Defender90 drivers comfort modifications help.

i have had a defender in the past, a 200tdi 110CSW that was a a total lemon sold to me by a very dodgy garage however i did fall in love with them and i am looking at getting a defender90 this time around as the LWB was more car than i really needed and it was a bit of a swine to take green laning what with its turning radii slightly less than that of the moon so im after something smaller like a 90 hardtop van. i got into and then out of a truck cab as there was no way i would fit comfortably ever.

now the issue i have, as many others have encountered is the lack of space behind the wheel for the larger amongst us and i am not sure what will be the most suitable option for me modification wise to make it practical for me at 5"6 with a very large build and a keg for a belly but i also have extremely short legs (27 inch) so the usual moving the seat up or back will, to me, seriously affect the comfortable driving position.


so far i am aware my options include:

1) part removal of the rear bulkhead replaced with a mudstuff removal bar possibly with the seat raisers as well.

Question. how much extra does this give me in real terms?

2) total removal of the bulkhead, i was shown such a modification at a localish garage on a clients vehicle and there appeared to be no support at all

questions
a) is this safe, legal and advisable?

b) will it get me much extra legroom considering the rear wheel boxes in comparison to the mudbar??

c) would a tubular support bar at tub level work instead of a bulkhead??

d) how does it affect carrying of stuff like scuba gear would a dog guard be advisable to prevent it joining me in the cab in the event of an accident

3) a smaller steering wheel. along the lines of 13-14 inch over the stock that i believe is 17 inches so simply making more space for belly to fit in

questions

a) does it affect the control of the vehicle much in any way? i never had any trouble in the 110 other than typical defender turn rad's

b) would either block the view of the console in a meaningful manner


i am also considering moving the handbrake from its present position to along side the cubby box with a RR classic handbrake for more leg room.

questions
a) again is this legal and safe

b) is it effective or just a faff for no real extra comfort

Many thanks for any replies

Just to add that I am also interested in the idea of moving the handbrake, as it really does cramp the leg space.

Has anybody done it?

Well, I'm 6ft 2 and have a 110 truck cab - the lack of space is amazing!
My long-term plan is to king cab the old girl - once I find a double cab roof as not into cutting various roofs down and stitching back together.

In a truck cab, it's not the bulkhead behind the seat that impedes the seat, its the actual rear window section and seat risers don't help - I know, I have tried - they also raise the seating position a little too high so you have to crouch down to see out the front (not helpful)

As you have a van, then the seat riser may work as you don't have the rear window section to stop the seat moving back / reclining.

I'm planning to change the seats in mine, regardless of how long it takes to find a roof, and have a couple of options:
1. The QT Services seat here: QT Challenge Seat Suitable For Land Rover - S1060 - Interior - Land Rover Defender 90 - Qt Services
They, according to QTS, make a vast improvement but others have said they are bloody uncomfortable for day to day use.

2. These ones or similar from GSM Seats: Cobra Monaco Pro FIA Motorsport Bucket Seat - GSM Sport Seats - Bucket seats, racing seats, motorsport seats, roll cages and harnesses

Both are non-recliner, so it will be a fairly upright driving position, which I don't mind too much.

So, I'd say seats are a good place to start - you have the added benefit that a decent seat, as opposed to a standard LR seat - will actually keep you from sliding around the cab!

i had stock LR seats in my old one and honestly i found them pretty comfortable even on long distance runs and never had an issue with sliding around even when i was doing silly stuff on local lanes.
honestly i doubt i will be looking at changing the seats as i find buckets are not designed with my build in mind.
asi said the truck cab is a definite no go unfortunately as that was what i really wanted

i should have said i am Sans truck at the moment and im simply doing my research into potential modifications at the moment to make it comfortable for me.

If you say where you are maybe you could try out some options....

I'm 6'1 and have fitted the std LR bulkhead removal bar and MGF seats.... Works for me though would like a smaller steering wheel but quite like the original style.

very good point i forgot to do that im in torquay

i must be the only person in the world that isnt bothered by the hand brake location and i am 6'1"

Must just be us tall people who dont mind it - Im 6'4" and have no bother with leg space and thats with sz14 shoes too!

Taking it on and off is a bit more comical, esp headbutting the steering wheel!

thanks for the replies. im thinking a PnP bar and a 13 inch wheel should sort me out quite nicely regarding internal cabin space with the possibility of adding "raisers" at a latter point if its not perfect

regarding the handbrake. honestly im exceptionally broad of build. i remember feeling my left leg being squished in by the brake on the 110 on longer drives.
its still something that i am considering as a possibility so my main concerns are legality of the modification.

smart car seats - revel in the comfort!

If you're short, you may not want to elevate yourself too far away from the pedals. You'll want to be able to get your full weight on the brake, right down to the floor. Those bucket seats John's looking at might be alright for an hour's competition but might be a bit uncomfortable to sit in all day. The handbrake is awkward. If I'm only stopped for a moment such as at junctions I tend to leave my foot on the brake pedal instead, rather than lean all the way down to grab it. A lever in a different position should be OK - after all, provided it pulls the cable hard enough to apply the brake and is securely fixed you should get through the MOT. After all, think of all the handbrake designs cars have had over the years - walking stick handles sticking out of the dashboard, automatic ones where you press a button and so on. I think the only problem would be if you went for a fully hydraulic handbrake mechanism, which is of dubious legality for road use.

thanks for that brown. as i have said im not going to replace the seats because of the one size fits no one approach to buckets.

the diff end of the system would be untouched its just the lever end that will be changed in the event i actually go through with it ill ask a few people who are in the trade .

flat said:

i must be the only person in the world that isnt bothered by the hand brake location and i am 6'1"

Click to expand...

I'm 6'4" and it's never bothered me.

Im just about to fit these rx8 seats this weekend into my 110 sw

ill be making them about an inch higher to clear the lip at the back so they can go further back
The drivers is electric
passengers is manual
And both seats are heated that will be through a relay

Seat Porn!

AND i can see even through beer googles the upper shoulder level supports will be far too narrow for me. nice n shiny tho

ok to reference.

you know "that" big guy who wont fit in airline mid seats by about 3 inches on each side? yeah that me

Paul_cavanna said:

AND i can see even through beer googles the upper shoulder level supports will be far too narrow for me. nice n shiny tho

ok to reference.

you know "that" big guy who wont fit in airline mid seats by about 3 inches on each side? yeah that me

Click to expand...

Ah, so you're the guy that always sits next to me on flights!

fitting rx8 seats is a ballache .. ive done it!

they are really comfy, but you have to move them inwards (towards the CL of the car) quite a bit as they are significantly wider

vilguy said:

fitting rx8 seats is a ballache .. ive done it!

they are really comfy, but you have to move them inwards (towards the CL of the car) quite a bit as they are significantly wider

Click to expand...

Well I first thought that but they seen to line up quite well
Drilled the old mounts off and using 25mm square tubing
as a sort off frame
bolting to the original rear mounts with longer bolts and the frame extending to the front so basicly bolt the seat rails to the frame and frame to the original bolt holes

thats basically what i did, its just that because they are so much wider you have to kick them over quite a bit.