The best landrover Expedition EVER

[zimm]

there come a time when the weight and wheelbase required dictate a move to the next level of vehicle. i think this is over that line. youd be better off with a sportsmobile. i can buy a cadillac with a better break over angle than that.

 

[Michael Slade]

Wow. I like the rear doors.

That truck might suffer from some body flex issues. At 138 inches it's really long. My truck at 145 inches has had the frame reinforce top and bottom and I still get flex between the rear body and the box. The flex issues will show themselves where the rooftop meets the windscreen. That is the weak point. It might have been addressed, but it might not have.

Is it a Nissan 2.9 in it?

I think it is WAY overpriced, but I also think that the builder has way more than that into it.

Also, not a big fan of the wood interior. Wood = heavy. Laquered wood on the dash is a bad idea IMO. Driving into the sun for hours on end will kill you.

But...all in all a pretty truck and well thought out.

 

[kellymoe]

Very cool looking truck but I just realised the roof is a continuous roof front to back and mot a separate cab and truck bed configuration. This would add to stress problems like Michael mentioned but also makes the interior noise level unbearable or at least tough to manage.

 

[michaelgroves]

there come a time when the weight and wheelbase required dictate a move to the next level of vehicle. i think this is over that line. youd be better off with a sportsmobile. i can buy a cadillac with a better break over angle than that.

Unfortunately, there's not a good solution to the long-vehicle problem. A 138" wheelbase is long, but not unheard of by US standards, surely? The trouble is, lifting the chassis (by any means) doesn't improve things much, and raises the COG. Frankly, the next "level" of vehicle, unless it's a Unimog or similar, probably won't be much better in terms of break-over, but bigger trucks (even 4x4) don't tend to be used off road, so it doesn't matter that much.

 

[kellymoe]

138" wheelbase is fine for overland travel, this truck is obviously not a rock crawler. My 130 has done some pretty tough trails and has never left me stranded because of it's wheelbase. The biggest drawback for me is turning radius, tight switchback trails can be a pain.

 

[Maryland 110]

I'm digging the leather trimmed seat covers what make are those and how do I get some ? The wooden capping/trim for the tray would be a neat improvement from the shiny black plastic crappy stock one. Have to agree with Graham on that upper dash though, that would have to go.

To answer your value question. A 1984 127 configured as a double cab with hcpu bed, retrofitted with a 300tdi drive train is coming over from the Uk sold to a gent in NY for $20k.

I emphatically disagree with Zooropa about the commonality/value of the truck here. There is a lot of custom work on this truck. Since all 127/130's are made by the Special Vehicles Division of Rover they are some what rare. 0This is a 138 ?

Doug Crowther
www.dividingcreekroverimports.com

 

[Z O O R O P A]

Hey Doug, how are you?

Good to see more Rovers coming across the pond!

Certainly 127/130s are more rare than 90s/110s but not all that uncommon. I see a handful every year for sale and they never sell quickly or for a lot of money. A very nice used 130 white with a 300tdi was sold out of Vermont 2 months ago for less than $20K I think it was like 12 or 13K in OK shape. As I understood it there was some haste involved in the sale

From what the OP mentioned about the cost of this truck in addition to its size, I was speculating that will make the already small market for these types of vehicles even smaller. Certainly enviable to many but few actual buyers. I would highly doubt any real return on his money in the US especially if he is paying English lbs and selling it in US dollars

It seems lately that NA 110s are available readily and the 110s that have been listed on the major sites; RN, LRX, Ebay, etc don't seem to fly off the shelf at prices below $15K US in decent condition ( US NA models or imports ). That isn't to say there have not been sales though

In addition, financing is tough these days and cash customers even more rare. Add the economic influence that many other models Land Rover or other are depreciating at alarming rates means that there is a larger pool of similar vehicles for record prices. I guess what that means is you have to find the right buyer

You know better than I since it is your business and I am greatly appreciative of your service. Fantastic news to hear of a 1984 127 for $20k!! It is tough finding a 300tdi installed in a used pre 1993 Defender that doesn't require extensive tlc for $20K or less. Not to say it doesn't happen

I hope the trend catches fire with every passing year and we see more and more 110s/130s on the road

Good luck and thanks for your service

 

[Maryland 110]

Make no mistake I agree whole hearedly that he would have a difficult time buying this truck for for around 100k US, shipping it here from the UK and making any money.

Financing is usually not an issue with 25 year old Rovers, at least the ones I have handled. In this credit crunch market especially.
You have to write a check for them, granted that may be a home equity line or CMA check.

 

[michaelgroves]

I've just been looking around at a few US Land-Rover-for-sale sites, and I'm not seeing anything like the low Defender prices that are being bandied about on this thread.

a) I'm not saying lower prices would be a bad thing - indeed it would be better for everyone if they were cheap!

b) I'm also not referring to the absurd prices being asked by several rather optimistic sellers. High asking prices mean very little if no-one's actually selling.

However, the overall impression I got was that Defenders, especially 110s (and 130s even more so), are still selling for pretty big money. I certainly didn't see any 110s for less than $20K. (Except for the sprinkling of existing RHD UK imports with dodgy titles, of course, as well as the plethora of hopeful UK sellers trying to offload their mid-eighties wrecks onto imaginary American buyers!)

Might be worth starting a thread to post sightings of typical For-Sale Defenders (as well as the bargains and rip-off!). Would be interesting to see how the trend develops over the next couple of years, too.

(I should have thought of that before I spent the time searching the web, dagnammit!) :cow:

 

[zimm]

Unfortunately, there's not a good solution to the long-vehicle problem. A 138" wheelbase is long, but not unheard of by US standards, surely? The trouble is, lifting the chassis (by any means) doesn't improve things much, and raises the COG. Frankly, the next "level" of vehicle, unless it's a Unimog or similar, probably won't be much better in terms of break-over, but bigger trucks (even 4x4) don't tend to be used off road, so it doesn't matter that much.

thats not exactly my point.

a D is a truck that is designed as a 90" wb truck, with the appropriate track, approach, departure and breakover. the departure and breakover incrase in a 110, but it works. in the 130 range, youre talking about a center frame stretch and crappy breakover, and youre into the league of larger trucks, like an econoline, that have a much greater track, and a much greater usable volume per foot. they can be lifted and wear 36" shoes with greater stability.

so, if you need a rig with the volume of an econoline, dont try to turn a jeep into one, cause it aint gonna work. just get an econoline.

 

[kellymoe]

thats not exactly my point.

a D is a truck that is designed as a 90" wb truck, with the appropriate track, approach, departure and breakover. the departure and breakover incrase in a 110, but it works. in the 130 range, youre talking about a center frame stretch and crappy breakover, and youre into the league of larger trucks, like an econoline, that have a much greater track, and a much greater usable volume per foot. they can be lifted and wear 36" shoes with greater stability.

so, if you need a rig with the volume of an econoline, dont try to turn a jeep into one, cause it aint gonna work. just get an econoline.

As the owner of a 130 I have to say your a bit off base. The 130 has a narrower track than an econoline and is quite nimble on the trail. While it wouldnt be someones first choice for a rock crawler I wouldnt hesitate to take it on the Rubicon if I had lockers or maybe even one. My truck has loads of usable space. Seats 5 adults and carries all their gear and then some.

The downsides of such a long vehicle is the turning radius which really comes into play on tight switchbacks. I have had little trouble with break-over and zero with approach angle. Departure is surprisingly good considering the overhang, when I do drag I drag on a massive tow hitch.

I have had a D90, RR Classic, Series 88 and 109 and a Disco 1. I consider the RR Classic to the be the best all around wheeler but for comfort and usability the 130 is hands down the most useful do it all vehicle I have ever owned.

 

[zimm]

if you like dragging a fully loaded adventure rig with a 130" wb over the rubicon, have at it. but you told me how nimble it was, and then proceeded to tell me how the down side is a wide turning radius. which is it?

and my point being, if youre willing to go with the downside of an un-nimble wide turning radius rig, you may just as well have comfort in the rear and in the cab, and a d130 cant hold a candle to a sportsmobile.


edit: the exception being someone 5'2 or shorter. but then again, that guy could almost walk upright in a 4wd van.

 

[Michael Slade]

My 145 is a rockcrawler. I'll take it anywhere.

 

[kellymoe]

if you like dragging a fully loaded adventure rig with a 130" wb over the rubicon, have at it. but you told me how nimble it was, and then proceeded to tell me how the down side is a wide turning radius. which is it?

and my point being, if youre willing to go with the downside of an un-nimble wide turning radius rig, you may just as well have comfort in the rear and in the cab, and a d130 cant hold a candle to a sportsmobile.


edit: the exception being someone 5'2 or shorter. but then again, that guy could almost walk upright in a 4wd van.

I like sportmobiles but they just wouldnt suit my needs. Many of my favorite trails that I do every year border on what would be considered a rock crawl and pretty off camber. I am guessing a Sportmobile has a higher center of gravity than my 130. If I ever did do the Rubicon I guarantee you my truck would not be fully loaded. I can handle the turning radius as a downside it simply means a few extra turns during a trip. A wider turning radius than another truck does not mean it is not nimble. It's not a D90 but for what it is the 130 is quite capable. It's not the be all end all but it meets my needs and that's what is important to me. Another benefit for me is that the 130 was pretty cheap compared to newer vehicles such as a Sportmobile. There are many great trucks out there and I have found mine.

 

[TeriAnn]

It's not a D90 but for what it is the 130 is quite capable.

No, its not a D90. The longer wheelbase is more stable in many different terrains and less apt to tumble over on a steep hill climb. There's advantages & disadvantages to everything. Unfortunately there are a number of people who post to the Land Rover section who seem to derive great glee pointing out and emphasizing any perceived weakness in the Series/Defender platform by pointing out how a different platform is so much better. As Kellymoe and Mike point out 130's are quite capable in their own right.

It's not the be all end all but it meets my needs and that's what is important to me.

Isn't that what is really important? Suitability to one's needs, capabilities and temperament?

There are a number of folks who post to this forum section that seem to have a little dog complex and need to constantly pick at things Series/Defender as not being as good as their favorite marques.

Phooey!! 80's, 86's, 88's, 90's 101's, 107's 109's 110's, 127's & 130's are all great legendary Land Rovers in their own rights. Each has its advantages & disadvantages for different uses. But the important thing is they they are suitable to the people who love them, advantages and shortcomings included.

If these rigs are not suitable to you, fine but why do you guys need to keep picking at them and trying to convince everyone else that other marques are superior? Why not just assume that the rig is suitable for the needs of its owner & just wish him or her the best of everything?

I don't mean to be a whiner but I get awfully tired of this being the Series/Defender land Rover bashing section of the forum and keep wishing there was a section where these vehicles could be discussed without people constantly pointing out that other marques are better. But are they more suitable to the people who own and love Land Rovers?