Rijidij Rear Wheel Carrier

[tonyci]

Hi and happy easter to all. I purchased a Rijidij rear wheel carrier for my MY14 Defender. The fitting requires cutting a slot in the infill strip between the chassis and the door. Not sure how to start this and what tool to use. A call to help, from anyone who has installed said carrier, how and what tools did you use to cut this slot ?.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Cheers
Tony

[Toxic_Avenger]

My guess would be a 4" Grinder with ultra thin 1mm cutting disc for the top plunge cut, finish with a hacksaw blade for the vertical cut, and finish with a small file.

[loneranger]

I drilled some holes smaller than the suggested size. Then put the angle grinder through the middle to make a slot then spent a couple of hours with a file.

I would have been quicker if I'd bought a new file at the start instead of waiting until I'd done most of the job. :o

[Aguy]

I also drilled holes the whole length like so,

92385

and then used a thin file to make it nice and rectangular.
I then coated the bare metal with touch up paint so it wont rust later on.

[loneranger]

I also drilled holes the whole length like so,

92385

and then used a thin file to make it nice and rectangular.
I then coated the bare metal with touch up paint so it wont rust later on.

Forgot to mention about the touch up paint.

[tonyci]

Thanks for the tips guys, off to Bunnings and then hopefully a successful install.
Removing the rear door card without damaging any clips will be interesting.
Cheers
Tony

[Aguy]

I would go and buy something like the following,

SCA Door Trim Remover Set - 5 Piece - Supercheap Auto Australia (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Door-Trim-Remover-Set-5-Piece.aspx?pid=282096#Recommendations)

It comes in handy when you own a Defender!

Removing the back door trim is quite easy, just take your time to pry off where the clips are located.
Here is a picture of the clip locations,

92413

I went and bought a very thin piece of rubber from Clarks Rubber, to place between the door and new door plate so that it wouldn't scratch the paint if I ever decided to remove the holder in the feature.

[Toxic_Avenger]

Stop by a super cheap auto store and get a trim removal kit. About 20 bucks. I persisted without one for years, but they really are worth using to minimise damage.

[Toxic_Avenger]

Great minds think alike it appears!

[tonyci]

Job done I did buy a set of trim remover tools from super cheap worked well.
All back together again and working.I would like to meet the man who can do the job in the recommended 2 hours .
Thanks again for all the tips.
Cheers
Tony

[loneranger]

Job done I did buy a set of trim remover tools from super cheap worked well.
All back together again and working.I would like to meet the man who can do the job in the recommended 2 hours .
Thanks again for all the tips.
Cheers
Tony

I think it took me over 2 hours to get the dust caps on. I was a bit hesitant to swing too hard so close to the panels.

[numpty]

I also drilled holes the whole length like so,

92385

and then used a thin file to make it nice and rectangular.
I then coated the bare metal with touch up paint so it wont rust later on.

That's exactly how I did mine. :D

[alien]

When I picked my kit up I had organized for the hole to get cut for me.
2 holes drilled, thin disc on the angle grinder then cut 2 lines between the top and bottom of the holes.
The last little bit was cut out with a hacksaw blade.
A quick file and some touch up paint had it finished in no time, thanks Murray.