The Land Rover Defender is an automotive icon and widely considered a pinnacle overland platform. Consequently, it’s the vehicle of choice for serious travelers, including our very own 4WD Senior Editor Graeme Bell. He states, “Our classic Land Rover Defender [130] has been working hard since the day it rolled off the showroom in South Africa 23 years ago. ‘Mafuta,’ as she is lovingly known, worked as a farm truck for six years before being rebuilt into our overland vehicle … Mafuta then carried my family around Southern and East Africa before being shipped to Uruguay, circumnavigating South America, and driving from Argentina to Alaska.” The long wheelbase 130 is especially desirable for overlanding since it was engineered from the factory as the hardcore workhorse of the lineup, boasting a longer 127-inch wheelbase, an uprated suspension, a strengthened chassis, and up to a 3,300-pound payload. Consequently, it’s the perfect fit for a camper build as demonstrated by today’s truly drool-worthy 1994 Land Rover Defender 130 by Sonoran Rovers. This stunning example was completely restored and reimagined from the ground up with premium aftermarket components (see the original listing for full details) and is topped with a well-appointed Alu-Cab Canopy camper. Since its completion, this rig has covered just 10,500 miles, and the seller discloses that it would cost over $250,000 to recreate (with over 1,000 hours of skilled labor and $100,000 in parts). Needless to say, if you’re in the market for a turnkey, no-expense-spared Defender 130 overland build, this is it. Learn more about the realities of travel in a 130 on the Overland Journal podcast: The Classic Defender for Overlanding.
From the Seller:
“At the beginning of our Sonoran Rovers journey, we purchased this truck to be a support vehicle for our tour company. The goal was to build a Defender platform that could drive comfortably on the freeway for six to eight hours with a crew of four and carry all the gear needed to support a trip of up to 20 people. After well over 1,000 hours of work and multiple adventures across the Southwest and Mexico, it is finally time for us to say goodbye to this build. This truck has been foundational in creating and building our business, but we’re excited to see it go to a new home where it will be appreciated as much as it has been here. For us to build a truck of this caliber again would cost well over $250,000 and take at least a year to complete. Don’t miss out on your chance to buy what is probably the most capable Defender 130 in the States!”
1994 Land Rover Defender 130
The Defender is fitted with a 2.5-liter 300TDI motor that, in stock configuration, produces 111 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque and is mated with a rebuilt R380 5-speed manual transmission. A dependable engine is matched with legendary capability, thanks to 4WD, high and low range, solid axles, a center locking differential, a rear ARB locker, armor, and a lifted and uprated suspension. Inside, these rugged backcountry attributes are balanced with driver comforts that include:
- Kens Customs Puma seats with leather and hunter check
- Ministry of Defender air-conditioning
- Sony double DIN stereo with Apple and Android Car Play and subwoofer
- Custom wooden dash
- VDO gauges
- Center console with cupholders
- Power steering
- USB and 12-volt power outlets
Distinguishing Features
- Full restoration with rebuilt chassis (stripped and chemically dipped with new outriggers and rear cross member), double-skinned chassis for additional strength, and new rear tub, galvanized Puma doors, bulkhead, roof, Puma bonnet, and glass all around
- Left-hand drive conversion
- Alu-Cab canopy camper (for 5.5-foot bed)
- Alu-Cab awning and Shower Cube
- One-ton wheels with BFGoodrich A/T tires
- ARB twin motor compressor
- Old Man Emu heavy springs and BP-51 shocks, Gwyn Lewis 4×4 steering arms, and rebuilt axles
- Rear spare wheel carrier
- Stainless steel chassis-mounted 20-gallon water tank with Espar Hydronic hot water system
- Deep Cycle Systems 200-amp-hour lithium battery, 180-watt Sun Flare flexible solar panel, Redarc Manager 30 and 2,000-watt pure sine wave inverter, BCDC battery charger
- All-new disc brakes
- Auxiliary stainless steel chassis-mounted 20-gallon fuel tank (41 gallons total fuel capacity for a 700+ mile range)
- Rebuilt LT230 transfer case with 1.2 ratio for freeway driving
This 1994 Land Rover Defender 130 is listed for $115,000 OBO and is currently located in Tucson, Arizona. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
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