130 tub mounting question

[Andy130]

Hi Guys,

I'm doing a rebuild on a 300tdi 130 and stripped the chassis to find the previous owner had welded a 50 x25mm cross member to the top of the chassis rails , under the front of the tub and mounted the tub to it.

Its welded slightly off centre - so i'd planned on removing it to reposition it.

However, reading the tub mounting guide from Land Rover, they advise that no cross member should ever be welded to the chassis for any tub, tray or other mounting, as the tray/ tub should be able to move independent of the chassis rails.

Question - on this rebuild I plan to mount a rack and tent ontop of the original tub - should I revert the tub mounting to the original spec - or is it actually common/ ok to have a welded cross member under the tub and is the LR official advice just to cover them?

Thanks guys.

[dromader driver]

There is a long history of chassis cracking on these vehicles. I would not put a really stiff tray vis steel on the back. Any attachment should be through the recommended attach points as they allow the whole thing to bend and twist as the loads go on and off. Aly trays work well.

Summitt has some good mounts. Search for defender chassis cracks on google.


:cool:

[Andy130]

thanks, this has the original tub - and its going back on, with an ally cage inside it.

Im more curious about thoughts/ advice on the steel bar mounting that the previous owner welded onto the chassis to mount it to.

At this point, im cutting it off and I'll look for some original mounts.

Cheers.

[AndyG]

Driving next to a small truck yesterday i noticed the load, (a tanker) was secured by bolts with a spring load.

Presumably it provides a degree of flex when needed, a different approach