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.

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.