Bonnet mounted spare??????

Hi all,

I have a 1990 90 hard-top and would like to mount the spare wheel on the bonnet. Does anyone have any idea on how to do this without breaking the bank? The OE part is now out of production and the the only aftermarket one I've seen is in excess of £300. Would it be possible to just rivet one of the £25 rear door ones from Craddocks onto the bonnet or would it all require strengthening. Any advice appreciated. Happy New Year to all.

The old Series Land Rovers used to have a special bonnet for mounting the spare, it was stronger than the standard one. The Defenders all use the same bonnet though. It isn't that strong and you'll often see Defenders with spares on the bonnet that are bent out of shape. I agree that spares on the bonnet look cool! You could just rivet the rear wheel carrier onto the bonnet but you'd have to make sure it doesn't make the wheel sit too proud, you want to be able to see when driving! I bought the kit from a Land Rover main dealer only 5 months ago, they were able to order it in for me, are you sure they've stopped? Craddocks do the same kit for around £100 but as the dealer wanted the same price I got it there instead. Failing that, try Ebay or get a whole secondhand bonnet with the kit on and respray to match your Defender.

had a SIII with the bonnet mounted spare initially. if you lift the hood, you'll see the iron frame (two rods from back to front in the middle with a iron patch in the middle when the mount goes, forming a H figure) below to give it the support it needs.

on a modern day Td5, the standard bonnet doesn't have that reinforcement. you might need to fabricate that mount if you don't want to buy the original.

be warn that the wheel does get quite a bit in the way of your view especiall when you are off roading and having to look out for the edge of the left wing (RHD).

You could use the military system, which is a Y shaped strap and 3 fixing points. You can buy a new strap for about 25 quid from any LR parts dealer. If you don't think your bonnet is strong enough you can get yourself a military bonnet from someone like Blanchards or the Sodbury sortout for a few quid. Although I'm not sure if they're any stronger than civvy ones, they always have the spare where it REALLY belongs.

P A Blanchards are selling the complete military kit for £74.95 + VAT



http://www.pablanchard.co.uk/index.htm

Click on 'Oddball Sales' and scroll half-way down the page.


The Accessory fit kit AFAIK is still available from Land Rover as part no. STC7633 for steel wheels and STC7686 for alloy wheels.

Both kits come with a new one-piece bonnet prop.

Here are the fitting instructions for STC7633 -

http://www.hubbard.nightmail.ru/SpWhKit01.jpg

http://www.hubbard.nightmail.ru/SpWhKit02.jpg

http://www.hubbard.nightmail.ru/SpWhKit03.jpg

http://www.hubbard.nightmail.ru/SpWhKit04.jpg


Paul.

ive got a 110, I bought a s/h seris bonnet mount and bolted it straight to the bonnet, I have not had any problems.

Thanks all - The only little problem now is that the bonnet mounting kits appear to be for pressed steel OE wheels and I've put some aftermarket Firestyle Alloys on which are deeper at the centre than the steel rims - any idea if the kit would work with them? Thanks

Hi again,

The fitting kit worked a dream but now I have the following problem...

The spring at the front of the bonnet which pops the bonnet up when I pull the release isn't man enough to do it with the spare on, the extra weight keeps it shut tight. It requires one person in the cab pulling the release and another at the front levering up the bonnet with a crowbar. Is there a way that I can get a stronger spring or does anyone have any other idea on how I can get around this problem?

Thanks in advance
Mark

Rip the mechanism off and get a pair of bonnet pins - or change to a manual catch like the early 110's - mine had this with the wheel on the bonnet
at least you can operate the catch and raise the bonnet single handed

Try and get a 110 (pre defender) bonnet as the defender bonnet is weaker, quite a few of the defenders in Oz used to have splits in the sides due to stress caused by corrugated roads. Same with wheels being mounted on back doors. They all fitted swingaways. My 110 (pre defender) has always carried spares on bonnet and rear door, not a problem . JMHO The panels are thinner guage as well . noticed when I bought a 130 DC HCPU.

There is a heavy duty spring specially for if you have a spare wheel - just checking parts manual -....

muc4803 up to chassis TA983377

asr1229 afterwards.. but pre td5.

easy swap and it gives the bonnet that extra whoomph.

Kinnellers Ira you don't hang about do you.