doors, repare or replace??

Hi
Ive a feeling I will be a regular from now on!!
I have my rose tinted glasses on as its 18 yrs since i last did this
I have a 1997 defender 90 that is getting tired the rear crossmember is kn******d and other bits are getting generally in need of tlc
So i have almost talked myself into a full rebuild starting with a new galv chassis.
Does anybody have any experience of repairing the doors, can you get the steel framework, new skins etc, in general is it worth it or is it more cost and time efficient to buy new???
chhers
steve

Hi Steve

You can certainly buy skins and frame repair sections for the doors

Guess it depends how bad they are (and what you are wanting to spend time doing) as to whether you repair or replace

Get a really good set of series doors for a fraction of the price of fender doors.

series door bottoms are about 60 quid new at craddocks from what ive seen and defender door bottoms aren't much more.

initially its the back door i am looking at its cracked on all 4 xmembers that surround the spare wheel holder, i would normalyy just weld/plate the door but the bottom is badly rusted and the aly is just starting to corode, can you buy the bottom xmemebr for the door and weld it in?

mine went the same ,bloody spare wheel knackered the door but i put a truck cab on and drop down tailgate, there are some new on fleabay about 80-120 quid unfurnished.

i use a bit of old scrap 2mm galv steel angle section on the bottom of mine, welded it all the wayy along then repaired the cracks o n the wheel carrier strengtheners. Chuck the crappy door card away and screw a sheet of alli checker plate on the inside of the door and it stiffens the whole thing up, been perfect ever since.

There is a pretty decent 'how to' on repairing the bottoms of the doors, only front doors mind..

I welded all the cracks in my rear door, made a massive difference!

bloody hell !
A SHEET of ali checkeplate would it not be cheaper to buy a new landrover!!!!

magsnemma said:

bloody hell !
A SHEET of ali checkeplate would it not be cheaper to buy a new landrover!!!!

Click to expand...

Rip off innit! And I don't even like it!

magsnemma said:

bloody hell !
A SHEET of ali checkeplate would it not be cheaper to buy a new landrover!!!!

Click to expand...

lol, find your local back street sheet metal place not some rip off on fleabay, i got a sheet for £15, cut it to size with the opening for the wiper mota jobsa a good un. You could probably get plain ally if ya don't like chequer plate bling