Defender Dual Wheel Carrier

**mike_ie** · 29th October 2012, 12:23 PM

Fitted mine up yesterday - and I can say first hand that the dual wheel carrier is built like a brick ****house - one solid piece of work. I left my brake/tail lights in place, but the reverse light and indicators have to be removed due to clearance. Al wiring is supplied for swapping out the lights, however seeing as I was retaining some of the lights, I found it easier just to run some seven core cable down from the wiring loom in the right rear panel (where the trailer harness wires in), and running that to the lights in the bar. Others may find the same thing. It's also worth putting an inline waterproof plug for the license plate light, as it makes removing the plate bracket for access to the light a bit easier.

Much, much thanks though has to go to sschmez and his family, who not only adopted me and taught me the finer arts of using dangerous powertools while holding a beer in one hand, but also made sure that I was fed, watered and showered before sending me on my way. Good people, the kind that make me glad that I signed up for these forums.

**rijidij** · 29th October 2012, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by mike_ie

Fitted mine up yesterday.................

Geez, didn't take you long Mike, you must have got stuck straight into it.

Originally Posted by mike_ie

...........It's also worth putting an inline waterproof plug for the license plate light, as it makes removing the plate bracket for access to the light a bit easier. .................

I had actually thought about that, but then promptly forgot about it again

Cheers, Murray

**mike_ie** · 29th October 2012, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by rijidij

Geez, didn't take you long Mike, you must have got stuck straight into it.

Finished up at around 4:30am, I get a bit fixated once I start work on something

sschmez, a forum member outside of Melbourne, provided a shed and a rattle gun which sped up the process significantly. And beer, which slowed down the process significantly. Only way that carrier is going to come off is if the crossmember and half the chassis falls off with it...

Will put a few photos up here if you want.

**rijidij** · 29th October 2012, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by mike_ie

.............. Will put a few photos up here if you want.

Everyone on here likes photos

walther75 · 30th October 2012, 05:45 PM

That sounds very interesting! I am looking for a twin wheel carrier with the option to have one wheel and two Jerry Cans. Do you have any pictures you can post?

**rijidij** · 30th October 2012, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by walther75

That sounds very interesting! I am looking for a twin wheel carrier with the option to have one wheel and two Jerry Cans. Do you have any pictures you can post?

G'day, and welcome to the forum,
Have a look at page 3 of this thread for pictures of the jerry can option, or you can visit my website for more info.
The L/H carrier is interchangable between jerry cans and wheel carrier.

Cheers, Murray

**geckos** · 30th October 2012, 08:22 PM

Murray,
Could one be modified to accomodate the NAS spec LED lights? They are the same size as the reverse and fog lights.

cheers scott.

**rijidij** · 30th October 2012, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by geckos

Murray,
Could one be modified to accomodate the NAS spec LED lights? They are the same size as the reverse and fog lights.

cheers scott.

G'day Scott,
With the shape of the light panels as they are, I can't quite squeeze 3 NAS lights in.
I'll have a look and see what can be done.

Cheers, Murray

**mike_ie** · 30th October 2012, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by rijidij

Everyone on here likes photos

This is true

Rijidij's Dual wheel carrier installed on my defender:

As you can see, there is surprisingly very little protrusion of the tyres on either side. I'm running 265/75/R16's. There's also about a three inch gap between the two spares in the middle, which means that you should be able to put most spares on the rear carrier without a problem.

As you can see, although you can retain the brake/tail lights, there isn't enough clearance for the indicator lights. They're blanked off with the supplied 3mm aluminium plate.

The back of the tyre carrying the number plate. As I mentioned earlier, best to put a connector inline so that you can plug out the licence plate light before removing the bracket. This is one I had sittign in the toolbox, I'll be swapping it out for a water/dust proof fittign as soon as I hit the nearest Jaycar.

Apologies for the photos, they were taken in a car park this morning while breakfast was cooking

**rijidij** · 30th October 2012, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by mike_ie

As you can see, there is surprisingly very little protrusion of the tyres on either side. I'm running 265/75/R16's. There's also about a three inch gap between the two spares in the middle, which means that you should be able to put most spares on the rear carrier without a problem.

If anyone wants to fit bigger tyres than the standard set up allows for, I can supply wheel mounts with a bigger offset.

Thanks for posting the pics Mike. It's very satisfying to see a new product being put to use.

Cheers, Murray

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