Six wheels better than four
The Defender is one of the toughest off-roaders we have seen. So much so, in fact, that aftermarket companies took it and worked on it in various different ways throughout the years.
For example here is a special piece which comes from the Ontario, Canada-based Urban Warrior.
The model comes with the third axle as standard equipment and loads of other off-road upgrades to make the best of the unbeaten path. The SUV, which Urban Warrior calls the Flying Huntsman, features a heavy-duty transfer case, twin Ford 9-inch differentials, heavy duty axles, and a Detroit TrueTrac gear drive with torque sensing to apply power to the wheels in the most efficient manner for the best traction.
Under the hood lurks a supercharged Ford-sourced 5.0-liter V-8 engine. A Ford Racing supercharger kit cranks up the dial to 670 horsepower and should provide more than enough impetus when tackling the trails.
Here’s another company called Classic Overland that turned the beast into something extraordinary.
The 6×6 originates from the late 1980s. It was developed as a specialist vehicle to meet the requirements of the Australian Army for high payload cross-country trips.
The car, dubbed Black Mamba, is the ultimate off-roader that can conquer anything and everything in its path.
This Defender was on duty at a fire station in South Africa, where it had been incredibly well-maintained during its time as an emergency vehicle.
Used to tow huge loads of water over rough terrain, the Black Mamba was already pretty tough before Classic Overland got it a couple years ago.
But under their custom expertise, the vehicle has been taken to a new level. It now features a beefy GM 6.2-liter V8 engine, capable of producing 430 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. Other upgrades include a strengthened suspension, new wheels with all-terrain tires, a roll cage and snorkel exhaust.
The successor of Black Mamba is the White Rhino also by Classic Overland.
Like its predecessor, it’s based on a Defender truck that started out life as a 6×6. But just because the company didn’t have to add another set of wheels to the off-roader doesn’t mean it hasn’t been thoroughly upgraded inside and out.
The biggest change is that the 6×6’s specially tuned 3.5-liter V-8 has been swapped out for a supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 sourced from GM.
The beastly engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and can pump out up to 682 horses. That’s more than enough muscle to use it as a specialty off-roader, but we won’t blame you if you just want to use it as your daily driver.
Peter Faidt
