Thread: Spare wheel on Puma bonnet

Originally Posted by Collins

Many moons ago I was the proud owner of a 2A Safari wagon, spare on tailgate & spare mounted on bonnet.

Contrary to one of the comments about weight & opening bonnet, it was not a drama. 7.50 x 16 on split rim, much heavier than alloy rim & tyre.

The carrier you have fabricated looks great.

you obviously haven't felt the weight of the puma bonnet which is all steel, the bonnet is heavy on its own let alone with a wheel and tyre on which is why I think the comment was made.

While acknowledging the exceptional design and workmanship - and I do.

I cannot help but laugh at how much our traveling members whack onto their vehicles in order to "go bush".

Most of the failures are due to excessive vehicle weights!!!!

We go everywhere, always operating remote in almost bog standard Prados!!!!
Even down to factory rubber on most.

Each vehicle has a compressor, tyre plugs and 1 spare. Vehicles carry water, 1st aid and comms gear.

They pull 400-800km a day in heat up to 46°c so far this year without issue.

Just something to think about!

Ps> I go home occasionally via William Creek or the Original Stuart highway (full corrugations - unsealed) for fun!!!

And the vehicles, including my D4, love it

Originally Posted by rijidij

G'day Carl,
There are a couple of stainless steel brackets which go from the bullbar to the top of the radiator support rail, these are part of the factory bullbar stup. The wheel carrier frame is supported on these, but I welded a couple of tabs on which stick in under the bonnet to share the load with the steel rail (the one with the bonnet catch in it).
Although the carrier frame is not actually attached to the front of the bonnet, it can't be independant of the bonnet because the frame is bolted to the bonnet hinge holes, so the tabs ensure the frame and bonnet have to both lift together.
Ideally the weight of the frame would be all on the bullbar, but the factory bullbar is one of those soft padded types, so it's very limited as to where you can attach things solidly.
Due to the wide variation of bullbar setups, I would not make these as a 'standard' item, but having said that, if I ever get time, I might investigate the posibility of making them independant of the bullbar by strengthening the rail in the car............repeat, if I ever get time Got a lot on at the moment.

Cheers, Murray

Thanks for that. I am thinking of trying to get hold of some ex Army tool mounts and weld them on and then powder coat the whole lot. Cheers Carl

Originally Posted by Tombie

While acknowledging the exceptional design and workmanship - and I do.

I cannot help but laugh at how much our traveling members whack onto their vehicles in order to "go bush".

Most of the failures are due to excessive vehicle weights!!!!

We go everywhere, always operating remote in almost bog standard Prados!!!!
Even down to factory rubber on most.

Each vehicle has a compressor, tyre plugs and 1 spare. Vehicles carry water, 1st aid and comms gear.

They pull 400-800km a day in heat up to 46°c so far this year without issue.

Just something to think about!

Ps> I go home occasionally via William Creek or the Original Stuart highway (full corrugations - unsealed) for fun!!!

And the vehicles, including my D4, love it

Yes but you dont go away for Three Months + in that trim.

too right tho, Most people just take waaay too much stuff.

We don't go away that long but we are running services up in under 6 weeks!

The vehicles still cop a hiding!

Originally Posted by rijidij

Well, it's always great to get feedback like that. Like all the forum members I've met through the business, Michael is a great guy and a pleasure to deal with.

Cheers, Murray

Hi Murray,

Been using the 90 with the spare wheel on the bonnet on the dunes and beaches of the west coast of Eyre Peninsula for a week. It is perfect. I have no vision issues and the weight distribution is perfect! Thx again :-)

Originally Posted by dullbird

[snip]

and perhaps public safety in the event of mowing someone down

Naa, a bonnet mounted spare is a safety feature, it's an airbag for pedestrians.

Originally Posted by Collins

Many moons ago I was the proud owner of a 2A Safari wagon, spare on tailgate & spare mounted on bonnet. Contrary to one of the comments about weight & opening bonnet, it was not a drama. 7.50 x 16 on split rim, much heavier than alloy rim & tyre.
The carrier you have fabricated looks great.

They're not you know. Boost alloy wheel on my Defender with 235/16 General Grabber, is near as damn it the same weight as Discovery 1 steel fitted with the same tyre.

Another fine bit of work Murray.