↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Technical > Seat boxes - any reason not to replace with ally?
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866
United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Seat boxes - any reason not to replace with ally?
Is there any reason not to replace the steel battery and tool boxes with aluminium ones from the likes of YRM? Do they offer anything in terms of strength to the seat box assembly as a whole other than to provide rigidity?

I have a pair in the pile awaiting blasting, welding and galvanising but am drawn to the ally replacements to save time/hassle/weight.

Edit - If I do go down the ally route, any other worthwhile mods whilst I'm there? Deeper toolbox? 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #940562 1st Feb 2022 6:55pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4227
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
They are probably fine, but there is quite a bit of weight in/on the seat boxes. Aluminium can be prone to fatigue failure and cracking, especially if subject to a lot of vibration. So, a road based truck would be less of a worry than an off roader or expedition rig. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #940564 1st Feb 2022 7:03pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866
United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Good point! Though I suppose you could argue that the same can be said for the main shell of the seat and the rivets joining it to the steel boxes. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #940586 1st Feb 2022 8:43pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3469
Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Should not happen... but aluminium is much more reactive to acids than steel is. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #940590 1st Feb 2022 9:09pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866
United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Good point Dinnu, think I may just stick with the steel ones after all! 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #940609 2nd Feb 2022 8:16am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3469
Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
I galvanized mine.. although zinc is even more reactive to acid spills than aluminium 😳
But I will give it several coats of paint before it is riveted to the seat box. Paint resist acid very well. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #940610 2nd Feb 2022 8:21am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Julie



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: Nantes
Posts: 528
France 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Re: Seat boxes - any reason not to replace with ally?
Shroppy wrote:
Is there any reason not to replace the steel battery and tool boxes with aluminium ones from the likes of YRM? Do they offer anything in terms of strength to the seat box assembly as a whole other than to provide rigidity?

I have a pair in the pile awaiting blasting, welding and galvanising but am drawn to the ally replacements to save time/hassle/weight.

Edit - If I do go down the ally route, any other worthwhile mods whilst I'm there? Deeper toolbox?


Thinking about accélération in a car crash...
Post #942105 11th Feb 2022 8:36pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
roel



Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039
Netherlands 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Caledonian Blue
If you have a car crash in a Defender I think the battery is not your biggest worry. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
Post #942216 12th Feb 2022 5:57pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Julie



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: Nantes
Posts: 528
France 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
The battery probably not, but my seat being screwed on an aluminium box - I'd carefully verify these connections
Post #942221 12th Feb 2022 6:16pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
roel



Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039
Netherlands 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Caledonian Blue
I don't think there is much steel in your seatbox. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
Post #942222 12th Feb 2022 6:24pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1851
 
Not disputing any of the points above, but I put in a YRM metals allu seat box ages ago. I’d have to check, but I think it’s easily over 10 years. It is painted, inside and out. So far, I can’t see any downsides.

In the event of a crash, I think I’d rather the 3mm alu plate, solidly bonded and riveted together, compared to a rusty old steel box of indeterminate remaining strength.

I had to do mine, as the original box was literally disappearing, but I’d have no great hesitation in doing the same thing again. In fact I’m doing just that with a friend’s rebuild just now.

But if you do take the steel out and get it galvanised, make sure to put a good physical barrier between the two metals on reassembly. Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #942223 12th Feb 2022 6:55pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
<  Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2025 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums