Defender spare wheel carrier

[Winchweight]

Anyone adapted one of these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swing-Away-Sp ... 3942228%26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

From what I can see it looks like it would bolt straight on?

[silverbullet]

On the face of it, good value. But...with the catch at the hinge it puts a lot of loads into the bottom mounting. Badly fitted Ortecs etc crack the corner of the body shell because of insufficient reinforcement. IIRC factory-fit wheel carriers have welded-in gusset plates in the rear corner panel, very hard to retro-fit.

Might be worth asking if they can make them with a 5 x 112 bolt pattern, the plate looks pretty universal: the one in the pic looks like its for a 6-stud wheel anyway

[orcecaveman]

My thoughts too. Without a fixing at the wheel end of that carrier, it would put a mahooosive load on your rear quarter, and im sure it would all end in tears.

[jes*b]

[quote="silverbullet"]On the face of it, good value. But...with the catch at the hinge it puts a lot of loads into the bottom mounting. Badly fitted Ortecs etc crack the corner of the body shell because of insufficient reinforcement. IIRC factory-fit wheel carriers have welded-in gusset plates in the rear corner panel, very hard to retro-fit.

yep two welded plates across the angle of the corner with a captive nut welded to each that takes the third bolt in each hinge directly on the corner - reinforcement and also less pressure on the other two bolts to prevent the hinge twisting

[Winchweight]

Ahh, ok. Fair enough, it was just a thought as an alternative to the hugely expensive T3 specific ones.

[silverbullet]

Syncro scene tax or a bit of fiddly work and enginuity? There is is always choice

[syncropaddy]

If they fitted, everyone would have one - everyone except me!

[Winchweight]

And where did you get yours?

[lloydy]

Paddys is a genuine VW one, as is mine

[Winchweight]

nice. Pricy but nice....

[syncropaddy]

And where did you get yours?

'twas hanging on the back of the van!

I bought the second one on E Bay

[lloydy]

Have you seen that guy (German) who is doing exact copies in stainless steel? Dread to think of the price....

[Winchweight]

No? Seen a few Ortec ones but they always look shot.

[clift_d]

Have you seen that guy (German) who is doing exact copies in stainless steel? Dread to think of the price....

TK-Carparts in Germany are selling them for 699 EUR.

They're being made by Martin Blank, who makes loads of amazing looking Syncro stuff in stainless steel - £££ kerching.

The shop link above though suggests that the spare wheel carriers are in aluminium???

[lloydy]

yup, thats the guy!