agree with the trailer/roof racks/different vehicle suggestions.

[weeds]

Creative conversions......although they flat with 200 conversion

[cripesamighty]

I don't know about the wheelbase being stetchable, but the 6x4 and 6x6 setups look pretty neat. The first link below is the online version of a LRM article from early last year. It is a stretched D3/4 6x4 fifth wheeler with a specialty trailer built for the British Navy. From memory there are other articles around with more details. I have added a couple more below that.

PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News (https://www.pressreader.com/uk/land-rover-monthly/20170801/281595240525669)
@landroverphotoalbum on Instagram: “Good morning, gang. Cast your gaze upon this 6x4 Expedition Discovery 4 and read a little further: This vehicle has multiple uses with two…” (https://www.instagram.com/p/BS2fXH4jioE/)
Supacat’s Discovery 3-based SUV 600 six-wheeler conversion — LRO (https://www.lro.com/reviews/featured-vehicles/1412/supacat%E2%80%99s-discovery-3-based-suv-600-six-wheeler-conversion)

[SeanC]

Someone recently posted a link to a couple of photo of a 3 axel D4. I can’t remember what thread it was in.

[Arapiles]

I don't know about the wheelbase being stetchable, but the 6x4 and 6x6 setups look pretty neat. The first link below is the online version of a LRM article from early last year. It is a stretched D3/4 6x4 fifth wheeler with a specialty trailer built for the British Navy. From memory there are other articles around with more details. I have added a couple more below that.

PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News (https://www.pressreader.com/uk/land-rover-monthly/20170801/281595240525669)
@landroverphotoalbum on Instagram: “Good morning, gang. Cast your gaze upon this 6x4 Expedition Discovery 4 and read a little further: This vehicle has multiple uses with two…” (https://www.instagram.com/p/BS2fXH4jioE/)
Supacat’s Discovery 3-based SUV 600 six-wheeler conversion — LRO (https://www.lro.com/reviews/featured-vehicles/1412/supacat%E2%80%99s-discovery-3-based-suv-600-six-wheeler-conversion)

Thanks for those links - there appear to have been a few 6x4 lazy axle conversions, so I should've been googling "Discovery 6x6". Supacat appear to also be in Australia and this thing is based on a Discovery chassis:

LRV 600 - Supacat - High mobility vehicles (https://supacat.com/products/lrv/lrv-600/)

I suspect though, that the only currently practical option is to tow a trailer. Sigh.

[IndusD4]

So you can have 6 or 7 people AND luggage.

With any of the 6X4 solutions where would you put these 6 or 7 people?

Ron

[Arapiles]

With any of the 6X4 solutions where would you put these 6 or 7 people?

Ron

Well, if it's this one, in the back:

LRV 600 - Supacat - High mobility vehicles (https://supacat.com/products/lrv/lrv-600/)

[Arapiles]

Could probably import a chev suburban to acheive that[thumbsupbig]

Don't laugh - they were on the list.

[cripesamighty]

If you were converting your own 6 wheeler I reckon you could do a couple of things to keep the seating and still have room for cargo. Firstly, keep the original sized bodywork so you still have 7 seats and then add a smaller tray at the back for the luggage. Or you could extend the bodywork by putting in a plug and have a really long wagon - sort of like what they did with this 130. Hypotheticals are fun, especially if you are spending someone elses money!

http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/shlosberg_lrg3.jpg
Land Rover Defender 130 Station Wagon Longbody - (http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/listings/land-rover-defender-130-station-wagon-longbody-conversion/)

[Arapiles]

If you were converting your own 6 wheeler I reckon you could do a couple of things to keep the seating and still have room for cargo. Firstly, keep the original sized bodywork so you still have 7 seats and then add a smaller tray at the back for the luggage. Or you could extend the bodywork by putting in a plug and have a really long wagon - sort of like what they did with this 130. Hypotheticals are fun, especially if you are spending someone elses money!

http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/shlosberg_lrg3.jpg
Land Rover Defender 130 Station Wagon Longbody - (http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/listings/land-rover-defender-130-station-wagon-longbody-conversion/)

That's what got me thinking - Mulgo do the same thing locally:

Land Rover Defender 130 Station Wagon | Mulgo Expedition Vehicles (http://www.mulgo.com.au/conversions/land-rover-130-defender-station-wagon/)

There's a red one they have as well, which I've seen on the web.

But the Defenders are noisy and unsafe compared to a D3 or D4.

[IndusD4]

Found one for you, but the seats are still all the way in the back.

139616


Ron

[Arapiles]

Found one for you, but the seats are still all the way in the back.

139612


Ron

Looks like I'll need an 8x8 then ...

[shanegtr]

Don't laugh - they were on the list.
I got 4 kids so your not the only one to have thought about it[bighmmm]

[DiscoJeffster]

Three kids. I use a camper trailer, roof rack with 500L roof box, plus the rest of the space for swags, awnings etc. I arrange things so soft things are scattered within the car.

[letherm]

Found one for you, but the seats are still all the way in the back.

139616


Ron

That would make a good hearse in black.

Martin

[Arapiles]

Three kids. I use a camper trailer, roof rack with 500L roof box, plus the rest of the space for swags, awnings etc. I arrange things so soft things are scattered within the car.

Same - what some people don't realise is that you can't have kids elbow to elbow for thousands of ks, so three kids means using the third row of seats. And then you need somewhere to put the luggage ...

[DiscoJeffster]

Same - what some people don't realise is that you can't have kids elbow to elbow for thousands of ks, so three kids means using the third row of seats. And then you need somewhere to put the luggage ...

Yes. OMG how they fight!!!!
I chuck the oldest into the rear when it all becomes too much. I’m also keen to do the fridge install in the middle seat space so that will likely means one rear becomes permanent for the elder. That means even less space in the back. I know what you mean but so far between the roof and the camper I’ve (barely) got enough space.

[Arapiles]

Yes. OMG how they fight!!!!
I chuck the oldest into the rear when it all becomes too much. I’m also keen to do the fridge install in the middle seat space so that will likely means one rear becomes permanent for the elder. That means even less space in the back. I know what you mean but so far between the roof and the camper I’ve (barely) got enough space.

I was thinking of a pod trailer with a roof-rack on it so that shovels etc don't go on the roof of the car.

All of our gear is ultralight - I was an ultralight bushwalker - so even our family tent only weighs 8kg. The bulkiest gear we have is the self-inflating queen-sized mattresses, which are more child-proof than our Thermarests and comparatively cheaper. And a lot thicker. So our gear takes up less bulk. Without a fridge I could just get it all in the back of a CR-V.

[Ean Austral]

Seen this advertised

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/carlton/cars-vans-utes/land-rover-discovery-3-duall-cab/1182544017

Prolly not what you wanted, but may give some idea's on the people who did the mod.

Cheers Ean

[Arapiles]

Seen this advertised

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/carlton/cars-vans-utes/land-rover-discovery-3-duall-cab/1182544017

Prolly not what you wanted, but may give some idea's on the people who did the mod.

Cheers Ean

That's quite interesting - just need to do that to the normal length one.

[Stiltz]

What about a Hitch carrier?

Pretty cheap way of creating extra space without a trailer

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/896.jpg

[Arapiles]

What about a Hitch carrier?

Pretty cheap way of creating extra space without a trailer



Yes, I've looked at that sort of thing - nearly bought the Thule one:

Thule BackUp Box 900000 - Thule Australia (https://www.thule.com.au/products/roof-boxes/thule-backup-box-900/)

Problem with the D4 is that it ends up looking like this because of the plough:

Thule EasyBase and BackUp Box | in Juniper Green, Edinburgh | Gumtree (https://www.gumtree.com/p/car-part-accessories/thule-easybase-and-backup-box/1187430307)

It'd probably require a Mitch hitch.

[IndusD4]

Not really, that looks like a UK / European tow bar.

Ron

[DrOsteo]

I was thinking of a pod trailer with a roof-rack on it so that shovels etc don't go on the roof of the car.

All of our gear is ultralight - I was an ultralight bushwalker - so even our family tent only weighs 8kg. The bulkiest gear we have is the self-inflating queen-sized mattresses, which are more child-proof than our Thermarests and comparatively cheaper. And a lot thicker. So our gear takes up less bulk. Without a fridge I could just get it all in the back of a CR-V.Check out Products | Hard Top (https://hardtop.com.au/store/)
They are great. Have had one for a couple of years now and they work a treat. Had 4 adults and 2 babies on Fraser Island using one of these.

[Arapiles]

Not really, that looks like a UK / European tow bar.

Ron

It is a UK one, but I don't think that the box would sit any higher using a straight Australian one - you'd need a riser or a Mitch hitch to get clearance.

[Stiltz]

Here is a pic of one behind a D4 with the standard hitch.
Regardless it’s a lot cheaper than most other options!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/922.jpg

[goofyr]

Here is a pic of one behind a D4 with the standard hitch.
Regardless it’s a lot cheaper than most other options!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/922.jpg

I’m considering something similar and putting a Rhino Rack 200L luggage bag on it. I already have 2x200L Rhino bags on the roof. But I’ll need something like this for a trip to Victoria with 6 people.

[donh54]

What about a Hitch carrier?

Pretty cheap way of creating extra space without a trailer

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/896.jpgBe interesting to see what effect on axle loading that would have? The cantilever effect would be lots more than just the weight, methinks.
Then there's the issue of parking and reversing, and how would the hitch stand up to good old Aussie corrugations?

[Stiltz]

I am looking at building one for a motorbike and after researching many seem really stable with anti-shake/rattle clips but I cannot figure out how they work...

I figure although it would be a bit of a hassle have the weight up to 250kg is better that low than on the roof.

[cripesamighty]

For me, these cargo carriers look like an interesting idea (especially for less than $200 delivered), but I wonder how they would go with my spare wheel carrier. The other things to think of would be rear overhang when offroading or parking and the previous mentioned corrugations. Might be an good idea though for when you need a little extra room but aren't planning on getting too far off the beaten track.

Edit: Just looked these guys up (workleisureplay) and they are based in Perth. Since they have a pickup facility I might go in and see if I can see what cargo carriers they have in stock.

[Bigbjorn]

Could probably import a chev suburban to acheive that[thumbsupbig]

A friend in Michigan has one to tow his race car trailer around the USA. Chev Suburban with 4 x 4, 500 c.i. big block, Allison auto. Seats 6 in those big "Captain's Chairs" that swivel around so the passengers can have a meal, drinks, game of cards etc. on the road. Fuel usage is horrendous but Bob is a very wealthy man. He keeps the Suburban because they don't make this spec. anymore. He does a full historic race programme every year. Daytona, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Laguna Seca, Bonneville salt flats. He has a Kurtis Kraft Indy roadster, 2 x M-Benz 300SL gullwings, a M-B 300SL roadster. One of the gullwings is set up for the very specialised salt lakes events. The other is a genuine 1952 factory team car used in the Mexican road race. Priceless.

[scarry]

Same - what some people don't realise is that you can't have kids elbow to elbow for thousands of ks, so three kids means using the third row of seats. And then you need somewhere to put the luggage ...

Nah,when i was a kid,it was the three of us kids in the rear of the SWB S1,in my sig.

Wooden trailer hooked up,roof loaded,no worries at all,travelled thousands of K's all around the countryside.

We misbehaved,it was a quick clip around the ear.

Those trips were probably some of the best holidays we ever had[biggrin]

[Arapiles]

Nah,when i was a kid,it was the three of us kids in the rear of the SWB S1,in my sig.

Wooden trailer hooked up,roof loaded,no worries at all,travelled thousands of K's all around the countryside.

We misbehaved,it was a quick clip around the ear.

Those trips were probably some of the best holidays we ever had[biggrin]


Well, I was one of 6 kids, and I used to travel on the rear parcel shelf of the HR Holden ... at night you could watch the stars ...

[letherm]

When I was a kid we traveled in a Morris 1100. Mum and dad in the front and three of us in the back - with the dog.[smilebigeye] The dog used to jump in the car up to two days before. He could sense we were going away and was not going to be left behind. Towed a Cargills Caravanette. Basically a trailer with vertical sides that dropped down to form a bed either side of the well which was a double. The whole thing was canvas covered and raised up on the steel pipes at each corner of the trailer. Remember going up Brown Mountain and dad having to stop because the engine was starting to overheat. Mum of course made a pot of tea.

Martin