Front Runner has come out with 2 racks for the new defender depending on if u have the rails or not. If I buy one, I will go FR as they have tons of mounting options for other gear. I will carrying a roof top tent and awning. Hoping to have more real estate for Jerry cans and such.

 

I have the expedition rack and ladder. Debated about the ladder but went for it, & glad I did, it's well made, solid, no rattling around; takes a minute to get the opening mechanism down (a minute of practice, that is) after which it's easy. The rack is also solid, and looks great through the sun roof (a nice interior surprise). One waits on parts made- to- fit it; I tend to just lash things on myself. You could also get the Front Runner after-market rack and install yourself; would save some $ and maybe have more immediate options for connecting gear storage.

 

Picked up my new Defender yesterday!!! So excited. Am going to wait on some accessories until after first of the year but planning on ladder, Front Runner rack, lunch box, winch and underbody aluminum skid. about $9k! as the winch is almost $5k. They are on backorder right now, but should take about a month to arrive.

 

Really hoping ARB comes out with adapter rails for their new base rack to fit the Defender soon. If they are able to get it down low like some of the pictures show, it could be a great looking and highly functional alternative. The one thing I'm not crazy about with the LR rack is how it sticks up so high. Kind of looks like a top hat to me. ARB is also completely flat so curved bottom roof boxes like the one I have should fit better, as well as RTT's that might extend beyond the sides of the LR rack. ARB's side attachment also seems so much better than T-slots that require cutting of rubber inserts and the like, and you can route wires inside for lighting. Probably won't have the shaped look of the LR rack, but I kind of like the more industrial look of a straight rack anyway. Hope it's an alternative we can get look at soon.

 

PowerfulUK posted an install video for the OEM ladder, which according to them could be fitted on either side of the car.

 

I wish this video would have existed before I installed my ladder, they do a great job of pointing out possible issues and ways to save time.

 

Try watching the folks on Utube at PowerfulUK.com fir a ladder. It will give you an excellent feel for the ladder and it’s construction

 

Does anyone have recommendations for packing things on the Explorer rack? I have a Thule rooftop box that I used to use on my Velar on the cross rails, but since I have the Defender with the explorer rack, I wanted to know what others are using to pack things. I looked at other sites and saw the Wolf Pack Pro hard boxes and stratchits they have, but wasn't sure if that is the best for packing on the explorer rack. Thanks in advance!

Tim

 

Thule Motion XT on OEM rack with a simple ~$5 mod.

More information in this thread

 

Thank you!