Replacing Defender door hinges

I need to replace the front door hinges. I have the new set, nothing fancy and the only tools I have are basic.
I haven't taken the doors off yet but I have tried to loosen the x head screws that go into the bulkhead and they are not shifting. I am thinking of drilling the heads off and tapping the bits through? But not sure what is behind the hinge.

Can anyone tell me if a slot is behind the hinge to feed the new plate in to take the new screws? I cant see how else they can be fitted.
I dont want to drill them off till sure this is okay.

N/T search on here re this... cant see it in Haynes either. Many thanks.

Drill em off. there is a insert in the pillar which holds the nut....you will need new ones of these too....ask iannotts he can get em for ya

ps. ..... dont drop em down your pillar otherwise they will rust to buggery in there or you will have to drill a hole in your pillar to get em out.

So its okay to drill... excellent thank you The door hinges came as a kit seem to have all the bits with them. I am fitting the body cappings Ian got me a while back (excellent quality) this is my first effort.
I will try not to lose any bits down the pillar....cheers

Use an impact screwdriver to smack the bolts loose

good luck lineing the doors up afterwards

Griffdowg said:

good luck lineing the doors up afterwards

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I was thinking of putting the doors in first and then bolting them Yes... a valid point if they are like 1970's MFI kitchen doors I have a problem!
I wonder if is is best just to wire brush the rust, prime and paint.... they would look nice though

I did it by removing the top hinge first and putting the new one on, then doing the bottom one. Both done with the door shut so no lining up was necessary. I used the impact driver to tighten the screws as well.

that sounds like a good1.. i had to completely remove both doors to do some major repairs lining them up afterwards was not fun.. they shut now.. just.

Patman1200 said:

I did it by removing the top hinge first and putting the new one on, then doing the bottom one. Both done with the door shut so no lining up was necessary. I used the impact driver to tighten the screws as well.

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That sounds like a good tip.... I dont have an impact driver. Never used one but I guess I will have to invest in getting one have snapped and rounded too many screws and bolts.:doh:
Just spotted this one on offer at B and Q MacAllister Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver COD72VLID 7.2V, RI808

Or this one from Halfrauds Halfords Advanced Professional Impact Driver and Bits from Halfords Price £14.99

Any views on what type of impact driver, power one or one to use with hammer? Would need a big attachment for the door screws?

MrJC said:

That sounds like a good tip.... I dont have an impact driver. Never used one but I guess I will have to invest in getting one have snapped and rounded too many screws and bolts.:doh:
Just spotted this one on offer at B and Q MacAllister Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver COD72VLID 7.2V, RI808

Or this one from Halfrauds Halfords Advanced Professional Impact Driver and Bits from Halfords Price £14.99

Any views on what type of impact driver, power one or one to use with hammer? Would need a big attachment for the door screws?

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Christ, that Halfords driver is £17.99 these days. Inflation's well on the way I see...

I used exactly that Halfords set to solve the same problem.

eeeerrrrrr.........I've just dropped the two doors off and am encountering similar resistance from the rotten bugger screws in the pillar! :doh:

I know a man with a cordless impact driver, must get him to bring a suitable bit!

This is an old thread... sold that 90. If you are looking at replacing the hinges these are very good. Only bronze or white, just need spraying Welcome to RJ Landrovers

For impact drivers or any cordless power tool I always recommend Bosch Professional. They are by far and away the best cordless tools I've ever used. Expensive though.

MrJC said:

This is an old thread... sold that 90. If you are looking at replacing the hinges these are very good. Only bronze or white, just need spraying Welcome to RJ Landrovers

Click to expand...

Good to know, I bought a set of those from his ebay shop.

Gave 'em a fresh coat of paint and left them in the garage to dry overnight ready for a Sunday spent lining the doors up. :5bbanghead: