Thread: Bonnet mounted 255s

I often have mine on the bonnet.
It fails the ADR that covers driver sight lines.
It mounts up fine, and doesn't bother me most of the time, very tight 4x4ing I put it in the tub. It makes opening the bonnet a pain, the spring that "pops" the bonnet is not strong enough, so I have to pull the release and hold it with vice grips, then open the bonnet. I'm also not that happy with having my head under the bonnet with a 40kg wheel waiting to kill me.
Tony

Originally Posted by TonyC

It makes opening the bonnet a pain, the spring that "pops" the bonnet is not strong enough, so I have to pull the release and hold it with vice grips, then open the bonnet.

I found a stronger spring that fixes that problem - part AGB710020.

I never had a problem with a 255/85/16 on the bonnet
I agree the spring needs to be stronger even with a 235/85/16
I use the left hand to hold the lever across, right elbow resting on the bull bar and somehow the right hand fingers do there magic whilst a quick yoink with the forearm using the elbow as a lever (something like that)
I’ve never had the bonnet drop from the weight of the wheel
I’m going out tomorrow to get that spring so I can give the right arm a bit of a break (before it breaks)
Vision is still better than my brothers 76 series land cruiser

Spare wheel on the bonnet
Where it should be



Gav

Originally Posted by TonyC

I often have mine on the bonnet.
It fails the ADR that covers driver sight lines.
It mounts up fine, and doesn't bother me most of the time, very tight 4x4ing I put it in the tub. It makes opening the bonnet a pain, the spring that "pops" the bonnet is not strong enough, so I have to pull the release and hold it with vice grips, then open the bonnet. I'm also not that happy with having my head under the bonnet with a 40kg wheel waiting to kill me.
Tony

I think from memory the ADR states that you need to see the road 11m ahead from sitting position. So place an object 11m away and place your wheel on the bonnet and see if you can see the object you placed on the road. If you get pulled just tell the office they are too short.

Originally Posted by Ranga

I found a stronger spring that fixes that problem - part AGB710020.

Thanks for that Ranga.
I'll have to chase one down.
Tony

To help aid with the up and down of the bonnet, you can install a gas struts.

I have this kit:

LRC1516 - Gas Bonnet Strut Kit for Land Rover Defender - Comes as a Pair | LR Parts

Disclaimer....I no longer have a spare on the bonnet of my 130. I run 285 tyres so no chance of seeing anything but the sun out of my windscreen. So the spare lives in the tub.

The kits comes with 400Nm rated struts and when I put these on my bonnet (with no spare) and went to open the bonnet, it just about threw the bonnet into the next neighourhood. So I changed the struts to 200Nm and now it opens and closes with the touch of one finger.

So the kits comes with the provision to lift the bonnet with a rim/tyre combo given the rating on the struts. For piece of mind you can still keep the bonnet stay in place for when you have your head in the engine bay.

Originally Posted by TonyC

so I have to pull the release and hold it with vice grips, then open the bonnet.

i use a rubber door wedge..

push in under bonnet on left side near front, pull cable, bonnet pops and stays popped...

I've found that greasiing the spring and surrounds helped mine pop fine with original spring and 235/85s