Orgasmic Farmer Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Just wanting to find out about carrying a spare on the bonnet of a defender. Was there ever a specific bonnet made for this or was it not offered as an option? I know the Stage 1 V8 had a bonnet spare but can't recall seeing them on many defenders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbs Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 The military used to use on the older 110/90's a proper spare wheel carrier exactly like this one:http://www.paddockspares.com/defender-bonnet-spare-wheel-carrier-steel-wheels-only.html now they are using the wolf it's different because it's now part of either the hard top or the roll cage HTH John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Not all Wolfs have the spare on the side. Some use that system that John has shewn. That is the normal Defender bonnet spare wheel mount. Just like the one I threw away ??? I now use the MOD series/ Air portable type bonnet mount. I find it much easier to use. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Interesting. I always imagined the bonnets themselves were different. I am pretty sure the one on the 109 Stage 1 I had for a while was somewhat sculptured to make the wheel fit better but I could be imagining it. If all I need is the fixing kit as shown on the Paddocks site then I will keep my eyes open for one. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wunntenn Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 All you need is the kit, cut and drill and bolt on. Caveats - pain in the bum to lift the bonnet, and if it falls it kills you (instead of just a sore head) and more annoying is that the changed airflow cause by the tyre (at least on my vehicle) caused the window wash liquid to go vertical rather than onto the window. And dont even think about a spare wheel cover as it will swell up with the wind and make visibility slightly less. Oh yes and when it fills with snow and freezes you cant get it off. And unless you seal it properly it allows water to run in onto the top of the engine and can rust various bits that normally dont get wet. Apart from that its a great thing to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Two-Jacks Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Mine has some reinforced hockey stick shaped channeling at the stress points on the underside of the bonnet frame I think they are spot welded, I know you can buy the braces and you could rivet it in place, oh and they use a solid bonnet stay on the military bonnets that carry a spare wheel I tried the wheel on the bonnet but I couldnt see over it being a bit short and It nearly killed me opening it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 What is wrong with you younger members. LOL Can't lift a bonnet with a spare on. I manage easily enough at my age......There is a knack to it though. Those of you brought up on Series Ones will know what I mean. Yes the late bonnet stay makes it easier to chock. As for seeing over the top. I have a Discovery steel wheel with a cover on...I carry my sand mats in the spare wheel well, I have no difficulties at 5' 8" seeing over the wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Two-Jacks Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Lol. Perhaps three weetabix for me in future then and a couple of cushions to sit on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Cant fit alloys to the standard one without filing out the centre of the wheel a little. On a td5 you can fit the standard carrier but you need at least a 3mm chequer plate in the bonnet well to stiffen it up and dont bother with the extra rubbers as the weight is then spread better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Of course if we were to be talking TD5 or Puma bonnets it would be a different kettle of fish as they are constructed differently ...but I presume we are not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Nope, early (1983) 110 bonnet. Previous owner had removed rear door wheel carrier and basically drilled 4 holes in the bonnet and bolted it down. Bit of an abomination. Personally I like the bonnet wheel but would want it done right. Has nobody ever found a way of using gas struts to open the open more easily with the wheel up there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Mo's fitted gas struts to his bonnet http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=50029&st=220 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backstop Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 You can put a small bungee net over the cover to stop it "ballooning" and it then gives you somewhere to shove a tow strop or something similar, which also stops the cover blowing up. The biggest problem I found with fitting mine was trying to release the bonnet catch with all the extra weight on it (not the release - used a clothes peg to hold that out). In the end I removed it and fitted rubber bonnet stays instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Intresting. My bonnet is easy peasy, apart from the weight, to release. Why i don't know. I have a plastic spare wheel cover for mine. Here I carry the camping cable. On a trip the sand mats fit into the spare wheel well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Are the paddocks kits pretty easy to fit? My bonnet is the right age for them (1989). Only thing is, the bonnet is about the only pristine thing left on my 110, so if i fit the spare carrier to it, i dont want to screw it up! Do the bonnet hinges/bushes cope ok with the weight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Everything copes with the extra weight. Except your elbows and back. I carry a Discovery steel wheel with 235/85 tyres on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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