Defender 130 crew cab tub widening

[Gumnut]

Hi,

One thing, in fact nearly the only thing, that irks me about my 130 is that a pallet will not fit within the wheel arches, by about 60mm.

I have carefully compared the 130 chassis and spring/shock mounts with a 110 chassis. It looks like the 130 equipment is set about 50mm outboard each side. I believe the 130 tub is identical to the 110 HCPU tub...

So in my mind, I should be able to cut and shunt (or similar) the wheel arches abut 50mm without running the risk of tyre rubbing in any degree of articulation, and permitting a pallet to fit (albeit only just!!). I am running bog standard tyres with bog standard suspension.

Has anyone done or heard of this being done, and if so, how so??

Cheers,

Gumnut

[juddy]

Theres a old press picture floating around showing how a pallet fits in a HCPU. Have the pallets changed in size.

[JDNSW]

Theres a old press picture floating around showing how a pallet fits in a HCPU. Have the pallets changed in size.

Interesting question! The traditional Landrover tub, and presumably the HPCU tub, since it was designed for the Series 3, had clearance of three feet.

I wonder if pallets used to be three feet (900mm) but are now often a metre?

John

[juddy]

This might explain a bit more, not checked on the current size of pallet. The 110 HCPU is larger in rear tub than the 130 HCPU

[Gumnut]

Wow!!
Maybe I should clarify - I have seen, and got stuff on, a 1200 x 1000 pallet, which fits the footprint. BUT, the forklift tines go through the 1000 side, which means it cannot be loaded with a forklift....
The other, and I think more common, size is nominally 1200 x 1200, actually about 1165 x 1165, which misses out by an annoying tad both ways!!

The other annoyance is the fuel filler hose cover. Many times I have tried to figure out an improvement on that one too....

Gumnut

[rijidij]

................Has anyone done or heard of this being done, and if so, how so??

Cheers,

Gumnut

I've definitely seen the wheel arches cut and widened on Falcon utes so they can fit standard items that are 1220mm wide. So many things in industry are 1200 to 1220mm wide, you'd think vehicle manufacturers might allow for this when designing a trade type vehicle.
It's just sheet metal, so it can be done as long as there's clearance for the tyres.

Cheers, Murray

[Ranga]

Just put a tray on it?

[JDNSW]

Just put a tray on it?

I think this whole discussion explains why most utes actually used for work have gone to flat trays over the last fifty years and why HPCU trays are so rare in Australia.

John

[manofaus]

If you go to all the trouble of modifying the tub look at adding some tie downs to the floor.

[Ranga]

I think this whole discussion explains why most utes actually used for work have gone to flat trays over the last fifty years and why HPCU trays are so rare in Australia.

John

I know I've banged on about it before, but I just find a tray so much more practical. Having the ability to drop the sides allows lower loading from any angle, more floor space, probably lighter, less prone to show scuffs/dents - no need for painting etc, etc.

I think I might be one of the majority who also believes they look better