Thread: Best spare wheel carrier and side steps?

Originally Posted by Surrufus

And how much assembly is required? Does anyone have a photo of it straight from the supplier?

The instructions that come with the wheel carrier are good and you shouldn't have much trouble putting it all together. The hardest thing is a small cutout for a bracket.
The package for the single wheel carrier arrives like this;

Hi Chris.
Another vote for Rijidij. I spoke to Murray to have a high lift jack mount fitted to the spare wheel carrier as well as the work light.Bit more expensive than a Mantec but IMO well worth the price.Great quality and not that hard to fit.I use the genuine LR side steps as they come down far enough for a good step-up,my 87 yo dad manages ok. They also offer a bit of protection for the auxiliary tanks either side. Hardest part is putting the bearing cap on!

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Assume you've seen this?
Rijidij Off Road Spare Wheel Carrier Land Rover Defender 110 / 90 | Buy 4x4 Land Rover Toyota Nissan Accessories and Parts Online Store | Expedition Centre Australia by Mulgo


And compared it with this?


Mantec Spare Wheel Carrier Land Rover Defender 110 / 90 | Buy 4x4 Land Rover Toyota Nissan Accessories and Parts Online Store | Expedition Centre Australia by Mulgo

I was specifically referring to dual wheel carriers, however, I haven't actually seen any of them in person. I also thought the Rijidij single wheel carrier didn't bolt to the door for some strange reason.
AND I just realised that the white handle is for locking the carrier open... durr... feel like an idiot.

Also, from those two links, the Rijidij looks far more solid/heavy duty in comparison to the Mantec.

Originally Posted by martin fucile

Hi Chris.
Another vote for Rijidij. I spoke to Murray to have a high lift jack mount fitted to the spare wheel carrier as well as the work light.Bit more expensive than a Mantec but IMO well worth the price.Great quality and not that hard to fit.I use the genuine LR side steps as they come down far enough for a good step-up,my 87 yo dad manages ok. They also offer a bit of protection for the auxiliary tanks either side. Hardest part is putting the bearing cap on!

If you get chance any possibility of a couple of pic how they look?
I was wondering myself about the ease of getting in and out too as rock sliders seem too high to give much aid to getting in and out. It is good to hear the steps are good in this regard.
Cheers
Chris

I like mine , it is Stainless steel(Nakatanenga Reserveradtr?ger Defender SW / HT - Artikeldetailansicht - Nakatanenga 4x4-Equipment f?r Land Rover & Outdoor ) and no drilling to install

Originally Posted by Surrufus

I was specifically referring to dual wheel carriers, however, I haven't actually seen any of them in person. I also thought the Rijidij single wheel carrier didn't bolt to the door for some strange reason.
AND I just realised that the white handle is for locking the carrier open... durr... feel like an idiot.

Also, from those two links, the Rijidij looks far more solid/heavy duty in comparison to the Mantec.

Fair enough. Incidentally, my Mantec is rock solid - no movement at all. Its only the backing plate fitted on the door to replace the original wheel mount using the existing holes with the Mantec - the wheel itself is fully supported by the carrier which is bolted to the bumper and body frame, using existing holes on the bumper and drilling out one rivet and drilling a new hole on the body. Still, if you like the Ridji then go for it - good to support a local business.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

Originally Posted by Surrufus

I was specifically referring to dual wheel carriers, however, I haven't actually seen any of them in person. I also thought the Rijidij single wheel carrier didn't bolt to the door for some strange reason.
AND I just realised that the white handle is for locking the carrier open... durr... feel like an idiot.

Also, from those two links, the Rijidij looks far more solid/heavy duty in comparison to the Mantec.

The dual carrier comes assembled, but in three main pieces, the bar, the R/H wheel carrier arm and the L/H carrier arm (or jerry arm) as well as all the little bits and pieces.
There is no drilling required except for a couple of small holes to screw on the cover plates where the NAS lights come off. The main bumper and door plate all mount to existing holes in the chassis and door.
The R/H carrier arm opens automatically with the door, so if the L/H arm is removed between trips you don't need to undo a latch before opening the door. You can view the fitting instructions online here Rijidij Dual Carrier Fitting

Regarding the comparative solid build of the single wheel carrier, I have sold a few of these to replace cracked carriers imported from the UK. To be fair, I don't think they were the Mantec IIRC. Some of the imported carriers simply aren't built strong enough to withstand Australian road conditions. Anyone designing 4wd accessories for use in Australia should first do a trip to the outback. Once you experience severe outback corrugations you will change your ideas about just how strong things need to be built.

Cheers, Murray

Originally Posted by cafe latte

Thanks guys I will get the Rijidij (what a spelling!!), how about side steps? Fold down or rock slider for getting in and out?
The inlaws cant get in (what am I saying that is a good thing ).
Seriously though I am 6 foot 3 inches and I still need to slide off the seat which is not good for the seat at all and it time it will get damaged so I want a step of some sort to prevent this.
Chris

I thought long and hard about this for my Heritage, coming later this year. I didn't really want anything (for the look) but I decided you have to have something. I went for the OEM runners, which I already have on my TD5, because they are clean, no moving parts, stop people banging your door as already mentioned. But also, if you have roof bars or rack, it's very nice to have the runner to stand on for tying things etc. (with the door open so you don't dent it with your knees!).