Hi Manta
I have been up in the Kimberley a few times in my Defender. Last time I went up in convoy with a mate in his 110 truck cab. I have twin 80 litre tanks but he only had the standard. He took some jerry cans and never used them. He re-fueled more often than I did and that's about it. I'm not saying I'm not glad I have the spare tank I'm just saying I did not *need* it, when up there. I'd love to put in a water tank on the other side to save the need to carry any jerry cans at all in the cab.
Dual battery set up is an important option for me (speaking of design flaws - take a look under the passenger seat - the most minor change to the layout in there would make the dual battery installation so much easier and allow for bigger batteries, it's like they were trying to make it hard out of spite). A camping fridge is not a luxury for me but a necessity, I don't own one - I rent them when needed $40 a week.
I have Bilsteins all round, I never drove the car much before but the previous owner tells me it was the best upgrade he did.
Find a home for the spare wheel apart from on the standard rear door fitting - on the bumpy roads the strain on the lock and door is too great. In fact take two spares. I have a bonnet mount mainly for philosophical reasons but I guess two wheels on a roof rack or on a swing away at the back is what normal people would do.
I was surprised not to see someone recommending a snorkel. They are good in the dust I found.
Sorry I can't help you with your frustrations about Defender idiosyncracies - I just love them with a crazy neurotic passion. Comfort is over rated and can actually detract from true contentment I find. Remember, your Defender is power steered, and airconditioned. A minor mod will see you with a car fridge full of Emu Bitter, meat and the odd bottle of Classic Dry White. None of us deserve any better, and I know from experience that non of us need more to have a good time in the Kimberley, surely one of the best places on earth. Next July will see me (before school hols) back on the Gibb River Road on the way to VRD and it's where I belong.
