Sell defender? Keep defender? Something in between?

bankz5152 · Jul 7, 2015

Easy enough to make your 90 more comfortable there a lot available. Mines coming along nicely but it depends how much you want to spend really.

Soundproofing, sound deadening, vibration reduction, more comfortable seats, soften gear changes. There are some excellent storage solutions for Defenders one might be good enough so you can get all your gear in plus the dog!

trax · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
Hopefully there should be a poll on this.

After a pretty disastrous attempted expedition trip to Portugal I am considering getting rid of my 90. The main reasons are that it doesn't have air con or enough space so we can't take the dog. Plus it was pretty tiring to drive and we only did half the distance we should have done at that. I would like something that I don't dread travelling long distances in!

So...what do people reckon?

do coach trips.. doesn't sound like you are cut out for it tbh

james6546 · Jul 7, 2015

bankz5152 said:
Easy enough to make your 90 more comfortable there a lot available. Mines coming along nicely but it depends how much you want to spend really.

Soundproofing, sound deadening, vibration reduction, more comfortable seats, soften gear changes. There are some excellent storage solutions for Defenders one might be good enough so you can get all your gear in plus the dog!

I have done the seats and quite a lot of soundproofing. It is a million times better than when I got it, but I don't think you will ever make a defender a long distance cruiser.

My main problem with storage is that the fridge takes up 2/3 of the load area!

trax said:
do coach trips.. doesn't sound like you are cut out for it tbh

Thanks Trax, I get sick in busses though...

I am fine with the driving, I just want something that cruises at speed a little happier.

bankz5152 · Jul 7, 2015

In that case maybe a modded D2 facelift? or maybe even a D3 if budget allows.

vilguy · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
I have done the seats and quite a lot of soundproofing. It is a million times better than when I got it, but I don't think you will ever make a defender a long distance cruiser.

My main problem with storage is that the fridge takes up 2/3 of the load area!

I am fine with the driving, I just want something that cruises at speed a little happier.

get a 110 if you want to stick with the defender. We tried camping with a 90 and it was a frickin nightmare. Theres never enough room in them. With the 110 you can fit everything in. Also, if you have kids then theres no issue with seats etc. (so long as you get a csw)

i wouldnt get a 3.2 did shogun. They have lots of issues with the engine / gearboxs (last thing you want on a long trip). We did look at several and ummed and ah'd about it for a while and bought the rexton instead!

Rosie · Jul 7, 2015

Just shrink yourself and don't have children... keep the 90

james6546 · Jul 7, 2015

bankz5152 said:
In that case maybe a modded D2 facelift? or maybe even a D3 if budget allows.

D3's do look pretty kick ass with expedition kit on. I would only be able to afford a cheap one though

vilguy said:
get a 110 if you want to stick with the defender. We tried camping with a 90 and it was a frickin nightmare. Theres never enough room in them. With the 110 you can fit everything in. Also, if you have kids then theres no issue with seats etc. (so long as you get a csw)

i wouldnt get a 3.2 did shogun. They have lots of issues with the engine / gearboxs (last thing you want on a long trip). We did look at several and ummed and ah'd about it for a while and bought the rexton instead!

Yeah, a 110 would be better, though still not comfy.

I will cross the shogun off my list then, at least it is getting shorter!

Rosie said:
Just shrink yourself and don't have children... keep the 90

We are no good at packing light, you saw what we took to LZ11!

vilguy · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
D3's do look pretty kick ass with expedition kit on. I would only be able to afford a cheap one though

Yeah, a 110 would be better, though still not comfy.

I will cross the shogun off my list then, at least it is getting shorter!

We are no good at packing light, you saw what we took to LZ11!

as per some other comments, its pretty easy to make them comfy. Add aircon, soft suspension (the biggest nark i have is stupid bloody tall and rock hard suspension), and proper well thought out seat conversion. With little niceties like a roof console and storage drawer etc and your stuff just starts to dissapear.

Or get a little expedition trailer. All you camping gear goes in that! then you can have hot and cold running water, a cooker, your fridge in there, tv, loads more camping gear (to make it more comfy!) or put a roof tent on the trailer etc. (so your mpg in everyday use is better)

james6546 · Jul 7, 2015

vilguy said:
as per some other comments, its pretty easy to make them comfy. Add aircon, soft suspension (the biggest nark i have is stupid bloody tall and rock hard suspension), and proper well thought out seat conversion. With little niceties like a roof console and storage drawer etc and your stuff just starts to dissapear.

Or get a little expedition trailer. All you camping gear goes in that! then you can have hot and cold running water, a cooker, your fridge in there, tv, loads more camping gear (to make it more comfy!) or put a roof tent on the trailer etc. (so your mpg in everyday use is better)

Yeah, I like the idea of a trailer. That way it wouldn't feel so top heavy as the roof tent could go on the trailer. That is def something to consider.

vilguy · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
Yeah, I like the idea of a trailer. That way it wouldn't feel so top heavy as the roof tent could go on the trailer. That is def something to consider.

try having 2 on like i did for a while. First corner was.... interesting

The trailers do make camping a joy. You can take as much ****e as you want that way and even have it all packaged and ready to go at the drop of a hat.

You say you want something that cruises a bit faster. (obviously a trailer isnt gonna help as itll limit your top speed... officer) but whats wrong with your 90? My 200tdi 110 cruises at 75 easily if you want it too. Your 90 should be flying!

bankz5152 · Jul 7, 2015

Didnt think of that. Camping trailer is definitely an idea to consider. Theres even a few threads on here of some incredible things people have built!

james6546 · Jul 7, 2015

vilguy said:
try having 2 on like i did for a while. First corner was.... interesting

The trailers do make camping a joy. You can take as much ****e as you want that way and even have it all packaged and ready to go at the drop of a hat.

You say you want something that cruises a bit faster. (obviously a trailer isnt gonna help as itll limit your top speed... officer) but whats wrong with your 90? My 200tdi 110 cruises at 75 easily if you want it too. Your 90 should be flying!

You'd think. It does do 75 until you get to a hill, then it...doesn't!

I think it is a combination of the roof tent along with the disco transfer box I fitter.

I like the thought that I could leave the tent up on the trailer if I needed to go to the shops, rather than having to pack it all away

vilguy · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
You'd think. It does do 75 until you get to a hill, then it...doesn't!

I think it is a combination of the roof tent along with the disco transfer box I fitter.

I like the thought that I could leave the tent up on the trailer if I needed to go to the shops, rather than having to pack it all away

yeah mines got a disco box as well, and 33" wheels, and that rather bloody huge alloy storage box
Theres something wrong with it i would say. It should still keep hold of its speed. I found my 110 incredibly tiring to drive when it was down on power as it saps all your concentration.

To put it in perspective, the 110 3 dr i bought the other week on 35's does well over 90mph. Thats with the pump untouched!

james6546 · Jul 7, 2015

vilguy said:
yeah mines got a disco box as well, and 33" wheels, and that rather bloody huge alloy storage box
Theres something wrong with it i would say. It should still keep hold of its speed. I found my 110 incredibly tiring to drive when it was down on power as it saps all your concentration.

To put it in perspective, the 110 3 dr i bought the other week on 35's does well over 90mph. Thats with the pump untouched!

Hmm, it def seems slow then compared to that, that alloy box of your is massive! And yes that was one of the reasons it was so tiring to drive on the "expedition"

I might put a new lift pump on, it is still the original one as far as I can tell.

vilguy · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
Hmm, it def seems slow then compared to that, that alloy box of your is massive! And yes that was one of the reasons it was so tiring to drive on the "expedition"

I might put a new lift pump on, it is still the original one as far as I can tell.

could be all manner of things, but basically dont rule out your 90 (which you seem to like very much really!) when a few simple things can totally transform your camping and driving.

ps. yes that alloy box seems to swallow pretty much all our gear! Its brilliant

Turboman · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
Hopefully there should be a poll on this.

After a pretty disastrous attempted expedition trip to Portugal I am considering getting rid of my 90. The main reasons are that it doesn't have air con or enough space so we can't take the dog. Plus it was pretty tiring to drive and we only did half the distance we should have done at that. I would like something that I don't dread travelling long distances in!

So...what do people reckon?

You would be insane to sell it.

They are about to be discontinued. All models are increasingly sought after, prices are rising. You will be unlikely to ever get another good one without spending a fortune.

Get the stuff off the roof, use a trailer tent or caravan, and carry some kit in it as well.

Off road driving is never going to be very comfortable, all part of the challenge. A Land Cruiser is just as bouncy, and will cost a fortune to run, especially with the aircon on!

james6546 · Jul 7, 2015

Turboman said:
You would be insane to sell it.

They are about to be discontinued. All models are increasingly sought after, prices are rising. You will be unlikely to ever get another good one without spending a fortune.

Get the stuff off the roof, use a trailer tent or caravan, and carry some kit in it as well.

Off road driving is never going to be very comfortable, all part of the challenge. A Land Cruiser is just as bouncy, and will cost a fortune to run, especially with the aircon on!

All valid points.

I like driving it offroad, there would be no point in me doing it otherwise, it was the road driving getting there that I don't like!

I think with a bit more power and if I actually got the second tank working it would be a lot better.

I will invest in some time looking at expedition trailers. What impact would one have taking it in the sand in Morocco?

trax · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
All valid points.

I like driving it offroad, there would be no point in me doing it otherwise, it was the road driving getting there that I don't like!

I think with a bit more power and if I actually got the second tank working it would be a lot better.

I will invest in some time looking at expedition trailers. What impact would one have taking it in the sand in Morocco?

worthwhile looking at a wide track 3/4 sankey then

i've busy making a camping trailer out of an army field kitchen wide sankey. well i've moved it a few meters, looked at it and then left it for a bit

Turboman · Jul 7, 2015

james6546 said:
I will invest in some time looking at expedition trailers. What impact would one have taking it in the sand in Morocco?

Don't know, but I do know that agricultural trailers operate in pretty sticky conditions. Google flotation tyres and low ground pressure tyres!

vilguy · Jul 7, 2015

trax said:
worthwhile looking at a wide track 3/4 sankey then

i've busy making a camping trailer out of an army field kitchen wide sankey. well i've moved it a few meters, looked at it and then left it for a bit

yerrrrr...when are you starting that again?

Sell defender? Keep defender? Something in between?

Do I...?

Keep the defender and make it more comfortable

Keep the defender and buy a cheap D2 and kit that out for expeditions

Sell the defender buy a LandCruiser

Sell the defender buy a Shogun

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