Last December I built the base model of the LEGO® Land Rover Classic Defender and documented that experience in my post Unwrapping Creativity: Building the LEGO® Land Rover Classic Defender.
I finally finished customizing it with all the bells and whistles to make it expedition ready.
The last remaining bags—13, 14, 15—included all the pieces needed to make the roll cage and roof rack system, the ladder, running board, snorkel and winch. The winch was the most challenging, but only because tying the string and keeping it secure was not easy. I probably need to work on my knots.
What was really cool about how LEGO designed this particular icon is that many of the parts actually move. The side and rear doors open and close, the engine hood can be propped open with a rod, the steering wheel turns (although it doesn’t control the wheels), and the winch actually lowers and retracts the rope.
With all the new components in place the last step was to attach the various gear that I had made as part of the base model. Straps were provided to secure the jack, toolbox and jerry cans to the roof. Axle, Jr., was finally complete. Now if I only had a real one!