What tailgate fits Series 3?

[Skiboy]

I have a series 3 tub on a LWB with Canopy that I want to fit a tailgate to and turn into a ute (ie a half height tailgate door needed).

Can anyone advise what model of tailgate will fit a series 3 tub or can be modified to fit?

I am not sure if I want it to hinge down or sideways yet. Any suggestions re what people find more useful?

Any suggestions what one should pay for a tail gate and where to start looking?

Thanks in advance
Skiboy

[Blknight.aus]

providing youve got the mounting brackets on the rear chassis the existing rear door shouldnt be to hard to mod to suit.

but any series III county, deefer or perentie gate should fit.

[JDNSW]

Series 2/2a/3/110/Defender/Perentie, 1958 to current, all are interchangeable if not identical. The better ones are later (late S3 on?) with a galvanised steel liner. Earlier ones had galvanised strips.

No Australian ones came from the factory with side hinges (as far as I know, only some German ones and NAS Defender 90), but they would not be hard to modify. Which is more useful depends on what you are using it for.

Probably side hinged where you are carrying passengers in the back, bottom hinged for most other purposes - gives you a longer load carrying tray when needed, and a loading platform. The tailgate can be removed in about fifteen seconds when needed for loading or dropped to vertical if you don't have a tow hitch. (Most tailgates have damage from being dropped onto tow hitches!)

John

[Lotz-A-Landies]

John is correct.

However Grenville Motors did sell a kit which joined the top and bottom tailgates so you could turn them into a single side opening door. Not a Land Rover product but manufactured and sold by the master distributor for NSW. You had the option of re-using the bottom original hinges or buy some of the station wagon hinges for the job.

Diana

[series3]

gives you a longer load carrying tray when needed, and a loading platform.

Don't forget to mention a very handy table as well when camping!

[Skiboy]

Thanks to all who posted - I also posted on the GC members site and tracked down a local heavy duty half door made for a Defender to hold a large wheel.

Made by a landie guy but not original and very heavy - will do in the mean time until find a genuine one (or might be happy with this one).

Thanks again
Skiboy

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Don't forget to mention a very handy table as well when camping!I even know Defender owners who have replaced their door with a tailgate for exactly that purpose.

[JDNSW]

Thanks to all who posted - I also posted on the GC members site and tracked down a local heavy duty half door made for a Defender to hold a large wheel.

Made by a landie guy but not original and very heavy - will do in the mean time until find a genuine one (or might be happy with this one).

Thanks again
Skiboy

I've got one of them (actually made for a Series 2) made out of 1/4" steel. You can barely lift it! Came with a stack of other stuff at a clearing sale.

John

[series3]

I even know Defender owners who have replaced their door with a tailgate for exactly that purpose.

My dad is looking at buying a new Defender for pick up some time next year. he has asked the guy to ask if LR will do a drop-down tailgate as a special order from factory on the 110 S/W he is going to order.

I doubt they will, I'm not sure what they can use as a contemporary 'top bit'. So a retrofit will be on the cards for him as well. Good to know it's a well-trodden path.

[Shonky]

The hardest bit will be welding the tabs on the rear crossmember for the tailgate hinge pins.

Now when I say hard, I mean about as hard as custard. :p