Bonnet spare wheel

**ted44** · 26th February 2014, 06:56 PM

Hi, Has anyone put a spare wheel holder on the bonnet of a 1996 300Tdi, I'm getting reports that it may crack the bonnet, I have put the strengthening braces in the frame and plan to put checker plate on the top, is there really that much difference between the series 3's bonnet as I had one of these and can't remember any issues?

**ted44** · 1st March 2014, 08:34 AM

by the responses this mustn't be as big a problem as I'm thinking, need as much info as possible if this is a problem? As I don't want to get half way across the desert and have two bonnets instead of one?? the blokes on the lr4x4 site have plenty on there bonnets and don't seem to have any issues, but then again they don't drive the same conditions as we do here?

BigBlackDog · 1st March 2014, 08:56 AM

Hi Ted, my 95 130 had the spare on the bonnet when I got it. I put the spare in the back cause it makes the bonnet opening a 2 person job. There certainly no cracking or anything on mine, that's without checker on the bonnet. Only thing is it seems to squash the sides down on the wings, could just be how mine was adjusted though. I put a thick foam seal strip along the edges to stop the rattle is all. If I get a second spare it'll go on the bonnet no hesitations. With checker you'd be double safe I think

Yay I just got 100 posts!

**JDNSW** · 1st March 2014, 08:59 AM

There have been a couple of threads on this previously, and a search should find them. General thoughts seem to be yes, the bonnet is strong enough, but needs reinforcing at least Td5 on. The hump makes it not practical on puma engined Defenders.

Depending on your state, you may have problems with your registration authorities with reduced driver vision. All the problems get worse with wider tyres.

John