Hkb82

I think your best bet is to modify your existing trailer you use to haul the defender into a toy hauler kinda thing. Not being super handy might end up adding to the cost but I’d think less cost then buying a cabin or second trailer. If you can find someone that scraps trailers it would be a great way to save a few bucks on a few windows and other RV stuff you’d like to add. Still won’t solve your outhouse problem but would save ya from having two trailers to look after. Lots of cool ideas and builds already kicking around like this online. Might not be as luxurious inside as an actual toy hauler but it will definitely give you a camp that you can take anywhere you take the defender. I guess it’s going to come down to your needs or maybe your wife’s needs. After a day of riding my needs are a shower a fire ring a bbq and a bed. If those are all present I’ll be living like a king. I own a campground in Ontario and Have seen some pretty cool custom cargo conversions over the years. Some from the inside you would never know it’s a cargo. We also get a few toy haulers ever year but not many that my defender would fit inside. The ones it will fit into come with a very heavy price tag. Plus a 3500 pickup would likely be needed. Not sure what your pulling with now but those 3500 ain’t cheap either. If not looking to break the bank or have multiple trailers I’d say converting your cargo is the best bet.

As sad as it is you’ll find most shops are like this. Don’t get me wrong there are some really good shops out there but finding them can be the trick. Usually it comes from many visits and purchases. Maybe by the time your on your third unit they might start remembering you. Lol I wouldn’t jump on selling it just yet. Funny story about Polaris. When I was shopping and talking to a sales guy at the local Polaris dealer I commented about how much these thing can go for. His response to me was do you want to know why they cost so much. Sure I said. He said cause people are willing to pay it. I was actually blown away. I’m sure it is why the price is so high on all the fun toys but to say it to a buyer. He knew my old utv just crapped out and I was there to buy. I had the cash to buy that day and he knew it. I told him he should have lied and said cause it’s best engendered utv on the market or anything along those lines. I told him that comment just cost him the sale as it showed me what he thinks about his customers. Kinda like I’d like to give ya 25000 bucks. Him-man your so dumb. I walked out and the next day bought my defender. I almost always do my own work unless it’s warranty work that I have to bring it in so I try and build a relationship with the parts guys. I try and go in at slow times shoot the poop about a few other things new out or in the shop grab my stuff and bounce. Good luck with Polaris if that’s the way you go. As far as their sleds I wouldn’t even think of buying one with all the troubles I’ve herd with customer service and breakdowns. My local dealer is actually closed now. Go figure. Lol

Ya that’s just bs. Glad you got the bumper but I’d be finished with that place. Maybe order parts when needed if that’s your only brp around. To put ya on the back burner for a few bolts. Wow. I can’t think of any shop that wouldn’t have a few kicking around. He’ll pop em off the demo that’s sitting right there once they come in put the demo bumper back on. I’ve had a cat dealer do this twice before once from a new machine plus once from a demo. Can’t beat that kinda service.

Lifer03 I think the red+ is going to keyed power red accessories to the lights or whatever your running with switch and well black ground is black ground. Like bad daddy said it is for the rocker switch light inside the switch. Any illuminated rocker is going to have 2 positive leads.

DeFenderDan any chance you could post a few pics of where you added more rocker switch cutouts?

You should have a post under the hood for accessories. On my 2019 that bus bar is under the dash making it a bit harder to get at. I thought that’s why can am moved it to make it easier to get at for wiring. You could also use a 12v lighter style plug to grab your power from. Both on mine are only powered when your running. Don’t forget to fuse it and any other accessories you add.

Id also run the stereo through that aux second battery of your adding one. Never have to worry about killing your starting battery leaving ya stranded. Plus you can use it at campfires or when just stopped for a soda without running your machine. I also wanted it for working around the property without needing the Milwaukee job site radio and also to really piss of the jealous haters giving me dirty looks as I drive by. Lol I tell my kids to smile and wave killing them with kindness is the best remedy. Keep building Jeff and I look forward to following your defender progress. Ps do some stuff I haven’t so I can steal your ideas lol.

That’s a very nice looking bumper you got there. Going to look really sweet on that new buggy. If ya want you can store it on mine till your defender arrives lol It might be a good time to switch professions over to utv accessories builder/fabrication. I think you could have a long line of customers. But pls if you do start somthing up ship to Canada for us northern riders.

Holy S button I got it. Felt like I hit the lotto when it flashed my defenders name then no maintenance message. Still such a dumb system. I got to thinking about the issue stated by others that you can’t get to high without passing low. This was my prob I think and maybe others also. put the machine lights to low before I turn key then turn to accessories but don’t start Hold down the s button wile on total mileage do the hi low hi low hi low but stay on low release s button and shut key off all wile still on low wait for total shutdown that’s what worked for me. My defender has both s and m buttons so not sure about others that only have one single button. I never use those lights so never really thought about the starting with them already on low. Hope this helps a few others.

Step one complete. I put the small nets on for the time being but will be removed once I put my uppers on. Overall happy with the half door kit. Was short a few pieces of hardware and had a few extra of others. Three random washers that wouldn’t fit any of the bolts??? Install was about 1.5-2 hours at a Saturday pace. Uppers aren’t going to be to tricky aside from the opening window part. The plastic on the top of the oem half is about quarter inch from the inner steel tube so some spacers might be needed for reinforcement to the uppers. Will probably not be able to use as thick of plexiglass as I was going to but I’m feeling pretty positive it will turn out looking and preforming great. I got one opening window idea that I’m keeping to myself till I use it. Kinda like a surprise. Was also thinking of trailer vents with a way to close the round circle part that would be inside the trailer. ????? Still taking ideas if you got any

I’ve tried so many times with no luck. What a joke to even have this as a way to clear codes. Might get the buds software just to make some extra money on the side cleaning codes for guys. So stupid.

I sure will.

When I bought mine was told I’d get 15% off any accessories so I added a few things windows etc when I saw the bill accessories price was reg msrp price. I asked about it actually surprising myself for catching it. I was told the 15% covers install. Sounded kinda shady plus I never asked for install. I said I was ok with doing the install myself being the non glass windows install is about 3 min. The other was the 25 dollar winch remote. Thanks boys but I think I can plug that one in myself. Somthing else but I can’t remember now. After a bit of pissing and moaning from them lol I got the 15% when I bought the defender. I’ve since called to get a prices even after mentioning I bought my defender from them but they still give me regular price. I just don’t bother saying anything anymore and I won’t stay loyal to their dealership. Can am is can am till I find a dealer that cares. Had I have bought them when I got the defender I would have got the 15%. So live and learn boys. Buy once cry once

I just pulled the trigger on the half doors and I’ll build my uppers. I’ll try and post a few pics here but I will definitely update my build page.

Got my half door on the way should be able to install this weekend if everything goes as planned. I’ll then start to build uppers. Trying to figure a way of using plastic glass and still adding a opening window without it looking like poop. Was thinking maybe like the rear mini van widows that only open like 2 inches and lock in place. I’d reverse them to open and catch the wind If that makes sense to y’all. Maybe to much wind? Any ideas would be great. I’ve been looking around online but haven’t seen anything that I was sold on yet.

I’d also consider the box angle when fully opened like when your working on it not just dumping it. I made mine fit kinda to close so now I can dump it but can’t pull the shock off and put the box all the way up for service. Looks like hunts factory one will have the same issues. Maybe it’s unavoidable without making it look awkward on the buggy.

Ya I’d be a little concerned about a shop that forgot to add the front bumper also. Wonder how they felt when you made that call. Pretty dumb I bet. We are so sorry it was overlooked. Your going to have to bring in the unit so we can install it. Can’t I just do it myself? Nope we want you to trailer it to use give us a couple days to put it on then we will call ya. That’s how my local shop runs. Good thing you joined the group so hunt could catch it for ya. I’m sure they wouldn’t have called ya if and when they noticed an extra stock defender bumper kicking around.

For the price of that magneto I’m with hunt 2 remember. Deep cell large battery. I just did the same. Wasn’t having any issues with power just wanted to run stereo without machine running plus add some extra reserve. Added a batt isolator/relay to charge it wile it is running and not draw from main battery wile key is off. With everything I have factory and aftermarket turned on my defender has no issues staying at 14v wile running. I didn’t see any light fad from winch even. Maybe I would have In the dark. Now I don’t have 100+ inches of lights across the front butI think it would power it if I did. A plus to the guys ahead of you is they could prob run dark as I’m sure your lighting the entire trail with those big b’s. Lol

I sprayed mine with truck bed liner but I planned on backing into small trees and such in tight spaces wile working in the bush. Mine was more to protect the plastic and it’s held up pretty good. A little bent and dinged but I expected it lol. Yours turned out looking great. Depending on what kinda abuse it will see I guess should tell ya how much you want to put into it. Don’t make the mistake I did when mounting it. Mine has so little clearance that I’m 1/4 inch off the rear tires when I dump the box. Worked great and still no problem other then when working on it I can’t pull the pin and put the box straight up. I’d like to make another new one and seeing yours has motivated me a bit more. First and probably next is oem half doors plus I’m going to make uppers. Ordering doors this week and should have by Friday or Saturday.

Got it wired up to just the the stereo and a duel volt rocker gauge. I put the isolator in a fernco rubber 3 inch boot clamped to end caps on both sides and mounted to existing hole in the defender. I wanted to try and keep everything out of the elements as much as possible. It’s got a few holes in the end caps plus at the lowest point to prevent it from holding water but unless submerged it should stay pretty dry and clean. Grounded everything directly to the chassis. Worked great pushes aux items wile the buggy is off and charges it back up with the machine running. I highly recommend the kicker km6.5 marine speakers. Not the cheapest out there but sounds even better then I was expecting and I was expecting a lot lol. Couldn’t find a recommendation on speaker box or pod volume size for them so I just winged it.

I put it under the box behind the drivers seat. Same location that the can am duel kit goes. I just wanted to add a larger battery. I’ll post some pictures once if finished being wired up. Hopefully today

I’ve never had any issues with the steering. It turns sharper the my last utv plus if I’m feeling lazy on the wheel just punch the gas provided your not on your grass. Lol

Hope you both enjoy the new rides. I’m pretty happy with it after about 2 years now. Hands down better then my old machine. Gun clamps under the middle seat were one of my first things I did also. I started a page in the build section when I started adding stuff to it. Be great to see some more builds as people do then on theirs.

Ya I think it should have had at least the plastic skid plates under your seats on a cab model. My 2019 hd10 xt had them. I thought even the base models came with the plastic and the aluminum was the upgrade.