300 TDi Defender - Replacing the Bonnet Support

**isuzu110** · 2nd June 2007, 01:14 PM

Hi

I hate the scissor style bonnet support on my Defender so replaced it with a single prop as per my County...

I removed the two 8mm bolts on the radiator support and put a piece of steel plate on top of the rad (cut to size) and replaced the original bolts with ones 5mm longer

I then cut a piece of 3/8 threaded rod to size and welded a small bracket to fit onto the bonnet

And bought some Zenith tool clips to retain the threaded rod to the bonnet when not in use

Done

**Michael2** · 2nd June 2007, 03:39 PM

Hmmm, my '97 300Tdi Defender has a prop, not the scissor lift. The '94 200Tdi on last years Simpson Trip also had a prop.

It might be easier (for anyone else wanting to convert) to look for a ready made Defender part. But good job on the fabrication.

**rangieman** · 2nd June 2007, 04:02 PM

Ok ill ask , why do you hate the scissor type bonnet stay it does the job with no ill affects

**Bigbjorn** · 2nd June 2007, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by rangieman

Ok ill ask , why do you hate the scissor type bonnet stay it does the job with no ill affects

Except when you bump it and it drops the bloody bonnet on you!!!!!

**rick130** · 2nd June 2007, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Michael2

Hmmm, my '97 300Tdi Defender has a prop, not the scissor lift. The '94 200Tdi on last years Simpson Trip also had a prop.

It might be easier (for anyone else wanting to convert) to look for a ready made Defender part. But good job on the fabrication.

any 'fender with the bonnet mounted spare kit has a one piece stay.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Except when you bump it and it drops the bloody bonnet on you!!!!!

**Landy110** · 2nd June 2007, 04:47 PM

My 94 defender has the scissor and there is another problem with it. On one occasion the scissor moved while driving and became stuck under the radiator reservior. The upshot is that I couldn't open the B****y bonnet! I had to crawl underneath and loose a bit of bark off my arm to release it. fixed it by using different thickness washers on the bottom pivot to take out the side to side free play. As for it falling, whenever I get serious under the bonnet I just take the top pin out and tie the bonnet back with a rag between it and the roof or lift it off altogher!

**isuzu110** · 2nd June 2007, 04:53 PM

Scissor stay gets stuck under the fill point on the top airconditioner pipe when opening. You have to reach under with your left hand and pull the scissor to the left whilst lifting with the right hand. I suspect the top aircon pipe is non standard. Surely LR would not have had such a bad design.

If you are not careful, you could snap the fill-point off.

**rangieman** · 2nd June 2007, 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by isuzu110

Scissor stay gets stuck under the fill point on the top airconditioner pipe when opening. You have to reach under with your left hand and pull the scissor to the left whilst lifting with the right hand. I suspect the top aircon pipe is non standard. Surely LR would not have had such a bad design.

If you are not careful, you could snap the fill-point off.

You must have a one off !

I do not have a hassle with my bonnet stay at all and im happy with it and if i want the bonnet to go higher well disconect it , but unlike others my bonnet doesnt come up very often only for maintence and service intervals

**JDNSW** · 3rd June 2007, 06:48 AM

I have no problems with the scissor type stay - never would have thought of converting it.

John

**Landy110** · 4th June 2007, 07:08 AM

I had a look at mine and can see an advantage in that you could put in a longer rod so your bonnet will open further without having to stuff around pulling pins out and tying back. I might give it a go!

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