MINESAPINT Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Due to the rear door on my Defender Td5 showing signs of stress I decided to order my new vehicle with a plain rear door from the factory, the wheel to be fitted internally. The dealer advised me this is not possible and the vehicle will be delivered with the wheel fitted to the door. If required I can get the dealer to fit the wheel internally at extra cost once the vehicle is delivered. The scar on the rear door will be plated over. Thing is I am reasonably happy that the wheel should live on the rear door providing the door will not suffer in the same way as the Td5. I know time will tell but has anyone any issues to date with the new doors on the Puma and what is your best guess as to the doors durability? MINESAPINT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top90 Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 The new style door as introdced on later Td5s does seem better quality. As i do a lot of bouncing around offroad in my puma 90 I am planning to fit a Mantec swing away wheel carrier in the near future. Better to let the chassis take the strain than take a chance in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alantd Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 As above. The Puma has steel doors. (Did the later Td5's have steel as well?) so they should be stronger than previous incarnations. However, I'm also going to fit a mantec swing-away carrier on mine. Internal space is for internal stuff, not wheels The mantec one fits to the existing mounting points on the rear door (don't get them plated) and to the chasis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveBo Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Mantec wheel carrier fitted to my TD5 does seem to have stopped the slightly rattly noise I got from the rear door bouncing over bumps. I installed it as a precautionary measure and was staggered at the weight of the wheel and bracket when I took them off. The Defender door does seem more flimsey than my old Discovery which seemed to cope with a spare wheel much better. I've also swapped all the door bolts for SS as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top90 Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Did the later Td5's have steel as well Defenders have had the same rear doors since the 02 update when the one piece design came in AFAIK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Tonkin Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 From my recent research it sounds like what you should do is take it off and put it inside. A plain door would prevent you from using a swingaway door in the future (one that opens with the door) as they still use the holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Chua Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 2002 doors are a single piece. yes, but still after a long time they start to rattle and show signs of stress. best bet is install a wheel carrier or put the spare at home and pray hard you can get your mate to fetch it for you when you need it. Could way be cheaper than a new door or a wheel carrier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPS4X4 Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 2002 doors are a single piece.yes, but still after a long time they start to rattle and show signs of stress. best bet is install a wheel carrier or put the spare at home and pray hard you can get your mate to fetch it for you when you need it. Could way be cheaper than a new door or a wheel carrier. 02 on doors are all steel. Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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