New LR Defender 90 (D7X) - Anyone tried to fit dogs in ?
Discussion
We’ve had several of the original 90 Defenders - most recently a 90XS CSW for 6 years.
We use them a lot for light utility duties, carrying a couple of Labs, bit of towing, etc.
Was slightly sceptical about the new 90 as it seems to have moved considerably upmarket, and no longer ‘the farmer’s friend’, but read the positive reviews and ordered an HSE, which arrived last week.
Much to like, and largely very impressed with the build, quality, refinement, equipment, and confident it will match or better the old model in many areas.
It does feel big though - the driver feels more insulated than in the old one - but there is one really significant design defect.
It is almost impossible to carry dogs comfortably
There is a small boot and rear seats that don’t fold flat, so the floor is an odd slippery sloping shape.
I knew it would be a bit of a challenge when I saw the Demo 90, but someone at LR really messed up here if they think Defender owners don’t have dogs
To get round it we have kept the old Landy, as LR offer no solution.
Unless someone on here has any bright ideas?
We use them a lot for light utility duties, carrying a couple of Labs, bit of towing, etc.
Was slightly sceptical about the new 90 as it seems to have moved considerably upmarket, and no longer ‘the farmer’s friend’, but read the positive reviews and ordered an HSE, which arrived last week.
Much to like, and largely very impressed with the build, quality, refinement, equipment, and confident it will match or better the old model in many areas.
It does feel big though - the driver feels more insulated than in the old one - but there is one really significant design defect.
It is almost impossible to carry dogs comfortably
There is a small boot and rear seats that don’t fold flat, so the floor is an odd slippery sloping shape.
I knew it would be a bit of a challenge when I saw the Demo 90, but someone at LR really messed up here if they think Defender owners don’t have dogs
To get round it we have kept the old Landy, as LR offer no solution.
Unless someone on here has any bright ideas?
Edited by Geneve on Monday 18th April 00:03
We found the same problem which is ultimately why we didn’t buy a 90. We did consider the commercial version however decided it was a lot of money for a 2 / 3 seater and impractical for the odd occasion we have extra passengers.
It’s a shame they messed up by not including flat folding seats as it would have made it a fantasticly practical vehicle.
It’s a shame they messed up by not including flat folding seats as it would have made it a fantasticly practical vehicle.
I'd asked a similar question about the rear seats in the Ninety. Not impressed with the solution.
I was seriously considering buying a Ninety but weighed the purchase cost, insurance, road tax and uncertainty of reliability and decided it was more cost-effective to keep my 110".
Sadly the new Defender is more toy than tool.
I was seriously considering buying a Ninety but weighed the purchase cost, insurance, road tax and uncertainty of reliability and decided it was more cost-effective to keep my 110".
Sadly the new Defender is more toy than tool.
Pull rear seat base up from the front and it unclips.
Then you can fold the seats flat and the seat base can be stored on its end behind the front seats.
Lets be fair, the old 90 with seats in wasn’t much better for practicality with 4 people in.
The trade of is the new seats aren’t in violation of the Geneva convention like the old defenders seats.
Then you can fold the seats flat and the seat base can be stored on its end behind the front seats.
Lets be fair, the old 90 with seats in wasn’t much better for practicality with 4 people in.
The trade of is the new seats aren’t in violation of the Geneva convention like the old defenders seats.
A.J.M said:
Pull rear seat base up from the front and it unclips.
Then you can fold the seats flat and the seat base can be stored on its end behind the front seats.
Will try - but my Dealership had no knowledge of this.Then you can fold the seats flat and the seat base can be stored on its end behind the front seats.
Subject also discussed here
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
A.J.M said:
Lets be fair, the old 90 with seats in wasn’t much better for practicality with 4 people in.
Even with 2x people and the rear seats folded in, it was still more than a little crap! Geneve said:
Will try - but my Dealership had no knowledge of this.
Well colour me surprised... 
M
A.J.M said:
Pull rear seat base up from the front and it unclips.
Then you can fold the seats flat and the seat base can be stored on its end behind the front seats.:
This, takes literally 30 seconds to remove, the same again to refit, it allows the rear seat uprights to fold flat, BUT there is still the 4in aluminium step to be considered. Heated rear seats mean they have to be unplugged, but the car just came with them, so no loss to us and we dont need to plug them in again each time we re-fit the seat base.Then you can fold the seats flat and the seat base can be stored on its end behind the front seats.:
With a bit of help from a piece of 4in timber, there is plenty of room to get a 'normal' dog cage designed to fit behind the seats in a 110 onto the flat seat backs with luggage space behind the front seats.
Just done exactly this this last week - now we only need to get the dogs to accept going into the cage.....
Geneve said:
A.J.M said:
Pull rear seat base up from the front and it unclips.
Then you can fold the seats flat and the seat base can be stored on its end behind the front seats.
Will try - but my Dealership had no knowledge of this.Then you can fold the seats flat and the seat base can be stored on its end behind the front seats.
Subject also discussed here
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just did that, and Hallelujah, it provides a big improvement for rear carrying space - particularly for dogs.
Still not totally flat, and there is the detent area by the rear door - but getting something made for that, and the overall load area is still very high.
However, with the rest of the new 90 being so impressive, it’s good that this blot on its design has a fairly effective resolution.
Thanks
Still not totally flat, and there is the detent area by the rear door - but getting something made for that, and the overall load area is still very high.
However, with the rest of the new 90 being so impressive, it’s good that this blot on its design has a fairly effective resolution.
Thanks
Edited by Geneve on Tuesday 19th April 17:34
champ54321 said:
It’s a shame none of the dealers knew this a year ago when I went to view one!
The 90 would have been ideal combined with this dog guard
I own a 2012 90 with no back seats and it’s fine for the dog. I’ve been looking seriously at the new model, and if I got one I’d go 110. Just so much more practical.The 90 would have been ideal combined with this dog guard
Looking at the issue of the step in the back in the new 90. Taking the bench seat out clearly makes it flatter. To help with the step down from the silver bit, I would look at making a correct height infill to fit exactly and leave it in there permanently. I would look at some really high density black rubber/foam. Something with a bit of give, but not much. Cut exactly to shape it wouldn’t be heavy and you could remove it easily. You could even stick some black carpet on the top of it for added durability and aesthetics. Not sure where you’d get it from as I’ve only just thought of the idea 😊
Herdwick said:
This, takes literally 30 seconds to remove, the same again to refit, it allows the rear seat uprights to fold flat, BUT there is still the 4in aluminium step to be considered. Heated rear seats mean they have to be unplugged, but the car just came with them, so no loss to us and we dont need to plug them in again each time we re-fit the seat base.
With a bit of help from a piece of 4in timber, there is plenty of room to get a 'normal' dog cage designed to fit behind the seats in a 110 onto the flat seat backs with luggage space behind the front seats.
Just done exactly this this last week - now we only need to get the dogs to accept going into the cage.....
How much are you paying for the privilege of having to modify your car with a bit of wood to make it use able?With a bit of help from a piece of 4in timber, there is plenty of room to get a 'normal' dog cage designed to fit behind the seats in a 110 onto the flat seat backs with luggage space behind the front seats.
Just done exactly this this last week - now we only need to get the dogs to accept going into the cage.....
Herdwick said:
This, takes literally 30 seconds to remove, the same again to refit, it allows the rear seat uprights to fold flat, BUT there is still the 4in aluminium step to be considered. Heated rear seats mean they have to be unplugged, but the car just came with them, so no loss to us and we dont need to plug them in again each time we re-fit the seat base.
With a bit of help from a piece of 4in timber, there is plenty of room to get a 'normal' dog cage designed to fit behind the seats in a 110 onto the flat seat backs with luggage space behind the front seats.
Just done exactly this this last week - now we only need to get the dogs to accept going into the cage.....
Hi - do you have pics of this please ? Keen to do the same ! With a bit of help from a piece of 4in timber, there is plenty of room to get a 'normal' dog cage designed to fit behind the seats in a 110 onto the flat seat backs with luggage space behind the front seats.
Just done exactly this this last week - now we only need to get the dogs to accept going into the cage.....
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff