You asked us why Land Rover Defender...? Wonder no more. (Ep135)

Why did we choose a Land Rover Defender to travel the world overland???
We can't tell you how many times we've been asked this question. If you still have any doubt after watching this video we would be surprised...
Connecting with the Land Rover community around the world adds another element to this journey that cannot be explained until you've experienced it for yourself.
When you drive a Land Rover you are not just driving a car you are driving an iconic piece of history that brings with it an international extended family of passionate owners.
We wouldn't change it for the world!
If you enjoy our videos and if you would like to support our work, we have a PATREON account.
Become a PATRON and be part of the adventure.
Thank you very much.
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GrizzlyNbear MERCH (T-shirt, stickers and more)
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Music : Epidemic sound
Join us as we travel the world overland, exploring the cultures and traditions of all the countries we visit.
In our Land Rover Defender camper which is our full time home we will take you rock climbing, hiking and exploring across all the continents on this planet.

[@Reaper4367]

G'day Leigh and Steph. You pair inspire, through unbiased views and an eagerness to explore, travel and discover. true ambassadors for peace and friendship. Thank you to all the wonderful land Rover owners for extending their hospitality and smiles! And you even made that Tojo welcome! ;) . All part of the same extended family. 4x4 galore! Much love to you all, from Marie, Brett and (our pup) Lola!

[@leighdearle5965]

Hello guys Thanks for the kind words. Always great to hear from you 😊 Mate you got that right, one big international family 😉

[@otiskareem6043]

Sorry to be so offtopic but does anyone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost my password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@felipebishop9145]

@Otis Kareem Instablaster ;)

[@otiskareem6043]

@Felipe Bishop i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@otiskareem6043]

@Felipe Bishop It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thank you so much you saved my account!

[@masahiroonuma1543]

Thank you for the wonderful movie. It was a very good memory for us. We love Land Rover. No DEFENDER No Life.

[@AntonKramer]

This channel is the best Landrover promo ever! and Leigh + Steph are the best ambassadors for not only the brand but also for the Landrover Community.

[@secpac58chichi]

actually I think just the opposite - it really shows land rover died after 2016

[@gme273]

I’m old school I owned a series 1 LWB station wagon 5 door 1956 107 inch model for 25 years, it was a Love/Hate relationship,for me LR died when they bought out the series 2, but now I’m a traitor to the cause, in 2019 I bought a Ford Ranger diesel ( wash my mouth out with soap and hang me out dry ). PS. I still get goosebumps when I see a series 1. 🇦🇺

[@AntonKramer]

@@gme273 I owned several LandRovers and Range Rovers, and yes I agree it is a love-hate relationship for sure. Landrovers are the cars we hate to love and love to hate :)

[@gme273]

Anton Kramer G’day, What I like best about the series 1 any fool including me could fix them in the field and get your self home, last year I bought a Ford Ranger mmm nice car all bell and whistles grrrrrrrr, If it shits it self your stuffed, call a tow truck I got rid of my LR in 1919 and went in to a Nissan Urvan, wow I could hear the radio had a heater that worked and dry when it rained, all up 2 Nissan Urvans, 4 Toyota’s HiAce. Best thing about my old Land-Rover was it was old and ugly I tend to like old and ugly -- probably why I married my misses!!

[@OverlandingwithBruce]

Hi Leigh and Steph. Absolutely awesome video. Amazing that defender drivers are the same all over the world and why I love mine so much. Steph your video’s are becoming more amazing week after week - move over Spielberg!

[@thomasmaitland1368]

What a lovely up lifting video. Being a fellow Defender owner, one of the things I love about it is all the random people who start up a conversation with you, on the campsite or even grocery store car park. It really is a great world wide club.

[@leighdearle5965]

Absolutely and the reason we would never choose another vehicle 😍

[@BGreat2]

Car clubs are fantastic. The Defender owners are committed to their vehicles! Great times for long time memories. Thank you! Safe travels for you.

[@raymondallo9947]

Just love the Defender family. I am so happy we have a 110 Angry Puma and a 90. My 18 year old daughter only wants a Defender. Driving the Defender is just the happy place for us.

[@jGraffi]

the magic of traveling.....meeting new people

[@daz6937]

What a amazing meet up

[@michaelf.h8507]

Great to see this Japanese Land Rover Community with the nice Hosts and the stunning countryside . All the 110's look immaculate !

[@edwardmilsom4760]

Another great vid, I look forward to seeing each adventure. I don't believe there is another vehicle family like the Defender one. All the best.

[@worldofflowers2960]

I can watch your video's whole day love both of you from AFGHANISTAN

[@kevanharding9716]

Don’t own a landrover but love them, they have such character that draws them to you.

[@Guss96]

There is nothing like the Land Rover Defender community as a global family, it's incredible to be part of. 😊 I love how respectful the Japanese culture is of each other, and the genuine interest they have. And Doggos, i liked the doggos too! Another great episode!

[@seanslattery2535]

Thanx a million for the mention my friend..once again a stunning video....Cant get enough of seeing you guys here.

[@themechanicslab]

Oh my! The Toyota KZJ78 Landcruiser is my sought after vehicle and will eventually import one from Japan. So yes Stephi, you're right. They were only ever released in Japan. And what a beautiful car.

[@stevestott3652]

So awesome seeing the love of Land rovers every were you go in the world . No other rig and there owners are so in to the life style that a Land Rover brings out in people . The sharing And helpfulness of there owners is unbeatable . Loved this video cheers for another superb video yet again . from Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A.

[@fredrikmudas]

The manager is goofy. Love that guy vibe

[@christianstauch2909]

hello you two. my name is christian and i live in Brazil. I bought a defender 110 and I'm riding for expeditions through South America. You are a huge inspiration for me, besides being fun and full of life.

[@leighdearle5965]

Obrigado 🙏😉

[@enlil3510]

Excelente! Tengo un Defender 110, y lo disfruto mucho al conducirlo por dónde vivo! Saludos desde la Patagonia austral Argentina.

[@holgermuller2987]

You guys are legends ! It is so much enjoyable to watch your vids. Never seen a better vid and community as in Japan with the LR. Even rain doesn’t matter much. Guess that LR thing is unique. Enjoy your extended stay in Japan. Cheers

[@marcoskloeppel3680]

Hello, this is Marcos I'm from Brazil. I love your videos, you're very charismatic. Thank you very much, and congratulations.

[@leighdearle5965]

Obrigado 🙏😉

[@nickboylen6873]

It’s great seeing the friendliness and enthusiasm of the Japanese Land Rover enthusiasts. It makes the idea of a road trip all the way out there so appealing. The blue of that TD5 that you are so keen on is Arles blue (Windjammer on the Discovery) and was used on late 80s and early 90s vehicles, and the painting g of the wheel arches and grille/light surrounds was specific to County models at the time, just in case you were considering it as a colour whenever yours needs a respray

[@DuckSherminator]

The Japanese people seem so nice ! Watching your channel has really made me want to visit that part of the World a bit.

[@dongoldney]

Absoulitky loving your Japan trip so friendly so nice. Brings tear to My eye

[@kyrylkrytsun5298]

Amazing video! Love your trips :)

[@gilliandearle9771]

Another great, enjoyable video. Always a joy to watch you two happy Jackies. ❤️❤️😘😘

[@leighdearle5965]

Thank you 😘 I hope your buying dad his morning tea from us today. IOU 😜

[@scumpert]

It's so great to meet people from different cultures around the world - good onya guys!

[@danlucas4190]

Landrover Defender for life!!

[@greatsouthernoverland]

That was a great episode:) a brilliant bunch and that jaffle iron rice cake mmmmmmmm! Thanks for sharing

[@willardr100]

That looks epic. Blown away by the Defender community in Japan, what fantastic bunch. Those red 110’s have a certain je ne sais quoi pour moi!

[@runesteinsnnkristoffersen5641]

Good video , nice people and happy Land Rover`ing :-) That`s why I`m in the Land Rover family ! Hi , from Norway

[@williamsrkurt]

This episode was so good. It's so fun to see yall meeting new friends along the way.

[@jamesb8467]

I’d trade my 80 series right now for that 77. Too bad they never made it to the US. Beautiful Defenders too. That black 300 tdi is incredible!

[@soufyenbouzakher1766]

Never do this

[@jamesb8467]

soufyen bouzakher why not?

[@gerdacoonan7250]

That was just awesome from every angle !!. Cheers and stay safe.

[@billynunns]

So glad you're in Japan. Definitely have changed my perspective of the area. Meaning, I had no idea Japan had this much beauty. I always thought it was more city

[@loickdu09]

Incroyable cette communauté Defender au Japon ... et tout leurs modèles sont en parfait état !

[@robertadair6612]

Your positive vibe is contagious, bless you both! :)

[@sreeraj8227]

Really amazing & waiting for next episode. Congress both of you.

[@jimmysando99]

Wow! they really do keep their vehicles in top-notch condition in Japan! You don't see TDi/TD5 Defenders like that in Australia anymore. Another great channel I watch religiously is Mighty Car Mods and they're often travelling to Japan tp purchase cars because even if you can buy the same car here, you'll find a better one there! Awesome stuff guys! Land Rover family is real!

[@leighdearle5965]

Thanks Jimmy 😉 I see you've met me old mate Ted 😜 He's like a shunned lover that won't let go 🤣 This bloke seems to think we're sponsored by Land Rover... That would indeed by nice although the chances of Land Rover sponsoring us to promote a discontinued vehicle of 4 years could be a little slim... 🤣

[@sierramantrvlnus]

So many smiles, looks like a wonderful time.

[@TheChristeepher]

Thanks for posting guys. Great video as usual. Regards Chris (Uk)

[@billyvz]

Great video, and enjoy following your journey

[@davids.4760]

There are so many things in life that require effort, seem absurdly difficult, and cause trouble where they need be none. Just about every meaningful thing we do is harder. These are precisely the things that engage us with life, community, and satisfaction. Why would anyone pick up a bow instead of a gun? Drive when they could fly? Make their own spaghetti sauce from scratch? Travel in a Defender rather than a Toyota? It's not a question that anyone who is engaged with life has to answer.

[@boymeetsbush8232]

Another excellent video. I am a LC guy, but enjoying the LR get togethers.

[@robertj.ritchie2979]

Watched every one of your videos. I was wondering if you guys canceled shipping your rig when you were going to ship it since you can't go home yet? Love watching your adventures.

[@leighdearle5965]

Yes we cancelled the shipping to Australia.

[@DonegalOverlanding]

Another smashing video, so glad your Japanese trip was extended. It's kind of like being in Scotland, it rarely stops raining!

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

So much rain for weeks and weeks. Still raining right now.

[@hors.santiers]

You guys are really having fun in Japan - gives me some perspective in the way of life there ... keep safe 👍

[@davidmscott4409]

I miss Japan, such great people

[@rogerwileman9965]

You guys are living the life we would all like to.

[@laplumetrotteusetv5800]

living the good life in these troubled times ! you're doing awesome

[@rjl110919581]

thank you for detail video as great watching

[@penguin242]

Bwa.... Part of the charms and look of a defender, in all honesty, I didn't missed the defender during this holiday. We traveled for five years with our defender, before that with a discovery III so yes we do know what's it like 😉. But now, with our Ford transit awd we can travel 100% camping free, have hot water, cooking at ease in or out door, shower, camping overnight either in the city or at a desolate place on a lake... All possible. And with an odd vehicle, you always attract people. Had this year as many people asking questions about Dexter as we had with Olli. There is not only a defender community, but also, a much larger, van travelers community. And yes they are as friendly and open as the defender ones 😉 Despite some advantages, traveling with a defender has a lot of disadvantages. Many you only come to see when you travel otherwise, but still free.

[@leighdearle5965]

Our camper has all of the things your Transit has other than the inside shower 😉 The cool part is it's carried by a Defender not a Transit 😜 You're right the camping / overlanding community is a tight group but nothing is the same as travelling in a Land Rover. I've been travelling for the last 20 years in all forms of overland vehicles with the last 7 years in Defenders. Toyota Land Cruiser, camping car, vans, offroad trailers, even a Harley Davidson all over Australia... Come to think of it I even travelled and lived out of a 1970s Ford Transit for some time 😜 Nothing compares to the Land Rover community in fact nothing even comes close 😉

[@penguin242]

@@leighdearle5965 you don't need to tell me about the LR community. I drove for 20 years with series, Defenders, range classic and discovery. What I currently experienced is that van travelers have pretty much the same open mindset.

[@flysoutbackadventures]

Great video 👍. Keep up the good work

[@gen_eric]

Coucou de Suisse. Merci pour ce partage. Cette communion grâce à une passion identique permet vraiment de se sentir à l'aise immédiatement avec la personne inconnue jusque là ... on a envie d'en faire partie ... c'est magique ! Bonne suite à vous 2 ... heu ... 3 (véhicule compris ...) ;O)

[@Celica465]

Great Gathering 👌✌️✨

[@patricebarrois6797]

Encore une superbe vidéo pleine de joie et d’amitié dans un paysage magnifique 😊

[@richardsmt990]

Si je pouvais je mettrais 10 pouces bleus tellement j'aime vos vidéos. Félicitations. Richard

[@gme273]

For me Grizzly N Bear is about the lovely young couple Steph and Leigh, who are on a world trip, using a Defender Land Rover and a Grizzly Slide on camper as home, they are gracious enough to take me with them, to see far away places I would never have seen in my wildest dreams, so if their getting payment for prompting this or that good on them, for me it’s entertainment of the highest order,as I can sit in my arm chair tell them we’re they went wrong, and how to do it better Hahahaha, you know today we all have the opportunity to go out do the same as this young couple, but like me we’re mostly gutless wonder. As Australians would say ALL Piss & Wind. Big fan from Australia 🇦🇺

[@leighdearle5965]

Thank you my friend 🙏😉 As always kind words from you. We don't get paid for promoting anything no matter what some people believe 😜 In fact if you are getting paid you must announce it at the beginning of the video. It seems some bloke reckons we're sponsored by Land Rover... That would be nice indeed although the chances of Land Rover sponsoring us to promote a discontinued vehicle seem a little far fetched 🤣

[@gme273]

Leigh/Steph we ozy’s have a saying: If you never never go, then you never never know. Most of us this includes me See too scared, to frighten, but if the sky falls in, I might get run over or whatever, to have a go, life is a mystery we don’t know what’s around the corner, it’s a part of life good or bad, there is no return ticket, so what you miss out on today is gone for good. SOFwFR .🇦🇺 PS Steph/ Leigh do what like doing, and Ignore the critics or the would be’s if they could be’s

[@gme273]

​@@leighdearle5965 Leigh my young friend, thank you for the reply, As stated before most of us me including me, are too lazy to get off their backsides and have a go, But very happy and quick to criticise and pick up on all your faults ( unlike me pure as driven Snow ) Leigh & Stephy in 2000 I went on a road trip from Sydney to Darwin via Alice Springs, Did 6 Agricultural Shows on this circuit, as an itinerant seller, meet the most fabulous of people ----------------- Leigh, me your follower, Tolerate you ( Hahaha ) and Love your Stephy, if you Kids make money on or from your adventures go for it, it's your own time,Disregard all your Faceless critics, your a Fabloius couple doing a great job with good cleanentertaining us followers, Top Marks ------------------ SOFwFR

[@bxl_lad9952]

Better baton down the hatches, seems a typhoon headed your way... could be an interesting next video! Stay safe ;-)

[@garthlee8166]

Japan a real pleasure their camp sites carry on the awesomeness in hospitality and having a really cool Landy community, I would really like to visit. just from this video

[@themartiandefender2128]

So glad you guys have stayed in Japan a little longer as never realised how many Defenders they have there ! Wish I could visit in my Kawasaki Green Defender too !!

[@leighdearle5965]

That colour is awesome! You would be popular here 😉

[@themartiandefender2128]

@@leighdearle5965 as a Kawasaki man all my life I'd love to visit there ! One day maybe !! Safe travels to you and Frenchie !

[@desertchild3550]

Another excellent post.

[@marcovalenzuela4177]

That was Fantastic mate

[@kinanthiasmara2984]

New episod, thank you 😍😍

[@jeanepaulsoliva8039]

so nice camp site! this will be on my list. Hope we could meet someday here in tokyo :D

[@antoinepion4459]

Superbe vidéo comme d'habitude 👍, un vrai plaisir de vous suivre chaque semaine. C'est vrai que la communautée Land Rover c'est vraiment quelque chose d'unique, merci de nous faire partager ces moments, prenez soin de vous aussi 🙂

[@FearlessOnFourWheels]

♿I have asked this question to many a pair of legs stick out under a Defender. In 18 months overlanding Africa, we met many and they all love their Defenders. I am a Toyota Hilux driver.♿

[@gme273]

Leigh and Steph, Stick with your Defender, I had my Ford Ranger services today and had the opportunity to look underneath whilst on the hoist, I was not impressed at all, Front Diff appears to less than half the size of the rear diff, right-hand part of the front axle housing is cast aluminum, I have no one to blame as I was the buyer of this vehicle, it's bright and shiny and has all sorts of bells and whistles, at night when you open the driver's door every knob or button lights up except were you put the key how wonderful is that, It will see me out, and it's my 2nd New Car in 55years GRRRRRRR SOFwFR Big fan of BNB from Australia 🇦🇺

[@JpanLIFE35447]

Lovely community me also live in japan 🇯🇵 i love japan

[@whenopportunitycomes8718]

Very cool episode.

[@nnoddy8161]

Nothing beats the Isuzu 4BD1 3.9 from the County and Perentie. Best engine to ever go into a Landy.

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

I love Land Rover fc from thailand.

[@jdenmark1287]

As you folks probably already know, once they stopped importing Defenders into the USA in ‘97 the prices started to climb. They are now worth as much as the new defender but can go for over two times that price. RHD models which are now legal to gray market import are still worth half of the new defender price even if untouched as in completely tired. The Nipponese are so wonderfully friendly and kind.

[@donewhiskey]

14:42 In N America, those are used to make toast, over a fire. I've never thought of rice, but damn if I'm not going to try it now.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Don't forget soy sauce (towards the end) And "shake" it well to "compact" the rice. It will be crispy on the outside.

[@shaungilmartin1505]

lets face it LR Defender is an investment portfolio now....appealing as a couple and representative of the Brand ethos that you are.

[@kerkol]

I have a land rover discovery 1 with 300 tdi engine. I think it is the best engine for the job for it has no electronic gizmos.

[@peterjuhasz5143]

I own a similar vehicle, D1 300Tdi for 7 years. I'm absolutely in love of that off-roader!Great help for me at work because it pulls heavy trailer very well, take my family into some off-road trip, etc.etc. Great vehicle!

[@LandersWorkshop]

Many people agree, Disco 1 and Defender is where it's at.

[@gman8606]

Keep traveling stay safe and sound. A question about the dogs, was Steph taking the dogs for a walk or was the dogs taking Steph for a walk 😉🤗👍💐

[@grahameroberts8109]

I hope you are safe from the Typhoon. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽👍🏻💪

[@leighdearle5965]

Thank you yes we are in the far north 🙏😊

[@overlandsubaruinternationa2378]

good job again

[@CaptainOccitanie]

je kiffe toujours autant ! merci la bis à vous deux ;)

[@Adam40642]

Landrover owners are all very social, specially with other landy owners

[@ahmed_aljohani21]

Your follower from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

[@ahmadzakyfaishal]

Suzuki Every for light camper, so cool

[@Simonandisla]

Fab 👍👍

[@nichflint4717]

It's good that your flight cancel was in Japan, lovely place and people.

[@leighdearle5965]

Everything happens for a reason 😉

[@brucema1492]

Hi... where can I get the wind deflector for my 2003 110? Please let me know. Thank you

[@denissavescu]

Happy defender family

[@sikanderkhitran8731]

NICE VIDEO I LIKE IT

[@kiplambel4052]

We can't even get them here. Can't get "Troopys" either.

[@Truelulucrn]

Superbe vidéo ! Ça donne envie de rencontrer les japonais ils ont l’air tellement sympathiques !

[@tejanmomin]

like watching your videos

[@PabloP169]

Any idea when/if you will get back to Oz.

[@num351]

so beayifull

[@noah786]

Looks like a lot of fun. By any chance did you get the name of that small black minivan style camper?

[@leighdearle5965]

Yes we did mention it in the video. It's a Suzuki Every 😉

[@dozzy19]

Great videos as usual ,glad your having a good time despite not being able to get to aus. Can i ask what music tracks you have put on this video?

[@leighdearle5965]

We find all of our music on Epidemic Sound. Sorry we don't list the individual songs anymore as it's very time consuming... Have you heard of the app Shazam? This listens and identifies music 😉

[@dozzy19]

@@leighdearle5965 ahh yes great idea I have shazam ,ill use that thanks

[@leighdearle5965]

@@dozzy19 if it doesn't work let us know and we'll try to find the specific artists for you 😉

[@jackie44chan]

Can I get some detail for your awning? I find as long long time😖

[@mmp9733]

Bro first viewer I also like to travelling keep it up 👍

[@InputCity]

TD5 ❤

[@donaldridley7826]

I love the Japanese. Such wonderful people. And they have good taste in cars. Are there no 90 models? I assume you are still on the Hokkaido island? I haven’t been there. I’ll have to go next time. @defender_don