POPPYRED · Nov 26, 2011

In process of turning our Defender 95 into a sort of campervan as well as insulating it against the elements and generally making it more amenable for stop offs for the odd cuppa.
We are well past the off roading stage but enjoy the benefits of going a few places where others fear to tred and also enjoy having the advantage of seeing more than endless hedges whenever we venture forth into the surrounding countryside.
Thought I would put up our plans which we have already started to implement. I will update this file as things progress. The ideas have come from a myriad of other sources most noticeably from some guys with a South African Landrover.
Oh and before any smart Alec, who has nothing better to do than make malicious comments about dwarfs in campervans, we are both 1.68m.

:rolly:

RichyB · Nov 26, 2011

Will be interested to see how you progress with this, in the process of doing a similar thing to my 110 csw using an old futon base for the bed.

Litch · Nov 26, 2011

Surely you are not considering sleeping widthways are you?

Normal thing to do in a SWB or 90 is to have a bunk that extends front to rear over the rear bulkhead and front seats (headrests removed and tilted forward of course), alternatively remove the centre bulkhead and use the fold-flat seat/beds from Dormobile.

POPPYRED · Nov 26, 2011

Agree with your suggestion but you are basing the presumption on users being athletic and under 40. If you delete that aspect from the equation - climbing up to a higher level is not within the regime of all senior landy owners - hence a lower bunk can be quite comfortable. However we have also accquired an Aztec Auto Haven tent which can act as an add on and can provide more spacious accommodation for longer stops than on the occasional overnight.

Litch · Nov 27, 2011

"but you are basing the presumption on users being athletic and under 40"

Well not really as the bunk option actually only sits at rear bulkhead height (it rests on it actually) so that is hardly high. In actual fact it is lower than the drop-down bed that my 81-year old father sleeps in in his A-class motorhome (my mother has the perminatly made-up double bed at the rear!) and he manages that ok, even getting out in the night for a pee!
Believe me, the bunk option is not a bunk bed as you might think of it and is actually quite a serious proposal, the solution has been around for years and is well established for SWB LR's.

Landyjd · Nov 27, 2011

Litch said:
Surely you are not considering sleeping widthways are you?

This was my immediate reaction too. The idea of a bed extending over the bulkhead seems sensible, perhaps a little more labour intensive, however sleeping widthways could also work. Personally, I wouldn't fancy sleeping widthways in my 90, it's really not that wide. Another possible option, though considerably more expensive could be to purchase a roof tent (assuming the ladder access wouldn't be a problem). This would certainly cost more, but if you could make the stretch I'm sure it would be much more comfortable, especially as there are two of you.

I look forward to future pictures of your progress, I have often wondered about how one might go about converting a 90 to a simple camper.

POPPYRED · Nov 27, 2011

I agree that an upper bunk is a preferred option if you plan to use the Defender 90 for serious use as a Campervan. The lower bunk gives a considerablly more restricted sleeping area but if the Defender is used with a docking tent like the Aztec Auto Haven then actual sleeping in the Defender will only occur as an emergency or if the weather is particularly inclemental.
My main aim is to insulate 'POPPY' against the elements and make her amenable for normal recreational use.
This is very much a job in progress as you can see from photo - one wall insulated so far.
I am keen to know how I can fit an RV battery and what sort of wiring is involved. I have read some very complex write ups on this forum aimed at engineers with Phds in advanced maths. Does anyone have some simple tips on what is wired to what so that I can boil the odd cup of tea in the back or fit a couple of reading lights.
The pics show: Work on POPPY2 today - Our series 3 POPPY1 at Driffield - The advert for tent Auto Haven - Lower and higher bunk options.
:5bparty:

Landyjd · Nov 27, 2011

Ah to live in the UK where parts are so readily available and you can even get tents to fit a Defender! Looks like that could be a good set up.

Just out of interest, what engine is in your 90, the 300Tdi?

POPPYRED · Nov 27, 2011

TD5 it is a 2001 Defender

nesponge · Nov 27, 2011

are you about 4 foot tall?

landroverjack · Nov 27, 2011

Why don't you find a 110 instead, that way you can lay outstretched in the back!

POPPYRED · Nov 28, 2011

Size matters

According to Wikipedia an average adult height in UK is 59 for a male and 54 for a female. On average one adult male 3 below national average or a female 2 above national average, takes up an area 52 x 24 curled up on his/her side in bed. Therefore two people of the same height should or could comfortably take up 52 x 48. The Defender 90 offers a sleep area of 64 x 44.
Comfortable is the operative word.

POPPYRED · Nov 28, 2011

Agreed but I am stuck with this gurt short wheel base monster that fits nicely in town traffic, is easy to park and does not look out of place down t' supermarket. But of course a 110 or why not a 130 and I'll reinvent the wheel while I am at it.

Litch · Nov 28, 2011

I seriously think you will find it uncomfortable trying to sleep within the rear load-bed of a 90, you may think you sleep curled up but surely you like to stretch out sometimes in the night don't you (I know I do)?

Back in the days when I had a 101 I made up a bunk that fixed widthways across the rear body sides (didn't want it lengthways as that was my living area) and although I am only 6ft tall and the body of the 101 is significantly wider than a 90 or 110 I could still touch the canvas sides with my feet & head when lying flat. Don't get me wrong, I had some very comfortable nights sleep in it but it was also very anoying.

Landyjd · Nov 29, 2011

nesponge said:
are you about 4 foot tall?

I think "some smart Alec" may have made a "malicious comment about dwarfs in campervans".

Thought that might happen.

POPPYRED · Nov 29, 2011

Deleted

sinclair182 · Nov 29, 2011

Good luck Poppy!

I considered doing something siilar but my internal roll cage killed that idea so im thinking of opting for some heavy duty tarpaulin an making an awning to keep the worst of the rain off then a tent underneath.

a 90 just seems a wee bit too small for me personally.

Nice pics im looking forward to more,

Mike

hext · Nov 30, 2011

good luck, I look forward to seeing this progress and might steal a few ideas for my 90...

lr110 · Nov 30, 2011

good thread, i will be following it to steal some ideas for my 110

Ham Salad · Nov 30, 2011

I am going to swap my discovery for a 110 hard top next year, to turn into a day van / weekend camper.
I used to have a VW Auto Sleeper coach built camper based on the VWT4 short wheel base van.
My plan is to turn the inside into a camper, but also have the bigger size,also obviously it will have the benefit of the 4x4,as most of my camping will be when I go fishing.
My reason for the post, is to possibly help anyone who is thinking of doing this is to possibly have a look on a forum called VWT4,this is a vw van forum and all they do is vans,BUT, they have a huge amount of posts, converting these vans into campers,and love posting pictures of ongoing conversions,and the ideas, and tips you could get and use, to what you might want to do is huge.
Just a thought.

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