What Is Iroko and Why Does It Suit a Defender?

Iroko is a dense tropical hardwood often referred to as African Teak. It has a tight, consistent grain, considerable natural durability and a warmth of tone that ages well rather than fading. It's a material that's been used in boat building and yacht fitting for decades, which gives you a reasonable indication of how it handles exposure and wear.

That heritage is not coincidental. The construction method we use for our floors draws directly from marine joinery. Planks are secured using stainless steel fixings and marine teak sealant. The gaps between planks are filled with flexible black marine caulk, which allows for the natural movement timber undergoes without cracking or splitting. The whole thing is then sanded and oiled. The baseboard underneath is a black waterproof composite that stabilises the timber and means the floor sits cleanly in place without needing holes drilled all through your vehicle's floor.

Because Iroko is a natural material, no two panels are identical. Some boards will be slightly darker than others. Every deck will be unique. That's the point, not the compromise.

We also offer Walnut wood accessories for Defenders as an alternative for customers who want a richer, deeper tone. The construction method is the same; the character of the finished piece is noticeably different. Walnut has a more formal quality to it that suits certain build specifications particularly well.

The Range

Rear Deck Floor

The Iroko rear deck floor is the product that started the range and remains the most popular piece we make. Available for both 90 and 110 load areas, it drops into place as a single panel without requiring you to drill multiple fixing points into the floor. The 90 version suits hard tops and soft tops but will not fit TDCI 90 station wagons or 110s, so it's worth checking compatibility before ordering.

Both the 90 and 110 rear floors are also available engraved. We can machine engrave them with the LUCARI name, your family name, your vehicle's name or any text you want to put on it. It's a detail that tends to make people smile when they open the tailgate, and it makes the piece genuinely personal to the vehicle. If you've named your Defender, which a significant proportion of our customers have, this is the obvious place to put it.

The Walnut versions of both floors are also available, plain or engraved, and carry the same construction standard as the Iroko.

Folding Side Steps and Rear Step

The folding side steps are one of those products that people don't know they want until they see them in use. Timber side steps that fold flush to the body when not needed, practical for getting in and out, and they look considerably better than the standard metal step options. Available in Iroko.

The folding rear side step serves the same purpose at the rear and suits builds where the load area floor has been done in Iroko and the owner wants the material to carry through to the exterior access points.

The NAS style rear step is a different proposition, referencing the North American Specification Defenders that used a distinctive rear step treatment. In Iroko it has a period-correct character that suits heritage-led builds particularly well.

Rear Wheel Arch Tops

The Iroko rear wheel arch tops cap the wheel arch intrusions in the load area, turning what is otherwise a painted metal surface into something that actually belongs alongside a timber floor. On a vehicle with a full Iroko rear floor, fitting the arch tops is the detail that completes the space. Without them, the floor looks right but the arches don't follow through. With them, the whole load area reads as finished.

Iroko Cubby Box with Leather Inserts

The Iroko cubby box with padded leather inserts is the piece in the range that generates the most interest at events. Timber construction on the exterior, leather-lined compartments inside. It sits between the front seats and bridges the materials of a classic build in a way that nothing else quite does. If your vehicle is running tan leather and Iroko timber, this cubby box is the natural centrepiece of the cabin.

Security Storage and Locking Drawer

The rear security locking drawer box is available for both 90 and 110. Iroko-finished on the outside, lockable inside. It's the practical end of the timber range but it doesn't compromise on the material. If you're using the vehicle properly and you want secure storage that looks like it belongs in the cabin rather than being retrofitted from a hardware store, this is the solution.

The rear security locking drawer box works on the same principle with a drawer configuration rather than a chest. Both are designed to sit cleanly in the load area without taking over the space entirely.

How to order

All products in this range our made to order at our joinery on-site. Lead times vary depending on the product and current demand.

Fitment compatibility matters across the range. If you're unsure on what you need call us 01797 222256 and we'll confirm the right product for your vehicle before you order.

Browse the full iroko and walnut wood range for Land Rover Defenders here.

Everything in this range can be also be fitted by our team at the fitting centre in Rye, East Sussex. Book your fitting appointment here.