Returning to the fold and seeking guidance on fitout for My25.5 Defender

[RobA]

Hello and after a four year hiatus travelling and towing with an LC200 we are about to hit the order button for a New Defender SE due mid 2025. As our really remote travels are at an end thanks to bodily wear and tear this build will be sedate at best. Having spent three weeks this year with tow Defenders one towing a TVan and on 20" rims and tyres and the other towing an AOR Matrix on 19" rims and tyre I came away confident the change back was going to be fine for our needs into the foreseeable future. We will still be towing our AOR Matrix and still doing outback tracks but overall more sedately and without the needs for vastly increased range and/or carrying capacity.

Our build will be on 20" rims as from what I have seen they are going to be fine for my intended use. But I am looking for feedback particularly on the following items

Bull bar yes or no? My unknown here is protection for the low front radiators
What UHF and where
Power to the rear for fridge/portable compressor and inverter as well as charing for other stuff.
Rear storage. Plan to use the same type of slide out tray we had with the D4 to allow for the huge flexibility that gave us on a day to day basis
Roof storage? Not committed to it as yet as I can't see a need
Internal storage? There's a lot in the front that is useful but how do I fit an iPad for navigation as an example
Tyres? We plan on wearing out the OE supplied ones first so comfortable with that ATM
Have I missed anything? Please feel free to offer up, from experience any suggestions


Regards

Rob

[shack]

For me, the rear storage set off a couple of alarm bells.
From memory the only thing we didn't like about the new defender was the tiny tiny boot.

I'd be looking in to that aspect of it as for me with the current family needs for space, it wouldn't work.

Sounds like you don't have that constraint family wise, but I'd be checking the boot size either way.

I love having a bull bar, but that's all from experience from my childhood onward living where I do, and the constant roo strikes.

[RobA]

For me, the rear storage set off a couple of alarm bells.
From memory the only thing we didn't like about the new defender was the tiny tiny boot.

I'd be looking in to that aspect of it as for me with the current family needs for space, it wouldn't work.

Sounds like you don't have that constraint family wise, but I'd be checking the boot size either way.

I love having a bull bar, but that's all from experience from my childhood onward living where I do, and the constant roo strikes.

Shack thanks we have measured it up and it's perfectly fine. It's only the two of us towing an AOR full height Matrix so Given it's larger than the D4 and we survived in fine style with that amount of room I have no fear of repeating that side of the setup. There's a molle high shelf I have found that can act as somewhere for the regular to get at stuff like inflation kit, small tool/diagnostic kit etc. Storage boxes with suitable tie downs will hold tools and the like and about the only other thing in the back is the Dometic CX50 which we will power either from our GoBlock or something else that I am hoping others have already pioneered.

Regards

Rob

[V8Ian]

Check out Powerful UK, they have handy nik-naks, practical accessories and plenty of educational information on hidden features and options.


https://youtu.be/s46eZMr49J8'si=G3ulH2paaJfugM8a

[RobA]

Check out Powerful UK, they have handy nik-naks, practical accessories and plenty of educational information on hidden features and options.


https://youtu.be/s46eZMr49J8'si=G3ulH2paaJfugM8a

Thanks that's what I am looking for although I think SWMBO will notice the sudden appearance of a full ISO shipping container in the drive? Some nicely designed thoughtful small bits and pieces to help position stuff.

Regards

Rob

[jwb]

My .02 worth...

I'll be putting on a bull bar for that exact reason - the Offroad Animal one but without the hoops - will also put on a winch
UHF remote units fit nicely under the centre console - power from front fuse box and antenna cable runs through the big grommet near the steering column into the engine bay and bonnet hinge mount antenna. handset using a magnetic mount on an Aliexpress bracket on the cross bar
Rear power is easy to pick up from the MHEV DCDC unit under the cargo space 12volt positive and spare earth points - there's a couple of very active FB groups with plenty of pics of how to do this as well as other things like fitouts
Air compressor on a bracket in the engine bay so you can access the built in battery circuits and terminals - i put a TJM single compressor on a TLR bracket, heaps fast enough for my needs
Rear storage I use a 'modular system' comprising 4 Frontrunner boxes and a cargo shelf off eBay
iPad initially using a windscreen mount that I already have but it takes up too much forward visibilty - am changing to RAM mount using VHB tape next to the Pivi screen

[one_iota]

This is what I've done:

How I turned my new defender into a touring tardis (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l663-defender/294482-how-i-turned-my-new-defender-into-touring-tardis.html)

[RobA]

This is what I've done:

How I turned my new defender into a touring tardis (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l663-defender/294482-how-i-turned-my-new-defender-into-touring-tardis.html)

Thanks for that very helpful and your criteria align with ours which I guess is no great surprise as many owners still want to have a flexible load space for day to day use. Certainly something we can't do with the level of customisation on the 200. We have a REDARC GoBlock so that will be the primary power source for the fridge and it can also be used for other services including driving a 700W inverter. So I am contemplating how to make that our power hub. Given it can be charged from either a cig-sert outlet amongst other inputs it is a very useful concept.

I'm interested to hear what frontal protection has been chosen and reasons why. We rarely drive at night and if so it would normally be on a property at low speed so animal protection is not high on my risk profile. But protecting the front low slung cooling radiators seems to be something I need to understand a bit more.

Rob

[one_iota]

I'm interested to hear what frontal protection has been chosen and reasons why. We rarely drive at night and if so it would normally be on a property at low speed so animal protection is not high on my risk profile. But protecting the front low slung cooling radiators seems to be something I need to understand a bit more.

Rob



I have a standard LR bar as it was the only option available when I bought mine.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/l663-defender/191722d1731315542t-bull-bar-eve.jpg (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/l663-defender/191722d1731315542-bull-bar-eve.jpg)


I've had my first roo strike!

Broad daylight and a fairly large beast.

Traveling at about 70km/h at the time of impact the standard LR Defender bar deflected the poor roo off to the side of the road with no damage to the Defender or the bar.

The lower section is vulnerable particularly if wombats are involved. We have those at our country place so drive slowly after dark given that they are rarely seen in daylight hours.

[RobA]

I have a standard LR bar as it was the only option available when I bought mine.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/l663-defender/191722d1731315542t-bull-bar-eve.jpg (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/l663-defender/191722d1731315542-bull-bar-eve.jpg)


I've had my first roo strike!

Broad daylight and a fairly large beast.

Traveling at about 70km/h at the time of impact the standard LR Defender bar deflected the poor roo off to the side of the road with no damage to the Defender or the bar.

The lower section is vulnerable particularly if wombats are involved. We have those at our country place so drive slowly after dark given that they are rarely seen in daylight hours.

Thanks I had a look at the OE bar the other day and it's as well made as the one on the D4 without doubt. But as you have said the intercooler ducts remain open to penetration. Thankfully we seem to have a growing amount of choice in Australia now and with that comes the challenge of do you go with just a bumper bar style or go with the versions with the hoops at bonnet height as added protection.

Rob

[RobA]

Thanks to everyone who has offered feedback it has been greatly appreciated. After much deliberation, joining several social media forums, and following up of the various links and other helpful posts my fitout plan is almost complete and I have put it below. But there's a few questions/feedback requested on some of them too.

As an example. Having spent time having a detailed look at the OE bull bar I am sceptical that it offers enough protection to the front lower coolers. Otherwise quality looks as good as the OE bar we had on the D4.

Storage
· Under tray storage. NDMods. Underfloor Rear Tray $572.00
· NDMods. Style B? Molle Rear Cargo Storage Platform $1053.80, OR
· Epic off road Rear TrunkFrame-Cargo Tray. Dual height setup $925.00
· Tuffant Underfloor Rear Tray, $808.00
· Or LAWSONS false floors Adelaide?
· Or DRIFTA?
· Slide out full size tray-Lawsons Infinity system?
o Needs tie-downs for; fridge & storage boxes
· Recovery kit & tools underneath tray
· Power board for:
o Go Block which we already have so no need to change that. Where to pull power from?
o Fridge
o ARB compressor dual and brushless version
o USB outlets
UHF
· Antenna location? Use the ORA one?

Where to put and which UHF?


Internal bits
· Epic Off Road Co-Pilot Front handle storage box $45.00
· Powerful UK. LED Reversing Light Kit?
· New Defender Mods. Centre console cubby storage organiser $39.59
· NDMods. Dash Centre Molle Plate Kit $108.90
· NDMods. Centre Console Lower Front Storage Box $65.99

External bits
· Offroad Animal-Toro bull bar with 22” LED light bar $4700.00?

Final colour choice to be decided and tossing up between; Tasman Blue or Pangea Green with black interior. Oh and the car will be a D350 X-Dynamic SE with the premium upgrade interior pack.

TIA

Regards

Rob

[jwb]

For your consideration:

* highly recommend the TLR bracket for mounting your compressor in the engine bay and you have wiring already nearby and built in
* cargo space tray I will be getting the Tuffant one as I think it maximises the space and allows for wiring my battery and inverter
* rear power can be accessed from the 12 volt terminal on the MHEV DCDC convertor this is directly connected to the battery positive and in a good position. plenty of spare earth points adjacent in the same area
* I found the center console trays on Aliexpress if you want to save a few $$ - probably where most of this stuff comes from
* UHF base unit under the center console in an unused space. bonnet hinge antenna mount keeps it tidy and seems to have plenty of range. I like Uniden gear but each to their own

* 192244192245

[eno]

RobA, just a point about the factory front protection devices which I haven't seen mention of, but you might already know about. When the optional / accessory aluminium front undershield is fitted the main cross bar behind the bumper is also replaced as part of the kit. And I believe it is required for the factory Front Expedition protection or Bullbar. You can see the undershield in one_iota's photo. So there may be some additional reinforcement that is not obvious ( I have the undershield on mine, but didn't see the new cross bar as the dealer fitted the kit).

[one_iota]

For holding phones and other items like the UHF microphone you could consider using ClicOn: Mounts Car Dash Mounts Land Rover Defender 20-25 (https://www.holdmyphone.com.au/Mounts/Car-Dash-Mounts/Land-Rover/Defender/20-25)

[RobA]

RobA, just a point about the factory front protection devices which I haven't seen mention of, but you might already know about. When the optional / accessory aluminium front undershield is fitted the main cross bar behind the bumper is also replaced as part of the kit. And I believe it is required for the factory Front Expedition protection or Bullbar. You can see the undershield in one_iota's photo. So there may be some additional reinforcement that is not obvious ( I have the undershield on mine, but didn't see the new cross bar as the dealer fitted the kit).

eno thanks for that quite interesting. I will go back to the dealership and have a crawl around under the D fitted with the OE bar to see what I can work out.

My concern is more about stopping something from getting in via the OE vents and damaging those low set intercoolers so thinking along the lines of a mesh screen perhaps. But one with large enough gaps to allow the required airflow of course.

I can't seem to find the one-iota post you mentioned so a link would be appreciated.

Rob

[eno]

The picture from one_iota is in Post 9 of this thread. It really just shows that the front undershield is fitted with the factory bullbar. Well, at least in one_iotas case.

But this appears to be the fitting instructions and the replacement bar doesn't provide protection beyond the main chassis rails. So it's probably not relevant to your requirements.
LAND ROVER ACCESSORY FITTING INSTRUCTIONS (https://accessories-instructions.landrover.com/enUSA/new-defender/G2409780)

[RobA]

The picture from one_iota is in Post 9 of this thread. It really just shows that the front undershield is fitted with the factory bullbar. Well, at least in one_iotas case.

But this appears to be the fitting instructions and the replacement bar doesn't provide protection beyond the main chassis rails. So it's probably not relevant to your requirements.
LAND ROVER ACCESSORY FITTING INSTRUCTIONS (https://accessories-instructions.landrover.com/enUSA/new-defender/G2409780)

eno thanks and both pieces of information are of great help in my decision making for the fitout. I try not to miss anything in the research phase as the effort makes it simpler when the final decision is made. In this case, subject to me crawling under the dealership one, it's not going to be the OE bar. But overall it looks like the next steps are all around timing and with a 9month quoted wait for delivery I have plenty of that on my hands

Regards

Rob

[Melbourne Park]

Hi Rob.

I was going to get a Synergy but have decided to keep our now old Matrix. Its tow ball can be heavy but I haven't weighed it - but I suspect around 290kg. It seems very easy to run out of carrying capacity in today's vehicles and if one ups the vehicle carry load that means it's the vehicle is no longer standard, so weight is a big issue IMO. And LR don't have suspension upgrades as far as I know ...

Firstly why get rid of the 200?

Secondly I access my fridge via the passenger left hand door. IMO using a rear slide doesn't suit when towing a van and also the rear swing door of today's vehicles also do not suit leaving the trailer attached. Hence my preference for side door fridge access (OK not so good for children or dogs).

And what worries me most about a Land Rover, is serviceability. I haven't done W.A. and I can imagine when something fails, getting a LR repaired would be difficult. And towing a van complicates all that. Hw does Land Rover handle out back break downs well?

Cheers
Doug

[jwb]

There's some good/bad/ugly real world experience here.
An honest review, I thought.

https://youtu.be/Niwx8U-cOZw'si=m9yPBM2DuCs7PV65

Also plenty of real world experiences of that other brand having issues and parts problems.

[RobA]

There's some good/bad/ugly real world experience here.
An honest review, I thought.

https://youtu.be/Niwx8U-cOZw'si=m9yPBM2DuCs7PV65

Also plenty of real world experiences of that other brand having issues and parts problems.

jwb thanks I have viewed all their journey and it hasn't really dented my views. I had almost the same experience with the 200 very early in that ownership journey where it would depower to snails pace when towing a 2600kg van up a decent hill. Toyotas view was it was caused by me fitting a non-Toyota bull bar. Now I'm a member of the Toyota 4WD Club in SA so have more than a hundred plus other 200 owners as a sounding board just to start with. So the discussion with TMCA was not positive and their attitude was what has put me off considering the 300 which I can see is also having the same de-powering issues when towing too. Last year we spent 21 days travelling some of Len Beadell's iconic and truly remote track with Moon Tours. In company with two new defenders one towing an AOR Matrix and the other a TVan. The latter has 20' rims and tyres and a long range tank and had virtually left the showroom to join the tour. The other was well travelled, on 19" rims and quite heavy. Both combinations got through what was a pretty challenging trip with flying colours whilst using 50% less fuel than the 200. A bloke I know has taken his Defender to the Cape, recently done the Canning and the Coast to Coast tour plus Victorian High Country all towing a decent offroad campervan with barely an issue.

So with all of that in mind I remain optimistic that over the time since that video was done JLR has done with any manufacturer would in undertaking some pretty detailed continuous improvement of their product and from the socials I am following that seems to be the case in the majority.

As a result I am still finishing off my planned Defender build with the end result being an order being placed hopefully by the end of January this year.

Thanks again it was useful to refresh that event in my mind

Regards

Rob

[John58]

[QUOTE=RobA;3238325] We will still be towing our AOR Matrix and still doing outback tracks but overall more sedately and without the needs for vastly increased range and/or carrying capacity.


Hi Rob.
I was very interested to read your post as I am in almost the same position. I've just revived my AULRO subscription after bumping around in a Ford Ranger since 2017. We have an X-Dynamic SE D350 on order, currently due for delivery in March, and we have a Series IV Matrix FH. We have a Series V Matrix on order which should arrive in June. My list of things to do / investigate is pretty much the same as yours, so I'll be following this thread with great interest!
All the best, John

[RobA]

[QUOTE=RobA;3238325] We will still be towing our AOR Matrix and still doing outback tracks but overall more sedately and without the needs for vastly increased range and/or carrying capacity.


Hi Rob.
I was very interested to read your post as I am in almost the same position. I've just revived my AULRO subscription after bumping around in a Ford Ranger since 2017. We have an X-Dynamic SE D350 on order, currently due for delivery in March, and we have a Series IV Matrix FH. We have a Series V Matrix on order which should arrive in June. My list of things to do / investigate is pretty much the same as yours, so I'll be following this thread with great interest!
All the best, John

John hello one of the great things about this site is the calmness of experience rather than the shouting that goes in in some other places. It certainly builds a base of pragmatic, experienced feedback and thoughtful suggestions. Which goes a long way in the search for a good build you will be confident with. So, glad to be able to be gathering some helpful experiences into a single place.

We have just about run our race with the sort of seriously remote touring we have been doing for the last 20 odd years. Simply put we have too many damaged body bits to keep up endless corrugations and weeks in low range traversing rocky and rough country. The 200 was built specifically for this purpose and has done an excellent job towing M584 on our travels. But the time has come for a change and I am quietly confident the Defender will perform in the same robust, reliable and very fuel efficient way. But with far higher levels of comfort on and off road combined with excellent fuel economy.

As we enjoyed the D4, not without its issues but all fixed, and given our need for comfort over a nose bleed lift kit and GVM upgrade the Defender seems to be, for us at least, the most logical choice. With the added benefit of not having to spend a fortune to make it what it should have been from the factory.

Regards

Rob

[John58]

Thanks Rob. I'll be following with very great interest. We are now in our mid-70's, and, while we are still reasonably fit, a bit more comfort won't go astray. The Ranger only has 165 000 on the clock, but is starting to sound and feel like a bag of bolts - it has done quite a bit of corrugated tracks, but our old D3 did an awful lot more and was in much better shape. I'm really glad/excited to be getting back into a LR!

[John_char]

Subscribed to this thread.

Getting close to placing our order. Been told it'll be a 6 month wait. Happy with that.

The only question we have is To Diesel or not to Diesel?

We have a Jeep Grand Cherokee TDV6 Summit. Sounds like a truck for the 60's, Wifee is totally against the sound, and TBH, I'm not enjoying the ADBlu and DPF. We do tow, but max weight is 2770 with a ball weight of 170. We probs only tow 10% of the time and 4WD 20%.

What was your thought process when getting the D350? Would love to know.

Just ironing out the extras and the trigger will be pulled.

Cheers all.

[jwb]

Subscribed to this thread.

Getting close to placing our order. Been told it'll be a 6 month wait. Happy with that.

The only question we have is To Diesel or not to Diesel?

We have a Jeep Grand Cherokee TDV6 Summit. Sounds like a truck for the 60's, Wifee is totally against the sound, and TBH, I'm not enjoying the ADBlu and DPF. We do tow, but max weight is 2770 with a ball weight of 170. We probs only tow 10% of the time and 4WD 20%.

What was your thought process when getting the D350? Would love to know.

Just ironing out the extras and the trigger will be pulled.

Cheers all.

To address your specific points. The D300 is dead quiet and smooth. I've added AdBlu once in a year and a half and it's no more difficult than filling the windscreen washers. Never seen the DPF symbol come up on the dash. We tow a 5m boat regularly which is no drama. I've always had diesels for the range when offroad touring and the economy overall. Just my 2c worth.

[RobA]

Subscribed to this thread.

Getting close to placing our order. Been told it'll be a 6 month wait. Happy with that.

The only question we have is To Diesel or not to Diesel?

We have a Jeep Grand Cherokee TDV6 Summit. Sounds like a truck for the 60's, Wifee is totally against the sound, and TBH, I'm not enjoying the ADBlu and DPF. We do tow, but max weight is 2770 with a ball weight of 170. We probs only tow 10% of the time and 4WD 20%.

What was your thought process when getting the D350? Would love to know.

Just ironing out the extras and the trigger will be pulled.

Cheers all.

What JWB said. Those with them we know and have seen towing remotely are not experiencing any issues with AdBlue. It really is as simple as topping up the washer tank. Just understand that AB consumption increases when you tow so carrying a bottle for top up purposes will be your answer to that small issue. There are settings to use so you can be aware of a DPF burn if you need to be.

Rob

[Eric SDV6SE]

Mate has the D300 in his Disco '5' whilst I have the P400 in my L663. He tows a 3.5t dual axle JB van and I a 2.7t single axle crusader van. He uses about 18/20l/100km and on the last trip to Broome had to fill AB tank twice. I have similar 'economy' on RON98 pulp and no need to use AB obviously. Towing performance is very similar, plenty of torque from both P and D variants. My only issue is the availability of 98RON in remote areas, but 95 is fine, or 91 with a bottle of RON booster would be a last resort, plus I can carry 4x20l Jerry cans.

[BobD]

Thanks Rob. I'll be following with very great interest. We are now in our mid-70's, and, while we are still reasonably fit, a bit more comfort won't go astray. The Ranger only has 165 000 on the clock, but is starting to sound and feel like a bag of bolts - it has done quite a bit of corrugated tracks, but our old D3 did an awful lot more and was in much better shape. I'm really glad/excited to be getting back into a LR!

Here's another Rob doing the same thing. Went from a D5 to an LC300, which my wife and I have hated ever since we got it. Just renewed my subscription and ordered a Defender 110 D350 SE which is arriving in December. Already got my Gap IID G4, bits from PowerfulUK, ordered an Offroad Animal Toro bar and Bravo snorkel and a few other bits and pieces. One drive of the 2025 Defender and I was hooked. Exactly what I am after, apart from the difficulty in managing the rear axle capacity when towing. I weighed a demo RRS and a 7 seater Defender before calculating that I can just make it work by removing the third row seats and adding the bull bar to get some weight off the rear axle. The GVM is not a problem. I wish you could upgrade the 110 to the 130 rear axle capacity for Australia. That would pretty much solve all difficulties with heavy towing in Australia. Just need to update my signature now! I would rather pay for repairs than drive a crappy Toyota that behaves more like a truck than a luxury car and still has reliability issues.