The ultimate expedition vehicle

[locrwln]

Locrwin, that's a good point regarding access. On the plus side of a two-door design is less rattle potential, less dust ingress, and possibly a bit stiffer body. Some people say a two-door is more secure, but I don't get that one: A thief only has to break into one door!

With a camper top like this one a two-door style gives you room up front for cabinets and other built-ins along the sides.

I agree on the thief part, as the saying goes "the only thing that separates an honest person from a thief is opportunity". If they want it, they will get it. I can see the cabinets and other built-ins thing. See we are right back to compromise and what works for you. It's a tough thing to figure out.

 

[whistler110]

Hi. I'm new to this forum and have enjoyed reading your posts about my favorite hobby, vehicle based exploring. I am slowly building up a Defender 110 for long distance, so am biased towards that margue. My idea of the perfect starting platform would be a Defender 110 or 130 XD winterized. The 130XD Pulse, sorry I couldn't find a photo, would make a nice large camper or a 110XD for more off road. The 130 station wagons are nice to.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I like that 110, Whistler! Is that yours, or do you have any in-progress photos of yours?

 

[locrwln]

Very cool, I've got a soft spot for the LR's. I even happen to know where a 109 wagon is, just have to get the owner interested in selling and of course have the money. It would be more of a restoration vehicle just for fun, not an expedition rig.

Also more pictures. :jump:

 

[Scott Brady]

Hi. I'm new to this forum and have enjoyed reading your posts about my favorite hobby, vehicle based exploring.

Welcome to the forum. We are all exploration nuts and enjoy the journey more than the mode. Tell us more about where you have traveled and you expedition plans.

 

[CLynn85]

I've always loved the rovers, it makes me so sad that there is not more of them, nor a large part support base here. It brings tears to my eyes when I go into borders and pick up a copy of LRM or LRI and flip to the back to see series 3's going for just a couple thousand pounds and early defenders for not much more . I keep telling myself "one day...."

Whistler, welcome. We'd love to hear more about your 110 and where you're going/have been.

Man I shouldn't have started looking at the 4wd vans though, everytime I see a fedex sprinter go by I start thinking... lol

 

[whistler110]

I wish one of those were mine, especially Goldie. Goldie was for sale on Ebay in the UK about 6 months ago, it is one of three Defender XD Wolfs that LR converted for an expedition that never ended up happening.

The Blue 130 is one of Foley Specialist vehicles of the UK's conversions.

My truck looks about the same as when I bought it 2 years ago. It is my daily driver as well as a roling restoration/conversion project. I can't really afford these things but I love them soo much that I'm patient, so this will be a long budget limited project. I have been collecting parts when the price is right and repairing/modifying the basic stuff for the last 2 yrs. I now have a spare chassis that I want to galvanize, a better condition rear tub, a 200TDI engine, Disc brake rear axle, vented front Discs, extra fuel tank and a bunch of other odds and ends that I want. I've spent about $20,000cdn on it so far including the original purchase.

 

[whistler110]

I've always loved the rovers, it makes me so sad that there is not more of them, nor a large part support base here. It brings tears to my eyes when I go into borders and pick up a copy of LRM or LRI and flip to the back to see series 3's going for just a couple thousand pounds and early defenders for not much more . I keep telling myself "one day...."

Whistler, welcome. We'd love to hear more about your 110 and where you're going/have been.

Man I shouldn't have started looking at the 4wd vans though, everytime I see a fedex sprinter go by I start thinking... lol

Once they become 25 yrs old I think you will see more of them, there are quite a few of them in Canada and the parts support is good and getting better.

Most of my exploring was done when I was younger and by motorcycle, mountainbike or Land Rover. I spent every weekend exploring the backroads and ghost towns of BC. I also went as far south as Baja with the motorcycle. My wife has never done any exploring so I convinced her to give it a try with some day trips on local mountain dirt tracks and she loves it. This spring I'll introduce her to backcountry camping and see where it goes from there.

 

[Scott Brady]

I noticed the Border to Border sticker on your (very sweet) 110. Have you driven with them on any of the treks? I have one of their first videos. Cool stuff!!!

 

[whistler110]

I noticed the Border to Border sticker on your (very sweet) 110. Have you driven with them on any of the treks? I have one of their first videos. Cool stuff!!!

Unforunately no, B2B doesn't seem to be doing anything anymore. This truck was used by it's previous owner to do the Canadian portion of the Mexico to Inuvik trip. I think it's cool that my truck has done the whole Stewart Cassiar to Dempster highway to Inuvik before me.

 

[G35Vortec454]

G35

CUSTOM 1998 454 Vortec in a 79 Vandura G35 Dually B+ RV, 4L80E, BW4470/2.72-underdrive, ARB switchable 4.10:1 differential locker, 19.5 Rickson wheels, 34-inch 14-ply Bridgestone M724s.

25-gal fresh water system; cassette toilet; 5KW inverter; 4-battery bank; dual alternator; 160W solar panel charging; microwave oven; kitchen; propane stove; 6-gal electric water heater; table and chairs; bed for 2 (and 2 more on the floor ; on-board air compressor; split-type air conditioner; DTS dolby-digital theatre/music system.

 

[ChuckB]

me like :drool:

 

[TRDFAN]

CUSTOM 1998 454 Vortec in a 79 Vandura G35 Dually B+ RV, 4L80E, BW4470/2.72-underdrive, ARB switchable 4.10:1 differential locker, 19.5 Rickson wheels, 34-inch 14-ply Bridgestone M724s.

25-gal fresh water system; cassette toilet; 5KW inverter; 4-battery bank; dual alternator; 160W solar panel charging; microwave oven; kitchen; propane stove; 6-gal electric water heater; table and chairs; bed for 2 (and 2 more on the floor ; on-board air compressor; split-type air conditioner; DTS dolby-digital theatre/music system.

That thing is AWESOME!!