“From its hidden fuel system to its unmatched capacity, the Rival Defender-FX isn’t just built to perform—it’s built to reign. The final boss of welding skids has arrived.”
Defender Fuel Cell Edition
Long-Box Welding Skid with Integrated Fuel System and Unrivaled Power.
The Rival Defender-FX stands at the top of the Defender lineup—the ultimate long-box welding skid for operators who demand more from every inch of their truck. Built from 5052-H32 aluminum and reinforced with 6061-T6 extrusions, the FX integrates all the features of the Defender-XL and adds a concealed 225-liter fuel cell beneath the transverse toolbox. The result is a turnkey platform that stores your welder, gases, tools, and fuel system in one streamlined package. With optional 20 GPM Fill-Rite pump integration, LED-lit cabinetry, and Rival’s signature modular construction, the Defender-FX is the complete solution for professionals who need unstoppable, all-day capability.
Starting At
$18,270 CAD (Bare)
What is the availability of the Defender-FX?
Regularly built & stocked. During busy seasons, may not always be in stock.(Contact us for up-to-date stock levels)
What vehicles does Rival make Defender-FX's for?
LB (8′ Box) Domestic (Ford/Chevy/Dodge) Pick-Up Trucks 2000+
No 1/2 Tonnes! (3/4 Tonne Trucks and up)
Does Not Fit XS Domestic Pick-Ups with a bed length of 5′ 6″
May not fit Import vehicles (Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, etc.); not guaranteed
How much does a Defender-FX weigh?
Approximately 1,100lbs (before your machine, reels, cables, or other equipment)
What materials are Defender-FX's made from?
Aluminum 5052-H32 Millplate
Aluminum 6061-T6 Extrusions
“Sandtex Black” Powdercoat
Black Painted Mild Steel
Express Custom Proprietary “Mono-Groove” Extrusion
How much, and how long does it take to install a Defender-FX?
~$1,000.00 for Installation at Rival Truck in Parksville, B.C.
≤ 1 Day; not guaranteed. We ask all clients to be ready to reserve a hotel for worst case scenario. However, 99% of our Defender installs are same-day completion.
What is the typical application for a Defender-FX?
#1) Mobile Welding & Fab
#2) Pipeline & Industrial
#3) Construction & Field Repairs
#4) Multi-Purpose Trade Trucks
How are Defender-FX's attached?
The Defender is bolted into our steel Sub-Frame, which is bolted to the truck frame itself through the truck bed. This gives the aluminum the flexibility to perform for the long haul on even the roughest of roads.
What models are available?
Defender-SB (Short Box)
Defender-LB (Long Box)
Defender-FX (Long Box w/ Fuel Cell)
Where can I purchase or order a Defender-FX?
Defenders are exclusively sold at Express Custom. Express Custom can arrange shipping to anywhere in North America.
What are the dimensions of the Defender-FX?
Overall (Tailgate Up): 96.84”L x 80”W x 47”H
Road Side Cabinet: 62”L x 24”H x 24”D
Curb Side Cabinet: 49.25”L x 24”H x 18”D
Transverse Cabinet: 21″L x 24″H x 80″D (Split 24″ / 56″)
What is the Warranty of the Defender-FX?
2 Year Limited
(learn more)
Got more questions? Contact our team!
The Final Boss of the Defender Series.
The (not so) secret power of the Defender-FX lies in its fully integrated design—combining long-box storage, extended cabinetry, and a concealed 225 L fuel cell beneath its base. The transverse extension cabinet mirrors the Defender-XL’s configuration, with a 24″ driver-side compartment housing the optional 20 GPM Fill-Rite pump and a 56″ curb-side bay for additional tools or consumables. The fuel cell itself remains uncoated and out of sight once installed, maintaining a clean, professional finish while lowering the truck’s center of gravity for improved balance and safety. Together, these elements create a self-contained workstation capable of powering your day, fueling your welder, and storing everything you need to get the job done.
Built for domestic ¾-ton and larger long-box pickups, the Defender-FX mounts on Rival’s steel sub-frame for unmatched rigidity and serviceability. It includes all the core Defender features—dual acetylene pillars, dual oxygen brackets, propane storage, a 3000 lb steel welder slider, integrated reel mounts, LED cabinet lighting, and quick-fist pipestand holders—plus the added advantage of onboard refueling. Bare aluminum finish comes standard, with optional Sandtex powder-coated hardware for a premium look. For welders who want complete autonomy and next-level integration, the Defender-FX is the apex of professional mobile welding equipment.
Default / Base Configuration
Vertical Acetylene Bottle Storage
- x1 Per side (x2 total)
- Hinged access door with compression latch
LED Worklight Holes
- There are pre-cut mounting holes on top of each Acetylene Pillar for L.E.D. Worklights (Sold Separately)
4x Reel Mounting Locations
- Mounting Slots on both sides. 2-Per-Side, 4-Total.
- Preconfigured for AlumaReel’s
- Need a 5th or 6th reel on board? If you’re running a small machine, we can add a reel post to your slider. Just ask us!
2x Oxygen Bottles
- 1x-Per-Side (2x total) Engineered lay-down Oxygen Bottle brackets
- Fits T/K and All Tops
- Engineer Stamped Drawings available for jobsite requirements
3,000lb Steel Slider
- Mounting compatibility for Lincoln/Miller Welding Machines, VMAC Compressors, etc.
- Multiple locking/stop positions for staggered load/unload (extremely helpful on inclines).
Steel Tailgate
- Black Painted Steel Pounding Pad / Tailgate
- Intentionally recessed substructure for clamp-friendly functionality
- HD Machine Chain Retention
- Spring Latches on either side for quick latching
- We commonly add Vise Mounts if requested
Forklift Pockets
- Integrated wide-spaced forklift pockets.
Quickfist Pipestand Holders
- x7 Quick-Fist Pipestand Holders on rear of curbside toolbox
- Adjustable along track system
Curb Side Cabinet
- 49.25”L x 24”H x 18”D
- L.E.D. Rope Cabinet Lighting
- Divider wall inside separating cabinet 50/50
- Dual Beveller Bracket (Unmounted)
- Zip Disc Rail (Unmounted)
- Grinder Rail (Unmounted)
- 4x Steel (Black Painted) Removable Lifting Lugs. These are used situationally along the top box-tube to hoist the Defender up vertically. Due to infrequent usage; the holes are not pre-drilled in the box tube for these ears, as some clients opt to not use them.
Curb Side of Transverse Cabinet
- 21″W
- 24″H
- 80″W Box, but, Divider wall is inset 56″ from this side’s door.
- Interior Rope L.E.D.
225L Integrated Cell
- Hidden beneath Transverse Box (not visible when installed)
- Bare Aluminum Finish
- Fill Inlet and Pump 2″ NPT Pipe Bung accessed via Roadside portion of Transverse Box
- Fill-Rite pumps stocked, sold separately (20GPM Typical)
20-30lb LP
- 1x LP 20lb-30lb Bracket
- Adjustable collar to secure bottle in place
Road Side Cabinet
- 62”L x 24”H x 24”D
- L.E.D. Rope Cabinet Lighting
- 1x 6″ Full-Length Drawer with adjustable dividers inside
- 1x Row of 8x Pigeon Holes (Rod Tube Holders) above Drawer
- Shocks to support door when open
- Whale Tail Compression Locking Handles
- S.S. Piano Hinge with integrated drip-rail
Road Side of Transverse Cabinet
- SHOWN HERE WITH PUMP; PUMPS SOLD SEPARATELY
- 21″W x 24″H x 80″W Box, but, Divider wall is inset 24″ from this side’s door.
- Interior Rope L.E.D.
225L Integrated Cell
- 21″W
- 24″H
- 80″W Box, but, Divider wall is inset 24″ from this side’s door.
- Interior Rope L.E.D.
Default / Base Configuration
Vertical Acetylene Bottle Storage
- x1 Per side (x2 total)
- Hinged access door with compression latch
LED Worklight Holes
- There are pre-cut mounting holes on top of each Acetylene Pillar for L.E.D. Worklights (Sold Separately)
4x Reel Mounting Locations
- Mounting Slots on both sides. 2-Per-Side, 4-Total.
- Preconfigured for AlumaReel’s
- Need a 5th or 6th reel on board? If you’re running a small machine, we can add a reel post to your slider. Just ask us!
2x Oxygen Bottles
- 1x-Per-Side (2x total) Engineered lay-down Oxygen Bottle brackets
- Fits T/K and All Tops
- Engineer Stamped Drawings available for jobsite requirements
3,000lb Steel Slider
- Mounting compatibility for Lincoln/Miller Welding Machines, VMAC Compressors, etc.
- Multiple locking/stop positions for staggered load/unload (extremely helpful on inclines).
Steel Tailgate
- Black Painted Steel Pounding Pad / Tailgate
- Intentionally recessed substructure for clamp-friendly functionality
- HD Machine Chain Retention
- Spring Latches on either side for quick latching
- We commonly add Vise Mounts if requested
Forklift Pockets
- Integrated wide-spaced forklift pockets.
Quickfist Pipestand Holders
- x7 Quick-Fist Pipestand Holders on rear of curbside toolbox
- Adjustable along track system
Curb Side Cabinet
- 49.25”L x 24”H x 18”D
- L.E.D. Rope Cabinet Lighting
- Divider wall inside separating cabinet 50/50
- Dual Beveller Bracket (Unmounted)
- Zip Disc Rail (Unmounted)
- Grinder Rail (Unmounted)
- 4x Steel (Black Painted) Removable Lifting Lugs. These are used situationally along the top box-tube to hoist the Defender up vertically. Due to infrequent usage; the holes are not pre-drilled in the box tube for these ears, as some clients opt to not use them.
Curb Side of Transverse Cabinet
- 21″W
- 24″H
- 80″W Box, but, Divider wall is inset 56″ from this side’s door.
- Interior Rope L.E.D.
225L Integrated Cell
- Hidden beneath Transverse Box (not visible when installed)
- Bare Aluminum Finish
- Fill Inlet and Pump 2″ NPT Pipe Bung accessed via Roadside portion of Transverse Box
- Fill-Rite pumps stocked, sold separately (20GPM Typical)
20-30lb LP
- 1x LP 20lb-30lb Bracket
- Adjustable collar to secure bottle in place
Road Side Cabinet
- 62”L x 24”H x 24”D
- L.E.D. Rope Cabinet Lighting
- 1x 6″ Full-Length Drawer with adjustable dividers inside
- 1x Row of 8x Pigeon Holes (Rod Tube Holders) above Drawer
- Shocks to support door when open
- Whale Tail Compression Locking Handles
- S.S. Piano Hinge with integrated drip-rail
Road Side of Transverse Cabinet
- SHOWN HERE WITH PUMP; PUMPS SOLD SEPARATELY
- 21″W x 24″H x 80″W Box, but, Divider wall is inset 24″ from this side’s door.
- Interior Rope L.E.D.
225L Integrated Cell
- Hidden beneath Transverse Box (not visible when installed)
- Bare Aluminum Finish
- Fill Inlet and Pump 2″ NPT Pipe Bung accessed via Roadside portion of Transverse Box
- Fill-Rite pumps stocked, sold separately (20GPM Typical)
Options & Extras
Built in-house, from start-to-finish. We can tailor your Paladin to suite your exact needs. We can add, remove, augment, or modify any aspect of your build. When ‘basic’ just wont cut it, chat with our team about what we can do to make your rig yours.
Pump it up!
We can add a 20GPM Fill-Rite Pump, mounted and wired in for fill-ready turnkey functionality right off the lot.
Vises & Vise Mounts
Ready for Fire Extinguisher
Reels, Cables, & Hoses
We are an authorized AlumaReel dealer; and we carry all the related cables/hoses/cords you’d ever need.
Trim Packages & Colors
We have many pre-thought-out color/trim packages. Or, got a custom color theme in mind? No problem. Just talk to our team.
Lighting
We can add:
Work Lights
Amber Beacons
Traffic Advisory Amber Lightbars
Buggy Whips
Or any other lighting you need!
Rival Manufacturing
Delivering premium product, everytime.
1365 Alberni Hwy
Parksville, BC, V9P 2B9
PO BOX 487
Parksville, BC, V9P 2G6
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