Hi All - I'm new to defenders but our family has wanted one for a very long time. We are currently talking to builders and wanted to get some feedback from the community. Has anyone worked with Monarch Defender? We are considering a double cab from them. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Help. Need feedback on builders.
- Thread starter vw007
- Start date
LazyRabbit
Well-known member
What is the approximate price range? 140K +? or more like 40-80k?
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LazyRabbit
Well-known member
These guys know their stuff and dont settle for britpart quality. They are not new and have been around for a while so they have track record with repeat customers. Not just some americans in barn looking for a quick buck.
xerbera.com
Custom Land Rover Defenders by Rover Republic
At Rover Republic, we specialize in custom Land Rover Defenders reimagined in our Dallas, TX shop. Start your adventure today.
D901560
Well-known member
I have not personally used Xerbra, but they are pretty active with the local LR club and have hosted events at their shop. They had some really nice builds in progress when I was there and seem to do good work. Lots of LS swap projects if that is what you are looking for.
Plenty of shops out there cashing in on the resto and resto-mod craze. A few I would call the gold standard (ECR & Safari HP) and most are as good as their last truck they produced.
rocky
NAS-ROW Addict
Its very easy to make a website full of pretty looking "restored" Defenders. But its what they deliver that matters.
If you haven't really dug deep into the weaknesses, pitfalls and problems these vehicles can cause to you and your wallet, please take a deep breath, put the wallet and credit card away, and continue your research.
It seems incredible but people do indeed drop six figure sums of money on these vehicles. I've seen one that cost over $300k, took forever to build and when delivered the owner decided he didn't want it after all.
If you haven't really dug deep into the weaknesses, pitfalls and problems these vehicles can cause to you and your wallet, please take a deep breath, put the wallet and credit card away, and continue your research.
It seems incredible but people do indeed drop six figure sums of money on these vehicles. I've seen one that cost over $300k, took forever to build and when delivered the owner decided he didn't want it after all.
D901560
Well-known member
Agreed. No amount of sound deadening and diamond stitched leather will ever make these feel like a modern luxury vehicle if that is what the buyer is looking for.
expanse
Well-known member
A few hours on wix.com and you too can be a rover restomod shop. /s
I've worked with Monarch products (dash, seats, visors, consoles), not trucks. Short of it, the quality and fitment was so so.
I have lots of customers who ask for my opinion on trucks (BaT, Ebay, private sales). that small amount of labor I bill out usually saves them from a bondo nightmare rolling on fresh Sawtooths. Never hurts to ask a local specialist and see if they're able to help you with a service like this.
I've worked with Monarch products (dash, seats, visors, consoles), not trucks. Short of it, the quality and fitment was so so.
I have lots of customers who ask for my opinion on trucks (BaT, Ebay, private sales). that small amount of labor I bill out usually saves them from a bondo nightmare rolling on fresh Sawtooths. Never hurts to ask a local specialist and see if they're able to help you with a service like this.
blueboy
Well-known member
To answer your question, no I haven’t had any experience with Monarch Defender. However have had many Rovers restored / serviced by East Coast Rover (ECR) in Maine and highly recommend them. However their backlog makes for a long wait. Also have used Congelton Service in Vermont for my Rangie and Disco. He also works on Defenders. Also would highly recommend them.
As others have mentioned living with a Defender isn’t for everyone. They really are utilitarian no matter what you do to them. Having one restored properly is even more daunting especially if one isn’t that familiar with the beasts. Which is really why you need to choose wisely where you’re going to spend some big $$$$. Good luck and you have found the best place for Defender and other Landy information.
As others have mentioned living with a Defender isn’t for everyone. They really are utilitarian no matter what you do to them. Having one restored properly is even more daunting especially if one isn’t that familiar with the beasts. Which is really why you need to choose wisely where you’re going to spend some big $$$$. Good luck and you have found the best place for Defender and other Landy information.
evilfij
Well-known member
I have seen Neil’s trucks. They are nice (South African). He is backed up on major services for at least another month (seems like everyone is … and I don’t have enough time away from work to work on my own junk).
The real question is what do you want? Do you want a nice truck, one that is restored, or one with quilted leather, a black roof, non-rover engine swap. big wheels and lots of bolt ons?
The real question is what do you want? Do you want a nice truck, one that is restored, or one with quilted leather, a black roof, non-rover engine swap. big wheels and lots of bolt ons?
UnfrozenCaveman
Well-known member
I PM'd the poster ... I think Monarch is just up the road from me in Ames...that's the same one, right?
I've never been there...haven't seen any of their work in person.
I can say that they seem to be the successor to Global Defenders (?) that had a similar address... and Monarch are a newly registered IL LLC as of January 2021
That it looks like it's owned by a guy from Chicago.
Draw your own conclusions...
I've never been there...haven't seen any of their work in person.
I can say that they seem to be the successor to Global Defenders (?) that had a similar address... and Monarch are a newly registered IL LLC as of January 2021
That it looks like it's owned by a guy from Chicago.
Draw your own conclusions...
Hi Everyone- Thanks for all the feedback. Regarding, what am I looking for. The car is going to a small coastal town. There are no paved roads. The main road that connects the town frequently floods during the rainy season. When it floods you cannot leave the town unless you have a capable car. It's a combination of mountain, jungle and beach with very dusty roads. They actually pour molasses on the roads during the dry season to reduce the dust. The roads are also very windy and even slippery when wet. Homes are at the top of the mountain so you can imagine the kind of drive the car will go through. The car will be parked within walking distance to the shore so corrosion is common in cars there.
I do see a lot of defenders in the town. That is why I'm considering one. Aesthetically, I like the way the Spectre builds look. The 37" tires and stance seem perfect for that town. I'd say 80% of the cars there have a snorkel. The bed of a double-cab is for wet/salt-water gear and clothing. The less electronics etc the better. Also, every time I've rented a car there, I've always gotten the seats wet. We usually get in the car after getting out of the water without taking the time to dry off. So the less leather the better. I usually place a towel down on the seat before sitting but its not foolproof.
About once a month I plan to do a road trip, which requires highway speeds. So engine-wise, it's got to comfortably cruise at high speeds. But the rest of the time I just need something that can climb, drive through floods, and do well on dirt roads.
The builders I've looked at so far are Monarch, Arkonic, Debsch Motors, Helderburg, Urban Offroad to name a few. Price wise, there is a very wide spectrum. I'll also look at the suggestions in this post as well.
I did have a good conversation with the owners of Monarch and feel comfortable working with them. But the specs just didn't meet what I needed within the budget I set. So I'm still looking.
Thanks again!
I do see a lot of defenders in the town. That is why I'm considering one. Aesthetically, I like the way the Spectre builds look. The 37" tires and stance seem perfect for that town. I'd say 80% of the cars there have a snorkel. The bed of a double-cab is for wet/salt-water gear and clothing. The less electronics etc the better. Also, every time I've rented a car there, I've always gotten the seats wet. We usually get in the car after getting out of the water without taking the time to dry off. So the less leather the better. I usually place a towel down on the seat before sitting but its not foolproof.
About once a month I plan to do a road trip, which requires highway speeds. So engine-wise, it's got to comfortably cruise at high speeds. But the rest of the time I just need something that can climb, drive through floods, and do well on dirt roads.
The builders I've looked at so far are Monarch, Arkonic, Debsch Motors, Helderburg, Urban Offroad to name a few. Price wise, there is a very wide spectrum. I'll also look at the suggestions in this post as well.
I did have a good conversation with the owners of Monarch and feel comfortable working with them. But the specs just didn't meet what I needed within the budget I set. So I'm still looking.
Thanks again!
erover82
Well-known member
Not sure what kind of town needs 37" tires. Maybe a war ravaged town in the middle east or a village beyond the Darien gap. 32" tires have taken militaries, NGOs, expeditions, etc across the globe for ages. The Spectre build is basically a Jeep look, for Defenders. You can spend a fortune on all the modifications it takes to setup a Defender for huge tires, posh interior, and all the accessories, but it'll still be a modified farm truck. Unless you're really a LR nut, I think the practical move is to first consider something like a newer Land Cruiser, Gladiator, LR4, Gwagon, etc that will take you anywhere you want to go for far less money and in far more comfort.
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SCRover
Well-known member
I'll offer an alternative. Consider purchasing an un-restored but good condition or refreshed original Defender from a reputable seller. There are several that are well thought of on this forum. If you do your homework you'll get a good daily-driver quality vehicle that will meet your needs and have the chance to see if a Defender is right for you. I don't have any experience with diesels, but stock V8s are capable of highway speeds for road trips, and Defenders in stock form are more than capable of handling dirt roads and the like.
My only Rover buying experience has been with Neil @ Red Door Off Road. I didn't get a fully restored truck, but it was mechanically refreshed and has been rock solid. I think he has a 6-month backlog on projects, but he sources good trucks from South Africa (galvanized chassis and bulkhead which are two trouble areas) and may be able to supply one that doesn't need too much extra work and be a quicker delivery. I'm sure there are other reputable dealers out there but I don't think you could do better than Neil.
With all that being said, the truth is, you'll spend as much or more on a good un-restored Defender as you would on a new Wrangler or Gladiator. Of course, you're still going to turn heads and garner jealousy from the G-Wagen / Jeep / Land Cruiser crowd no matter what size tires you run! (A guy in my neighborhood offered to trade his Hummer for my 110!)
My only Rover buying experience has been with Neil @ Red Door Off Road. I didn't get a fully restored truck, but it was mechanically refreshed and has been rock solid. I think he has a 6-month backlog on projects, but he sources good trucks from South Africa (galvanized chassis and bulkhead which are two trouble areas) and may be able to supply one that doesn't need too much extra work and be a quicker delivery. I'm sure there are other reputable dealers out there but I don't think you could do better than Neil.
With all that being said, the truth is, you'll spend as much or more on a good un-restored Defender as you would on a new Wrangler or Gladiator. Of course, you're still going to turn heads and garner jealousy from the G-Wagen / Jeep / Land Cruiser crowd no matter what size tires you run! (A guy in my neighborhood offered to trade his Hummer for my 110!)
rocky
NAS-ROW Addict
With Arkonik, you mention one name that got a lot of bad press.
I like the recommendation to look at a Tacoma/4Runner/Land Cruiser or Lexus equivalent like GX. You don’t sound mechanically orientated and I’d rather you don’t struggle to find a shop unafraid of your purchase.
One second thoughts, go with a Wrangler or Gladiator with a Diesel engine. Factory lift, snorkel and big tires. That will take many water crossing very happily.
I like the recommendation to look at a Tacoma/4Runner/Land Cruiser or Lexus equivalent like GX. You don’t sound mechanically orientated and I’d rather you don’t struggle to find a shop unafraid of your purchase.
One second thoughts, go with a Wrangler or Gladiator with a Diesel engine. Factory lift, snorkel and big tires. That will take many water crossing very happily.
evilfij
Well-known member
An EFI rover V8, even with a snorkel, is not happy in deep water (ask me how I know). 37in tires will make a 200 or 300Tdi slow on the highway, maybe you could push 35in tires, but 33in is about as far as I would go. Good tires, lockers, and a winch are much more useful than 37in tires for getting though things.
Rover axles aren’t really up to the task of 37” tires in my opinion.
UnfrozenCaveman
Well-known member
...get-a-perentie...
www.australianfrontlinemachinery.com.au
Yes, I'm biased
Land Rovers
Land Rover 4x4 The historic Land Rover has been a mainstay of the Australian Army since 1958. Exemplifying the very best in practical hardware, the 'Perentie' 110 was developed specifically for the Army, boasting increased payload and a galvanised chassis with rollover protection. Built from...
Yes, I'm biased