I'm torn...am I getting softer?

[one_iota]

I'm placing a bookmark.

My 2008 110 Defender has served me well. It has crossed every state and territory boundary in Australia with very few issues. Many roads and tracks are driven in low first and high range CDL locked. Stuff packed into the back and stuff on the roof. Extra fuel in the add-on tank and extra water on board.

However, like me, it isn't getting any younger...my adventures are less frequent.

An acquaintance remarked: "your vehicle has a lot of character". To which I replied: "Ït is rough, noisy, and dangerous".

Maybe this new Defender is my last new car?

Am I getting softer?

I'm looking to the old fashioned AULRO conversation

[Tins]

My 2008 110 Defender has served me well. It has crossed every state and territory boundary in Australia with very few issues.
That's great.


To which I replied: "Ït is rough, noisy, and dangerous".




Is it any more dangerous now than when it did all of that?

Can't answer the question you ask, but I will say that you will miss the old 110 more than you imagine.

[OldGuy]

Well not wishing to be sacrilegious but I had a landcruiser 76 series which was a great outback touring vehicle (love that 4.2 V8), I hate to say it but it was as solid as a rock and l had the utmost faith in it. (Look up Dragon Tree soak as a place to visit). However it is what I would call a young man's car. Hard suspension and noisey as heck.

I sold it and got a my15 Discovery 4. We have a couple of outback trips under the belt now and all is good. The difference the ride and corrugated road comfort is night and day, so don't give up. Just look at the alternatives to keep doing what you enjoy doing.

Regards
Geoff

[one_iota]

That's great.



Is it any more dangerous now than when it did all of that?

Can't answer the question you ask, but I will say that you will miss the old 110 more than you imagine.

I miss my Austin Healy Sprites, my Mini Moke, my Renault Fuego and my Alfa 75, and my Disco so maybe I can also miss my old Defender with equal passion and move on.

But I get what you say Tins.

[JDNSW]

Late production Defenders must be not as durable as the early 110s - mine is 35 years old and getting close to 3/4million kilometres. It is noisy (as it was when new) but still comfortable, and reliable.

Oh, and I will be eighty this year!

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I once fanged a '75 up the old Highway north of the Hornsby bridge, liftoff oversteer as I remember,,
and Yes. Yes you are getting soft. Deal with it. Buy the new one. [tonguewink]

[Tins]

I miss my Austin Healy Sprites, my Mini Moke, my Renault Fuego and my Alfa 75, and my Disco so maybe I can also miss my old Defender with equal passion and move on.

But I get what you say Tins.

I'm the same, miss my Cooper S, about a half dozen FIAT 124 Sport Coupés, my MGB. I wasn't faulting your choice even a little. Put the 110 in the nostalgia basket. Life changes direction constantly. The new car will probably be brilliant at serving your needs into the future. Enjoy.

[RANDLOVER]

That's great.



Is it any more dangerous now than when it did all of that?

Can't answer the question you ask, but I will say that you will miss the old 110 more than you imagine.

Obviously the old 110 is not any more dangerous now vs then, but new cars are much safer. The old Defenders perform very badly in a roll over. The importance of roll cages - Land Rover Expedition (https://www.landroverexpedition.com/planning/the-importance-of-roll-cages/)

Roll cages, your views | Expedition Portal (https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/roll-cages-your-views.10854/)

[jspyle]

Look up Dragon Tree soak as a place to visit.

How did you get there?
Dragon tree soak, I mean, not old!

[JDNSW]

Obviously the old 110 is not any more dangerous now vs then, but new cars are much safer.............

Yes - but data from insurer statistics does not support the view that vehicle safety features such as airbags, roll cages, advanced cruise control etc have more than a very minor effect on the statistics. The overwhelming factor in almost all accidents is the driver, not the vehicle features.

As a prime example, the roll cages issue. Certainly, Defenders are vulnerable in a rollover, and are easier to roll than many sedans (although more difficult than some other large four wheel drives). But very few are actually rolled, simply because nearly all drivers recognise the risk and make sure it does not happen.

And while rollovers are relatively rare, they tend to make good pictures, and hence are "seen" to be commonplace. In over sixty years of driving I have seen the immediate results of many accidents, but can only recall four that involved rollovers - all were sedans, one having ended up upside down in the middle of the road, no idea how (straight road, good weather, no other vehicles involved), one upside down after running off the road following a rear wheel locking way over the speed limit on a new car, one upside down after leaving the road (excessive speed for the conditions, black ice and bald tyres), and one right way up after hitting a railway telegraph pole while travelling sideways after leaving the road at a speed estimated by the bloke behind him as about 160, then turning end over end. Driver was, according to the witness, who got him out relatively uninjured, "drunk as a lord".

I have only ever been involved in three significant accidents, none resulted in injury, and all were between two vehicles.



The most common serious accident in Australia is a collision with a solid object, either another vehicle or a tree or pole or other fixed object, and in probably 90% of cases a driver is the major factor. In about 40% of them, alcohol is a factor.

[OldGuy]

Look up Dragon Tree soak as a place to visit.

How did you get there?
Dragon tree soak, I mean, not old!

We left from Broome heading out to Dampier Downs then took a track around the Edgar Ranges. From the bottom point of the ranges where the track heads east that was our jump of point. From there it was a combination of Google Earth and Ozi Explorer to set waypoints (prior to leaving home) working our way to the soak then further south to the Anna Plains Track. It took some getting used to just following waypoints with no sign of any track at all.

Apologies for highjacking the thread, should put up a trip report although there were no LR's on the trip

Regards
Geoff

[cjc_td5]

We left from Broome heading out to Dampier Downs then took a track around the Edgar Ranges. From the bottom point of the ranges where the track heads east that was our jump of point. From there it was a combination of Google Earth and Ozi Explorer to set waypoints (prior to leaving home) working our way to the soak then further south to the Anna Plains Track. It took some getting used to just following waypoints with no sign of any track at all.

Apologies for highjacking the thread, should put up a trip report although there were no LR's on the trip

Regards
GeoffOKAs?

[OldGuy]

No a 76, two 79's a 70 a GQ and a Mazda thing. The Oka group have put up a YouTube thing I think and also the Bairnsdale (vic) 4wd club

Geoff

[scarry]

Back on topic,

Don't worry about going soft, just get what you want and get on with it, you only live once[bigrolf]

The only issue is the New defender has a lot less room in the rear than the old one has, that is if you need the room.
Although its a different shape,doesnt have those huge wheel arches.

[rar110]

I sort of transitioned from my Perentie 110 wagon to a 2008 tdv8 RRV, about 7 years ago. The 110 is still here but doesn’t get used enough.

The 110 became exhausting on big drives. The RRV is a hugely capable, pleasurable and comfortable vehicle.

But the RRV has suffered a couple of age related failures on family trips, so I’m probably staring down the likelihood of moving on to another vehicle. What next is a really difficult question, but with my budget a Prado Kakadu is a real possibility.

[Tins]

The Oka group have put up a YouTube thing I think and also the Bairnsdale (vic) 4wd club

Geoff

Do you have a link?

[RANDLOVER]

Yes - but data from insurer statistics does not support the view that vehicle safety features such as airbags, roll cages, advanced cruise control etc have more than a very minor effect on the statistics. The overwhelming factor in almost all accidents is the driver, not the vehicle features.............. .

I agree a roll cage is not going to prevent a roll over, but once you have one it is much better to have the cage, however failing that, my advice is to always wear a seat belt even off road, as two Irish electricians on my 1st construction site job rolled their Ford Escort after leaving a pub, and one wasn't wearing a seat belt so fell head first, and fatally broke his neck. I have only seen the aftermath of one rollover, a friend and his dad rolled a Ford Fairlane outside our house, after clipping a large rock on the apex of a bend, and we helped the firemen roll it back on it's wheels. I'm not sure if the new Defender has an inclinometer/warning which would be useful in preventing a roll over.

Actually looks like inclinometers with warnings can be bought Integrating safety sensors (roadsonline.com.au) (https://www.roadsonline.com.au/integrating-safety-sensors/)

[JDNSW]

I agree a roll cage is not going to prevent a roll over, but once you have one it is much better to have the cage, however failing that, my advice is to always wear a seat belt even off road, as two Irish electricians on my 1st construction site job rolled their Ford Escort after leaving a pub, and one wasn't wearing a seat belt so fell head first, and fatally broke his neck. I have only seen the aftermath of one rollover, a friend and his dad rolled a Ford Fairlane outside our house, after clipping a large rock on the apex of a bend, and we helped the firemen roll it back on it's wheels. I'm not sure if the new Defender has an inclinometer/warning which would be useful in preventing a roll over.

Actually looks like inclinometers with warnings can be bought Integrating safety sensors (roadsonline.com.au) (https://www.roadsonline.com.au/integrating-safety-sensors/)

A sad example of this is one in NSW a few years ago, where a man took is son (about four from memory) to look at a rural property the family was thinking of buying. Together with the real estate agent and (I think) the property owner, they were driving round the property, and rolled the vehicle. The boy was the only one secured, in a child seat, of course, and was the only survivor. Took about a day to find the accident site and the (uninjured) boy, from memory.

[Saitch]

I'm placing a bookmark.

My 2008 110 Defender has served me well. It has crossed every state and territory boundary in Australia with very few issues. Many roads and tracks are driven in low first and high range CDL locked. Stuff packed into the back and stuff on the roof. Extra fuel in the add-on tank and extra water on board.

However, like me, it isn't getting any younger...my adventures are less frequent.

An acquaintance remarked: "your vehicle has a lot of character". To which I replied: "Ït is rough, noisy, and dangerous".

Maybe this new Defender is my last new car?

Am I getting softer?

I'm looking to the old fashioned AULRO conversation

Now, look, O-I!
Perhaps I should have PM'd you so members on the forum don't think that I'm 'Big Noting' myself but, for the sake of compassion and your obvious feelings toward the 110, I am more than willing to adopt the much loved vehicle, keep it in a safe environment and the lifestyle to which it is plainly accustomed i.e. outback travels and AULRO trips and get togethers.
All this and more, for no fees or hidden costs.
Please, there is no need to thank me as I am more than willing to assist in this matter.

Please PM me for 'Change of Ownership' details.[bigwhistle]

Steve

p.s. I'm liking the new Defender more and more.

[scarry]

My son spent months deliberating on moving on from his Defender,which,like his dog,was the love of his life[bighmmm]

Safety,as they now have small children was the eventual push, he bought a LC76,and loves it, but the 110 is still sitting in the shed, going to be sold one day[bighmmm]

I know he still doesn't really want to part with it,but will eventually, as he will need the money.

[rar110]

My son spent months deliberating on moving on from his Defender,which,like his dog,was the love of his life[bighmmm]

Safety,as they now have small children was the eventual push, he bought a LC76,and loves it, but the 110 is still sitting in the shed, going to be sold one day[bighmmm]

I know he still doesn't really want to part with it,but will eventually, as he will need the money.

I could look past the leaf springs if they had auto and FT FWD. A mate went from a D1 tdi to a 79 series and loves it.

[grey_ghost]

As a younger fella I remember saying to my dad “I will never drive an automatic”

I would like to retract that statement and reverse it now. Lol

Yes I have manual cars, but as a daily driver? Yeah Nah.

Oh - and last week I ordered a new Defender...

[SBD4]

As a younger fella I remember saying to my dad “I will never drive an automatic”

I would like to retract that statement and reverse it now. Lol

Yes I have manual cars, but as a daily driver? Yeah Nah.

Oh - and last week I ordered a new Defender...
D300 90?

[grey_ghost]

D300 90?

P300, 90..

[SBD4]

P300, 90..
Nice! looking forward to the pics!

[Summiitt]

I test drove the 110 D300 and its bloody unreal, Im looking at a D300 90, got a price on an SE from one dealer, only to be told from another dealer that 90s in S and SE will only be available in D250 form..and they have run out of the current seats, so all new orders will get leather at no cost until stocks build up..anyone got this info as well??

[grey_ghost]

My dealer emailed me today and said “Australia have only been allocated 40 Defenders this Month”...

I have been chasing a delivery date - so far, none is forthcoming..

Yep - Australia is not high on the LR priority list. I assume that the UK, USA, CHINA, CANADA are in front of us unfortunately.

On FB - a guy from NZ recently ordered a new Defender and was quoted late 2022...

[zilch]

a guy from NZ recently ordered a new Defender and was quoted late 2022...

was that timeline based on a Plug-in Hybrid?

[grey_ghost]

was that timeline based on a Plug-in Hybrid?

I don’t know, maybe.

[zilch]

I don’t know, maybe.

as LR treating us as the a hole of the supply chain i would not be surprised.. i have seen P400/P300/D200/250/300 starting to
turn up or have mid year delivery dates, not in great numbers.. Our dealer said it is far quicker to spec and order than wait for
a stock item irrespective of LR product

[Garfield]

I spoke to an LR dealer principle in Melbourne recently and he said as Australia is only a very small % of Defender orders, they get low priority as such. He said most current volume demand for the new Defenders comes from the US and Middle East. You just need to look on the US FB Defenders group and see how many new Defenders are being delivered in the States.

[Larry]

G'day Mahn,

Quite a few years ago I had the problem of having a well set up 110 that I was very happy with, but our daughters were outgrowing the rear seat. There were no practical options to increase rear leg room, so a change of vehicle was necessary even though I didn't really want to. A very wise man (you) told me "there is a Land Rover for every stage of life". We ended up with a D2 for a few years till the girls became grown ups & with them having their own lives, the D90 has been perfect for us. Down the track if grandkids come along we'll no doubt need something with a back seat again. Perhaps the used price of the new Defender will be viable by then.

Good luck with your decision, it may be a simple as having the Land Rover you need at that point in your life.[wink11]

Mark.

[RANDLOVER]

I could look past the leaf springs.................

Leaf springs you mean cart springs, as in horse and buggy!

[RANDLOVER]

G'day Mahn,

Quite a few years ago I had the problem of having a well set up 110 that I was very happy with, but our daughters were outgrowing the rear seat. There were no practical options to increase rear leg room, so a change of vehicle was necessary even though I didn't really want to. A very wise man (you) told me "there is a Land Rover for every stage of life". We ended up with a D2 for a few years till the girls became grown ups & with them having their own lives, the D90 has been perfect for us. Down the track if grandkids come along we'll no doubt need something with a back seat again. Perhaps the used price of the new Defender will be viable by then.

Good luck with your decision, it may be a simple as having the Land Rover you need at that point in your life.[wink11]

Mark.

One of our contractors sold a 130 Hi-Cap when the wife and kids came along and regrets it to this day, just last week he was saying his SUV just stays in the garage, as his wife prefers driving her little runabout to get to work/shops/kids.

[rar110]

Leaf springs you mean cart springs, as in horse and buggy!

Exactly.

[one_iota]

I once fanged a '75 up the old Highway north of the Hornsby bridge, liftoff oversteer as I remember,,
and Yes. Yes you are getting soft. Deal with it. Buy the new one. [tonguewink]



I was living in Wahroonga at the time and nearly every Sunday morning I'd wash the 75 and take her for a blow-dry along the old Pacific Highway to Brooklyn and back. Fun painted red.

[one_iota]

G'day Mahn,

Quite a few years ago I had the problem of having a well set up 110 that I was very happy with, but our daughters were outgrowing the rear seat. There were no practical options to increase rear leg room, so a change of vehicle was necessary even though I didn't really want to. A very wise man (you) told me "there is a Land Rover for every stage of life". We ended up with a D2 for a few years till the girls became grown ups & with them having their own lives, the D90 has been perfect for us. Down the track if grandkids come along we'll no doubt need something with a back seat again. Perhaps the used price of the new Defender will be viable by then.

Good luck with your decision, it may be a simple as having the Land Rover you need at that point in your life.[wink11]

Mark.

Hi Mark,

I don't remember saying that, I must have been having a rare sage moment.

Oh yes, I now have grandchildren so maybe that's an impetus.

[Sol]

I test drove the 110 D300 and its bloody unreal, Im looking at a D300 90, got a price on an SE from one dealer, only to be told from another dealer that 90s in S and SE will only be available in D250 form..and they have run out of the current seats, so all new orders will get leather at no cost until stocks build up..anyone got this info as well??

Gulp. Just today put my signature down for a Fuji White 110 D300 SE with a few options - tow hitch, 19" rims, black exterior pack, privacy glass, e-diff, bigger touch screen, heated and cooled seats, ebony headlining. MY22 build (delivery Novemberish) and yes - seats also in full leather. BTW - anyone seen the khaki green leather first hand? I kinda liked the look of it on screen but dealer didn't have any to look at so have gone with ebony for now...

[zilch]

Gulp. Just today put my signature down for a Fuji White 110 D300 SE with a few options - tow hitch, 19" rims, black exterior pack, privacy glass, e-diff, bigger touch screen, heated and cooled seats, ebony headlining. MY22 build (delivery Novemberish) and yes - seats also in full leather. BTW - anyone seen the khaki green leather first hand? I kinda liked the look of it on screen but dealer didn't have any to look at so have gone with ebony for now...

Drove a Fuji white Defender with Khaki at the LR Experience day in Thredbo 2 weeks ago, it looks very nice indeed, a great choice. I went ebony as Khaki did not suit the
Eiger grey exterior.. We also have the 19' rims (gloss black), the only downside is you are limited on tyre choice in the 19. I will be fitting Duratracs towards the
end of the year in prep for our Aussie lap, not much else out there in the 255/65 profile.

[Sol]

We also have the 19' rims (gloss black), the only downside is you are limited on tyre choice in the 19. I will be fitting Duratracs towards the end of the year in prep for our Aussie lap, not much else out there in the 255/65 profile.
We did 25000kms between June and December last year, a good third of which was off the tarmac in outback NSW, QLD, and NT on 285/50/20 tyres in the Disco towing 2 tonnes. Took two spare rims and tyres with us thinking we might struggle if we had problems but only had one blow out on the whole trip. Gone with 19" of the Deefer just for the higher sidewall.

[zilch]

We did 25000kms between June and December last year, a good third of which was off the tarmac in outback NSW, QLD, and NT on 285/50/20 tyres in the Disco towing 2 tonnes. Took two spare rims and tyres with us thinking we might struggle if we had problems but only had one blow out on the whole trip. Gone with 19" of the Deefer just for the higher sidewall.

ordering a 2nd spare for the lap, so waiting on a cost for the 2nd spare wheel and the set of tyres from LR. Best price i have is from an Opposite Lock dealer in Brookvale at $485
per tyre for 255/65 R19 GY Duratracs.. Our RRS which we still possess did 7 years off roading with zero punctures including the OTT and other nether regions of OZ, its last
two trips to Jenolah state forest and the hunter, 3 tyre sidewalls gone, 255/50 R19 General Grabber AT's :( ..

[one_iota]

So as my interest grows I'm researching what is available to extend the "tourability" of the new Defender. My current old Defender setup has among other things an additional fuel capacity:45 l, a water tank of 35 l, and a auxiliary battery and outlets for the fridge and other things.

So far very little seems to be available (understandably).

So what is everyone thinking with regards to these items?

[IndusD4]

With the slightly larger fuel tank in the new Defender, combined with better fuel consumption would you need the extra 45L of fuel?

[TB]

One of the reasons I snapped up a D240 is that without the MHEV bits there's a huge amount of usable space under the rear loadspace floor. I'm looking at options for a custom fuel transfer tank in there, possibly in the 80L range. Or I could go smaller and have a permanent water tank as well. P300 has the same space BTW if you go for an entry-level model.

Lots of folks have fit aux batteries, DCDC etc in that space also, even with the MHEV engines there's enough room on top for that.

Bear in mind also the 168kg dynamic load rating for the roof. The way this vehicle is designed moves more stuff higher so you can have better ground clearance and angles.

My biggest gripe is the narrowness of the rear door and the shallow distance from 2nd row to rear (which is understandable given the spare tyre on back instead of underneath). It all makes drawers and fridges and tables a bit tricky and I haven't quite figured that out yet. Thinking about a low-height drawer set then a fridge in sideways above it with lots of lighter bulky stuff on the roof in boxes.

[one_iota]

With the slightly larger fuel tank in the new Defender, combined with better fuel consumption would you need the extra 45L of fuel?

Fair question. [bigsmile1]

According to the LR figures the Defender S with the 3.0 l diesel engine can achieve 9.1 litres/100km. The tank has a capacity of 89 litres (I don't know how much of that is useable). So the maximum range would be about 950 km. Not bad. I currently get about 1050 km out of the 120l (-5l) capacity.

For remote travel 20l carried in Jerry cans on the roof rack would suffice.

[Xtreme]

.....................................
For remote travel 20l carried in Jerry cans on the roof rack would suffice.

Not sure about "on the roof rack" but agree with carrying of extra fuel for the remote area travel. After all, how often do you really need that extra range?
Also, when you take into account the cost of purchasing & fitting an extra or long range tank and the extra weight that you've got all the time I don't think it's really worth it. A different matter with the older Defenders where you had a considerably smaller original tank.

[ramblingboy42]

In over 30 yrs of desert driving I have never needed extra fuel.

I still always carry 20l though. Others have used it.

There are so many opportunities to purchase fuel now , many properties sell fuel and have eftpos.

Having large reserves of fuel also , I think, makes people reluctant to stop.

I stop , seriously , every 2 hours , sometimes less. **** stop, drink stop, eat stop, tourist stop.

stop and fill frequently , you don't need lr tanks any more.

[scarry]

We are the opposite,on nearly every desert trip we have done in the D2’s,and the D4,we have needed the extra fuel in Jerry’s.

It doesn’t take much,even taking a wrong turn to run low on fuel with a standard LR tank.I wouldn’t do any remote travel without an extra 20 litres at least.We often took two jerries,as we had the room.

The issue with the new Defender is the load space in the rear is quite small,if the second row seats are being utilised,so a rack is what is needed.
Two jerries,30 litre or so of water,fridge,and there isn’t much room left for other gear,particularly if camping.

[Xtreme]

Not in a new Defender but in my 2003 110, I've hinged what I call an iternal roof rack which mainly carries two bed rolls but other 'stuff' often finds it's way up there also. Some people use nets in a similar way but by using a bit of excess pool fencing and loading the soft stuff on top, it holds everything nice and firmly in place.
No holes were drilled in the vehicle as I used the existing the existing screws which were securing the rear grab handles to secure the rear support and the front was hinged using two bolts with nyloc nuts in the frame of the (cut down) cargo barrier.
It also eliminates the extra weight of boxes on a roof rack to water/dust proof and it's easy to access.

https://www.aulro.com/app/data/1037/Img_7726.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/app/data/1037/Img_7728.jpg

[one_iota]

Not in a new Defender but in my 2003 110, I've hinged what I call an iternal roof rack which mainly carries two bed rolls but other 'stuff' often finds it's way up there also. Some people use nets in a similar way but by using a bit of excess pool fencing and loading the soft stuff on top, it holds everything nice and firmly in place.
No holes were drilled in the vehicle as I used the existing the existing screws which were securing the rear grab handles to secure the rear support and the front was hinged using two bolts with nyloc nuts in the frame of the (cut down) cargo barrier.
It also eliminates the extra weight of boxes on a roof rack to water/dust proof and it's easy to access.

https://www.aulro.com/app/data/1037/Img_7726.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/app/data/1037/Img_7728.jpg

I have a net and that is good for light stuff.

I prefer not to carry stuff on the roof if I can avoid it...instability and drag is best avoided.

So should I decide on a new Defender using the headroom will be explored.

[zilch]

We are the opposite,on nearly every desert trip we have done in the D2’s,and the D4,we have needed the extra fuel in Jerry’s.

It doesn’t take much,even taking a wrong turn to run low on fuel with a standard LR tank.I wouldn’t do any remote travel without an extra 20 litres at least.We often took two jerries,as we had the room.

The issue with the new Defender is the load space in the rear is quite small,if the second row seats are being utilised,so a rack is what is needed.
Two jerries,30 litre or so of water,fridge,and there isn’t much room left for other gear,particularly if camping.

As i have the thirst quenching P400, i have ordered a double horizontal Jerry can holder for the rack,
it will sit forward next to the second spare, that should give me about 500K's range off the bitumen [bigwhistle]

[one_iota]

As i have the thirst quenching P400, i have ordered a double horizontal Jerry can holder for the rack,
it will sit forward next to the second spare, that should give me about 500K's range off the bitumen [bigwhistle]

Which rack: LR Accessory or Front Runner?

[Summiitt]

Gulp. Just today put my signature down for a Fuji White 110 D300 SE with a few options - tow hitch, 19" rims, black exterior pack, privacy glass, e-diff, bigger touch screen, heated and cooled seats, ebony headlining. MY22 build (delivery Novemberish) and yes - seats also in full leather. BTW - anyone seen the khaki green leather first hand? I kinda liked the look of it on screen but dealer didn't have any to look at so have gone with ebony for now...

I did the same yesterday! Ordered a Eiger grey 90 D250 with steel wheels..bit bloody excited, going to be a long 6 months!!

[zilch]

Which rack: LR Accessory or Front Runner?

LR expedition rack,gave up waiting on FR to give me a price and date, so bit the bullet
and ordered the LR one to be avail at the same time as the car. Have the wedge tail spare
wheel carrier fitted, tred recovery boards, Ironman awning and just waiting for the double can holder




170706

[discojools]

Where did the jerry can holder come from? And what’s a wedge tail spare wheel carrier? Just about to order a 110 250 Fender S with not many extras.
Are you happy, with the LR rack?

[zilch]

Where did the jerry can holder come from? And what’s a wedge tail spare wheel carrier? Just about to order a 110 250 Fender S with not many extras.
Are you happy, with the LR rack?

the LR expedition rack/platform is a quality bit of kit, made by Thule, so takes various manufacturers fittings,
mine has rhino rack tred pins for the recovery boards, wedgetail racks wheel carrier, I will need
to check with bars n racks on the jerry can holder. Only issue has been the awning mounts, they
had to be fabricated due to the shape of the platform sides, had a local engineering co in Sydney do that

[one_iota]

the LR expedition rack/platform is a quality bit of kit, made by Thule, so takes various manufacturers fittings,
mine has rhino rack tred pins for the recovery boards, wedgetail racks wheel carrier, I will need
to check with bars n racks on the jerry can holder. Only issue has been the awning mounts, they
had to be fabricated due to the shape of the platform sides, had a local engineering co in Sydney do that

Interestingly this guy in the USA has used the Front Runner Water Tank and Jerry Can holder on his LR Rack.

Ultimate Overlanding Packing Guide 2021 in the New Defender. Front Runner, OVS, Dometic! - YouTube (https://youtu.be/TSrRLz9PgOE)

[discojools]

I wonder what weight he has on the roof, didn’t include 6th spare tyre. Also he mentioned Redarc dual battery, is it installed in car or just loose?

This video make s me feel a bit better about putting in my order for a D250, was a bit worried about how to pack everything.

[one_iota]

.... Also he mentioned Redarc dual battery, is it installed in car or just loose?


He has a Youtube video showing the setup. He took out the tray under the rear flap in trunk/boot and installed battery, redarc dcdc and an inverter there.

[Sol]

170706

That bull bar on the white one in the middle looks interesting - any idea where it is from?

[SBD4]

That bull bar on the white one in the middle looks interesting - any idea where it is from?
It's the Land Rover one:

170942

[TB]

That bull bar on the white one in the middle looks interesting - any idea where it is from?

That's the LR-supplied bar for Australia. I think they also sell it in South Africa, but nowhere in Europe and not in the USA. It has a winch mount too.

[Don 130]

Hardcore Land Rover Defender Comes To Life | CarBuzz (https://carbuzz.com/news/hardcore-land-rover-defender-comes-to-life)

Don.

[WhiteD3]

Every time I look at this pic I think Star Wars stormtrooper. Maybe I'm losing it.


It's the Land Rover one:

170942

[SBD4]

Every time I look at this pic I think Star Wars stormtrooper. Maybe I'm losing it.
[bigrolf][bigrolf][bigrolf]

[one_iota]

Every time I look at this pic I think Star Wars stormtrooper. Maybe I'm losing it.

...the Santori black version:

(Maybe a new AULRO thread)

"What did you do to your Darth Vader today?"

[one_iota]

One of the things that makes me hesitant about moving over to the new Defender is being in the clutches of Jaguar Land Rover for the period of warranty (5 Years?)

Way back I had a three-year free service agreement with my current Defender. Every time it went in for a service I was met by a man in a suit who when questioned about a potential warranty issue would declare that being a "commercial vehicle" these things were to be expected. Furthermore, the Defender came back less new than when I gave it over to them: dents, bent number plate, ripped floor lining.

It was a relief having been freed from the jaws of LRA to establish a respectful relationship with an independent Land Rover specialist: one who greets me in overalls soiled by work and capable of discussion informed by experience (Roving Mechanical). Ten years now and very happy.

Now I'm not a mechanical whizzkid but I have a rough idea about how my Defender is put together and how the bits work. So the prospect of being shackled to JLR seems like a forced and arranged marriage in which I'm the inferior partner.

Of course, nothing will go wrong and I will only have to see them once a year...right?

[Homestar]

You don’t need the OEM to service your new vehicle to keep the warranty, they just need to be qualified and use suitable parts. If you’re worried about the word ‘suitable’ then have them use genuine filters when servicing it, there is no come back to that.

[scarry]

You don’t need the OEM to service your new vehicle to keep the warranty, they just need to be qualified and use suitable parts. If you’re worried about the word ‘suitable’ then have them use genuine filters when servicing it, there is no come back to that.

Correct,the last two i bought new didnt go to the dealer for a service ever.Went to an Indie.

Only went there for warranty issues...[bigsad]

Which they sort of fixed,half fixed,eventually fixed,if you get the drift....

LR dealers never impressed me in any way.

Yet the work vans go to the local dealer,in 14 yrs,never had one issue,and i am fussy.

[one_iota]

You don’t need the OEM to service your new vehicle to keep the warranty, they just need to be qualified and use suitable parts. If you’re worried about the word ‘suitable’ then have them use genuine filters when servicing it, there is no come back to that.

My current LR mob will be happy to look after the servicing and I trust them to do it. They can't do any warranty work of course.

So the issues are:



not getting sucked into a free servicing deal that some dealers offer and




having to negotiate the rocky path that JLR will want to drive blaming the Independent and therefore not honouring the warranty

[Pedro_The_Swift]

"Way back I had a three-year free service agreement with my current Defender."



no wonder this thread sounded familiar..

didnt we babysit you through the last purchase? [wink11][tonguewink][bigrolf]

[one_iota]

no wonder this thread sounded familiar..

didnt we babysit you through the last purchase? [wink11][tonguewink][bigrolf]

and obviously didn't do a very good job of it....[bawl]

[Pedro_The_Swift]

*exits stage left...

[one_iota]

*exits stage left...
:burnrubber:

...mmm theSnagglepuss move!

[Tombie]

G'day Mahn,

Quite a few years ago I had the problem of having a well set up 110 that I was very happy with, but our daughters were outgrowing the rear seat. There were no practical options to increase rear leg room, so a change of vehicle was necessary even though I didn't really want to. A very wise man (you) told me "there is a Land Rover for every stage of life". We ended up with a D2 for a few years till the girls became grown ups & with them having their own lives, the D90 has been perfect for us. Down the track if grandkids come along we'll no doubt need something with a back seat again. Perhaps the used price of the new Defender will be viable by then.

Good luck with your decision, it may be a simple as having the Land Rover you need at that point in your life.[wink11]

Mark.

We have kid seats in the 90 for the Grandy

[scarry]

We have kid seats in the 90 for the Grandy

FWIW,and a bit off topic,

In another life,when we had Falcon panel vans,we used to move the cargo barrier back and tech screw the baby seats,in front of the barrier,one to each inner metal side panel,just behind the front seats.
Worked a treat,gear and most of the tools removed,Engle and camping gear in the back,we travelled all over the countryside.
Had some bloody good times

Those were the days.[biggrin]

[one_iota]

So according to the Dealer my new Defender was built in August and is now in transit and is due in early November.[bigsmile]

Two vehicles will now have to be moved on: the current Defender to be sold to pay for accessories and Sal's partly fixed 1928 A Model Ford to make room in the Shed. I figured the new one will appreciate being undercover. I am getting softer [tonguewink].

[one_iota]

It's true. I am getting softer...and loving it.

To put it in context, I've really enjoyed my 2008 Defender. But with the new one, it's like stepping out of the stone age into the twenty-first century.

182309

Superb vehicle. As Harry Metcalfe (youTube) opined it's a landmark vehicle.

Well done Land Rover!