AluCab Defender 130 Expedition Camper- Sold

Lucidless

Active member
$78,000usd


Its got the green light for import to Canada, Europe, and Asia- can be brought to the US on a permit, but buyer must do due diligence on that.

Defender 130 Expedition camper

A few months ago I set out on budling the perfect expedition vehicle, as I’m driving from cape town to shanghai. And I did so, but after the shakedown trip I realized I built too much rig for my needs. I was only using about ¼ of the useable space onboard the vehicle. So, I’ve decided to put Imi Ola up for sale and build another one but much smaller.

Truck: 1999 Defender 130 HD TD5

Camper: Custom built by Alu-Cab

Over the past three months I had this camper and truck fully rebuilt, everything mechanically has only 2000km’s on it, and the body of the defender is pretty much only original part to this vehicle. Due to local law in countries in southern Africa I had to add the "100" speed limit stickers, but the camper cruises at 110-120kph.. 65/75mph

Accessories:
  • Hot water shower
  • Built in air compressor
  • Built in propane stove
  • 80L National luna 12v fridge
  • X2 3kg propane gas tanks
  • X2 New aluminum 50L freshwater tanks
  • New 200w mono solar panels
  • 2000w inverter
  • 2 water outlets, one gravity and one connected to the pump
  • Tons of USB and 220v along with 120v charging outlets
  • Tons and tons of storage, along with hidden storage
  • Rear seat delete with huge locking storage cabinet installed
  • Rip stop upholstered discovery 2 seats
  • Custom leather wrapped steering wheel
  • New black headliner with added insulation
  • New STONE armor and skid plates
  • New Raptor lined roof, hood, bumper, and rock sliders
  • New HID 10K headlights
  • New Headlight housings
  • New CST (Maxxis commercial, and mining division) 33” tires
  • New 275 BFG KO2 Tires (fitted them but wanted more meat on the tires)
  • New Custom titanium 30mm wheel spacers front and rear
  • New fully strengthened frame, etc…

Mechanical:
  • New TD5 P18 engine- Bottom end
  • New AMC head- top
  • New Internals
  • New Performance silicone hoses
  • New 60% larger aftermarket intercooler
  • New Heavy duty (HD) clutch
  • New EGR Delete
  • New Heater box and radiator
  • New coolant lines and reservoir
  • New Injectors and injector harness
  • New Performance and eco duel mapped ECU
  • New 250L long range fuel tank, gravity fed in 2 tanks
  • New long travel tierra firma expedition shocks and springs 2.5" lift- also had caster correction done
  • New long travel connections
  • New Stainless oil cooler
  • New Upgraded larger transmission cooler
  • New Axles, seals, and fluids all new and replaced
  • New Drilled and slotted brake rotors
  • New breaks
  • Madman engine management system- old bar system with engine shut off delete
  • New National Luna dual battery system with 2 new engine batteries (wired to charge house batteries when driving- when parked house battery doesn’t take juice from the engine battery


And lots more, just finished a $35,000+ usd refit, I originally was trying to do this as a more budget build but that quickly went away when I got into frame strengthening, custom bumpers, winches, ECU upgrades, expedition long travel suspension, camper re-hab and custom fabrication for tanks etc.

The truck is also sold with a spares kit which includes pumps, hoses, tools and extra hardware. *Surf boards, and sleeping bags are not included*

Insurance replacement value appraised at 1.3 million rand/$90,000usd (Rand was R0.070 at time of appraisal)

I believe this is a good deal, as I did a couple ‘ghost’ quotes to builders in the US, Canada, and Germany, and was quoted over $134,000usd to build an identical setup, and I would’ve been required to supply the vehicle. For ½ the price of a 4x4 sprinter conversion or what early 2000’s E350 4x4 SMB are going for you can have a fully expedition ready defender that has been exceptionally upgraded and cared for. I also believe his is a safe investment as the price of defenders keeps going up, so when its eligible for import to the USA I think the buyer could fetch $90-100k+ for the vehicle. It is also rather fuel efficient getting around 9.8Km per Liter which translates to 23mpg, gets you 1,400 miles per tank of fuel, 2000+ miles if you utilize the 2, 20L Jerrys.

I can help assist with transferring everything, and even shipping if the buyer doesn’t wish to tour Africa first.
This camper is not eligible for import to the USA, but can be imported with the SA title and you will be given a 1-3 year permit to use in the states, at the end of which drive it to Mexico or Canada and apply for the import.
*any shipping, export, storage, added tax costs are the buyers responsibility *

Is fully eligible to south America, Africa, Europe, and Asia- buyer must also do their do-diligence and confirm eligibility with local port authority, DMV, and Gov.

THIS IS THE NEW COLOR (TWISTED BAHAMA GOLD)
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Last edited:

Lucidless

Active member
I had a full build thread on here, but deleted it about a month ago because some locals found out where my house is in Cape Town from the photos I posted and tried to hop my gate, but the neighborhood watch caught them and well.... Neighborhood watches here aren't the kindest to thieves.
 

370HSSV

Member
Sick rig! Good luck with the sale!!

I am curious about this, I see this from time to time and have no clue the reason behind it.
I always see people connect the end of rear mud flaps to rear bumper/frame, is there any particular reason for that?
 

Lucidless

Active member
Sick rig! Good luck with the sale!!

I am curious about this, I see this from time to time and have no clue the reason behind it.
I always see people connect the end of rear mud flaps to rear bumper/frame, is there any particular reason for that?

thanks! The chain keeps the mudflats from moving back and forth eliminating lots of wear and tear.
 

Ninelitetrip

Well-known member
Very nice. In terms of US import you’re speaking strictly of the 25 year rule? Is the engine block roughly of the same production time as the original? Reminds me a little bit of a certain South African who currently resides in Australia who built a fantastic machine which was a little more than what he wanted.
 

Lucidless

Active member
Very nice. In terms of US import you’re speaking strictly of the 25 year rule? Is the engine block roughly of the same production time as the original? Reminds me a little bit of a certain South African who currently resides in Australia who built a fantastic machine which was a little more than what he wanted.

yeah there are legal ways around it, it’s met the 21 year epa limit. The 25 years is for DOT, but if you have a dealers license, import on a permit, apply for it to sit in a show room etc etc. lots of variations you can choose from to do it legally.

Funny you say that, as I used Graeme’s a2a 130 and Andrew’s ‘dream tourer’ as inspiration for my build.
 

Lucidless

Active member
Apologies to all the people that messaged me interested, I had to make a visa run to Mauritius- I know rough. But will be back in Cape Town this Friday, where I can show the camper to anyone in person or via video chat along with taking any requested photos.
 

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