Rear wheel carriers for Defenders/Countys

**rijidij** · 16th January 2009, 10:10 PM

I'm half way through designing and constructing a new rear wheel carrier to suit a County / Defender.

When it comes to a carrier that attaches to the chassis, such as a Kaymar in the second pic below, what are the differences in the rear chassis member, if any, from model to model, including the '08 Defender, as far as all the standard holes are concerned. I'd guess that they are the same from Countys to Defenders up to about '02, but I'm not sure if anything changed from here on the rear member. My carrier will be attached to the chassis using original holes.

I've also read elsewhere on the forum that you have to modify a Bearmach rear wheel carrier to fit the latest Defender. I presume this is the type of carrier that attaches in 2 places like the one in the first pic below. What is different on the new '08 (Puma) Defender that it needs to be changed.

I'd like to see details of the different models, but I suppose what i'm basically asking is, if, and which wheel carriers are transferable between which model Defenders/Countys etc etc

Cheers, Murray

This is the rear of my '99 Defender

**Sleepy** · 16th January 2009, 10:40 PM

I have a Kaymar carrier on my 05 td5. Originally fitted to my 2001 110 but transfered it to the 90.
Had to slightly cut the rear cross member to make it fit. My 05 defender is a South African and has slightly different rear cross member to body mounts.

Bit hard to explain but can post a pic if you're interested.

**dmdigital** · 16th January 2009, 10:42 PM

08 Defender is the same, the door has changed (slightly) but the cross member is basically the same and has the same holes.

**crump** · 17th January 2009, 08:33 AM

which ever way you go, either make the mounting plate to the rear cross member BIG or insert crush tubes on the bolts within the cross member or both, or it will distort.

**rijidij** · 17th January 2009, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Sleepy

Had to slightly cut the rear cross member to make it fit.

Bit hard to explain but can post a pic if you're interested.

Do you mean you had to cut the cross member on the vehicle itself, or cut part of the carrier mounting bracket to make it fit.

**rijidij** · 17th January 2009, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by crump

which ever way you go, either make the mounting plate to the rear cross member BIG or insert crush tubes on the bolts within the cross member or both, or it will distort.

I made this wheel carrier for my County. It's been on there for about 9 years with no problems, and that's with a 255/85/16 tyre, a high lift jack and a 20 litre jerry hanging off it. No crush tubes, but it's got large backing plates for the bolts and the main bracket covers the chassis rail from top to bottom where it's strongest.

This is what I've done so far on the new one........I'll be making this one open with the door...........

**Bearman** · 17th January 2009, 03:26 PM

Attachment 12860

Attachment 12861

Attachment 12862

Attachment 12863

Attachment 12864Murray,
Heres a few pics of one I built about 15yrs ago and it was originally fitted to a S3 wagon. When I bought my County I transferred it after adding the rear roof (mine was a bicentennial dualcab before transformation) The S3 has a rear door and the 110 only has a tailgate so it will fit both types and mounts on the body not the chassis. I have done many outback trips on corrugated/washed out roads and there is no sign of fatigue damage. I built it pretty robust and the tyre is a 235/85/16 mounted on it. Regards...Brian[ATTACH]Attachment 12860[/ATTACH]

**rijidij** · 17th January 2009, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Bearman

I have done many outback trips on corrugated/washed out roads and there is no sign of fatigue damage. I built it pretty robust and the tyre is a 235/85/16 mounted on it. Regards...Brian

Thanks for the pics Brian,
It is amazing what punishment some accessories
actually put up with. I've been guilty of over engineering things in the past, but you learn with experience.

Murray

**Chucaro** · 17th January 2009, 03:40 PM

[QUOTE=rijidij;894088]I made this wheel carrier for my County. It's been on there for about 9 years with no problems, and that's with a 255/85/16 tyre, a high lift jack and a 20 litre jerry hanging off it. No crush tubes, but it's got large backing plates for the bolts and the main bracket covers the chassis rail from top to bottom where it's strongest.

This is what I've done so far on the new one........I'll be making this one open with the door...........

Very nice and strong job.
Just fit a grease nipple in the bush to keep the berings fully lubricated.
I am looking forward to the finished job.
Are you going to sell them or is a one off job?

**rijidij** · 17th January 2009, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Just fit a grease nipple in the bush to keep the bearings fully lubricated.

Are you going to sell them or is a one off job?

I actually just bought some grease nipples today.

At this stage I am making 2 wheel carriers to start with, hoping that the sale of the second one will cover my costs of the project.
I'm very happy with how things are coming together so far. I'll post more pics as the project continues.
I'll see how these turn out first before deciding wether to make any more.

Cheers, Murray

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