Seems time to @ least start a thread since we cant get additional sub forums.
Several here have them. I've shipped and imported a half dozen or so for enthusiasts from both the UK and Oz but this is the first time I've had one of ea to compare. I thought I'd post up some information since there isn't a lot out there and many are interested.
Have both a 110 GS Perentie and a 6x6 side by side briefly so thought I'd snap some pictures of the two as it will be a couple months till the next 6x6 (aka 6 Bee) arrives. The 6x6 is wider and taller and has a very cool custom dash.
The 6x6 has the stock Isuzu turbo fitted where the 110 has KLR's manifold and turbo as well as having the fueling turned up to compensate for the bigger turbo. I'm in love. I have owned 200's and 300's and driven Robert's OM617 powered trucks, Iveco and isuzu 2.8 powered trucks. This 3.9 powered truck is the shiz.
6x6 axles are a good bit longer and as such barely made it on my car trailer with a inch or two to spare. Love the Perentie diff lock signal light- even the 110 shows three axles. It was cool trying to pull it onto the dovetail trailer without using ramps. Since the fit was so tight I was being super gentle and using first low to let her crawl on. When the mid axle couldn't get the job done and lost traction I just flicked the third axle drive switch and she climbed on as if on crawler tracks.
The 6 Bee has what appears to be 7 inches wider between the front frame rails. The 6 bee bulkhead is 68 inches wide as opposed to the normal 60.125.
I think anyone's first impressions when looking one of these over is wow, these are so much better engineered than the ex ministry of defense trucks from the UK. I can't find any rust anywhere on either truck other than some minor surface rust on the bonnet brackets for the pioneer tools. These are 25 yrs old and have lived a military service life but are in stellar condition because of climate and the design changes, not to mention the 3.9 Isuzu turbo diesel torque. The 110 is on XZL's and while I'm not a fan, of those tires they have their place on military trucks.
Sorry the 6x6 dash pick loaded upside down, if someone else wants to fix that great, never had much success with re orienting
I love the thought of a Perentie. Looking at pics and reading specs I feel like they would be a blend of my 110 and my son's 7.3 F250. I am sure I have said it before but I feel like a 110 Perentie with some work to the 4BD1, HD axle shafts and locker, small lift and on 37's would be incredible.
Crazy that the 6x6 is wider. That thing must be awesome to drive. I feel the frame wouldn't be that hard to do but how did they make the bulkhead and other parts wider?
Doug, the 4x4 in your pics has the "early style coat hanger" bull bar, many of those were replaced after either accidents or upgrades from the early 90's on with a stronger style, both have +/-. Not all 4x4's perenties have the 6x6 diff lock light, sorta just whatever was in the workshop, but cool light none the less.
One of the little things that I really like is the massive threaded, cast aluminum fuel filler and cap.
Hoping they can be bought because I'd like to upgrade our other trucks with them.
I'm pushing for Matt to come over for MAR, or Expo East, or even Uwharrie. Sent him dates and links but havent nailed him down yet. Every time we are on the phone he wants to talk about our presidential campaigns instead of business logistics. This election has truly lowered our global stature whether we chose to acknowledge it or not. Would be fun to let him harangue you guys around a campfire instead of me.
I drove it around the marine terminal a bit before loading it on the trailer but this one belongs to someone else so not trying it on the highway. The 6x6's have 4.7 gears in the diffs and really aren't geared for use on road as they come from the military. The trucks were designed more for cross country use than highway.
Matt is putting 3.54's in the double cab 6x6 that's coming over to me so it will be up to our highway speeds.
The 6x6 is 20 feet long so shorter than an f250 crew cab long bed and has a much better turning radius than my ford.
I drove a basic version the other week, sweet and powerful trucks. It actually felt like a "truck" if you know what I mean.
For the transom tail end, it is just a matter of drilling out rivets and replacing parts off the microcat diagrams. Either tailgate or door for hardtop.
The 4 wheel soft top trucks are easily converted to hardtop, without any black majik or Series windshield frames ( some wacked out threads on net...). You do loose ROPS, and need to buy or grind cappings.
The 6x6 grills are what first catch the eye, with the extra width noticeable there.
If anyone is thinking of putting a turbo on a 4bd1, my old cross over tube, turbo and the first segment of the exhaust are up for grabs. See pics. The turbo needs a new cartridge.
I'm generally not a big fan of military vehicles, but after spending time around John's, I definitely think a Perentie is the best value of any entry level Defender. There are just so many cool little things on them. Its as if someone actually spent a few minutes thinking about how things should be before they started building them.
I'd love to see someone toss the military bumpers and paint the truck white. With a hard top, that truck would be hard to beat.
There is a ton of room to convert the 6x6 to left hand drive. The 4x4 with the KLR turbo would take to trickery with exhaust routing but looks infinitely possible. The 6x6 custom dash would require fabrication work if switched to LHD but infinitely doable since its appears to be fiberglass.
Jeff Aronson the editor of RN Rovers Magazine drove the turbo'd gs Perentie last weekend @ URE and loved it. He also checked out John's scout truck. Look for some Perentie love in the next RN magazine.
It's my understanding that only the Regional Force Surveillance Vehicles (RFSV) and Surveillance Reconnaissance Vehicles (SRV & SRV-SF) (maybe Long Range Patrol Vehicles (LRPV)) had these front diffs, they are a 4 pin front diffs with the reinforced housing. Whatever Perentie you have pictured there, looks VERY clean.
Matt is pimping one for himself. 5 door Perentie Commander version. Says he's putting all of Land Rovers best from around the world into it. Puma dash, a/c, puma leather seats, r380 with 1.1 tcase due to the extreme torque of the turbo 3.9, but with crawler gears as well. Puma steel doors,and bonnet, a fortune spent on sound proofing, and 2b forward control wheels ( no idea where he found those).
Matt recently (last week) bought that truck back ( he built it and refers to it as the pimped perentie) with the intent of sending it to me. He got offered crazy money within hours of taking possession of it and let it go. It was originally built for the owner of Australian Frontline Machinery- the auction company.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Defender Source Forum
1M posts
24K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to Land Rover Defender owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, overland, classifieds, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!