Thread: Puma checker plate

Hi Aaron

Juddy (on here) is with Landybitz and they sell the Patriot gear which is widely considered to be the best cut, bent and thickness checker plate. It comes with fixings (rivu-nuts if I'm not mistaken), but it's a premium product with the associated price tag

Chequer-plate Wing Top Protectors

The choice between natural and black (or any other colour I suppose) is widely influenced by personal choice and your car's colour.

I've got black powder coated wing tops from All-4-Wheels in the UK and they are my third set (third Defender as well!) and I've never had a single issue with them chipping, flaking or peeling. The gear is 3mm 5 bar checker and its never bent under my weight (100kg). You do however need to buy your own fastenings and I've always gone for stainless steel.

All 4 Wheels

In the end its your choice what you want to spend and how much you want to cover.

Cheers,

Lou

I have the Patriot wingtops and bonnet via Landybitz, black powder-coated. Originally wanted black anodized but this turned out to be an usual order and cost sky-rocketed.

No regrets on the powder coat so far

I normally would keep my opinion on this to myself, but since this is an 'open discussion on checker plate'

I just don't get the whole checker plate thing, unless of course you are covering up damage or want to walk on your panels. To me checker plate detracts from the Defenders looks, I dont get why you would stuff up completely good panels by drilling holes in them. Oh well each to their own.

All my Land Rovers end up with bent up guards due to careless mechanics and loose occupants.
Quite common for people to stand on the bonnet to see whats over the horizon.
Thank God for checker plate I say

Growing up on hunting farms in Southern Africa, standing anywhere on a Land Rover is just the way it was done.

Long before the advent of health and safety, the spare on a Landy's bonnet was a perfect low speed seat to spot animals. Getting there meant stepping on the wings and bonnet and protecting the upper surface of the wings have always been an automatic option to me.

I'm personally not a fan of checker plate elsewhere on the car, but everyone to himself on choice...

Should you change your mind on a brand new car you might have a bit of a headache!

Cheers,

Lou

Originally Posted by goingbush

I normally would keep my opinion on this to myself, but since this is an 'open discussion on checker plate'

I just don't get the whole checker plate thing, unless of course you are covering up damage or want to walk on your panels. To me checker plate detracts from the Defenders looks, I dont get why you would stuff up completely good panels by drilling holes in them. Oh well each to their own.

I never had a need on my Td5 but the mirror like finish on my puma bonnet is blinding in the correct light. I wont be standing on mine however.. Im too heavy.

A coat of flat black paint would be cheaper and lighter and more easily restored to original if you change your mind.

Originally Posted by Aaron

I never had a need on my Td5 but the mirror like finish on my puma bonnet is blinding in the correct light. I wont be standing on mine however.. Im too heavy.

If your too heavy I Stan on it, put on the chequer plate and start climbing on it. Seriously, I'm a big bloke and the Patriot chequer player is ace. No dints in it yet!

As for colour, if your climbing on it then defo go anodized, the powder coat can be damaged with sand and mud on your boots and then after time it blisters and looks rubbish. No such dramas with anodized. Natural ally is also blinding in the correct light.

Hth
J

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