Thread: Defender Rear Door Repair or Replace?

Originally Posted by Walshy25

Ok so after following your sound advice I have repaired the door and it's come up looking good, if I do say so myself.

I cleaned off the waxed rust preventer to reveal minor surface rust, removed it with angle grinder and wire head. Treated the rust, repainted inside of door with rattle can.

Then I decided to cut a piece of marine ply to replace the old door trim, provide some strength and tidy it all up a bit. After some trimming with the jigsaw I wasn't happy with the final fit / flex in the ply, so went to option two checker plate.

I priced up laser cutting with me suppling the plate and it actually worked out cheaper to go with a Britpart pre-cut piece off eBay. Landed in Australia was approx. $140, which I was happy with for the convenience (4 days) to arrive.

So now I have a strong door, wheel relocated to the newly installed Mantec spare wheel carrier and the rattles have gone

Check out the attached pics of the final Checker Plate install.

Thanks again for your advice to fix, it was satisfying and not too hard.

That looks good. I like the Britpart checkerplate too. I could attach a Front Runner drop down table to that.

Yes, I've been eyeing off the one on display in the local Opposite Lock store, but wondering how to attach it to the standard door. The checkerplate would solve that problem.