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ozzie1989



Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey
Terrafirma Tank Guard with Hitch
Wondering if anyone can offer some advice on fitting a Terrafirma Guard with Hitch to a 110 Utility Wagon.

It offers up great without the anti-roll bars fitted, but I'm sure they wouldn't expect you to remove those completely to fit the guard.

If anyone who's fitted one to a TDCi has any pics or advice that would be great! Thanks... Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)
Post #325343 22nd Apr 2014 4:27pm
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ozzie1989



Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey
Right, I have some more information. Tim Fry Land Rovers have been brilliant in all of this, keeping my options open and even getting a Terrafirma Rep on board to help.

It turns out the only way you can fit it with the ARB's is to space them down (this coming from a Terrafirma Rep). Aluminium spacer blocks cost a fortune from them (£60 a pair and you may need 4), and even then you have to pack out the other 2 holes where the bracket sits.

So I looked to another solution and by chance I stumbled across the X-Eng X-Deflex ARB. Due to the nature of this ARB they offer optional spacers of 30 or 60mm which help with fitting to those vehicles fitted with bigger tanks or guards etc. They are even offset so it keeps the ARB in the same position, unlike the expensive ones out there. Knowing the X-Eng stuff I also trust it to be strong and good quality!

Having spoke to the ever helpful guys at Foundry 4x4 (of whom X-Eng is now a division of theirs) they were able to sell me the two 60mm ARB spacer brackets for £15 (bargain)!


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The only issue with them is that they have a special piece of metal in the middle to retain the bush in the x-Deflex which won't fit with a standard ARB, so this has to be grinded off. You can see the 'centre' section missing the in the photo below:


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This is the position in which it will be fitted to the chassis, the space where the other 2 mounting holes in the chassis would have been are taken up by the tank guard.


Click image to enlarge


I will upload more pics so you all know what I'm going on about once I've got the guard fitted - it will be clear why the ARB won't fit without them and hopefully will help someone else in the future.

The response when I asked the Terrafirma rep why all this wasn't in the product description??? "Every Land Rover and Owner is different and it does say in our small print that any of our parts may not fit without modification or at all depending on your vehicle"... Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)
Post #326570 27th Apr 2014 9:51pm
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6772

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
Looking forward to pics fitted Thumbs Up
Post #326576 27th Apr 2014 10:27pm
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ozzie1989



Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey
Firstly, let me apologise for not getting these pictures up sooner. I have been so busy lately I completely forgot all about it...

Also, let me apologise for the quality of the pictures as they aren't great - but hopefully you'll get the idea.

I have had them fitted through both on and off-road use and not had any issues or any noticeable difference in the ARB's ability to do it's job. Nor have a I caught it on anything off road, the guard has come in handy though!



Click image to enlarge



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A note on the guard/towbar it is a fantastic bit of kit, I've used it and I have every confidence in it. The only bad point is that over rough ground it does rattle a little, but then most detachable types do this from experience.

Any questions please ask... Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)
Post #341680 29th Jun 2014 8:50pm
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munch90



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: guildford
Posts: 3558

England 
all looks neat , only thing I would say it needs is support on the back of the arb bush

just a flat plate under the bush mount , bit of 3-4 mm plate should be ok
Post #341690 29th Jun 2014 9:32pm
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ozzie1989



Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey
Hmmm yes, hadn't really thought about that. Thank you.

The two lugs I cut off originally may have been better let on if it all fitted together.

I had some serious articulation on the suspension yesterday - well about as far as a standard setup goes - and they didn't look they had moved or were going to come through the gap or anything - perhaps its worth jacking it up to have a good look before I go further.



Click image to enlarge
 Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)
Post #341966 30th Jun 2014 10:15pm
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