Defender rear door reinforcing

[LandyAndy]

Hi Guys
Have any of you improved the rear door to help it support the weight of the spare???
Would like others to post before I go re-inventing the wheel.
I dont want a secondary wheel carrier and do want the spare to remain on the door.
I havent looked inside the door trim yet,my initial thoughts are a corner to coner cross brace for the lower half then use chequer plate instead of the exsisting trim.
Thoughts please.
Andrew

[sniegy]

Andrew,
Buy a later model year door, from 04 from memory they replaced the door with a 1 piece unit & the spare wheel carrier from a D1. This helps reduce fatigue in the door. Maybe try a wrecker??

Cheers Mate.

[Landy Smurf]

we put chequer plate across the back where the trim is works a treat also we did put a wheel carrier to help it

[GRIFF]

Hi Landy Andy get a copy of 4x4 Australia mag September copy and on page 69 there is a picture of a defender with a shipping container lock set up.

this would be great for making the rear door seal and strength

[Bundalene]

Hi Andy

Bite the bullet and buy or make one of those swing away holders which are hinged adjacent to the door and also attached to the back door.

We have an 06 Defender with the single piece door and have had the original rear D2 style mount crack up (as per a previous post) The hinges are also not up to it and the door was starting to droop.

I installed a Bearmach type of wheel holder just before our recent trip and found this concept excellent, easy to open / close the door.


Erich

[Ranga]

Hi Landy Andy get a copy of 4x4 Australia mag September copy and on page 69 there is a picture of a defender with a shipping container lock set up.

this would be great for making the rear door seal and strength

Can you scan it and upload it?

[Allan]

I put a Bearmach swing away on mine also, very good for the money.

Allan

[MTB]

Allan

Does your rear carrier also add some friction in the way the OppositLock one does, thus holding the door open?
Can't make my mind up which one to get.

[kenleyfred]

Hi Landy Andy get a copy of 4x4 Australia mag September copy and on page 69 there is a picture of a defender with a shipping container lock set up.

this would be great for making the rear door seal and strength

As soon as I started reading this thread, this is exactly what I was going to respond with. Even went to the magazine to check page number beffore reading on and seeing Griff's post.
No I can't scan and upload. Seems overkill, but that back door is secured in at least 5 places.
Kenley

[Allan]

Allan

Does your rear carrier also add some friction in the way the OppositLock one does, thus holding the door open?
Can't make my mind up which one to get.

Yes a little, I also had to modify the angle and length of the wheel mount bolts to suit my non standard rims.

Allan

[jerryd]

The rear door on my county has had a frame welded onto the inside of it, it is very solid with no movement at all.
This is the only pic I've got but you can just about get the idea