MY2012 130 cab chassis

[dinkles]

Hi all ,

I am interested in the MY2012 130 Defender dual cab chassis. Being at least 400k's from my nearest dealer ,I can't just pop in and have a good look at one of these machines.I have the latest brochure here , and it looks good and has some info, however after looking on the net at reviews etc. some say there is a problem with the interior space.
I am 6'3" in the old money and crack about 125 kg, is there going to be any issues in the drivers seat for extended periods behind the wheel?Is there anyone that can comment on this from personal experience?
Also can anyone supply me with the internal dimensions of the dual cab , such as rear leg room,cabin width(door to door).
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[rainman]

Hi dinkles,

Welcome to the forum . The room in a Defender can be a little limiting for someone of your stature. Headroom is probably the least of your worries; it's more leg and shoulder/arm room. You can get aftermarket seat extensions for dual cabs and wagons (forum member Mulgo would come with the highest recommendation) to help with the leg room.

The Defender cab size and shape hasn't changed in decades so if you can, find someone in your area with one that you can sit in. Where exactly are you? There's bound to be a forum member nearby.

James.

[frantic]

Not sure about the cab dimensions but for the seat you could look at mulgo for some extension rails . I am 6 1" and 115 and it's it's just right but I don't have extension rails and also the previous owner of my 110 put the cb between my seat and the mid cubby box. The main problem for people our height is catching your short pockets or belt loops on the door latch getting in and out.

[superquag]

X 2.

Get fully dressed... with bulging wallet... hobnail boots, whatever you normally carry in your pockets... - and have a big meal. THEN drive one for an hour or three....
- Staying IN the car, try and fish out your driver's licence for an imaginary copper-stop.
Don't forget its agin the Law to hang your elbow or any part of your body outside the window-line of a vehicle , so keep your window at least half-way up.

You've got a good chance of liking it if you prefer the steering wheel a bit closer than Jap 4WD's.

I'm 5'10" / 107kg, and I don't think I'd last more than an hour, going on the last single-cab I drove for 30 mins at a time...

[tomalophicon]

I had no problem driving a 110 wagon around for a year. Drove some 10 hour days.
I'm 6'4" and would have been 90kg back then.

[isuzurover]

I am 6'4" but only about 2/3 of your weight.

I have owned a 110 since 2000. The driver's seat was moved back 2" and raised 1" by the PO. I have done 5 trips of 5000-15000 km in it in the past 5 years alone.

Headroom is fine, but you find yourself bending your head down to look at traffic lights. The advantage is you don't need to use the sunvisor as often.

Leg room is also not too bad, but defenders have a very upright seating position. You can't really stretch your legs out fully.

A bigger issue is perhaps that the driver's seat is right up against the door. Handy offroad though.

[slug_burner]

As others have said the seating position and relationship to the steering wheel
is different to may other vehicles. You sit more upright and have the steering wheel at reach without fully streached arms. Most find the drivers position very suitable for extended distance travel and have noticed that they feel better after a day's travel than any most other vehicles.

Width wise I think that the vehicle maybe a challenge for someone with wide shoulders as you will be up against the door. Some have removed the centre cubby box to get more shoulder room.

Back seat leg room will be less than you expect but as all seating is very upright you don't need the same leg room as in a sedan. I'd say that for a tall person the back seat in a dual cab will be tight if the 110 wagon is anything to gauge by.

[rainman]

I find the main problem with the rear of both the wagon and the dual cab is "foot room". You can't put your feet under the front seats because of the bulkhead. I think the rear seat in the wagon is slightly high than in the dual, also. Either one has heaps of head room.

James.

[Killer]

I am also about 6"3" and around 120 - 125 kg, I own a 130 and find it quite comfortable for long distance driving. In fact I feel better getting out of the 130 after 10 hrs driving than I did when I did the smae trip in a Commodore. As stated the driving position is upright but I think that is probably less fatiging than a less upright position. Also as Ben stated the drivers door is very close to the seat, this makes it quite difficult to wind the window down as there is not enough room to get your arm between the door and your leg which you can't move because of the steering wheel. The other thing lots of people complain about is the position of the handbrake lever, this may have been moved slightly on the Puma, it has never worried me however in my Td5. I think it all comes down to personal taste, I think you really need to try it for yourself. Idealy you need to have a long drive in it. because at first you will probably feel like you are squeezed into it, but after a couple of hours it will feel great.

Cheers, Mick.

[Marty110]

agree with all the others have said and offer the following if you buy one - you can remove the hard plastic door grab handle for a lot more leg room and replace it with a piece of leather strap - have done this with mine and its great. Also, you can look at a slightly smaller steering wheel, something like the Raid HP at 380mm diameter - also done on mine and also makes a big difference. Make sure you drive one first tho as others have said. Oh yeah, the hand brake lever IS a little further over on the Pumas - my old 300Tdi was cramped up against my leg, the Puma isn't. Good luck!!