How to insert bonnet supports

[98-110]

Hi all.

I put on tyre carrier on the bonnet and thought it would be a good idea to add the 2 extra bonnet supports to the front of the bonnet since the holes are already drilled.

So it's easy, right? Well I hope so!
BUT HOW??

The original thread bases look like they have been swaged to the bonnet.
Do you need a special tool?

Thanks

[weeds]

you can just strengthen the single bonnet support, when i brought my rig the bonnet support was bent due to the weight of the wheel sitting on top. after i strengthen the support she has not looked llike bending

i can take a couple of pics if you like

[98-110]

More info would be great thanks Kelvin.
With only 2 supports, do the rubber caps wear out regularly?

If anyone can help, I'd still like to know how the supports are fixed in.

[Nat130]

We went to the trouble of putting our spare on the bonnet, had to get a plate made up etc (didn't come with a spare tyre when we bought it)... but we are about to take it off.

Other half has a stuffed shoulder and can't lift the bonnet with the tyre on it and I am too short to see over it out the front window when I am driving :)

[98-110]

Hi Nat
Our Def came with a TJM bullbar that is big n ugly, but is a great platform for working on the motor and lifting the bonnet if you wanted to.

[weeds]

Sorry I thought u meant the bit that holds the bonnet up

Maybe you could use rivnuts for the other posts

I will have a look at mine tonight

[tombraider]

Guys you do realise that unless its an old series vehicle, mounting the tyre on the bonnet is illegal on all later County and Defenders.

[weeds]

what if it passed a safety certificate inspection, could i plead i didn't know

[weeds]

sorry about the finger print in the middle of the pics

i had a look at my bonnet support posts, the two that the bonnet sit and they have not worn through, i have done 40K which includes the simpson desert and the gulf, they look like they will last another 40K. i don't think you would need to fit two more, on a tdi you can fit one more as the bonnet catch hole would be in the way, rivnuts would be the go if you do fit them

with a wheel on the bonnet you will need to mod the bonnet support, i stole the idea from the ARMY lr's, i had to shape it a bit to miss either the radiater expansion tank or air con pipes

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/02/251.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/02/252.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/02/253.jpg

[weeds]

now for the view or lack of it

you will loose about 1.8M of vision in front of your rig

in the rough/tight off roading it can be a bit of a pain, on the hi way/deserts no real problem

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/02/249.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/02/250.jpg

[98-110]

Thanks for all your info Kelvin. The bonnet prop support mod looks worth while, so in due course.....

[Captain_Rightfoot]

WOW that's pretty interesting. Thanks for doing the experiment Kelvin. It does block a fair bit of scenery in front. At normal road speeds it wouldn't worry you. Off road trying to pick your way along it could be a pain. :o

[Jimmy]

We went to the trouble of putting our spare on the bonnet, had to get a plate made up etc (didn't come with a spare tyre when we bought it)... but we are about to take it off.

Other half has a stuffed shoulder and can't lift the bonnet with the tyre on it and I am too short to see over it out the front window when I am driving :)


You did'nt you put the bonnet spare on a TD5 by any chance did you??

I've been looking to do this for ages and are keen to find someone who has done it. The only difference I see is that the TD5 bonnet is simply thinner and lighter, hence it wont handle the weight of a spare tyre. But my question is if it is reinforced (probably with chequer plate) can it support the weight??

Any comments?? any spare parts peopel have I'd be interested.

Jimmy

[Jimmy]

Guys you do realise that unless its an old series vehicle, mounting the tyre on the bonnet is illegal on all later County and Defenders.


ooo, just read this. Are you sure??

[Nat130]

Quote Jimmy <You did'nt you put the bonnet spare on a TD5 by any chance did you??>

Sorry Jimmy, our 130 is a TDi. So has anyone else heard before about it being illegal to carry the wheel on the bonnet?

[mark2]

Bonnet lift stays off a series 3 will fit and replace the weaker 'lift up and lock in' type. I've put these on my 110 County -they are much simpler/stronger and are galvanised as well. Not sure if the later Defender bonnets have the necessary bracket welded to the bonnet frame like the County bonnets do........

The army dropped bonnet mounted spares for the 110 Perentie, not sure if there were legal reasons or other reasons like heavy bonnets (health and safety issues) plus the visibility decrease.

[Jimmy]

Quote Jimmy <You did'nt you put the bonnet spare on a TD5 by any chance did you??>

Sorry Jimmy, our 130 is a TDi. So has anyone else heard before about it being illegal to carry the wheel on the bonnet?

Oh well.

Does anyone know if a TDi bonnet will fit a TD5 vehicle? I heard that the TD5 engine is bigger and hence the bonnet is thinner and weaker (hence no bonnet mount), but can anyone confirm this. Is the bonnet the same just less bracketing underneath, or is the whole kit different? I can't see Landrover changing a great deal.

thoughts anyone??

[crump]

I think I've said this before, but Opposite Lock used to have a bonnet mount kit for TD5 Defender, it seems to have been removed from their product line (possibly for the legality issue). It was basically a chequer plate plate and a few struts under the bonnet, try them, they may have a few still lying around.

[Jimmy]

has anyone seen this little bad boy:

http://www.difflock.com/magazine/4x4_Gear/TD5_spare_wheel_mount.shtml

http://www.difflock.com/magazine/uploads/1/td5mount1.jpg

[weeds]

good find, nice piece of kit, wonder whart the price is landed in aus