As a happy S3 owner, I have been toying with the idea of converting a Defender 110 to a camper/overland vehicle, probably largely for Southern and Eastern European trips. Much as I appreciate my diesel S3 88 for hacking around on the farm and local back roads I am realistic as to its long distance shortcomings so thought I would ask the Defender forum for recommendations on the best variant. With so many options on engine/model years/commercial or SW etc and then also the costs of some of the later ones, any steer on best/most reliable models would be appreciated. Many thanks.Ian
There is no easy answer here. It really comes down to how much money you want to spend and what your actual goals are.
Now I'm no camper expert or overlander. Although I do go camping and do go green laning.
Price is obviously the biggest restriction. Do you have a budget?
Tdi's are good robust engines, but tbh at the roadside they are not really any easier to fix than anything else. A Tdi is however quite an old engine now, very unrefined and rather loud as well as relatively low powered. For long distance driving these aspects may be important ones to consider.
How many people do you need to carry and sleep and what levels of comfort and equipment will you need.
A 2 door hard top has the biggest load bay and interior. But you are restricted to only 2 seats (or 3 if you have no cubby box). And while the load bay is big, it may not be the most practical for chucking stuff in and out, as it is a long way from the rear door to the bulkhead behind the seats.
Likewise with a 2 door pickup, big load area, but very little cab space.
A 5 door county has less interior space than a hard top, but you do have 5 seats. Which could be handy to carry more people or even just somewhere to store bags and things you want to get in and out often or quickly, as you'll be able to open the middle door.
Or a double cab pickup as a sort of mix.
People have also converted ambulance bodied models to campers in the past. But will require some bespoke DIY work to them.
Having said all this, something the size of a 130 might actually be a better platform than a 110. But it may also depend on how off roady you want the vehicle too. Are you only wanting to conquer gravel roads and mild terrain or will it need to be very off road focused.
As for sleeping arrangements, lots of choice. Do you plan to sleep in the vehicle? There are things like pop tops that the roof lifts up to create more room. Or you could go roof tent. Or even a ground tent and awning.
Or if looking at a pickup there are camper bodies like this:
This is a 130, but you can get similar for a 2 door 110 (not sure on a double cab 110, but you could always build one).
These probably offer the most comfort and accommodation space. But are likely less off road capable than something like this:
Again, depending on intended use there are also off road caravans:
Or smaller trailers:
There really is a lot of choice, but some of these might run into tens of thousands of £'s to maybe even 6 figure sums!
As for the vehicle itself.
I do like Tdi's, currently own one and have had others. But as said, they are now old, low powered and very unrefined. A Td5 is generally a much more refined and modern powerplant and as a rule each newer generation of Defender has been more refined and better on the road. Thus a Puma model is even better again.
Obviously you could look at engine swaps and the like, but you'd probably want to build some dependability and durability into any such build for over landing.
Tdi's are sparse and at an age where you'll want to check the chassis and bulkhead. Td5's it seems are built slightly worse and the chassis tended to rust quicker than a Tdi and the panel work also seems to be slightly thinner. Although on a Td5 you can get things like electric windows and air conditioning, which might be nice things to have on long trips. The air con especially if you plan on venturing into hot climates or even dusty ones where you might not want the windows open all the time.
Puma's also have some other modern additions too, although they are a more complex vehicle, albeit no more complex than your average car/van of the same period.
Something else to consider is the Td5 had optional traction control (I think it was standard on all Pumas). This is a complete came changer off road and will prevent you getting cross axled as easily off road. You could fit diff lockers to non TCS models of course, but it might be something to consider when adding up all the costs.
But while we are talking which vehicle. I suppose it would be wise and sensible to at least ask, is a 110 or even a Defender or even a Land Rover product the most suitable platform and vehicle for your intended use?
A Range Rover or Discovery (of any age, but say D3/4 or L320/L322) will be far more refined and comfortable places for long haul overlanding. While still retaining good off road ability and space. You can also buy these for vastly cheaper sums than you can a 110. Which might give many good reasons to consider them if the budget is not huge.
Something like the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited might also be a worth consideration too. As it is far more Defender-like in styling, shape and construction. But they are so much newer in design, giving comfy well equipped cabins, better more powerful engines, climate control, more refinement and the option of an automatic gearbox.
Or if you want to go up a level there are things like the Iveco Daily 4x4:
