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I agree 100% Just bring over the current Defender in TD. LOL.
You are awesome!To Dream the Impossible Dream
or, my Defender wish list.
I hope it has coil springs over solid axles.
I hope it comes with three locking diffs from the factory and that I can engage them whenever I choose.
I hope there's an option to shut off the ABS-based traction control.
I hope it can be had with a diesel motor and a manual transmission.
I hope there is less than 5 miles of wiring in it, so that I can diagnose electrical problems myself.
I hope that the brake rotors are small enough that I can put 16" wheels on it, and that the wheel wells are big enough that I can fit 33" tall tires.
I hope that the suspension is such that I can fit any snow chains I want on the 33" tires without the suspension interfering.
I hope there's enough space under the hood and behind panels and such that I can hide a compressor, and an air tank, and a second battery.
I hope that the front bumper will accept a Husky 10 winch without it looking like an abortion.
I hope they put drip rails around the roof so that anyone can make an aftermarket rack for it.
I hope there's a dumb key instead of a smart key.
I hope there's a key switch instead of a start/stop button.
I hope there's a full size spare.
I hope Land Rover contracts with Safety Devices or Rover Racks or one of the other usual suspects to make a real cargo rack rather than a "luggage rack."
I hope the wading depth is decent.
I hope there's one sunroof, and no other glass on the roof.
I hope the sunroof will be steel and not glass, and that it will disappear into the roof instead of sliding back over it.
I hope there are easily accessible recovery points, or at least provisions for them.
I hope there are no stupid plastic panels that I need to remove before wheeling or else risk losing them.
I hope there is a class 3 hitch receiver, and that it costs less than the $450 I paid for a "Genuine" LR4 QR hitch receiver.
I hope there are no LEDS in the headlights.
I hope there are provisions for auxiliary light switches that don't look like an afterthought.
I hope there is a provision for mounting off-road lighting without cutting the bumper or other body work.
I hope the truck is simple and reliable enough that I don't feel nervous driving outside my cellphone coverage area.
I don't need leather, or carpet, or wood. I don't need more than 4 speakers. I don't need complexity. I need reliability. I need a sticker price low enough that I don't feel like an irresponsible ***** for taking it off road.
I know, dream on …
All of that would be nice, or heck, even a 1/3 of those "I hopes" make it to the real life Defender in the US. My guess is they will bring over the current Defender and add a bit of US luxury.
Those are quite lovely.
That would be great, and if it were the case I'd snap one up in a second, but I'm not holding my breath. Part of the reason for the redesign of the Defender is that even in its 2012 form it does not meet current TÜV or DOT requirements.
I have a '97 Defender which I love, but there are issues involved in owning a 15-year-old vehicle. While the mechanical parts are still available, many interior parts are irreplaceable, especially plastic ones. Likewise, many of the plastic bits and pieces under the hood, subjected to engine heat and petroleum-based fluids for a decade and a half, become brittle and are just lying in wait to strand the eager explorer. ECR does a great job redoing Defenders, but I can't imagine that they replace all those little plastic parts.
