Land Rover Defender 90

Stigomery · 21 April 2016, 09:32

So, it's coming to the point in my life where I satisfy my life-long desire for a Defender - I've always wanted a 90 however I'm nervous about getting all the kit in because they ain't big (and i'm not keen on a 110). By my measurements there is only about 4mm difference between the depth of the loading bay and the full length of my Honda 20Hp OBM...

So any Landy 90 owners out there comfortably get their SIB/engine/equipment in the back?

Thanks

Fenlander · 21 April 2016, 10:10

We've had S.II, IIA. III and 90 all in SWB... but never when boating. There's an easy answer we've used before though to making the most of the loadspace without just chucking everything in a heap...

Make a loadspace shelf just above the height needed to clear the outboard. You can do this with 18mm interlocking loft floor panels which (from Wickes) are about the right length to go widthways across the wheelarch boxes. To get the height you need to clear the outboard on its side just add a rail of 4x2 (or whatever thickness is needed) sitting under the chipboard on the boxes.

Then the outboard can go under the shelf on the floor slightly skewed if needed to get it in.. obviously you'll carpet the alloy floor to protect the outboard. You'll be able to pack other kit around the outboard and then the packed boat can go on the shelf you've made.

willk · 21 April 2016, 10:12

I was running a 110 Hard Top as my boating support vehicle. The load bay was over 6' and frankly I have to say that I'd dread having to made do with the back of a 90 - they're tiny!

Another aspect is that the back of a Deafener is fairly rugged and I've holed my SIB twice when it made rubbing contact with rivets/checkerplate/random projections. You'll have to pack VERY carefully.

Stigomery · 21 April 2016, 10:12

Nice one - thanks again Fenlander... seems I could pick your brains on more than just boating if/when our paths cross in the near future.

Stigomery · 21 April 2016, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Another aspect is that the back of a Deafener is fairly rugged and I've holed my SIB twice when it made rubbing contact with rivets/checkerplate/random projections. You'll have to pack VERY carefully.

Hmmmmm - I'd not thought of that! I was well aware that it might be a bit more tricky loading the back due to height of access compared to the estate car we run currently, but less thought given to the less than refined load space.

Max... · 21 April 2016, 10:16

Long time Landy nut here - although our 110 was nicked before Christmas (long topic on that somewhere). Basically a 90 is tiny in the back, if you have family too forget it. I've had various SIII's, 90's, 110's, Disco's down the years and the 110 is above all the best all round utility Landy. We've had 14 people in ours or 4 people and 4 bikes inside or 4 people plus all the holiday gear/sib/engine etc. The only way a 110 suffers is in being a little less capable off-road (more extreme stuff).

Having said that prices for the best Landy's (last of the line 300tdi) are pretty silly now. Our '98 CSW was worth about £10k when nicked. We replaced it with a 300tdi Disco - and seriously this is one of the best Landy's I've ever had - same 300tdi engine, same 4x4 running gear/chassis/drivetrain but stupid cheap at £1100 (with years mot - don't buy without one as all these old Discos' die due to MOT/corrosion failure being un-economical to repair). So nearly 1/10 the price - sure it's not a utility Landy that my heart loves but the early Discos are near classic now and it came with 2" Terrafirma lift, snorkel, HD bumper, erg mod/pump tweak, full leather, tons of room inside for family and gear, so much more comfort, 30mpg+ average but goes like a train - nicely battered and scarred bodywork and now with steels and MT's is as good off-road as my old ex-MOD 90 softtop.

The 110 is not that long really, all Landy's look bigger than they are but are narrow and a 90 is the same length as a hatchback. However, the space is set up differently in a Disco - *much* more legroom for the rear passengers (second row 110 seats are really kids only except short journeys) and less boot space (100" wheelbase of course) but 2/3 split seat work great so you can still carry two out back and loads of gear. Or if only two of you fold down the back seats.

Sadly biggest issue with owning a Defender right now is not having it nicked - epidemic rate of thefts and the No 1 most stolen vehicle pro rata numbers out there.

Max... · 21 April 2016, 10:22

Forgot to say the SIB goes on the roof inflated always anyway - except for annual 150 mile trip to Devon...

Fenlander · 21 April 2016, 10:27

You'll be fine on the chipboard shelf for not damaging the SIB but Willk's right about the size of the loadspace. We used ours for horsing around over some 15yrs and folks with Volvo estates could get more hay in the back than we could in a SWB.

But if it's an itch you have to scratch... of course an old Discovery is more roomy and far more comfy???

***Edit: Coincidental post with Max but it's true... an old Disco makes far more sense in almost every aspect***

Funny you should post about the LR as...

For some time now I've run an older interesting car and the Mrs something new/newer/more economical. My current car is 14yrs old and after 2yrs with it we'd wondered about a change... if only for change's sake.

So we live just a 2min walk from a LR specialists I've known for over 25yrs.... and they have just got one just like this in at the sort of budget we were thinking of... stupid thought perhaps but it keeps drawing my eye...

Stigomery · 21 April 2016, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

of course an old Discovery is more roomy and far more comfy???

If I wanted space and comfort and economy and ... well, i won't insult you with an answer

That is a very, very long standing itch!

Stigomery · 21 April 2016, 10:42

I think I need to go and have a proper measure and experimentation with a 90... with 3 in the front and potentially 1 in the back it might work...

Max... · 21 April 2016, 10:43

There's nothing like an old utility LR but you have to 'want' one and many people don't 'get' it once they try them! Personally I could never see myself being without a 'proper' Land Rover - in that I mean anything Series/90/110/Defender/Classic RR/MK1 Disco. As for the Freelander/post 2000 Disco/RR etc forget it. But a Mk1 Disco (which is a Classic Range Rover with a different body) will do *anything* a Defender will do for truly a fraction of the cost and can still be very 'off-roady' and utility like if you want to make it that way.

Max... · 21 April 2016, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stigomery

I think I need to go and have a proper measure and experimentation with a 90... with 3 in the front and potentially 1 in the back it might work...

Been there and done it (three in the front one (wife!) in the back with gear falling all over her, freezing to death and wet on the long haul through France - canvas roof!) but the one in the middle was six or less. Really a 90 is a crap family/hauling vehicle!

Stigomery · 21 April 2016, 10:45

Max, you know this is never going to be a rational discussion, it's like arguing with the wife, you'll never win no matter how hard you try to lay out the logic, facts, truth, etc...

;-)

Fenlander · 21 April 2016, 10:51

Just for interest here is our old Discovery... a never messed about and super clean 200TDi... Mrs F still says she enjoyed travelling in that more than any other vehicle we've owned... I wouldn't go quite that far... as purchased it was a roly poly thing... and after I'd fitted a genuine LR F/R anti-roll bar kit every bump connected with your seat bones.

Stigomery · 21 April 2016, 10:51

So long as I have a ball hitch i can stick the SIB on the bike rack which should leave plenty of room (famous last words)

Max... · 21 April 2016, 10:51

Your wife needs to love them too!

mick · 21 April 2016, 10:55

Imo if you really want a Defener get a 110 or if you want a proper Defener a 130 😁
90 are so bouncy and lack room but as above so nick able at the mo but I could give you some security pointers

Max... · 21 April 2016, 11:03

Kids a bit older now but still loving the green oval:

Stigomery · 21 April 2016, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max...

Your wife needs to love them too!

My wife already hates them (although she's never been in one) so that is not being factored into the equation...

I'm really not sure about a 110... it just doesn't do it for me... I know that they are infinitely more practical, but as above, I'm not sure rational argument will sway this one.

Fenlander · 21 April 2016, 11:08

Here's our 90... a 2.5 non-turbo diesel cab version. Chose the cab style to cut out all the hay dust that would float through with the previous SWB series models and to keep the heater output in a smaller area. We could pop off the Ifor Williams back in a couple of minutes to load larger things that wouldn't have fitted through the door of a normal back.

That one was a working vehicle to us but it was so much more civilised than the previous Series models.