I ordered a Defender today!!!!!!!

[ajctraveler]

Hey everyone, I wanted to introduce myself and say that I'm proud to say that I'll soon be the owner of a new Land Rover Defender 110 (Utility). I placed the order here in the UK (I'm from NYC), and I should take delivery at the start of November.

I'm preparing to embark on an overland tour of the world for a few years, and this is the vehicle I have chosen for the journey. Originally I was looking at a Toyota Land Cruiser 150, but I just couldn't get myself to love it. It seemed too much like it blended in at the supermarkets back home, driven by soccer-moms with their kids in tow. I know they're capable as anything, but it just didn't speak to me. The Defender on the other hand looks and feels like the right vehicle for the mammoth undertaking and I'm really psyched to take delivery and get things started.

So a little bit of background, I'm from NYC, spent the last 6 years doing the corporate/office thing and I finally got fed up and decided to hit the road full time. It's been four months in Europe so far with a leased Renault and the way I see it, it will be another few years at least before I am ready to settle down again. My last car was a 2012 Nissan GT-R, before that an 07 Porsche turbo, so going into a Renault Modus has been quite the transition. 630hp (modified) to 75hp isn't an easy downgrade. But I test drove the Defender and it really feels the part.

After I take delivery of the car in November, I'll either head to Southeast Asia or Africa, I'm sort of on the fence at the moment, but over the course of things, this car is going to be everywhere, so keep that in mind.

So, now that the major decision has been made and the car is being built, I would love some advice on what you all think should come next. I got quite a few factory options/accessories. But I'm sure there is a ton of aftermarket stuff that would be helpful as well. I've already measured out the interior and I'm sketching out some ideas for storage cabinets and a sleeping platform.

So, any advice would be appreciated, but what I am thinking so far is:

What add-ons are a MUST?
What add-ons might be helpful?
What material should I build the platform/cabinets out of?
What websites are best for ordering accessories?
Who makes the best refrigerator?

Also, I've been told that Land Rovers aren't quite bulletproof, so what known issues are there that I could possibly address before leaving, and barring that, what are some common problems that maybe I can best prepare myself for before being out in "the wilderness". Are there any specific spare parts or replacements that I should keep stocked? One friend was concerned about "electrical gremlins" in Rovers specifically.

I'm sure there will be more questions, but those are the ones off the top of my head.

Thank you all for the advice,

Tony

 

[Sirocco]

Hi Tony,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase There are a few known problems with the newer Defenders. Is the 2012 the 2.2L version?

Fridge? Engel, speak to Simon at MPS4x4 (http://www.mps4x4store.co.uk/)

Have a serious think about what you really need before speaking to ANY of the suppliers (OEC, APB trading, Devon 4x4, footloose etc etc).

If you need any technical advice I would join LR4x4 (http://forums.lr4x4.com/) they have probably the most detailed technical archive on the net.

Where are you based? If you want to get in some 'greenlaning' here in the UK give me a shout. Hopefully your not too far from Bristol!

We are hitting the road next year to

G

 

[czenkov]

Hey everyone, I wanted to introduce myself and say that I'm proud to say that I'll soon be the owner of a new Land Rover Defender 110 (Utility). I placed the order here in the UK (I'm from NYC), and I should take delivery at the start of November.


So, any advice would be appreciated, but what I am thinking so far is:

What add-ons are a MUST?
What add-ons might be helpful?
What material should I build the platform/cabinets out of?
What websites are best for ordering accessories?
Who makes the best refrigerator?

I'm sure there will be more questions, but those are the ones off the top of my head.

Thank you all for the advice,

Tony

First and foremost congrats on the Defender. To say I am not envious would be lying.

I have never been on a long term traveling adventure out of the U.S. Although I have done several North American extended camping trips 10+ days (which by no means makes me an expert) out of the GF's Fiat 500 (great gas mileage - go farther for less) with a tent, sleeping bag and "creature" comforts like a 2 burner stove, dry goods and a cooler - my one must have creature comfort is a JetBoil for coffee(and 5 wolf rims in the back!?!?!). I felt free-er than when I have thrown all my junk (and I have a lot since I fell into "the more gear the better" mindset) in the 90 and headed out for a 3 day trip. And it took a lot less time to pack! Nothing wrong with a lot of gear if you feel it is important to your trip enjoyment. I am rapidly learning more gear is not better for my application. My biggest challenge is keeping the beer cold.

And so I am rapidly embracing the KISS method of outfitting. Especially as I get further into vehicles. The more you change the more, potentially, can go wrong. Keep it light, and if you don't need a lot of comfort I know of people who travelled the whole of the Americas with nothing more than a stock 4Runner, tent, 1 burner stove, hand winch, and sleeping bag. They had more but there were no RTT's, lockers, fridges, or other extravagant creature comforts. They just got out and did it. Motorbike riders do it all the time so why can't we? More room doesn't mean we have to fill it.

There are a lot of Tom Sheppards Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide concepts that I am embracing.

Sorry, I am on this new kick of minimalism not only in my home life but now my camping/vehicle life. Saw this thread and had to comment.
That being said there are many people here that have real world "been there done that" experience and I am sure they will impart some worthwhile advice for what you are about to embark upon.

 

[MattScott]

I'd suggest a modest lift, a slightly up-sized tire, a simple winch bumper and a quality winch.

A fridge would be a nice addition—Engel, ARB, and National Luna, among others, make a good product.

Is it just you?

 

[MattScott]

I'd suggest a modest lift, a slightly up-sized tire, a simple winch bumper and a quality winch.

A fridge would be a nice addition—Engel, ARB, and National Luna, among others, make a good product.

Is it just you?

 

[haven]

Congratulations for taking the plunge! Even though the vehicle is a Toyota, I'd suggest reviewing this thread for ideas about how to outfit the camping part of your truck.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ears-Around-the-World-on-all-Seven-Continents

Here's a Land Rover specific thread that addresses many of the issues you face.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...amel-trophy-defender-110-for-around-the-world

Robert Kranz is a photographer, rally participant, and vehicle preparation specialist who participates on ExPo. You could hire him to help with your vehicle. Robert posts using the name Oilworker on ExPo. Here's his long build thread for a Defender 130 with portal axles.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/37713-An-expedition-truck-on-portals

Keep us posted on your plans and preparations.

 

[Toy-Roverlander]

Originally I was looking at a Toyota Land Cruiser 150, but I just couldn't get myself to love it. It seemed too much like it blended in at the supermarkets back home, driven by soccer-moms with their kids in tow. I know they're capable as anything, but it just didn't speak to me. The Defender on the other hand looks and feels like the right vehicle for the mammoth undertaking and I'm really psyched to take delivery and get things started.

You were comparing apples to oranges here. You should have compared with the 78Series LandCruiser, which is the heavy duty LandCruiser, not the soccer mom SUV. The 78 would be, in my eyes, a way better platform to begin with. But to each their own ofcourse.

Have fun planning and preparing for the big trip! It's a very enjoyable part, next to actually doing the trip itself!

 

[Timo K]

Congrats on the purchase.

I have a 110 Utility myself, though it's been converted from a Station Wagon, and it's an older 300Tdi.

My advice would be to keep it light and keep it simple.

If you're in the UK, speak to Foley's: http://foleysv.com/

Don't go to any 4x4 shops until you visit them. They're extremely overland orientated with a TON of personal experience.

Paul and Stuart Foley are superb guys and will not try to sell you stuff you don't really need, unlike just about everyone else. You need not go further. They'll set you up with everything you really need, and can give good advice about things you might not absolutely need, but just want.

If you go, say hi from Timo to them.

 

[ajctraveler]

Hi Tony,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase There are a few known problems with the newer Defenders. Is the 2012 the 2.2L version?

Fridge? Engel, speak to Simon at MPS4x4 (http://www.mps4x4store.co.uk/)

Have a serious think about what you really need before speaking to ANY of the suppliers (OEC, APB trading, Devon 4x4, footloose etc etc).

If you need any technical advice I would join LR4x4 (http://forums.lr4x4.com/) they have probably the most detailed technical archive on the net.

Where are you based? If you want to get in some 'greenlaning' here in the UK give me a shout. Hopefully your not too far from Bristol!

We are hitting the road next year to

G

Thank you.

Yes, '12 2.2L

I'll join the other forum now.

I'm going to be based out of the Defender, lol. Having said that, I will be taking Delivery in Canterbury and hopefully outfitting the vehicle here in the UK. So once I take delivery we can chat and potentially meet up, would be great to meet an enthusiast before I head out into the world.

First and foremost congrats on the Defender. To say I am not envious would be lying.

I have never been on a long term traveling adventure out of the U.S. Although I have done several North American extended camping trips 10+ days (which by no means makes me an expert) out of the GF's Fiat 500 (great gas mileage - go farther for less) with a tent, sleeping bag and "creature" comforts like a 2 burner stove, dry goods and a cooler - my one must have creature comfort is a JetBoil for coffee(and 5 wolf rims in the back!?!?!). I felt free-er than when I have thrown all my junk (and I have a lot since I fell into "the more gear the better" mindset) in the 90 and headed out for a 3 day trip. And it took a lot less time to pack! Nothing wrong with a lot of gear if you feel it is important to your trip enjoyment. I am rapidly learning more gear is not better for my application. My biggest challenge is keeping the beer cold.

And so I am rapidly embracing the KISS method of outfitting. Especially as I get further into vehicles. The more you change the more, potentially, can go wrong. Keep it light, and if you don't need a lot of comfort I know of people who travelled the whole of the Americas with nothing more than a stock 4Runner, tent, 1 burner stove, hand winch, and sleeping bag. They had more but there were no RTT's, lockers, fridges, or other extravagant creature comforts. They just got out and did it. Motorbike riders do it all the time so why can't we? More room doesn't mean we have to fill it.

There are a lot of Tom Sheppards Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide concepts that I am embracing.

Sorry, I am on this new kick of minimalism not only in my home life but now my camping/vehicle life. Saw this thread and had to comment.
That being said there are many people here that have real world "been there done that" experience and I am sure they will impart some worthwhile advice for what you are about to embark upon.

I'm big on minimalism and KISS, but just remember that if you had a fridge, you wouldn't need to worry about how to keep your beers cold. Having said that, I like the concept of being prepared for as much as possible. Obviously you can never be ready for everything, but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't try. I don't want to make anything high-tech, but I want to do my research knowing that many have gone down this path before and as Isaac Newton hinted, I can see further by standing on the shoulders of giants.

I'd suggest a modest lift, a slightly up-sized tire, a simple winch bumper and a quality winch.

A fridge would be a nice addition—Engel, ARB, and National Luna, among others, make a good product.

Is it just you?

Thanks

Yes, just me. Although friends will join me for small sections.

Congratulations for taking the plunge! Even though the vehicle is a Toyota, I'd suggest reviewing this thread for ideas about how to outfit the camping part of your truck.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ears-Around-the-World-on-all-Seven-Continents

Here's a Land Rover specific thread that addresses many of the issues you face.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...amel-trophy-defender-110-for-around-the-world

Robert Kranz is a photographer, rally participant, and vehicle preparation specialist who participates on ExPo. You could hire him to help with your vehicle. Robert posts using the name Oilworker on ExPo. Here's his long build thread for a Defender 130 with portal axles.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/37713-An-expedition-truck-on-portals

Keep us posted on your plans and preparations.

Appreciate the links, when I have some time I will read it all.

I will certainly keep everyone posted once I take delivery and start preparations.

You were comparing apples to oranges here. You should have compared with the 78Series LandCruiser, which is the heavy duty LandCruiser, not the soccer mom SUV. The 78 would be, in my eyes, a way better platform to begin with. But to each their own ofcourse.

Have fun planning and preparing for the big trip! It's a very enjoyable part, next to actually doing the trip itself!

I wasn't really trying to compare the two as like vehicles. Only in the sense that they were the ones I was considering.

I know that the planning doesn't compare to the doing. It's been 4 months in Europe so far, bungee jumping, running with the bulls, kitesurfing, seeing the beaches of Normandy, swimming in a cave lake.. the list goes on and on.

Congrats on the purchase.

I have a 110 Utility myself, though it's been converted from a Station Wagon, and it's an older 300Tdi.

My advice would be to keep it light and keep it simple.

If you're in the UK, speak to Foley's: http://foleysv.com/

Don't go to any 4x4 shops until you visit them. They're extremely overland orientated with a TON of personal experience.

Paul and Stuart Foley are superb guys and will not try to sell you stuff you don't really need, unlike just about everyone else. You need not go further. They'll set you up with everything you really need, and can give good advice about things you might not absolutely need, but just want.

If you go, say hi from Timo to them.

Thank you, Timo. This is exactly the type of shop I was hoping to get out of this post. I sent them a message and I'm waiting to hear back. I will let you know what happens.

 

[86inch]

Before doing ANYTHING, i can highly recommend that you purchase and read the Vehicle Dependant Expedition Guide by Tom Sheppard. Available in latest form direct from his own website here .

Depending on your trip, you are very unlikely to need too much in the way of fancy modifications and Tom will steer you in the right direction.
I wholeheartedly share his view that you should keep your vehicle as "factory standard" as possible. Lifts, aftermarket dampers, winches, etc etc are highly unlikely to be of any practical benefit (again, depening on your trip).

Due to my family, i confess i did go the other way, and converted my 300TDI 110 into a full-on 4-berth Dormobile, but the basic vehicle is still fairly standard.

 

[Antichrist]

If you have the time I'd do as little as possible to start while you drive the Rover around at least for a few months to shake out any factory bugs and get a sense of how you want to modify it.

Basically to start, a winch and tires. Something like 7.50R16 load range E for tires. For a winch you need to decide between electric and PTO or hydraulic. Personally, I'd go with the latter with a manual backup like a Tifor.
Depending on where you're going a winch might not even be on the list.
If you'll be traveling with another (winch equipped ) vehicle you having one is less important and just a Tifor would suffice.

I've no idea where you're planning on going exactly, but I'm willing to bet it's very unlikely you're going to really need a lift, especially if you have a winch. A lower center of gravity is probably going to be of more value than a lift and no matter how minor the lift it introduces more stresses, even if it's only on suspension bushings.

If you're new to 4WD you might want to consider a driving course. One that focuses more on dealing with crossing washouts and dealing with large ruts (and other things you're most likely to encounter in your travels) rather than hard core off-roading.

If you're traveling to remote areas and don't feel mechanically qualified look in to some basic vehicle maintenance training. Land Rover used to offer such a course (free IIRC) specifically for overlanders. I'd be surprised if they still do, but you could ask.

 

[ajctraveler]

Before doing ANYTHING, i can highly recommend that you purchase and read the Vehicle Dependant Expedition Guide by Tom Sheppard. Available in latest form direct from his own website here .

Depending on your trip, you are very unlikely to need too much in the way of fancy modifications and Tom will steer you in the right direction.
I wholeheartedly share his view that you should keep your vehicle as "factory standard" as possible. Lifts, aftermarket dampers, winches, etc etc are highly unlikely to be of any practical benefit (again, depening on your trip).

Thanks, I will read it.

If you have the time I'd do as little as possible to start while you drive the Rover around at least for a few months to shake out any factory bugs and get a sense of how you want to modify it.

Basically to start, a winch and tires. Something like 7.50R16 load range E for tires. For a winch you need to decide between electric and PTO or hydraulic. Personally, I'd go with the latter with a manual backup like a Tifor.
Depending on where you're going a winch might not even be on the list.
If you'll be traveling with another (winch equipped ) vehicle you having one is less important and just a Tifor would suffice.

I've no idea where you're planning on going exactly, but I'm willing to bet it's very unlikely you're going to really need a lift, especially if you have a winch. A lower center of gravity is probably going to be of more value than a lift and no matter how minor the lift it introduces more stresses, even if it's only on suspension bushings.

If you're new to 4WD you might want to consider a driving course. One that focuses more on dealing with crossing washouts and dealing with large ruts (and other things you're most likely to encounter in your travels) rather than hard core off-roading.

If you're traveling to remote areas and don't feel mechanically qualified look in to some basic vehicle maintenance training. Land Rover used to offer such a course (free IIRC) specifically for overlanders. I'd be surprised if they still do, but you could ask.

Unfortunately I won't have much time to spend in the car before venturing out, I will try to take a few weeks at least though. Just incase.

Thanks. I was planning on just getting the factory winch from LR. Is that a mistake?

I have already taken a decent off road course, so I'm comfortable enough with that. I do definitely need to work on my mechanics skills, or lack thereof. I will try to find something for sure before leaving. Thanks.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Be sure and post lots of pictures of the truck and your journey.

 

[Antichrist]

I was planning on just getting the factory winch from LR. Is that a mistake?

Ha! not gonna touch that.
There are a number of threads here addressing pros and cons of various winches. In a nut shell some people think it's a good winch, some people think there are better winches.
I prefer worm drive winches, but everyone has their own preference.
I haven't shopped for a factory new vehicle in almost 40 years so don't know if it's changed, but it used to be always cheaper to get accessories like that aftermarket.

 

[Timo K]

Unfortunately I won't have much time to spend in the car before venturing out, I will try to take a few weeks at least though. Just incase.

Thanks. I was planning on just getting the factory winch from LR. Is that a mistake?

I have already taken a decent off road course, so I'm comfortable enough with that. I do definitely need to work on my mechanics skills, or lack thereof. I will try to find something for sure before leaving. Thanks.

Like I said, Foley's.

They give very "Sheppardian" advice when it comes to overlanding. No lifts, no extensive mods, keep it as stock as possible. With the winch, depends where you're going if you even need one. Factory one will probably do just fine, might get a better deal on an aftermarket one, or alternatively a more specific design. I believe factory LR Winches are Warn's, so atleast a widespread, well known brand.

Foley's will also set you up with a spares package with everything relevant. Also, if you can spend a few days with them, they'll go through your vehicle with you and train you to do the basic checks and maintanance operations. Nothing beats the hands-on experience with experienced and well qualified people looking over your shoulder.

BTW, I'm not affiliated with them in any other way apart from just being an extremely satisfied customer. They're terrific people in a world of one-up-ism and overpreparation.