2012 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 EXPEDITION

This Land Rover Defender 110 Expedition Station Wagon is an incredible custom overland and camping build, which has been thoroughly enjoyed as intended but still presents very well. Under the bonnet is the 2.2-litre inline-four, which has been uprated to 160bhp, driving all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The odometer indicates 68,500 km (42,564 miles).

The conceivers of this bespoke build were a UK-based couple, both Land Rover enthusiasts, who dreamed of overland expeditions into the wilds of the African bush, using only the most reliable components and upgrades. After numerous trips to the country to scout suppliers and options, the decision was made, and they acquired a standard Defender 110 2.2 Station Wagon, which was first registered in January 2013 and at that time had covered 25,275 kms (15,705 miles).

First on the agenda for the expedition conversion - which became known as ‘The Melville and Moon’ build owing to the owners’ admiration for the luxury safari furniture brand of the same name - was to send the Land Rover to overland specialist Alu-Cab in Cape Town. There, in August 2016, it was given the most significant upgrade - fitting of the Icarus roof conversion. The original roof was replaced to provide a two-berth pop-up tent; one which was accessible from inside the vehicle, which was crucial given the predators that the owners might come across. At the same time, Alu-Cab installed a platform for the fridge/freezer, vinyl flooring; a Gobi X rear bumper with twin carriers for a spare wheel and Gobi X jerry can bracket. An Alu-Cab 270-degree Shadow Awning was also fitted to provide much-needed shade from the African sun.

In September 2016, the Defender was dispatched to well-known adventure Land Rover builder, Gateway Off-Road Centre of Wellington, SA. Among other jobs, the ARB winch compatible front bumper was installed, along with a WARN winch, long-range fuel tank, powerpoint for camping equipment, and dual battery fitment. The suspension was upgraded with airbag helpers and a steering damper, Stone guards were fitted for the steering components and front differential, the snorkel was installed, and a high-lift jack and mountings were also added. In July 2017, Gateway Off-Road replaced all of the coil springs with Terrafirma items.

The following year, in August 2018, the Defender was further enhanced by R&D Offroad in Brackenfell, SA. It received a significant bespoke fit-out of the rear section featuring custom side and rear drawer systems, a flat deck in the loading bay with space below for a lockable Alu-Cab drawer, a custom storage tray behind the seats, and black powder-coated panels to replace the rear windows. A Victron 375-watt inverter with 220-volt outlet was installed, along with an LED work light, Victron 15-amp battery charger, and Furrion shore-power input with a 10-metre extension. An Icom VHF radio was also fitted.

Particular attention was paid to the suspension setup at this point, to ensure the Defender could overcome the corrugations of African dirt roads. R&D Offroad installed Old Man Emu sport shock absorbers, along with a new Terrafirma double-shock mounting system, to add to the Terrafirma springs and integrated adjustable airbags, as seen in the photo gallery. The suspension is an area the owners were particularly delighted with; giving the Land Rover significantly improved off-road agility and composure, while also enhancing its on-road ride.

A raft of other camping equipment was installed during the couple’s ownership, including side ‘gullwing’ lockers, the fridge/freezer itself, long-range water tanks, an external camping tap, solar panels, an internal LED lighting system, and even a rear door mounted BBQ (or ‘Braai’). Off-road focused additions also incorporated twin long-range fuel tanks, driving lamps, an external ladder, roof-mounted shovel, MaxTrax recovery boards / sand ladders, external gas bottle mount, and a reversing camera.

The adventurous couple enjoyed their custom Defender over three or four years, taking regular trips to South Africa with the Land Rover proving itself as a rugged home-from-home. In total, they clocked up around 40,000 kms (~25,000 miles) on trips into Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. In between the owners’ visits, it would be serviced and stored at Gateway Off-Road, with occasional enhancements added, ready for the next adventure.

Last year, the couple decided to bring their trusted Defender back home to the UK, where all necessary taxes and duties were paid and the Land Rover was issued with its current registration number by DVLA in August 2020.

While the paint code correlates to Baltic Blue, the car has been fully inspected and the Havana Pearl finish is believed to be the original factory application. Furthermore, a specialist who has worked on this car in the past confirms they have seen a few other Defenders where the factory paint did not match the code on the plate.

Today, its bodywork and paint remain in remarkably good condition considering its expedition focus. There is minor sun bleaching and ‘crazing’ in the paint to the driver's door and offside front wing. The bonnet has also been resprayed in the past to rectify more significant sun bleaching. It shows the typical bubbling in the paint over the windscreen brackets, and also some minor superficial scratches in the paintwork, no doubt from brushing against undergrowth on its adventures. The Defender rides on 16-inch ‘Boost’ alloy wheels, which are all in great shape.

In the cab, the cloth seat upholstery presents very well, with no visible rips or tears, and only modest wear that you would expect given the mileage. The seat belts are slightly frayed - another common Defender foible - but could easily be replaced in the future. All of the custom boxes and storage units are in good working order, as shown in the photo gallery, with just some minor scuffs from expedition use over the last few years. There are no known electrical faults, and all of the camping accessories and additional lights are currently in good condition.

The last scheduled maintenance was a major service in March 2021 at 42,528 miles, carried out by Surrey Land Rover specialist SLR Automotive. Prior to this, it received another service in April 2019 at R&D Offroad, which comprised renewal of the engine oil, gearbox oil, and differential oil, as well as the engine oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter. The starter motor was replaced, and a new Gobi X rear bumper was installed. The aforementioned reversing camera was also fitted. In July 2017, all of the boost hoses were replaced at Gateway Off-Road, when the car also received its Terrafirma springs and another service. Since arriving in the UK, all of the leisure electrics have been tested and made compatible with the domestic electricity supply.

Its last MOT test was on 5 March 2021 at 68,240 km (42,402 miles), which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories or defects whatsoever. All wheels are fitted with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres, which are in very good condition with around 8mm of tread.

Accompanying the car are invoices and documentation for the range of off-road modifications and camping equipment upgrades - as well as servicing - undertaken by Alu-Cab, Gateway Off-Road and R&D Offroad in South Africa, as well as user manuals for the fridge/freezer and the Victron Blue Power leisure electrics. The original South African Certificate of Registration is also present, along with all import paperwork from HMRC and DVLA showing the VAT-paid status and UK number plate allocation.

This Land Rover Defender 110 Expedition Station Wagon is an exceptionally well-conceived and professionally built bespoke expedition vehicle. A full summary of all of the off-road and camping modifications is included below, but the extensive photo gallery brings all of the details to life. Having been cherished by an enthusiastic couple over more than four years, and put into use on some truly incredible overland explorations and African camping trips, this Defender has already proven its credentials, and is now set to surprise and delight another owner on their own adventures.

Camping upgrades:

• Alu-Cab Icarus Camping Roof Conversion - 2 Berth
• Alu-Cab 270 Degree Shadow Awning
• Gobi X Rear Bumper with Twin Carrier System
• Gobi X Jerry can Bracket
• Gobi X Rear Wheel Carrier
• National Luna Aluminium Fridge Freezer
• L/H & R/H Gullwing Storage Openings - Replacing Rear Glazed Side Windows
• Design / Manufacture / Installation of custom Gullwing storage system, R/H - For Recovery, L/H for Camping Crockery / Cutlery / Dried Food Containers
• Protective Tinted Window Film
• Switchable Interior LED Ambient Lighting to Cabin / Gullwings / Double Bed
• Multi Position Reading Lights and Charger Points Fitted to Double Bed
• Expedition Water Tanks and External Tap
• Mains Electrical Hook Up
• Under Centre Arm Rest Security Safe
• Boxed Fridge Slide - Rear Passenger Side
• Roof Mounted Solar Panels
• Roof Mounted Recovery Ladder Storage
• 2 x Matrax Recovery Ladders
• Flat Rear Deck - Replacing Rear 2nd Row Seating
• 2 Drawer System Rear Driver's Side
• Open Top Box Above Storage System
• 6 Drawer System Rear Load Area - Allowing Access to Double Bed
• Custom Storage Tray Behind Seats
• Custom Canvas Travel Storage Bag
• Victron 375W Pure Sine Wave Inverter with 220V Veti Outlet
• LED Rear Work Light - Switchable from Cabin
• Victron 15A Battery Charger
• Furrion Shore-Power Input with 10M Extension
• Icom VHF Radio
• BlueSea Manual Over-Ride Switch
• BlueSea 12 Way Fuse Holder
• Discovery Heavy Duty Battery
• Infra-Red Reverse Camera
• Flush Mount Foldable Dashboard Reverse Camera Screen
• Front Runner Recovery Shovel
• Front Runner Recovery Shovel Mounting System
• Rear Door Mounted BBQ / Braai
• Rear Ladder
• Gas Bottle Mount

Off-Road upgrades:

• Upgraded Old Man Emu Suspension Sport Shock Absorbers & Steering Damper
• Terrafirma Double Shocks Fitted to Rear Axle
• Terrafirma Suspension Coils
• Adjustable Rear Air Bags
• Twin Batteries / Charger (C-Tec) / Condition Monitor
• Electrical Installation for Leisure Electricals
• Long Range Fuel Tank
• ARB Front Winch Bumper / Bull Bar
• Warn Winch with Synthetic Recovery Rope
• Twin Driving Lights
• Steering Guard
• Differential Protectors
• Raised Air Intake (Snorkel)
• High Lift Jack Bracket
• Removable Tow Bar
• LED Headlights
• Smoked LED Wipac Side Lights / Brake Lights / Indicators / Reverse Light / Fog Light
• Aluminium Towing Electrics

Standard Land Rover features:

• Electric Windows
• Remote Central Locking
• Alarm / Immobiliser
• Air Conditioning
• Central Arm Rest / Storage Box
• CD Stereo
• Rubber Over Mats
• Boost Alloy Wheels
• 4 x Mud Flaps
• Fire & Ice Black Side Steps / Runners

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