Replacement Defender Grille ?

[VladTepes]

I'd ike to replace the crrent (broken) standard grille with something a little more... special / different.

Sort of like this perhaps:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/331.jpg
but ideally made of metal.

Whatever I get I don't want it to restrict airflow any more than standard.


Also would like to space it out a bit like the later TD5 grilles (post '03 ? )

[VladTepes]

Found this on google images

http://media.landrovertuning.com.au/shop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/9/2/926126793656.jpeg

These may be the same as the one I first posted


Other option might be a sheet of steel with lots of round holes drilled in it, but what would the airflow be like..
http://www.brookwell.co.uk/graphics/products/large/GAL220_2.jpg

[Fraz]

Those look great! The airflow would be less, due to the original having air gaps the whole length of the grille, as opposed to all the square holes - but the difference would probably be negligable

[frantic]

Airflow would be no worse than having a BIG pair of spotties in front of the grille:eek:. But with stainless or mild steel it would be stronger and not chip as easy.

[Loubrey]

Most of the UK suppliers will be able to send you one like Vlad's pictures. Spacing them like an aircon equiped car would require additional bits though, maybe off a breaker?

[Offender90]

Personally, I would stick with the original LR item, mine has lasted for ~20 years before needing replacing, but if you want something different and are worried about the pressure loss accross the front grille - it will be negligable when compared to pulling air through the radiator fins, regardless of the grille used, so go for it.

[VladTepes]

Yeah my old grille is cactus.

I want to space it out a bit as well for possible intercooler upgrade later on. Plus a bit of a freshen up.



The other option I considered was the KBX grill
http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/chrisP18.jpg
which I like the look of, although they are plastic and too bloody expensive.

[VladTepes]

bump.

[VladTepes]

bump.

anyone know of any other after market Defender grilles ?

[Loubrey]

Hi Vlad,

Have a look at the Rovacraft catalogues

Rovacraft (http://www.rovacraft.com.au/products/catalogue.html)

They have (or can get) most of the UK products (but it might be cheaper going direct!:wasntme:) Path: Bearmach/Accessories/Defender

Page 26 might have some ideas.

Cheers!

[uninformed]

best one I have seen was home made.....it was perferrated sheet, that is round holes about 8mm dia all through it...sheet was about 2mm thick and it had been folded to for corrogations...like roof sheeting but the folds were straight not rounded...end result was a very strong grill with lots of air flow.

[Tombie]

best one I have seen was home made.....it was perferrated sheet, that is round holes about 8mm dia all through it...sheet was about 2mm thick and it had been folded to for corrogations...like roof sheeting but the folds were straight not rounded...end result was a very strong grill with lots of air flow.

Actually perforated mesh reduces airflow.

The solids between the holes create vortex that reduce flow through the grill.

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[VladTepes]

Serg yeah I like that look.

Tombie I didn;t know that ... what other options are there though? My standard grille is ratty and will need replacing and I don;t like the standard ones anyway and like I said the KBX's while flash are WAY to exy.

[VladTepes]

Does anyonme know whether an SVX style grille can be easily fitted to a Tdi Defender ?

http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/landrover-defender-yachting-2.jpg

or

http://blog.leasetrader.com/images/blog_leasetrader_com/WindowsLiveWriter/LandRoverDefenderFireIceeditions_C1A5/Land%20Rover%20Defender,%20Fire%20&%20Ice%20editions%20grill_thumb.jpg


there is of course a further complication of the ARB winch bar and maintainign adequate clearance.

I very much like the look of this RR style grille
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/09/908.jpg

[Tombie]

Serg yeah I like that look.

Tombie I didn;t know that ... what other options are there though? My standard grille is ratty and will need replacing and I don;t like the standard ones anyway and like I said the KBX's while flash are WAY to exy.

Stainless wire mesh. Just strands space over and under at about 3/8" square intervals will give maximum cooling.

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[VladTepes]

How do you mean "over and under" ?

[uninformed]

How do you mean "over and under" ?
it is wire, think woven...like the straps on a bed. so the ones running vertical will be under the horizontal then over the next then under the next and so on.

Regarding the air flow of perferrated sheet. I agree it may not be optimal, but given the pics shown and the amount of solid area on those horizontal peices I think that a full perferrated grill with no solids is going to flow enough air. My mates truck has NO problems with cooling. It runs OEM rad and intercooler and is heavier than most stock Landrover 130's and has more drivline loss than a stock landy

[VladTepes]

Can you track down where you mate got his grille from, or did he make it?
ANy chance of a photo?

[Tombie]

I only have a pic of a D1 "Saudi" version


38935

This perforated version isn't too bad, but not optimum - would be ok in all but the harshest heat, towing etc.



38936

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[Tombie]

Remember too, the bigger the gaps, the more at risk of rock strike from flying stones.

The factory grill with it's slight tapers often knocks the up, slowing their impact into the intercooler.

Not a huge risk but a point no less.

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[uninformed]

Can you track down where you mate got his grille from, or did he make it?
ANy chance of a photo?

he made it himself. Looks like a perferreted type but has folds that create rasied ribs in it that run horizonatally. The ribs would be about 1 inch proud of the face and about an inch wide (vertical face) the folds were not 90° maybe 75°-80°...having the folds actually means there is more surface area of sheet = more holes = more air flow than if it was just flat perrferated sheet. I agree with what Tombie is saying, But IMO this makes a very strong and functional grill....and Im the first one to be concerned about heat and airflow.

[Carlos]

Serg yeah I like that look.

Tombie I didn;t know that ... what other options are there though? My standard grille is ratty and will need replacing and I don;t like the standard ones anyway and like I said the KBX's while flash are WAY to exy.

Jesus, sometimes I think we forget what sort of vehicle we are talking about. Some years ago I had just finished knocking up a round bar frame with mozzie net siliconed to it when driving through the wheat belt in WA and drove through a plague of locusts, withing ten minutes there were cars pulled up overheated everywhere. The point is it didn't add much to the looks of my then TD5.

[coolbigrock]

i am in the process of make one myself,the oem is cracking up,will post a picture when it is finish

[dlatn]

http://www.crazysales.com.au/products_pictures/190/19097_89769_F.jpg

[smoobailey]

I cut down a Disco 1 Grill ,Seemed to look OK to me

http://www.launchx431.co.nz/image/Grille.jpg

[taff]

hey vlad i've just put an rdx grill on my 110 - i brought it back from the u.k. when i went on hols - very similar to the kbx one but a LOT cheaper, i'll get some pics tomorrow and put em up.

[taff]

here it is, it cost me just over 80 pounds

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/09/709.jpg

[VladTepes]

Looks good. Lights were extra I assume

[taff]

yep lights i got for 65 pounds with bulbs (front and back all clear)

[rick130]

Still reckon mine's the most practical 90/110/130 grille I've seen.

and it's now painted flat black rather than gal, so blends better with the car.

Undo the wingnuts and the front half folds forward so you can insert some air conditioning filter material or flyscreen for insect/grass seed protection when needed in paddocks or further out.

http://usera.imagecave.com/tdi-rick/grilleandclutch001-copy.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/tdi-rick/grilleandclutch004-copy.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/tdi-rick/grilleandclutch007-copy.jpg

[coolbigrock]

39181

39182

[Loubrey]

Vlad,

You come right with your grille?

Browsing Devon4x4 when I came across this. They've got quite a selection and we don't pay their 20% VAT.

Exterior Styling (http://www.devon4x4.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&category_id=91&page=shop.browse&Itemid=14&limit=20&limitstart=60)

Cheers,

Lou