BiffaBeau · Sep 7, 2019

General-ish Enquiry.
I would like to make a soft overlander. But based on a LR of some sort, opposed to a Lorry.
Initially I had thought of getting a 130 converted to 6x6 by someone like Foley and then having a camper body built on the back. I see lots of camper bodies on the back of land rovers and they always look like they are sagging at the back to me.
I have seen a few people convert LR's to 6x6 but they always seem to spend half the time, fixing things wrong with the initial land rover: Engines, gearboxes, rust and the interiors, before they even tackle the 6x6. Then I thought, why not just take a modern vehicle, which is already reliable-ish and very comfortable and cut the back off and make that a pick up shell fit for a camper body.

Do I sound crazy?

The best car I ever had was a L322 Vogue and they are cheap as chips second hand, where defenders are expensive. But I understand they don't have a chassis. I gather the best modern LR with a chassis is the Discovery 4? Is that correct?

I know that the RAF and Supacat did some 6x6 discoveries! Can I ask peoples opinion if they think, this could even be a starter?

I'm aware that you guys will be a lot more informed than me. Thank you for your wisdom.

marjon · Sep 7, 2019

BiffaBeau said:
Can I ask peoples opinion if they think, this could even be a starter?

Anything is possible.
If you have the, ability/enthusiasm/wallet.

Good luck it would be a long road to travel but very rewarding.

J

BiffaBeau · Sep 7, 2019

marjon said:
Anything is possible.
If you have the, ability/enthusiasm/wallet.

Good luck it would be a long road to travel but very rewarding.

J

Henry_b · Sep 7, 2019

The D3 and 4 IIRC have 2 chassis in a sense.

1 box section chassis and 2 tubular subframes

A rather complicated beast IMO to take overlanding.

And just wondering?

Why 6x6 if it's a soft overlander?

BiffaBeau · Sep 7, 2019

To get the length for a camper body on the back and still 4 seats in the front.

norseman · Sep 7, 2019

Most spacious camper I've ever seen was a WW2 GMC with a workshop body, back in the days when I was part of the classic military scene.
Good off-road ability with 6WD, but with 10 tyres to replace one day, a top speed of 45 mph & around 7 mpg fuel consumption maybe not the most practical

Good luck with your project, I love multi-axles … what about a conversion based on a TACR?

dieseldog69 · Sep 7, 2019

150 with an ambulance body on the back.

You could go for a 130DCPU with the demountable back camper box that sits in the load bed?

dieseldog69 · Sep 7, 2019

dieseldog69 said:
150 with an ambulance body on the back.

You could go for a 130DCPU with the demountable back camper box that sits in the load bed?

Like this

FlyingPete · Sep 9, 2019

Start with a 101 ambulance, and add a couple of jump seats behind the front row.

dieseldog69 · Sep 9, 2019

FlyingPete said:
Start with a 101 ambulance, and add a couple of jump seats behind the front row.

I'd just go for the 101 rag top, convert it to a truck cab an put a roof top tent on the back.

Start with one of these.

BiffaBeau · Sep 10, 2019

norseman said:
Most spacious camper I've ever seen was a WW2 GMC with a workshop body, back in the days when I was part of the classic military scene.
Good off-road ability with 6WD, but with 10 tyres to replace one day, a top speed of 45 mph & around 7 mpg fuel consumption maybe not the most practical
Good luck with your project, I love multi-axles … what about a conversion based on a TACR?

Yeah, I'd would love a lorry based project, but they are just too tall and wide for the UK roads. I don't want to drive around the world, or be overly heavy. I think a TACR is an option.

BiffaBeau · Sep 10, 2019

dieseldog69 said:
150 with an ambulance body on the back.

You could go for a 130DCPU with the demountable back camper box that sits in the load bed?

That is probably what, I will end up with, to be honest.
What deterred me, was the amount of repairs/maintenance/rust people deal with on their LR's. Also comfort.
I was putting it out there, that a Disco 4 is cheaper to buy than some 130's and a hello of a lot more sophisticated and comfortable, to start with. So I was curious, as the Disco 4, also has a chassis, is it possible to extend the chassis and make a decent length, pick up body? The reason for 6 wheels, was purely for the weight.
I've seen a lot of 130, campers, and they are always low over the back wheels.
Thanks

BiffaBeau · Sep 10, 2019

dieseldog69 said:
I'd just go for the 101 rag top, convert it to a truck cab an put a roof top tent on the back.

Start with one of these.

View attachment 189219

Cool, but pretty basic stuff no?
I saw an italian Co, making, or talking about making, new versions of the Forward Control. I will see if I can find it. sort of Chopped up defenders.

Also. they manage to use Disco 4's to make these: www.bureko.eu Or the old version was based on a disco 4.

dieseldog69 · Sep 13, 2019

I was just browsing the interwebs and happened upon this and thought of this thread.

BiffaBeau

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marjon

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BiffaBeau

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Henry_b

Think outside, no box required.

BiffaBeau

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norseman

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dieseldog69

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dieseldog69

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FlyingPete

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dieseldog69

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BiffaBeau

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