To Box or not to Box
Banned
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 112
Likes: 4
We have the box and love it. It's not only very distinctive to the car, but is also practical. All of our recovery gear, including Talon Accessories tow straps, shackles, ****** block, and gloves, stays in the box. In our previous Rover we had a duffle with our recovery gear that took up space in the back and was sometimes buried or difficult to access when needed. The box is always on the side and easy to access from the outside. Even if you don’t have a winch or do much off‑road driving, I still love the look.
TReK
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 1,982
From: Whidbey Island, PNW
OEM gearboxes for a Defender are generally more reliable and fit perfectly, but cost more and can be harder to find. Aftermarket or reconditioned units are cheaper and easier to get, but quality and shifting smoothness can vary. Choosing body color versus a standard finish is just cosmetic and will not affect performance, so pick what you like. If you want long term reliability and proper fitment, OEM or a quality rebuilt is the safer choice. If budget is your priority and you do not mind potential tweaks, aftermarket can work.
Shifting Smoothness?
Rock Crawling
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 293
Likes: 138
From: Southwest
When I was ordering my 110, I spec'd it with the package that had the box but not the ladder (didn't want the ladder, and the box was essentially free because of other items I wanted). That order was reshuffled several times due to shortages and recalls, and eventually I ended up with the ladder but without the box. I said "oh well" and didn't think of it twice until this adventure here. Getting the MaxTrax from the cargo compartment, and the recovery strap and D-Ring from *under* the cargo compartment was annoying enough given the ankle deep mud, rain, and setting sun, but putting all of that back after a mud bath, and cleaning everything afterwards, was much more annoying.
So now I'm toying with the idea of getting the box installed the DIY way. Having dirty stuff outside where it belongs is the way to go.
Side note, before I got the vehicle I was concerned about the ladder getting into the outside mirror field of view - it doesn't. If that's what is stopping you from getting the box - you can probably cross it out from the list of concerns, and focus on how much you dislike drilling
So now I'm toying with the idea of getting the box installed the DIY way. Having dirty stuff outside where it belongs is the way to go.
Side note, before I got the vehicle I was concerned about the ladder getting into the outside mirror field of view - it doesn't. If that's what is stopping you from getting the box - you can probably cross it out from the list of concerns, and focus on how much you dislike drilling
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