Meet Larry the Landy. He is a 2008 2.4 TDCi Land Rover Defender 110 station wagon which has been newly converted (summer of 2023).

The conversion has been meticulously planned & completed to the highest quality with no expense spared. With countless iterations on CAD & drawings filling 2 sketchbooks, I wanted to design a bespoke, practical yet beautiful interior with a custom front cubby box. I spent hundreds of hours doing product research to create the ultimate off-grid overlander, which can take you to any place your heart desires! This defender conversion is truly one of a kind. I’ve been inspired by many other Land Rover & van builds along the way, however I found them all to be lacking in one aspect or another. Larry fulfils every expectation, leaving no box un-ticked.
Having previously converted a VW Crafter MWB during lockdown as a project, I found it somewhat limited where I travelled & I craved more freedom. I’ve always loved the classic Landy’s so after the sale of the van, I decided to take the plunge and buy this Defender… even though I’d never actually driven one myself & just turned 19 years old so it was a risk that I could even get insured on it, however, it turned into the best decision I’ve ever made!

Bought from stock, it was originally used in the MOD from 2008 to 2013 when a guy from British Gas bought it & took great care with it till I bought it from him in 2022. It was stripped back to the barebones with all original LR parts, 2 side benches in the back (which were on their last legs) and some very leaky windows… let’s just say it was a character from the very beginning!

I started by making Larry mechanically sound & spent a lot of time and money on parts & repairs so it was running smoothly before I started the build itself. (mechanical works listed below)

This Defender brings together the ultimate must-haves with the luxury of an Alu-Cab Icarus pop-top camper and the 270-degree Alu-Cab shadow awning, both fitted at Nene Overland in Peterborough. Having this is an absolute game-changer, especially when you’re doing a longer road trip as it creates so much more space inside the vehicle as the whole roof lifts, allowing you to stand up the whole length of the back.

Quality and durability are hugely important to me. With flush, countersunk hinges for the under-bench storage, a beautiful oak worktop and oak details that flow continuously throughout the build, and a large gullwing window which opens right up, allowing the outside in, but still in the shelter of your own little home on wheels. It creates a light, contemporary space to be enjoyed on a chilly evening with the roof up & diesel heater on, or a warm summer day with the awning out, windows & doors open, cooking a delicious meal on your drop-down table outside!

From weekend trips up to Scotland where Larry looks completely in his element, exploring off the beaten track and making even the most complex green lane sections look easy… to spending 84 days travelling through Europe, passing through 14 different countries, experiencing 4 extreme heat waves & facing zero mechanical issues the whole time we were out there… proud is an understatement!

I made sure, when designing this build, that you could live completely off-grid for 3-4 days comfortably (tried & tested in Europe). I felt this was very important as this vehicle’s sole purpose is to take you to these beautiful, remote places where no ‘normal’ vehicle can go, so I’ve equipped the rig with everything you need to do just that! And also, with the way I’ve designed the interior, it allows you to live very comfortably inside without having to put the Alu-Cab roof up if its awful weather or just too windy! This was an absolute must as I’ve seen so many Defender conversions where you can only access the worktable, cooker, or some storage units only once the roof is lifted. I also built a second bed as I felt it was important to have an option & I can happily say its (almost) as comfy as upstairs… just a little smaller! It’s also great when its very hot outside as you can lift the roof up, open all the windows and sleep below in the cooler section, whilst still getting ventilation throughout.

The layout of the build allowed us to live in ‘luxury’ as all we had to do once we arrived at a camp was to push the roof up (1 min job) and spread open the 270 awning (2 min job). Having the Lifesaver jerrycan on the side solved all of our water requirements. Even if you run out of water, you can just fill the jerry can up from your nearest water source and instantly have clean, safe drinking water. It also has a hose attachment which works perfectly for showering and washing dishes too! The 220W solar panel keeps Larry fully charged without needing to start the engine. In summary, this vehicle will not limit the time you spend completely off-grid, as long as you have food & a couple beers, Larry can supply the rest!

We’ve woken up to some of the most breathtaking views, as we were able to leave all the touristy camps behind and properly explore the landscape. This vehicle has given me more freedom & confidence than I could have ever imagined, I have truly never felt happier than behind the wheel of this Landy and I hope his new owner(s) get to feel the same!

Larry has inspired me to create my company called Liv Wilder, where I will be undertaking commissions for Defender conversions, whilst continuing to create unique and bespoke builds of my own. Sadly, this means the time has come to move on to the next project and so, with a very heavy heart, I have to say goodbye to Larry.

Love, Liv

More photos, videos on request. Happy to answer any extra questions you may have!

MECHANICAL

2008 2.4 TDCi Puma Land Rover Defender 110