Strengthened wing tops

Just bought my third defender a mint 110 td5 and it came with no checker plate on (well nearly rear quarters were added in black) but a load in the back not fitted (wing tops etc which I sold :doh

I am not a fan of checker plate really it does a job and can look good at times however all my previous landys had it fitted and I now see why as on my first camping trip I bent the top of the wing top sitting on it!

I am looking for ideas if there are any for alternatives i have herd of line x ones done but not sure of there strenght, looks and cost.

If not where is the best place to get some black wing tops from. I prefer if going down the checker plate route the ones where the vent sits on top but not sure who does them.

I would just get some good quality plating on the wings - have a look at ebay (surprise) and there should be some with the intake cut out already - like this for example. You could just spray them yourself to save the cost - it would be an easy and quick job.

Not saying this is the best value / quality but i am just saying its out there! - SET OF LANDROVER DEFENDER CHEQUER PLATE IN BLACK | eBay

As far as i know there are not any particular alternatives (maybe lose some weight? )

early wings (pre defender ) were heavier guage

I have an 87 90 and the wings are bent in a little (bout an inch or so gap between the wing and the bonnet) but no that wasnt me that bent them was the person who it was bought off. Although a bit stronger I dont think they will solve the problem. Plating was made for a reason and its ususally successful. As long as its good quality you really cant go wrong.

op2:op2:I think weight loss is the best idea however it's easer to strengthen the wings.

if you decide to make some sort of bracket to strengthen your wings, remember to make sure they are easy to remove as it might restrict access when servicing etc. Although i would still opt for the plate - will be easier i am sure!

I wasn't really thinking of fabricating stronger tops or a bracket just wondering if there were any other materials than checker plate wing tops on the Market. As I say I know they can be coated in line x but don't know how this would look or perform.

Sphene said:

I wasn't really thinking of fabricating stronger tops or a bracket just wondering if there were any other materials than checker plate wing tops on the Market. As I say I know they can be coated in line x but don't know how this would look or perform.

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How about these? They don't do any other one's if you havent got a TD5, but I'm sure someone else will do them and you can colour code them to your own Landy

Quite like it, wasn't going to do the bonnet but looks different to the standard tread plate.

Sphene said:

Quite like it, wasn't going to do the bonnet but looks different to the standard tread plate.

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Providing you have the equipment, they probably wouldn't be hard to make

Yes it's getting the curves right. I am still looking into the line x ones but can't find any pictures of anyone else who have had them done. Starting to move toward standard Tred plate for ease or the turtel shell ones.

Sphene said:

Yes it's getting the curves right. I am still looking into the line x ones but can't find any pictures of anyone else who have had them done. Starting to move toward standard Tred plate for ease or the turtel shell ones.

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Very true, with some things I just prefer to pay a bit extra and get it done properly, I'd never be able to make wingtop and bonnet protectors for less than £80 (Rebel 4x4) By the time I've ordered the chequer plate, or driven to get it, cut them with a saw and driven to get them powder coated, I might have well just bought them in the first place