Dfndr Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 Hi everyone, We are pretty new Defender owners and would really appreciate your advice on a query regarding the rear wheel boxes. We have a 110 TD5 van (2002) and are trying to create more space in the rear tub to fit some gear for overlanding. The previous owners have cut holes in the rear wheel boxes behind the front seats to create additional storage space (see photos). We would ideally like to remove this section of wheel box altogether, from the front of the wheel arch to the bulkhead behind the passenger seat (to fit a fridge). Does anyone know if it’s ok to do this? Obviously on the station wagon version the wheel box doesn’t extend this far forwards, so it makes sense to us that we should be able to cut this piece out in front of the wheel arch. But has anyone ever done this and are there any things we should consider before going ahead? Appreciate we may be missing something! Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 I don't see an issue with it. Just make sure there is plenty of space for the wheel up there bearing in mind how far it stuffs into the arch at full articulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 I would be adding some structure (small section box/angle etc) along the line of the original wheel box both on the floor and side panel. The SW has an extra crossmember in this area to support the rear tub, where as the hard top relies on the wheel box shape running to the bulkhead for stiffness. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 What Mike said above. The Station Wagon has additional structure here to support where boxes end. Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 } have seen this done to aFrench Defender to make a feet area for his young son. No I didn't look to see hoe it was done. I agree with Mo and Mbikw here there needs to be some strength put back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 I did. http://www.nickslandrover.co.uk/tub-still/ https://www.nickslandrover.co.uk/tub/ https://www.nickslandrover.co.uk/tubbulkhead-alignment/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 5 hours ago, miketomcat said: I would be adding some structure (small section box/angle etc) along the line of the original wheel box both on the floor and side panel. The SW has an extra crossmember in this area to support the rear tub, where as the hard top relies on the wheel box shape running to the bulkhead for stiffness. Mike 2 hours ago, Mo Murphy said: What Mike said above. The Station Wagon has additional structure here to support where boxes end. Mo The station wagon also has a massive door shaped hole in the body 😛. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 How did I not notice that Ross ! 🤣 perhaps that's why they put the extra bits in ? Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vogler Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 (edited) @Snagger Looks nice; do you have any pics of the finished project? @Dfndr I'm curious to see the current and future shape of your project too. A bit Off Topic: Having a HT for travel myself, I'm not too sure if its the ideal type, we always find ourselves dancing around each other at the rear door, mostly because the stove is on a fold down table at the door. I have changed the windows by gullwing types of Explore - this post made me do a write-up in the International forum. Always curious to see how others customise their HT, I really like this one Joris Edited October 3, 2020 by Vogler Edit: addressed the first question to wrong person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 36 minutes ago, Vogler said: @landroversforever Looks nice; do you have any pics of the finished project? Not sure what you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vogler Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 Oops, it should have been addressed to Snagger! My apologies! J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 No worries! Just trying to work out what I’d missed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 You’ll find lots of photos on that blog, Joris. I must go back and tidy it up at some point to make it easier to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 That was very nicely done - love that German interior ! I hope to add standing height to my OneTen soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dfndr Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 Thanks for the replies everyone, really helpful to have your thoughts - we've decided to give it a try this weekend and will post some pictures here to update. Useful to know we should add in some additional structure, this was something we'd wondered about. Also great to see some pictures of other builds, plenty of inspiration! Happy to share some photos of our project as it progresses ☺️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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