Kaine
Member Since: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Hills of Shropshire
Posts: 72
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hi,
just a quick question (well sort of quick) aimed at anyone who uses their D3 as a work horse
Firstly a bit of background
Over the last 3 years I've used a small Pug van as my daily drive for work - in the early days the van was exactly what I needed, however as its coming up to the end of its lease I fancy something a bit more car like to replace it - well something with a bit more luxury, which is faster and can be used for more formal meetings with clients - turning up in a white van doesn't always give the right impression  .
At first I looked at the obvious contenders - the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux, however firstly I dont really need a pickup and secondly the ride quality if awful for all of them IMHO
Basically I spend most of my time on new build sites, lugging electrical materials and tools back and forth and I sometimes have to carry larger items such as Plasma's, but this is infrequent and could be arranged to be delivered to site as required if they wont fit in.
The key question really is how well the interior holds up to a bit of wear and tear - in the real world, I will never be that careful when lifting metal tool boxes, telescopic stepladders and materials in and out things will definetley get scratched and banged.
I guess the interior could be lined like a van in the back to protect the interior - has anyone done this or know of a company that can do a sympathic job of it in a D3? I know LR do a plastic load liner, however I believe this is only for the boot - i.e. they dont do one that would fill the rear with the back seats down? Would I have any other options?
I will also be needing a decent roof rack - do I need to consider any special requirements for the D3 - or does anyone have a good recommendation?
Finally I am basically looking at the basic S spec with just tints as an option, but do I need to consider anything else that may be useful?
Thanks for any replies
Kaine
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 26th Aug 2006 6:27 pm |
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Cliff H
Member Since: 27 Oct 2005
Location: Home of the Pork pie and Stilton
Posts: 1304
  
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I think Nene Overland do commercial versions. Zermatt silver 06 reg.
Gone but not forgotten !!!
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| 26th Aug 2006 6:31 pm |
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Kaine
Member Since: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Hills of Shropshire
Posts: 72
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Cheers Cliff - short and concise, plus exactly what I was looking for
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| 26th Aug 2006 6:33 pm |
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Kaine
Member Since: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Hills of Shropshire
Posts: 72
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yep - just found that one too - thats basically what I had in mind
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| 26th Aug 2006 6:36 pm |
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Martin
Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18457
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I think there was some talk of LR launching a commercial D3 in the UK, given that both the commercial D2 and Freelander are now gone...
Might be worth trying to nudge some of the Irish guys, as I'm fairly certain some of them have got commercial D3's 
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| 26th Aug 2006 6:36 pm |
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kaney
Member Since: 28 Sep 2005
Location: bolton
Posts: 230
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I used mine for gardening (landscapes etc) the plastic marks easy so take care and cover up as much as poss, I tended to use a piece of ply with a rubber mat for the base and sponge and bungie cords for the sides and seats. I only did this when needed. ie if the van was in for service etc.I did,nt put anything in that couldent be fastened down or move about.
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| 26th Aug 2006 6:46 pm |
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Kaine
Member Since: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Hills of Shropshire
Posts: 72
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Martin,
Are you saying there is a 'commercial' D3 already available? Ireland only?
Cheers
Kaine
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| 26th Aug 2006 6:51 pm |
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Martin
Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18457
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I *think* so, have a quick search, or I'm sure they'll be along later
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| 26th Aug 2006 6:55 pm |
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Kaine
Member Since: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Hills of Shropshire
Posts: 72
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cheers Martin - will have to chat with my dealer on Friday
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| 26th Aug 2006 7:01 pm |
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dldisco3
Member Since: 21 Mar 2006
Location: Hasselt
Posts: 191
 
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I've got a LR floormat in the booth, this will for sure help protect your carpets there.
And your cargo will stay, because boxes will slide easily on the carpets 
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| 26th Aug 2006 7:24 pm |
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Kaine
Member Since: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Hills of Shropshire
Posts: 72
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Just searching the LR website for dimensions of the boot opening but couldn't find anything - all I could find was the headroom dimensions
someone wouldn't have that dimension handy by chance?
Cheers
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| 26th Aug 2006 8:06 pm |
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bigboot
Member Since: 03 May 2006
Location: Cork, Ireland
Posts: 11
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Hi Kaine,
Commercial D3's are available from dealers here in Ireland. I too was worried about protecting the load space and recently purchased a "load liner/protective insert" available from JFC Manufacturing. Its moulded to suit, made from plastic, with side walls approx 450 mm high, and tough.
I can put up contact details if interested.
A base / standard commercial D3 costs approx € 40K incl Vat @ 21% ( 0% for export if you are registered for Vat ! ) might be cheaper to buy one here and bring back with you ?
Btw, rear ope dims are approx 1.10 m wide X 0.95 m high.
Regards,
John.
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| 26th Aug 2006 8:41 pm |
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