Seating room single cab v's dual

[thrower78]

Hi All, a very quick question is the standard front seating room in the 130 single cab the same as a dual cab? I have driven a dual cab and find that fine for room just making sure the single cab is the same.

Thanks Andrew

[Blknight.aus]

Im pretty sure they're the same

[abaddonxi]

I think that in the single cab the seat backs come into contact with the rear bulkhead before the seat is as far back as it can get. You either sit back and very upright, or a little more forward.

I'm 6'3" and didn't have a problem with it in the 120"; others have.

I think either you are comfortable sitting in a Defender, or you aren't. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground.

Cheers
Simon

[rovercare]

I think that in the single cab the seat backs come into contact with the rear bulkhead before the seat is as far back as it can get. You either sit back and very upright, or a little more forward.

I'm 6'3" and didn't have a problem with it in the 120"; others have.

I think either you are comfortable sitting in a Defender, or you aren't. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground.

Cheers
Simon

I'm 6'3" and my 120" is a pain the a sphincter, I have a sports wheel aswell to help, I have sore elbows from it:mad:

One day I'll do that extra cab:D

[abaddonxi]

I'm 6'3" and my 120" is a pain the a sphincter, I have a sports wheel aswell to help, I have sore elbows from it:mad:

One day I'll do that extra cab:D

See.

I used to drive a Nissan Homer - very small truck, larger than a bongo van, smaller than a Hiace, when I was sitting in it my knees touched the dash, my hands on the steering wheel brushed my knees, my head touched the roof, one leg was up against the door, and I usually drove with the window open for elbow room.

A Defender is looxury.

Or how about Jag footwells, I couldn't stand to sit in them, my feet got claustrophobia in the tiny footwells.:D

Cheers
Simon

[rovercare]

See.

I used to drive a Nissan Homer - very small truck, larger than a bongo van, smaller than a Hiace, when I was sitting in it my knees touched the dash, my hands on the steering wheel brushed my knees, my head touched the roof, one leg was up against the door, and I usually drove with the window open for elbow room.

A Defender is looxury.

Or how about Jag footwells, I couldn't stand to sit in them, my feet got claustrophobia in the tiny footwells.:D

Cheers
Simon

Try and drive one of those $19,990 Mitsu express vans:mad:, I drove one for a year, all over Vic, what a bucket of puss, compared to a Hiace, no room at all:(

The Jag? usually to busy working the pedals when I drive that to worry about space;):twisted:, poor things only done just under 3,ooo kays, and needs its third set of rear tyres:angel:

[thrower78]

Thanks for the replys guys, yeah my main issue is that i know i fit in a standard front dual cab seat fine, just haven't driven a single cab.

Is there anyone on here from Townsville who has a single cab deefer that i could have a sit in? That would be tops.

Andrew

[mox]

I have one of the not very common single cabs on a Defender 130 that has been extended 8 inches behind the doors. A conversion that has been done for Land Rover with Queensland compliance plate. Easily identifiable because there are windows that are rounded top and bottom in the extra panels.

Some extra pieces have been added to hold the seats so the right and left ones are mounted 3 inches further back. I moved the centre one back another 5 inches so it is in the same place relative to the back of the cab as in a standard cab. Allows inward elbow room for those in side seats.

The extra cab length allows extra storage space behind the seats as well as more room for the driver and passengers.

The standard location of the Defender handbrake is not very smart. Too close to drivers left leg, restricting space to move. Also too close to transmission tunnel for a middle passenger (who can be fitted in a bit easier with the seat 8 inches further back than standard) to get their foot between it and the handbrake lever.

I cut some pieces out of the (plastic) transmission and moved the handbrake exactly 5 inches to the left - about as far as possible while still being able to make up bits and pieces to support it a and cover the holes.
It could be tidied up more, but is far more functional than the standard location. Also, moved the bonnet lock control from above the clutch pedal where it is a nuisance for those with big feet.

Regarding outward elbow room. found on removing a door liner to fix a problem with a lock or something that with them off, there is about 40 mm more of room right where you like to put your elbow. This includes leaving off the the plastic linkage to lock the doors from the inside. Not necessary when the arm for this on the lock is accessable.

Yes, it looks rough but for a work vehicle is practical. Haven't yet got around to making some cover that improves the appearance without taking up space and is quick and easy to remove when there are problems with window winders or door locks. Also, in wet conditions, without any covers, the door frames would not stay wet for long periods and rust out.

Other small things best not replaced are the split pins in the clevis pins holding the restrictors that stop the doors opening too far. The clevis pins can then be pulled out and replaced easily to allow the doors to be opened wider for when eg cleaning floor. Very unlikely to fall out of their own accord without these split pins.

My Defender has the Australian air conditioner with the evaporator installed in the left footwell. I find it good to reduce heat a bit in very hot conditions but the air duct from it that marginally improves cool air distribution was overall a nuisance. Took up a lot of space and made acessability to things including the fuse panel more difficult. Therefore it has been permanently removed and the switch relocated from it.

The driver's side radio speaker that protrudes about an inch can be installed flat by removing the plastic piece behind it, then slightly enlarging the hole it is installed in and cutting out the padding back to the metal enough to recess the speaker. To do the same with the left speaker is more difficult. Also involves moving the wiper motor

Had some of what appears a common problem with the headliner sagging. So have done some cutting, etc of it and put in some self tapping screws to hold it to the frame members inside the roof, a bit higher than standard ones seem to be. Gives more headroom.

Overall with the extended cab, which I reckon would have made readily available if decision makers at Land Rover had any brains, I started with something better than the standard one. Since then have improved it regarding available room inside although in some respects it has been mutilated and not tidied up regarding appearance.

[rainman]

Old thread, but anyway, my two cents......

I have a 110 Tdi single cab and a 130 Tdi dual cab, both with air conditioning. I am only 5' 9" so leg room isn't really a problem, but you can definately get a lot more with the dual cab because, as menitoned in a previous post, the seat can be slid back a lot further. I think the biggest difference is to be had on the passenger side because the air conditioning is far more intrusive there.

The 130 is in the process of a restoration so my plan is to ditch the rather poor standard air conditioner anyway in favour of a mini bus style evaporator mounted right up in the back against the roof. There's plenty of head room in the back so it shouldn't be an issue for rear passengers.

Good suggestions mox. I hadn't thought about removing the door liners for more room. If you can knock up a simple sheet of aluminium and cover it in vinyl it makes a cheap alternative to replacing a damaged trim as well.

I have to weld in new door frame bottoms first.......... :(