A few Q's from a prospective 130 owner

[POD]

I have been giving some consideration to what is the ideal vehicle for my multiple uses, at this stage I am leaning towards a 130 dual cab TD5. Been driving an 88 Rangie for the past 11 years and it is well overdue for replacement; I have actually bought a 94 classic as a replacement ( figured I could accessorise it with the bits I've accumulated on the 88) but I'm having serious second thoughts about sacrificing a pristine car to serious offroad use, when it is probably not the best vehicle for all of my purposes.
My usage needs include:
Work commute of 65Km each way, all on highway with 100km/h speed limit.
Frequent local bush trips; family high-country camping, some deer hunting and trout fishing, firewood getting and recreational 4wd'ing.
Occasional (biannual or thereabouts) outback expeditions, the more remote the better.
3 older teenagers at home at the moment, so looking to the not-too-distant future of 'Darby and Joan' camping and outback touring.
Our outback trips have involved towing a home-built camper trailer. The last Kimberley trip made me very envious of those who were not towing a trailer. I reckon a demountable camper carried on a 130 tray would be the absolute ideal. Being able to go out and get a load of firewood without towing my tandem trailer is another attraction. The big payload for family camping trips. And I just can't bear the thought of my beautiful new (to me) Rangie ending up looking like it's predecessor does after 11 years of merciless use. So I'm considering trading them both on a 130 dual cab and building a camper to go on the back.
The questions in my mind are,
1; Does the extra wheelbase of the 130 present significant problems for mountain trail work, i.e. will I find myself unable to go where the rangie used to go because the 130 has a big turn radius and small ramp-over?
2; Would i really be able to live with a defender on a long highway commute, i.e. are they a chore to drive on the highway?
3; what is the best model to look for and how much should I pay?
4; what are the comparison issues between TDi and TD5 models?

I know a farmer who has a TDi 130 who will let me take it for a drive, but I don't think he would be able to answer these questions as his use is mainly farm work, so any help from the forum would be much appreciated. Any insights into pros and cons of these vehicles will also be gratefully received.
Pete

[EchiDna]

well I can only say borrow that 130 from the Farmer for a weekend and take it on a shortish trip away and return it with a full tank of fuel in return. Each of your questions is somewhat personal because only you can determine the answer!

Personally I love the driving position, others hate it. Some have electronics in their motors (TD5) while others don't (300 TDi). Both are efficient and really capable for touring and for families, but might not have the headroom in the back for tall teenage kids... yes the wheel base does make tight tracks "tighter" and does reduce your ramp over, but depending how you drive, neither may be a problem...

good luck :)

[Col.Coleman]

Mate I have a 130DC Td5 and use it for everything.
I commute everyday in it for work in the city, drive it long distances on a regular basis and use it for play.
Sometimes the length is good, sometimes not.
Good.
More room.:D
More payload.:D
Smaller cab, air works better;)
Long wheel base is great over rough ground and when touring:D

Bad
Drags it's guts(sometimes):(

Search my posts for pics and examples of use. Love it and the Td5.

CC

[Psimpson7]

1; Does the extra wheelbase of the 130 present significant problems for mountain trail work, i.e. will I find myself unable to go where the rangie used to go because the 130 has a big turn radius and small ramp-over?
2; Would i really be able to live with a defender on a long highway commute, i.e. are they a chore to drive on the highway?
3; what is the best model to look for and how much should I pay?
4; what are the comparison issues between TDi and TD5 models?

1. they are big, but then the steering lock on a 90 is crap, so you may have to do a bit of shunting.

2. I would say so. Try sitting on one. I drive everywhere with teh drivers window open!

3. latest, best looked after, lowest Km one you can find.

4. can of worms ..... open. Id say go for a TD5.

[POD]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I'll see if I can borrow the vehicle for a couple of days and do a trip, but I would not want to put a borrowed vehicle through it's paces off-road so will of course not be able to evaluate it's abilities there. I drove one of the current model top-of-the-line 110 wagons a few weeks ago- a friend had it as a demo for the weekend. I was pleasantly surprised by the improvement in the right-arm room over a couple of earlier vehicles I drove about 12 years ago. I could actually rest my arm on the sill quite comfortably. I presume the 130 D/Cs of early TD5 vintage would be more like the old 110 County than this? Also, when did the TD5 begin production?

[Col.Coleman]

99 was the start of the Td5's.

In all seriousness, the arm and hand brake thing is overblown. To sit in one for 5 minutes is a whole lot different to owning one and driving it everyday. You adapt really quickly and it doesn't bother you. In fact off road it is a bonus as you brace yourself against the pillar, and can easily look out the window to see front wheel placement.

just my thoughts.

CC

[The ho har's]

well...pod....go here we bought a 130 for touring...fuel economy is brilliant and we found it great for all our needs:D

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/61226-ho-hars-camper-build.html

Mrs ho har:angel:

[George130]

If it helps I commute 160km a day and my 130 is my main vehicle.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

The Defender is cramped compared to a modern disco, but as others say you very quickly get used to it, and, as others have said the issue is significantly over-exaggerated.

I would definately go for a TD5 variant if you are using it everyday - no question, I wouldnt even consider a Tdi.

Yes turning circle is less than your rangie and significantly less than a 90, but the extra space you gain is well worth the extra shunt to turn round (unless you do 3 poin turns for a living!?!?!?).


How comfy are they? Well, given Im sat in northern England at the moment... If i had the time and money Id happily walk outside, turn the key and set off to see you in mine!

Hope that helps.
Jon

[POD]

Thanks again for all the helpful replies. This is very encouraging.
Mrs Ho-Har, I was looking at your camper build a couple of days ago, fantastic job and close to my ideal. Got back from an expedition (GRR, Tanami, Gregory NP) about 9 weeks ago and have been mulling over how to make it happen without towing; hence the fact that I'm thinking 130. Seems impossible for me to go camping without thinking how to do it better next time- I'm sure I'm not Robinson Crusoe there. Funnily enough, your camper is almost exactly what I've been envisaging as the ideal setup. Not sure whether yours is easily demountable, but my ideal tray camper would be very much like yours and with the vehicle able to be easily driven out from under it with all the necessaries for day tripping still on board. Coming back to camp and finding the whole lot gone would be a worry though. There was a 'yota tray in one of the Kimberley campgrounds which appeared to demount like this- didn't get a good look at how they had set it up. The ute had a standard steel tray when the camper was off.
I'm wondering whether you guys considered mounting your rear canopy poles back to the camper to eliminate ropes and pegs altogether?

[POD]

Another Q, are there any significant differences between year models after the introduction of the TD5?

[Yorkshire_Jon]

No significant changes...

2002 onwards had a face-lifted dash - switches and radio now in centre of the dash and not only radio in the centre.

Perhaps more importantly (from my point of view anyway), the engine was subtly changed - still exact same power and design, but before 2002 they are classed as an EU2, afterwards, EU3. Basic differences are that the ecu on the 2002 onwards engines are flashable (so much easier to remap) and the fuel cooler is an external unit rather than being integral to the main block.

All things being equal - If I had a choice I'd pick a 2002 onwards TD5, but only to make it easier to accommodate an ecu remap... and electric windows!!

On the other hand if a low mileage, tidy pre-2002 car was available over a higher mile EU3 version, Id take the pre-2002.

Pre 2002 ecu's can still be remapped but they need the OTP chip removing and replacing with a flashable one to accommodate the new mapping.

Hope that helps,
Jon

[POD]

Well, I took a 130 for a test drive today, '03 model TD5, and I reckon I could live with one quite happily. The handbrake is not as intrusive as I remember from early County, driver's door liveable, but I'll certainly miss the fold-down armrest of the Rangie.
This vehicle is in a dealers yard, one owner, turns out I know the previous owner very well but had not seen him in a long while- must be a few years cos he bought this 130 new in '04 and I had not seen it. Gave me a good excuse to catch up with an old friend; went and saw him on the way home. Low k's and regularly serviced, but it was his farm ute as well as having done 3 Kimberley expeditions and the Canning twice! Also they want top $ for it so I reckon I'll keep looking.
Still have the offer of a test drive in the friend's TDi that I mentioned earlier, so will give that a go to compare.

[The ho har's]

Pod sorry for not getting back earlier....Camper very easy to take off and put back on...less time than setting up a tent, beds, stove etc...about 1/2hour all up. We only take it off when we stay a few days in one place..handled the Kimberley's quite well...did a quite rough 4wd track no probs at all..just make sure all the doors inside are shut properly:p or you have to clean up:o

We also only put the rear awning up if raining or staying a few days...the hight made it too hard to not use ropes and pegs....I really don't think anyone would try to steel in a hurry as it is made to measure for our fender and the handles to wind it up and down are locked in the locker while we are not there:D

BTW your location is helpful so we know where you are;)

Mrs ho har:D

[POD]

I'm near Drouin, in Gippsland, Vic. If I can figure out how, I'll add it to my profile.
Mrs HH, that camper sounds better and better. If my project ever gets going (won't be until I've found a vehicle for a start), I'll probably ask you for some pics with detail of your legs....ummm, I mean the ones on the camper....and the chassis attachment.
Thanks again all.

[Psimpson7]

Knowing the true history of the car is a good thing. He hasnt got anything to lose by lying which a private seller may. Having seen the treatment some 4wds get over here I would be keen to buy one where the exact history can be proved.

having said that there do seem to be a few nice looking td5 130's about

good luck in the search.

Rgds
Pete.

[Psimpson7]

Actually just to add there are a few other changes that Jon didnt mention I don't think.

The first one isnt relevant on 130's but the 90's and 10's post 2002 had a one peice steel rear door.

Post about 2004/5 (I think) they had similar front doors aswell with a one piece steel assembly.

Rgds
Peter.

[The ho har's]

I'm near Drouin, in Gippsland, Vic. If I can figure out how, I'll add it to my profile.
Mrs HH, that camper sounds better and better. If my project ever gets going (won't be until I've found a vehicle for a start), I'll probably ask you for some pics with detail of your legs....ummm, I mean the ones on the camper....and the chassis attachment.
Thanks again all.

There you go you have added you location successfully


Mrs ho har:angel:

PS....so you don't want a photo of my legs then:twisted:

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Actually just to add there are a few other changes that Jon didnt mention I don't think.

The first one isnt relevant on 130's but the 90's and 10's post 2002 had a one peice steel rear door.

Post about 2004/5 (I think) they had similar front doors aswell with a one piece steel assembly.

Rgds
Peter.

Spot on. The steel rear door is to help them resist the temptation to fall appart when the rear wheel is hung on there.

The steel framed doors mean they dont prise themselves away from the bodywork (up the windscreen door pillar) at 60mph upwards.

[ashman]

Hi
I brought a 2000 130 duelcab TD5 at the end of last year with only 105,000ks, I got it off Ebay for $26,000 and I'm very happy with it I have been on two long trips and very happy with the comfort of the car and smoothness of the TD5 engine, when we go away we have the back tray chookers with gear as well we tow a trailer with 2 sometimes 3 dirt bikes and found it to perform quite well, (I owned 2 land cruisers and duelcab hi lux before, sorry to admit that) and find the 130 so much better on the highway, carry more loads and has more leg room in the back ( have teenage kids) it has a longrange tank on top of standed tank, holds about 130lt and have got 1400ks before the low fuel light comes on, but it depends on how heavy the foot is as well, so far I have done nearly 20,000ks and very happy with it, it took a while to fine a good one (over a year) and I brought it sight un seen, it came from Albury(ex farm truck), you will enjoy driving it, it does take a lot more room to turn but you get use to it and on rough roads its very comfortable...
Hope this helps...Ashman

[philco]

Mate, I have a 130 crew cab, 1995, bought it 12 months ago, done 86000km and cost $15000 from the trading post. The owners family had stored it for 4 years in a shed and only drove it occasionally. I love it but . . . . . . the problems i have come across are small things from storage and non use. rubber bushes and hoses perishing and leaking, all small things.
I wouldnt drive another vehicle as mine is a daily driver and I love it. Its high up so can see over the traffic, highway is excellent with a really comfortable seat, aircon for the summer, power steering for the town traffic and off road, heaps of leg room in the back for teens and adults. heaps of load capacity in the tray, highest ground clearance of any of the Land Rover range, wife has to climb in like a truck.
I highly reccommend them, but if you want to go with the crowd then get a 110 wagon, better wheel base distance for offroad, similar to a toyota 80,100 series wagon, dont need a canopy on the back. but i still love the 130 for all that i need it to do.:BigThumb::BigThumb::BigThumb::BigThumb::BigThu mb:

[POD]

Yep it helps alright. Pete, I did consider the fact that knowing the history was an advantage, unfortunately what I know about it is nearly all bad! That vehicle had been regularly serviced by the dealer- pretty much the only thing in it's favour. The previous owner is a great guy but hard on vehicles. His farm work is intensive cropping, and his outback travel is hardcore.

Yet another question- would people consider a vehicle being 'ex-government' to be a positive or a negative? I know these vehicles will be serviced regardless of cost (cos you and I are paying for it) but is that outweighed by being driven by someone who doesn't give a toss about them? And do the instrumentalities that use these vehicles use them hard?

[VladTepes]

I'm pretty sure mines ex-govt (Vic Forests maybe?) then another owner then a car yard then me.

Is good.