Defender Overland Touring Build 2.3 - Pop Top Camper Ready to Roam Australia

[@obedevert28]

Good job Bret. Just saw your video after a long time. Keep pressing on.

[@adelarsen9776]

Adventure before dementia. Keep moving, learning and experiencing. It's healthy.

[@mrsteel10213]

Wow wow Wow. im as excited as you probably are. Oh im sure you are. Happy travels

[@michaeloconnell4443]

I have been watching you for years and you are an inspiration to all of us watching from afar! 👍 Like you, I have a defender and can't think of a better vehicle for you. The pop top will revolutionise your expeditions and transform your experiences of overlanding that we can all enjoy watching. Please please keep posting videos of your adventures (which are among the most interesting on you tube) and I wish you all the best in your travels. Good on you for experiencing life and what it has to offer. I must say that I am seriously interested to see what your new storage system will be like. No doubt it will be as good as the rest of your vehicle.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks Michael! Keen to get back out there.

[@TerryManitoba]

That Pop-top is going to be such a game-changer .

[@davidlmeagher]

Brett, this video made me smile a lot. I’ve always admired your Defender but now it is such an awesome machine. Not only in appearance but also in its functionality and capability. You have many a fun adventure ahead and I look forward to sharing them all. Nice work mate.

[@paulsehstedt6275]

A pop up is the best solution, cause you can get more living space if weather conditions ask for it. Most LR campers are based on the five door STW 110", but I would prefer the three door HT with extra storage lockers and an extra fuel tank to avoid too many liquids inside the Defender. I would also go for a diesel cooker instead of propane. But that's a personal choice. You have been to great inspiration for me. Keep on touring!

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

very nice.i like land rover.

[@willcowell8197]

A fantastic addition to your land rover, the extra living space you now have will make a huge difference to your comfort, it looks brilliant!

[@robpinter5431]

Fantastic Brett, your Defender will be so much more usable now. I had a bit of a chuckle when you started the video in Brisbane...I thought....you are at your mum and dads place....as all sons go back home to work on their vehicles before traveling again.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

haha. indeed. My Dad's got all the best tools.

[@BikerBytes]

Imagine the difficulty in doing a build like yours in the new Defender, I can’t see how. Long live the old Defender 💪 Looking forward to your forthcoming adventures Brett. ATB Jason.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Pretty certain the New Defender would be impossible to do. Drilling holes is probably a nono for structural integrity, that and all the wiring hidden away.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

That is what they should have released - the old defender! I know there are problems meeting ADR, collision etc. but isn't that what engineers are for?

[@benatkinson3224]

Simply awesome conversion! What a huge difference it's going to make to your life on the open road! Enjoy Brett!!

[@raybulmer5707]

Fabulous, exciting and very well thought through. Can't wait for the field test.

[@khakicaptures5759]

Looks great Brett. Love the canvas storage idea.. works a treat under the bed platform. Look forward to your next outback vid,

[@kh1991]

New build is looking great. Looking forward to new videos with the new setup. Glad you got some new door hinges 🤙🏾

[@jimbojones2457]

What an absolutely magic build mate! I just love those pop top campers on vehicles like yours/troopy's etc. Don't even have to get out of your car in bad weather to go to bed!

[@kenmarapese9085]

The Defender looks good! What a game changer. Being able to stand up inside is huge!

[@ronachadwick7908]

Can you stand up?

[@mrjohnsonclarke]

Awesome mods. I love how the vehicle is coming along. I have similar plans for when the kids leave home but for now I will have to continue to towing the camper. Once upon a time we had the same model vehicles ;) (mine was a '93 200tdi, until I did a perentie chassis conversion)

[@Peteslife]

That’s good that they let you do some mods and even helped you with some of the other mods in their workshop.

[@kumbackquatsta]

exciting times, brett. and you can use those windows and pop top as a wildlife blind now

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Was thinking that only recently but would need to cut a hole in the fly mesh for the lens to fit through.. future mod perhaps.

[@razorbackseatcovers]

Unreal, love the innovation mate. Got to admire someone doing something a bit different!

[@waynedoeblin6801]

Gotta be happy with all that Brett,looks super as I’m sure you’ll agree,a game changer like you said,so much more convenient and comfortable,good onya mate👍🙂

[@Rick-FordGPW]

Looks really great Brett, well thought out. I’m sure your new setup will serve you well on your outback journeys.

[@armo7305]

Bret the Landy is looking awesome. Bet you can’t wait to get back on the road in your 5* hotel on wheels. Great build by the guys.

[@luket6334]

I love that car, I have a soft spot for defenders, wish I had one, but family comfort made me get something else. This car is pretty much my ideal setup, no extraneous stuff, just function! Just a suggestion for the camp cover, rattling zippers drive me nuts, so some heatshrink on the tabs helps to quieten them (I've done this on my swag and other places) Love the channel, keep up the good work

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks for the tip.. was wondering how they'd go offroad for noise.

[@ForemanAndWilmsAdventures]

Very posh! Looks great.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

I'll have a top hat and cane soon. Might refine me a little with all this comfort.

[@shannayt]

Living the dream Brett! Thanks for the great coverage as always.

[@LoneWolf-zw5yn]

That's awesome mate, cant wait too see you test it out in the bush, your gonna sleep so much better

[@alfredbennettwallis4677]

Can not wait to see the traveling with this new setup.

[@wanderlust332]

Looking good!

[@87xfute]

Excellent Brett, you won't know yourself now camping, at least once you get out on the corrugations everything will shake itself into position, haha. Seeya Rob....thanks for the heads up for the panels too mate !!

[@outbacknomad9939]

Great looking turn out brett

[@MrLangDog]

Awesome!! Can't wait to see how it performs in the bush!

[@BrianHewittThaibirdspot]

nice job.... shiny shiny...

[@ani4x4]

Amazing convertion!!! Congrats

[@stephenrogers9664]

It’s looking fantastic.

[@andyg611]

Awesome build and great videos. If an Epsom Green Discovery 2 beeps and flashes you in Brissy, don't worry, it's only me !!

[@UBRLND-X]

Awesome deal! looks amazing and I am sure will dramatically add to your quality of life, in living in the LandRover. i really like how the sleeping platform also raises up to allow you changing room and living space, in days where it is raining hard or the mosquitos are particularly evil. Enjoy!

[@steveberg2685]

Nice job Brett

[@TWX1138]

that fixed-frame first added looks like it would be an excellent place to bolt on a fold-out canopy, some exterior lights, or perhaps a carrier-assembly for traction-aids over the rear windows between the C- and D-pillars.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

yes most people bolt their large awnings onto it.. I'm keeping mine lightweight though.

[@rockbiterhd]

Good to see it all done . Happy trails and don’t forget the aeroguard

[@mrmagoo4897]

Looking forward to seeing the future internal build!

[@blairy81]

Mate, I absolutely love it. I was gutted that I wasn’t able to come up to Sydney on the Saturday to watch the install, my son and I came up on the Friday and checked it out, but you weren’t at the stand when we were there. The crew did an amazing job with all the work, and I can’t believe it all took three weeks. Really enjoying the videos, and always eagerly awaiting the next upload - keep up the great work 👍

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Sorry to have missed you mate.. was probably getting tucker. Thanks.

[@terryburnham8150]

nice job well done , the ol girls looking good.

[@bobbymulwee7641]

It's so rad that can be done!

[@petermenzies1714]

Hi, your defender looks great, a pop top like yours is my dream for my own 110 CSW of same colour. Thanks for all your videos.

[@SalvadorCalaf]

Great bed! well deserved! Love the hat holder.

[@SimonCush]

You had a great truck to start with Brett, now she's fantastic. You must be very pleased. Thanks for producing these videos, I do enjoy watching them (jealously) :-)

[@stephendimech7174]

Your defender looking great 👍 you are doing a great job man

[@georgedaniels3683]

Great conversion Brett. You won’t know what to do with the extra room now!

[@emu4wd]

So well done Brett. Thanks for sharing. Steve 🇦🇺

[@michellarson1020]

Awesome cool 😎 stuff.....can‘t wait u heading out again.........🙏🏻👍🏻👊🏻🙃

[@allanhaynes1599]

Well done mate, looks great, am envious. All the best.

[@mikefoley360]

Thanks for sharing, Congrats mate, that is looking top notch now. You should be very proud of that build,. Looking forward to the touches you add over the next couple of months.

[@TheRetroSeries2a]

ah that looks awesome! your travelling in style now!!

[@GregPalmer2]

Great overview of your rig,l am still building up my land rover county and one of my best improvements is putting in a remote clutch booster in,most of the mechanical side of the build has been done,l have still got the storage area to do which as you know is trying to figure out the best setup. I love them firestrikers and have read good things about them. It's important for everyone to know how important it is to carry a good medical kit and fire extinguisher on board. As you know being out there on the road has it's challenging situations.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

I've seen thoses booster around.. but I get a good leg workout on those long drives.

[@offingtheroad2246]

Dear Brett; First of all I really want to thank you for sharing your experiences with us... You are a great fountain of inspiration for me... I learned a lot from you and I am sure I will learn a lot in the future... I neither like fancy and heavy awnings nor have funds for that... So I am really curious about your awning system... Is there a plan for making a video including your awning system? Have fun and do not stop exploring... Hearty thanks and best wishes...

[@RoamingTheOutback]

I'll make a short video at some point showing the setup. Thanks

[@zoezoe610]

So much more comfortable for you

[@newport5504]

Camp cover looks great I’m gunna buy one my self

[@Pumped-koala]

That’s awesome brett. I love your setup. Looking forward for your future video’s with your new setup on your adventures

[@hooky613]

That looks great mate well done.

[@MADBONE0]

OH I REMEMBER YOU... this is the lithium DCS 100ah video I saw late year NICE WORK MATE 👍🏽👍🏽💪🏽 Ah so you did put it in the back 👌🏽 And finally gotten rid of those AGMs 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 power for weeks

[@elrey8876]

Beautiful - congratulations again on this conversion mate

[@jodywooten5511]

Awesome upgrades 👍

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man! Im a jeep jk guy own two, but i would Love to own one of those defender!

[@AJBAdventures]

very envious! one day I'll get a pop up roof on the 110!

[@davidtorcello3765]

Don’t worry about the extra holes, it’ll make the Landy lighter lol But awesome camper build... me very jealous

[@TheColourOfaRainbowatSunset]

Looks great, top work!

[@marceloa.lorenze7102]

Congrats pal¡¡¡ Ecxelent job Let´s hit the road now¡¡¡

[@autoglassmike]

Looks awesome

[@Geordie90210]

Really enjoyed the content, thank you for sharing! A lovely build.

[@gumbysenduro6546]

Excellent built Brett, its good when you can see your dream built come about. Im betting your looking forward to going bush again take care have fun :)

[@MarkSeberry]

Great job. Good travels

[@henrygreen19]

Looking good man. Nothing wrong with some improved comfort here and there. Stay safe :-)

[@lukelewin86]

nice!! mulgo ones look so much nicer on the defender than the alucab ones in my opinion

[@steveseiler8782]

looks great looking forward to the adventure cheers mate

[@nnoddy8161]

Mate - hope all is well. Would be interested in your views on the pop-top conversion a couple of years on? It would also be good to see a vid on your full set up with awning etc. Thanks

[@RoamingTheOutback]

still love it! So easy to set up camp. Will do a full video at some point.

[@Bandit_SkozzaAU]

very nice

[@faksen13]

Polycarbonat plate strips, should they dont be mounted lengthwise so wind will cool them more efficient when driving and less whistle sound.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

That's how they come in the kit. All the air flows right through them when driving. Haven't heard any whistle during the 1000km drive home.

[@TerryManitoba]

@@RoamingTheOutback Great idea - how wide are the polycarbonate strips?

[@RoamingTheOutback]

@@TerryManitoba 545mm same as solar panel width

[@TerryManitoba]

@@RoamingTheOutback 545 x ? X ? please

[@TerryManitoba]

just to be perfectly clear - 545 mm is the length of the strip - what is the depth of the strip? What is the depth of the strip?

[@patm5165]

Awesome!

[@johndiaz7240]

Love it!

[@jasonhowe1697]

you will have to know current draw if using lithium to power 230/240 vac inverter/converter Noting if dc-dc charger just because you might trip a switch to charge 2 separated batteries.. doesn't mean you actively isolated between both batteries on current draw.. 1 will flatten the other.. noting if you are running house power you are better off with the battery setup in series if running up to 6Kw inverter to power the 240 vac.. also note if you are going connect to shore power whether it be a gen set or mains power your inlet will have to be fused for electrical isolation..

[@donaldhalvorsen4135]

Looks great Brett. My bundutec will be in next week. Hopefully it’s as cool as your setup. Kindest regards Don in California

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Congrats Donald. Hope your build goes well.

[@mozaic_channel]

Possibly a Defender is not back pain friendly... maybe. It is the coolest Defender I’ve seen in video, we don’t get those in the states.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Probably not, especially on really long drives haha.

[@markgiles3373]

Brett, check out the Darche awning extensions/walls, they already use sailtrack and are 2.5 X 2.5. I reckon they would prob be cheaper than getting your existing ones modified.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks for the tip Mark. Already got 2 tarps modified for $100. Good to know when they wear out I have an easy option.

[@LFH02]

Great interesting vid, thanks for sharing.

[@MarcLaneAus]

Stressful time watching them build it with people around, that slatted bed looks good. Is there a lock on the gas strutts to lock them open? Incase of storm or similar pushing it down.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

No lock, but it does take my whole body weight pulling it down again.. won't budge in the strongest winds, but a large tree branch on top might bring it down.

[@noturaveragewatcher]

Can you do a video on the awning tracks you put on?

[@RoamingTheOutback]

They're just sail track. Standard stuff you can purchase.. but when I get around to a new film I can cover them in detail.

[@jetnavigator]

Can you imagine trying to do this to the new defender??

[@solarbuduk]

Do you remember the “safari roof” on the old series land rovers? A thin aluminium plate on top of the standard roof with an air gap in between, it was supposed to help cool the car. I’m wondering if your new solar panel arrangement will have a similar effect.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

it will probably help a little like my former solar system.

[@Phil_McAvity]

Very nice! Just looks a little saggy. Suspension lift maybe the next mod?

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Possibly. Maybe some rear helpers.

[@philhealey449]

Do you have the Boge strut ? My early TDI 110 CSW had one and very comfortable ride with soft springs and no sagging. Never saw corrugations though . Great ideas here! Lithium battery safety still worries me however and can't use for emergency jump starts?

[@garrymclovin4559]

Yes I agree, a little but not much.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

@@philhealey449 no, i have Koni raid 90's. plenty big enough for corrugations and LR f/r hd springs. My lithium is lifepo4. Plenty safe enough. Won't explode if battery cracked open, and yes will jump start up to 3000w starter motors with 1000cca.

[@philhealey449]

@@RoamingTheOutback All noted. Pleased to hear Konis are going well, I've gone for these on my G Military (300 CDI) as OEM ride quality dampers is far too stiff. Will research further on CCA for lithium, last camper truck had hugely heavy Varta lead acid which lasted 5 years plus with low discharge, I was toying with either low cost smaller batteries to junk quickly or Optima for present build, but they now have poor reputation with Mexican production. Lithium not cheap however. You have one of the best channels for info on radio and trackers etc. Rgds.

[@tomnscrubs]

The driver's window modification, Can you give a short video on how and why?

[@RoamingTheOutback]

That came with the car. It's a piece of Perspex cut to shape and screwed into the aluminium. It does cut down the wind noise and blasting of the face, and reduces some rain when windows down.

[@tomnscrubs]

@@RoamingTheOutback Thanks, figured that but best ask. Going to Daintree Rain Forest? Got to go there from America and only seen 1 Land Rover sadly, exmilitary rusting away along side the road. Beautiful region it is😊

[@RoamingTheOutback]

@@tomnscrubs yes went there in 2008.. have a video of my trip here. Not many LR around up there.

[@explorer8888]

22:33 Great video and great modifications! That hat saver is awesome. Homemade or do you have a link on where to get it? Watching from Puerto Rico.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks. I purchased the hatsaver off ebay.

[@TheSkskitey]

I like the pop up camper but can you lock it up or are the struts the only thing holding up , if a windy storm or came along i can see it dropping down with you inside . Over time the struts will weaken too . Love to see it in use on your travels :-)

[@RoamingTheOutback]

No lock, but it does take my whole body weight pulling it down again.. won't budge in the strongest winds, but a large tree branch on top might bring it down.

[@mikeluettig3327]

Hi There. Very interesting conversion. Would like to explore more on the pop up roof. How much did it finally costs you? All in? Cheers, Mike

[@RoamingTheOutback]

all up with the solar and bed around $13800AU.

[@mikeluettig3327]

Thanks a lot for that information. Enjoy your new fantastic rig. Cheers, Mike

[@garyjackson2890]

Looks great. Very comfortable. What do you do if packing up with wet canvas? Does the bedding get wet?

[@RoamingTheOutback]

I'll assume the canvas keeps the wet on the outside.. but will know once I've lived through a storm. Haven't heard anything from other owners on that regard.

[@garyjackson2890]

@@RoamingTheOutback thank you. I guess if you were worried you could throw a tarp over the bed.

[@anbu999]

Honda portable generator only weight around 25 kg and can run up to 8 hours for editing purpose.

[@robertdavis8646]

Where did you buy the solar panels?

[@sweatmanjim]

Hi! nice Rig! how tall are you? you have a living room... Wonderful looks like a good fit and it works easily!!!

[@RoamingTheOutback]

180cm plenty of room.

[@richardtedeschi9290]

Lovely home away from home, did you think how you're going to keep her warm when sleeping upstairs?

[@zeMasterRuseman]

electric blanket

[@RoamingTheOutback]

My sleeping bag is pretty good for winter. Hopefully won't be much colder then my previous setup.