6 feet 6 inches and need driving space

Hi and thanks for reading
Advice would be appreciated.
I have just retired and have shed the corporate car.
I now have the chance to purchase a defender to put my bike,fishing tackle etc inside and enjoy a different driving experience
Last time I drove a defender I found it very uncomfortable.
How can I achieve more leg room and comfort?
Do all defenders offer the same space?
Is it possible to have an auto model?
Thanks in anticipation of your advice
Steve

If you did not find comfort them before I doubt it would be any different now with a standard Defender of any model. What model are you looking at?
But it is possible to make more leg space by fitting a bulkhead removal bar that allows seat to move further back. No standard auto model but conversions are done. Short wheelbase no good for bikes.

The only way is to mod a CSW and a good seat for the driver. The problem is visual of the windscreen as well as legroom.

As well as the bulkhead removal bar, you can get seat riser rails from the likes of Mud.uk which will give slightly more space. But due to the design of the defender, there is only so much that can be gained, especially for a tall person.

You can get a bike in a 90. My road bike, a large frame size, fits in with both wheels on, albeit with some manoeuvring. Otherwise, try a bike carrier and trailer board on the rear.

tottot said:

If you did not find comfort them before I doubt it would be any different now with a standard Defender of any model. What model are you looking at?
But it is possible to make more leg space by fitting a bulkhead removal bar that allows seat to move further back. No standard auto model but conversions are done. Short wheelbase no good for bikes.

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Thanks for reply ,have not decided on model yet bike not an issue as will take the wheels off

saxavordian said:

The only way is to mod a CSW and a good seat for the driver. The problem is visual of the windscreen as well as legroom.

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Sorry,what is a CSW,I am new to Defender

Knappster said:

As well as the bulkhead removal bar, you can get seat riser rails from the likes of Mud.uk which will give slightly more space. But due to the design of the defender, there is only so much that can be gained, especially for a tall person.

You can get a bike in a 90. ,y road bike, a large frame size, fits in with both wheels on, albeit with some manoeuvring. Otherwise, try a bike carrier and trailer board on the rear.

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Thanks for quick reply,will check out Mud,presume I could put a smaller steering wheel on to give more knee space,they don’t have airbags do they?
Bike will be ok with wheels off

cannondalerugby5 said:

Sorry,what is a CSW,I am new to Defender

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County Station Wagon

Col

cannondalerugby5 said:

Hi and thanks for reading
Advice would be appreciated.
I have just retired and have shed the corporate car.
I now have the chance to purchase a defender to put my bike,fishing tackle etc inside and enjoy a different driving experience
Last time I drove a defender I found it very uncomfortable.
How can I achieve more leg room and comfort?
Do all defenders offer the same space?
Is it possible to have an auto model?
Thanks in anticipation of your advice
Steve

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Sounds like a Transporter van or similar would be well suited to your needs.

cannondalerugby5 said:

Sorry,what is a CSW,I am new to Defender

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Country Station Wagon have all the modcons heater
Station Wagon hole for heater
Wagon blank cover for heater

Landrover delusional design office never forseen grenadier guard drivers without Busby. Most military adaptered the sunroof for taller drivers or while on official parade a cut through for the Busby.
A few taller chaps and former chap now wearing a ballgown adapt the seat rail and fit a smaller steering wheel.
CSW and sw let you back more than a wagon as the wagon has bulkhead behind the seat.
The other habits are splade legs, the giving birth pose, have driver from the mt section while you relax in the passenger side.

Another thing to consider if you are looking for more space is to swap out the terrible "modern" one piece doors for the old style series doors. this gives you a lot more width as the door is a lot thinner. the reason for this is you have windows that slide back and forth rather than go up and down so you no longer require a thick door for the window mechanism etc. This allows you to sit with a slightly wider leg position (as mentioned above) meaning the steering wheel is less of an issue and it also gives you room for you elbow which before is not there!

I would also add that unless you have a medical condition the driving position of a defender is something that you need to adjust to and get used to rather than try to change to be comfortable. Unlike a car it is a very upright driving position similar to sitting on a bench with legs bent down, car is far more of a reclined positioned with legs straight out in front. You will never get a defender to have the same seating position to a car and once you are used to the position it is very comfortable. I am now in the situation where I try to make a car seat as close to a defender seating position as possible as it is what I am used to and I find comfortable but I have had a defender as my daily drive since i was 18.

I’m about 6ft and it’s almost perfect for me in a standard defender but a bit of leg room would be nice. At 6ft 6 I would suggest looking at a discovery, a defender isn’t roomy enough for you to be comfortable they just aren’t designed for big guys like you

Discodevon said:

I’m about 6ft and it’s almost perfect for me in a standard defender but a bit of leg room would be nice. At 6ft 6 I would suggest looking at a discovery, a defender isn’t roomy enough for you to be comfortable they just aren’t designed for big guys like you

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Disco 1 or 2 are much better value for money too.

Turboman said:

Disco 1 or 2 are much better value for money too.

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Discovery 1 is pretty much non existent these days, there is not many about anymore, you may find a good one in Spain or something though, Discovery 2 a lot of chavs buy them and hold them on the redline making silly banging noises therefore a decent one is hens teeth and they are money pits too

Discodevon said:

Discovery 1 is pretty much non existent these days, there is not many about anymore, you may find a good one in Spain or something though, Discovery 2 a lot of chavs buy them and hold them on the redline making silly banging noises therefore a decent one is hens teeth and they are money pits too

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I paid 1200 quid for my Disco 2, ran it for three years, mostly towing trailers, the only money I spent on it was an idler for the serpentine belt and oil and filters.

Then I flogged it for 750 quid.