Find of the Week: 1989 Land Rover 127 Overlander

Want the ability to go just about anywhere? And then once you're there stay for as long as your food and water hold out? This might help. It's a 1989 Land Rover Defender with a twist. An interior from the Rover modification specialists at Exmoor and a whole lot of camping gear.

The Land Rover story started way back in 1948. After surprisingly few updates in the decades that followed, it was completely redesigned and then rebadged in 1983. Called the 110 and the 90, the names referred to the length of the wheelbase in inches. The changes included more than just dropping the notch in the nose of the Series models that came before; there were wider axles underneath and coil springs replaced leafs, offering more suspension articulation and an improved ride. The four-wheel drive system was replaced, offering a two-speed transfer case and a locking centre differential. Thanks to some updates, the cabin was transformed from horribly uncomfortable to just mildly bearable.

In addition to the ultra-short 90 and the still short 110, Land Rover expanded to an even longer model. The 127 was added with a, you guessed it, 127-inch wheelbase. What they did with that length was more clever than just the extra inches. They added two more doors. Now the 127 (which still wasn't called the Defender) could seat five more comfortably. Or even more with available rear jump seats. It had a 1.4-tonne payload which was nearly half a tonne higher than the shorter models. That made them ideal for aftermarket bodies like mobile repair shops, ambulances, and just about anything that an outfitter could dream up.

This 1989 Land Rover 127 comes with the crew cab bodywork, to the back of the rear doors, then it has a big metal box. There are benches in there for seating, you could throw down an extra air mattress, or use it for a massive storage locker.

The seller says that it was completely overhauled at around 160,000 kms. The rebuild included new polyurethane bushings, power steering box, transfer case, front axles and differential, plus new wheel bearings and brakes.

The truck's 2.5 L four-cylinder turbo wasn't exactly a stormer, but 85 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque are enough to move it along. It also sips diesel, which is often more important when you're backwoods camping. It got a rebuilt turbocharger and an upgraded alternator along with new fuel and water pumps. In short, it looks like everything's been gone over.

It has also received some upgrades, like 2-inch lift springs and Terrafirma shocks specifically designed for Land Rovers that are heavily loaded for overlanding like this one. Take a look at that interior. If you're not familiar with Exmoor, it's a company that exclusively handles Land Rover interiors. They made those sweet diamond-stitched seats you can see in the back of this rig. Seat heaters were added too.

We're not done yet, though. Much of the Brownchurch catalogue has been thrown at this one. They make things that go up on the roof of Landies, like that massive roof rack, ladder, and roof-mounted tent.

This Land Rover looks ready to go just about anywhere on land and then let you camp in comfort once you,re there. If this is the kind of overlanding rig you've been looking for, it's for sale on Thetis Island, BC just off Vancouver Island between Nanaimo and Duncan. It's a 1989 Land Rover Defender 127, and it's our autoTRADER.ca Find of the Week.