by Stuart
1. April 2012 07:28
OK, you may have noticed the Discovery has gone and in its place is a shiny Defender. With mrsm now in possession of a Freelander 2 (which I have to say is a beautiful car), I could buy a Defender as it would not be the main family car.
On advice from previous owner and from the noise from the rear mounted spare wheel each time I went over a bump, I bought a Britpart rear wheel carrier. I had this fitted as I was getting some other work done anyway and new I wouldn’t have time. Ian at 4X4 store kindly welded up my knackered rear door at the same time.
I had researched in advance and found this information on fitting a Simbars Discovery rack to a Defender wheel carrier was hoping to do the same.
OK – I have already posted most of this to the Landyzone Forum – but am reproducing here.
Triangle Simbars boss for Disco 1 fits fine.
But as you can see the whole for the padlock to secure the rack is on the top instead of the bottom.
So I drilled through.
But the rack didn't slide on far enough to line up the wholes (wheels must be fatter).
So I drilled the rack tubing too in the same place.
Padlock doesn't reach anymore so I'll secure with a nut and bolt until I find a better solution - can't remember what there called but its like a large pin with a whole in one end which I can put my padlock through. To be honest - it's not about security from theft - more ease of getting on and off (getting the bolt in is a bit awkward).
So here it is with a bike on:
Seems sturdy enough. I have since loaded with 4 bikes and was fine.
Just remember if you go this route the Simbars spare wheel boss for a Disco 1 is different to a Disco 2. I used a Disco 1 one. No idea what the Disco 2 one fits like (may be better?)