Two Chicks and a Defender

[Gillie]

This has now turned into a Three Chicks and Defender and possibly even Four Chicks and a Defender.

So whats it all about.

Well, I have just purchased a 2000 TD5 Defender 130. Not sure if I am happy or sad about that! I do remember my the grin I used to have with my old 130.
With this in mind I do understand that I will have to dust off the tools again!

The Defender I bought is in Perth and of course I live no where near Perth. Having travelled the Nullabor 11 times including twice on a motorbike I suggested that my wife may perhaps like to fly to Perth and drive it back. This would give her a well earned break as well as an adventure. It would be cheaper to truck it over here but there is no adventure in that. One of her friends was keen too so they have both purchased their tickets and hit Perth on the 6th of April. since then another friend has signed up and possibly another one. So far their are three chicks and a Defender involved in this Journey.
This is what it currently looks like.



The girls are looking forward to this trip and aiming to get back home in 5 days. I normally do it in three so this should give them some easy days and allow them to see what they like on the way.

This is what it did look like by Previous owner.




I rang this bloke up only to find out it had been sold.
I found the Same defender advertised as per first group of pics. He bought it for his son who didn't like it. Too big in the city.
I know it was a firefighting vehicle, I know it has been Chipped, has carpet in the front, new tyres, sub woofer and a clutch booster added.
It has a steering box leak and the compressor may be suspect for the AC.
The girls leave on Saturday week, the 6th of April and aim to be back home on the 10th April.
Hilarity to follow I am sure! Standby all those Aulro members en route you are now on call for assistance

In the meantime Daddy Day care for me, can't wait we are going to have some fun!

[Babs]

Great heading, sounds like a title for a book.

I'm sure you have already thought of it, but I'll mention anyway, have you had a mechanic give it a once over just incase there is any worn hoses etc. don't want the misses and her mates stranded on some lonely stretch of highway.

I wish them luck.

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[Babs]

Great heading, sounds like a title for a book.

I'm sure you have already thought of it, but I'll mention anyway, have you had a mechanic give it a once over just incase there is any worn hoses etc. don't want the misses and her mates stranded on some lonely stretch of highway.

I wish them luck.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

Oh forgot to mention, congrats on the truck, she's a beauty.

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[Greyfox]

Great heading, sounds like a title for a book.

I'm sure you have already thought of it, but I'll mention anyway, have you had a mechanic give it a once over just incase there is any worn hoses etc. don't want the misses and her mates stranded on some lonely stretch of highway.

I wish them luck.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

Forget the book this is going to be a movie,
What an adventure this is going to be.
Keep us all posted of the trip.
Hope the girls are still friends at the end of the adventure.
Love the 130 ,it looks real mean

[87County]

T
It has a steering box leak and the compressor may be suspect for the AC.
The girls leave on Saturday week, the 6th of April and aim to be back home on the 10th April.
Hilarity to follow I am sure! Standby all those Aulro members en route you are now on call for assistance

In the meantime Daddy Day care for me, can't wait we are going to have some fun!

The 130 looks great - fancy someone not wanting it ...

Well they're not planning on taking long to do the trip are they ? I would take a bit longer to have a look at things on the way....

If they're lucky at this time of the year lack of a/c won't be too much of an issue.

All this is obvious I guess - but ensure that your RACV is covered up to the max, have them carry some ATF to top up the p/s, cartons of drinking water & all the usual extras / tools / jack etc, get them to keep an eye on the tyres & pressures (long hours @100kph can be murder on used tyres) - 'cause I guess there'll only be 1 spare?

Bottled drinking water is really expensive between Kalgoorlie or Esperance and Ceduna - Port Augusta.

The "motels" at the fuel stops can be of variable quality so most people (incl me) just camp - which should be fine - as long as they don't mind the howling dingos through the night in some spots.

If they feel that there is safety in numbers the fuel stops have "camping areas" where they charge backpackers and grey nomads a fee, but for me the highway hilton is preferable and afaik quite safe.

There is limited mob ph cover closer to the fuel stops -a satphone could be a handy item - but the people are friendly and I couldn't imagine anyone not stopping if help was needed.

But you know what it's like, having done it a number of times - my apologies if my remarks sound like I'm trying to teach you to suck eggs - just want them to have a safe trip and a good time.

There are good aulro people along the way too - I was helped out recently in SA when coming back east.

Look forward to reading an update on their adventure

[Gillie]

If they're lucky at this time of the year lack of a/c won't be too much of an issue.
But you know what it's like, having done it a number of times - my apologies if my remarks sound like I'm trying to teach you to suck eggs - just want them to have a safe trip and a good time.

I got the car checked out my a mate who is more than capable of doing this. After checking it out he left me a voicemail message telling me I was a !@#$#@ idiot if I buy it. I had to laugh at that. Defenders are not for everyone! It appears to be the real deal and in the photos he emailed me back he had a running commentry on each photo including the landcruiser he had for sale for $12,000. he tells me the AC is not working but the owner tells me it is definitely working. This is one of the problems you have when the owner is not there when it was looked at. I am going by the assumption it is not working.
Even though I have done this trip 11 times I haven't done it for 10 years so any information that anyone can provide will not be looked upon as teaching me to suck eggs. I appreciate all feedback.

Landcruiser for sale $12,000 G Wagon may be for sale? Mate came to the conclusion this bloke just buys weird cars!


Interesting set up. I don't remember the clutch being heavy on my 130 but apparently this one was heavy enough to warrant this set up.

[Sitec]

We're north of Adelaide, so if they run into trouble this side of the Nullabor, give us a hoy! There'd b a few who'd come on a rescue mission!

[Gillie]

Thanks Sitec, Something about the land rover community that bandies together in times of need. Hopefully the trip is uneventful.
Pretty happy that there is next G coverage out there around towns now.

[technophile]

This has now turned into a Three Chicks and Defender and possibly even Four Chicks and a Defender.

So whats it all about.

Well, I have just purchased a 2000 TD5 Defender 130. Not sure if I am happy or sad about that! I do remember my the grin I used to have with my old 130.
With this in mind I do understand that I will have to dust off the tools again!

The Defender I bought is in Perth and of course I live no where near Perth. Having travelled the Nullabor 11 times including twice on a motorbike I suggested that my wife may perhaps like to fly to Perth and drive it back. This would give her a well earned break as well as an adventure. It would be cheaper to truck it over here but there is no adventure in that. One of her friends was keen too so they have both purchased their tickets and hit Perth on the 6th of April. since then another friend has signed up and possibly another one. So far their are three chicks and a Defender involved in this Journey.
This is what it currently looks like.



The girls are looking forward to this trip and aiming to get back home in 5 days. I normally do it in three so this should give them some easy days and allow them to see what they like on the way.

This is what it did look like by Previous owner.




I rang this bloke up only to find out it had been sold.
I found the Same defender advertised as per first group of pics. He bought it for his son who didn't like it. Too big in the city.
I know it was a firefighting vehicle, I know it has been Chipped, has carpet in the front, new tyres, sub woofer and a clutch booster added.
It has a steering box leak and the compressor may be suspect for the AC.
The girls leave on Saturday week, the 6th of April and aim to be back home on the 10th April.
Hilarity to follow I am sure! Standby all those Aulro members en route you are now on call for assistance

In the meantime Daddy Day care for me, can't wait we are going to have some fun!

Yes, i remember seeing this on trading Post a while ago. It looked good to me, and had just had a lot of money spent on it, if i remember correctly.

[Grumbles]

That's a good and unique looking Defender. It sort of falls in to the "I'm envious" category.