What Model Landy is this handle from?

[Carslil Jim]

I have a strange tailgate on my LR (1985 V8 County). Its a "hatch". Looks original but no one seems to know of a model released that way.

The locking handle is broken (see pic)...can you identify what model this handle would have come from?

Note that it does not have a key lock.

All help gratefully received.

[JDNSW]

The handle is not exactly like any I have ever seen on a Landrover. However, a generally similar one, but chromed, was fitted to Series Landrovers with a hatch/tailgate arrangement at the back. Since the dimensions and structure on the County are identical to Series 2/2a/3, there is no reason why the hatch and tailgate could not have been fitted to the County, although I believe all County trim Landrovers had the rear door, so it is not perhaps original.

The Series 2a/3 part number is 306461, but I don't like your chances of getting one through a dealer. Suitable replacements are readily available, for example from trailer and caravan supply places, auto accessory places, and probably some hardware shops - the handle you have is almost identical to the one on the pedestrian door of my workshop, supplied by Select-a-Shed. The original (and my shed) have a key lock.

John

[isuzurover]

As JD said. A rear double tailgate system was used on SII/IIA/III hardtops.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/12/1075.jpg
Is this what you have?

The upper handle was interchangeable with a whole range of handles/locks. My original handle was broken, so I got a new Lane lock mechanism - as used on doors and filing cabinets. I think the only modification needed to fit it is you need to disassemble the (new) lock and reassemble the other way around as the landrover tailgate lock works in the opposite direction from the lane locks.

[Carslil Jim]

OOps sorry guys. It turns out the handle was deliberately broken so the rear spare carrier could "close".

But take a look at the pictures of the tailgate. Seen this before? It looks factory built.

[isuzutoo-eh]

doesn't look all that factory built to me, having two door handles. Looks more like the original door with a blanking plate over the old spare wheel holder and improvised (however well done) top hinges. On the driver's side, are there holes for the original hinges?
-Mark

[JDNSW]

As Mark says - rather well done perhaps, but still a standard rear door modified (for whatever reason) to be top hinged.

John

[Carslil Jim]

I should have said thank you to both you guys for taking the time to respond.

When I got the LR, the gas struts were puny...probably off one of the old split rear gate tops. I have added some decent struts (off a Ford...thanks to Land Vehicle Spares).

One reason I think it is a factory build is that the window even has a demisting grid imbedded in the glass.

The whole thing is supported by two hinges with one bolt to each hinge. I am not a fan....but its what I have! At least I will be dry while putting the wet camping gear in the back.

[Carslil Jim]

Mark,
Yes there are very neatly plugged holes for the normal side hinges so maybe it is an after thought. But I cannot imagine why the original side opener was not satisfactory.

[isuzutoo-eh]

The side opening doors suffered a lot due to the weight of the spare on the back. It is usually the hinges that suffer, but yours may have had a less than perfectly installed spare mount and a heavier than standard wheel which shagged the door where the patch now is. But thats just a guess ;)
The previous owner took care in his mods, a good thing :)

It would certainly need decent struts!

[kaa45]

The door is original, just not the top hinges and handle. As said previously, it's a modification.
County doors had a wiper and demist window as standard. Still having the original handle on the left and the side hinge holes plugged as well as the patch plate on the outside skin is a bit of a give away that it's a modded original door. ;)

[rar110]

It looks like someone has used windscreen hinges/brackets from a County. Not a bad idea. Not suitable for carrying a spare.

[Carslil Jim]

I trust when I press the "Thanks" button you all get a flashing light and firewoks on your screens. If not p;ease accept my thanks for the input.

I have never owned a rear wheel mount...and what I dont know about them would fill volumes. This one has two little steel wheels that roll onto a support welded to the rear bumper relieving the door from carrying weight.....is that standard practice?

[scrambler]

I trust when I press the "Thanks" button you all get a flashing light and firewoks on your screens. If not p;ease accept my thanks for the input.

I have never owned a rear wheel mount...and what I dont know about them would fill volumes. This one has two little steel wheels that roll onto a support welded to the rear bumper relieving the door from carrying weight.....is that standard practice?
The Standard practice is the wheel bolted to the middle of the rear door (same door you have) and side hinged with three hinges (or two in a Series Land Rover). Hinges and door frame don't appreciate the extra weight, so after-market swing-away wheel carriers of various designs and improvisations are common. Some rear doors have no wheel mount (I have one spare that way) but in this case the wheel would be located on the bonnet or inside the rear tray of a hardtop.

[Sleepy]

I trust when I press the "Thanks" button you all get a flashing light and firewoks on your screens. If not p;ease accept my thanks for the input.

I have never owned a rear wheel mount...and what I dont know about them would fill volumes. This one has two little steel wheels that roll onto a support welded to the rear bumper relieving the door from carrying weight.....is that standard practice?

G'day Carslil Jim,
Doesn't sound original - can you post a picture?:angel:

I generally don't like mounting a wheel on the rear door, it is a lot of weight on those little door hinges and soon induces rattles. I use a separate rear wheel carrier on the defender.
I'd like to see your setup. Sounds like a simple solution to lighten the load off the hinges.

Here's the standard set up on my S3 rear door:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/12/1048.jpg

[clean32]

Mark,
Yes there are very neatly plugged holes for the normal side hinges so maybe it is an after thought. But I cannot imagine why the original side opener was not satisfactory.

not comon but i have seen it a couple of times now. keeps the rain off.


what Gas struts did you use ?? you said ford but for falcon bonet??

[clean32]

G'day Carslil Jim,
Doesn't sound original - can you post a picture?:angel:

I generally don't like mounting a wheel on the rear door, it is a lot of weight on those little door hinges and soon induces rattles. I use a separate rear wheel carrier on the defender.
I'd like to see your setup. Sounds like a simple solution to lighten the load off the hinges.

Here's the standard set up on my S3 rear door:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/12/1048.jpg

only 2 hinges?

[Sleepy]

only 2 hinges?
Never noticed; another good reason not to have a wheel on there.
Without being sure, I think that's standard.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/12/1043.jpghttp://www.skytoprover.com/images/71grn2d109/pic4.jpg
Questionable the value of a centre hinge anyway.

[numpty]

2 hinges were standard at least through to Stage 1 (and I think 110) 3 hinges were/are fitted to all Defenders.

[clean32]

another reason he may have hinged from the top is to get full opening into the cargo area
Mostly the doors, hinged to the side, do not open a full 90deg, restricting area usage for drawer units etc

at first i thought rubbish they all open more than 90deg. and then i remembered that i have taken off the lock latch thingy at the bottom of the door, so now it opens past 90 deg.
now its the wheel that stops it going further, take that off and i will be buying new tail lights

[scrambler]

2 hinges were standard at least through to Stage 1 (and I think 110) 3 hinges were/are fitted to all Defenders.

AFAIK three hinges came in with the 110. My 1985 110 had three and my Stage 1 has 2.

[kaa45]

AFAIK three hinges came in with the 110. My 1985 110 had three and my Stage 1 has 2.

Correct. Series had two, Counties had 3

[numpty]

I stand corrected. :p

[Red Rocket]

Those hinges look like windscreen hinges from a 110.
Red Rocket.

[Carslil Jim]

rar110 and Red Rocket,
You are right. The hinges are identical to the front windscreen hinges.

Sleepy,
Pics are at the top of page three...I can't re-post or I would!

Clean 32
I will get back to you re the gas struts. They are off a Ford tailgate I think.

All,
Thanks for all the comments. It appears I have an interesting tailgate, but no one will know until I open it! I had to cut little (about 10mm x 10mm) sections from the corners of the internal upholstery panel on the door to accomodate the new struts. I was stunned to find under the plastic was a wood frame (I thought wood was for Morgans only) , but that made the job easy. The thin particleboard under the plastic was completely ruined by water damage (it was not painted). I have replaced it with a new painted piece of particleboard, and covered it with a thin layer of foam and some new upholstery to match the seats (ex Range Rover).

[Carslil Jim]

And here is a pic of the inside of the interior panel....

[Carslil Jim]

Clean32
The gas struts came off a Ford Explorer tailgate.