looks like as with mercedes, bmw, landrover and others it's now the bean counters are running the show, not the engineers, with the result that quality takes a complete dive

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1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014

My two cents on this topic:
Pick a vehicle for which parts (engine, gearbox, diffs, and everything else) are available in the countries you are traveling. And are available in abundance. LandRovers I prefer are those with a 200tdi or 300tdi engine. I like the 300tdi more.
Do not overload the vehicle. Fuel economy is a big deal both for cost but more importantly because of the extra weight that carrying lots of fuel causes. The heavier the vehicle, the harder it will be to avoid getting stuck or more importantly the harder it will be to get yourself unstuck.

I don't know much about Defenders but on the topic of what is a better vehicle. When buying used you can buy a terrible example of the best car and it will be a proper snotter.

I've had a Landcruiser 80 series and a Discovery 300TDi both of the same year but the Discovery had less miles. The Discovery was hugely capable and pretty reliable having only small problems although it did rust. My 80 series Landcrab was much larger and really was in another class offroad thanks to the 3 diff locks and what seems like better axle articulation. It never once broke down although the alarm system failed and I had to bypass it to get it to start, and it had no rust even where I rolled it into a tree the damage never rusted. I don't mean rolled like a 40mph crash, just tipped a little too far over and brushed against a tree.

If I had to do any long journey/trip/adventure I'd first look at a Landcruiser but only the larger ones another 80 series or a 100/105 or a 200 (If I could afford it!), second would a Nissan Patrol Y61/GU , then a Defender 110.

I have offroading friends who absolutely swear by their Landies, they where highly impressed by the Landcruiser and where happy to accept a tow from it but would they change their LandRovers for a 'cruiser? Nope....

I guess it comes down to a brand loyalty thing?

James is right, there is a brand loyalty thing going on.

I've had nothing but Landrovers for over 8 years. Defenders, Discoveries and a couple of late shape Range Rovers. All awesome vehicles. I have always had a Defender for offroading and trips.

However, I'd personally advise something a bit more comfy if you are going to spend a lot of time in it. When I went to Morocco I took a Discovery and it was SO much better. More comfortable, decent air-con and all the oily bits like a Defender so if I had an issue the locals could fix it.

However, my brand loyaly has been shaken recenty.
I'd happy take a 4x4 Yeti or a Toyota now...



But back to the original question, you're looking at a station wagon or a hard top van 110. If it's just for the trip it's going to be the van. Cheaper to buy and easier to secure. If you go the station wagon route you can remove the rear seats, but why?
A good 110 Station wagon will cost a lot more than a 110 van if you are looking at the older 300Tdi engine.
If you are looking at the later engine the price difference is not so severe. But it's still there.

Overall, I'd take a Td5 disco if it's got to be a Landrover. Did it myself and it was good.

Nice to pull up at camp and all the Defender drivers are sweaty and caked in dust. But you are fresh from your bigger more comfortable seat and have had the air-con set at 20c for the last 8 hours. It may not be such a "hard core" experience, but do you really want that day after day after day?