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IanW



Member Since: 12 Jun 2011
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 172

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zambezi Silver
My old '85 LR90 had a lock on the slam panel just below the bonnet. Having spoken to a local locksmith in Bristol he has some 'camlocks', the sort which take a circular cross section key, similar to many caravan security locks, but the moving bit on the back of the lock would need to be specially made to engage with something on the underside of the bonnet. But - presumably with an easily removable grille a thief could access the vulnerable underside of the camlock, unless it was somehow enclosed. I also spoke to a vehicle security specialist who was unaware, as is my main dealer, of any bonnet thefts in this area. A better and secure hinge might be the best bet - anything to delay/discourage a thief. Ian One wife - livid
Post #89967 19th Sep 2011 11:52am
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Gil9713



Member Since: 11 Sep 2011
Location: Colchester
Posts: 94

United Kingdom 
I hope I may have cracked it.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

On each bonnet hinge leave two Posi M6 X 20mm bolts in place as they are, the third one drill it out right through the dead block on the inside, re tap it and put a locking nut on the inside of the new lengthened Posi bolt, yes the hole would be marginally bigger but that would let the bolt go through the dead block on the inside and allow the locking nut to hold the bonnet on the hinge.
Nothing would look any different then and they would be able to get to it, without a lot more hassle and time of course Idea
Post #90024 19th Sep 2011 4:39pm
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LR90XS2011



Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: bickenhill
Posts: 3646

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
every time I see an old defender with a post 07 bonnet I wonder where it came from!!

I cant believe one of our suppliers has not come up with a solution, I thought a rod bolted to the bonnet that drops down past a gap in the engine bay and then drops through a hole with a lock would work well but have not had chance to look if there is a suitable spot. Or alternatively some proper hinges that look like the originals but dont have the silly lift out idea, I wanted to fit struts but found these just push the bonnet forward in the hinges so it misses the latch and a bolt cutter would make quick work of them any way, come on Nak etc etc give us a solution.

ps I note you can now get fiberglass puma bonnets much cheaper than steel ones if mine goes a walk I think thats the route Id go, perhaps with a matt black or carbon wrap. DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,

I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy
Post #90026 19th Sep 2011 4:50pm
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ibexman



Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: Essex
Posts: 2947

United Kingdom 
Gil9713 wrote:
I hope I may have cracked it.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

On each bonnet hinge leave two Posi M6 X 20mm bolts in place as they are, the third one drill it out right through the dead block on the inside, re tap it and put a locking nut on the inside of the new lengthened Posi bolt, yes the hole would be marginally bigger but that would let the bolt go through the dead block on the inside and allow the locking nut to hold the bonnet on the hinge.
Nothing would look any different then and they would be able to get to it, without a lot more hassle and time of course Idea
I dont understand what you mean the bonnet lifts off?????
Post #90027 19th Sep 2011 4:58pm
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Gil9713



Member Since: 11 Sep 2011
Location: Colchester
Posts: 94

United Kingdom 
Spoke to Land Rover this afternoon as I picked my Puma up, and they said there isn't a bonnet theft problem that they know about!!!! Shocked
Post #90028 19th Sep 2011 4:59pm
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Gil9713



Member Since: 11 Sep 2011
Location: Colchester
Posts: 94

United Kingdom 
Brain going twice as quick as my fingers.
Make an alloy dead block the same shape as the triangle under the bonnet to hold all three screws with one larger and tapped to a different thread using a longer bolt with locking nut, that is what I meant by a dead block.
Post #90029 19th Sep 2011 5:03pm
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IanW



Member Since: 12 Jun 2011
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 172

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zambezi Silver
Gil9713 - I note it's a suggestion, and a good one, but if you do it some pics would be of great interest. As others have said, suppliers who read this forum must surely be aware of the need for extra security on these bonnets, and need to use some engineering ingenuity to solve the problem. Ian One wife - livid
Post #90030 19th Sep 2011 5:05pm
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Gil9713



Member Since: 11 Sep 2011
Location: Colchester
Posts: 94

United Kingdom 
Ian,
I'll make a couple of dead blocks up and fit them and then place all the Pics/components and sizes up on here. I have a couple of slack days in the workshop.
I am mindful of the costs so it will be a cheap but highly effective response to the problem.....hopefully, and design a sticker to go on the outside to save them causing unnecessary damage to find out they can't pinch it
Gil
Post #90032 19th Sep 2011 5:10pm
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Sockpuppet



Member Since: 17 Sep 2011
Location: Leicester
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 
I reckon one of these would be the best idea.

http://www.harborfreight.com/spring-gate-l...95018.html



Have a thin wire going from it through the firewall to where the bonnet release is.

Pull on both and bonnet lifts. Have this mounted on the large lifting point on top of the engine at the back and you wouldn't even me able to get a hand in to release it unless you're in the cab.

If you made up a bracket and used the same sort of wire that bicycle brakes use then you could make it easy the route the cable and release it. Have a receiver quite easily drilled into the hole on the hood.
Post #90033 19th Sep 2011 5:26pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Sockpuppet wrote:
Pull on both and bonnet lifts. Have this mounted on the large lifting point on top of the engine at the back and you wouldn't even me able to get a hand in to release it unless you're in the cab.


Quite often the doors and seats get knicked as well so I don't think getting into the cab is much of an issue for these scrotes! If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #90038 19th Sep 2011 6:02pm
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jlerra



Member Since: 10 Jul 2009
Location: Gibraltar/London
Posts: 149

Gibraltar 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Bonnet theft
Lots of ideas bouncing around bonnet theft of TDCi's.
The only worthwhile solution is redesigned secure bonnet brackets - as other vehicles don't have a problem!
Hope the advertisers in Defender 2.net will acknowledge the problem and go to work on a replacement without monumental changes to the design.
I am sure there would be substantial interest among owners for such development.
Jlerra JLS
'El Pepe Flamenco'
Post #90074 19th Sep 2011 9:21pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17475

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Gil9713 wrote:
Spoke to Land Rover this afternoon as I picked my Puma up, and they said there isn't a bonnet theft problem that they know about!!!! Shocked


Of course there isn't a bonnet theft problem from Landrover's perspective - who do you think sells all the replacement bonnets?

Not a problem for the company.
Post #90106 20th Sep 2011 8:31am
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Gil9713



Member Since: 11 Sep 2011
Location: Colchester
Posts: 94

United Kingdom 
The trouble is here, that they have to say that I suppose, because they know it would need tackling properly from their design perspective. Rolling Eyes
Post #90107 20th Sep 2011 8:34am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17475

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Looking at the hinges, it would be a fairly simple matter to fit two shaped stainless blocks to the bulkhead immediately above the hinges which would render it impossible to lift the bonnet off, at least without completely deforming the (rather flimsy looking) fixed hinge on the bulkhead. The blocks could be secured inside the vehicle, which would necessitate the removal of the dash, thus making removal of the bonnet entirely possible albeit not quick should legitimate removal be required.

If the blocks were shaped appropriately, they could both limit the upward movement of the bonnet and completely close off the removal gap in the fixed hinge.

Powder coat them black and they would look smart too. Simples!

With a CNC mill it should be possible to machine a suitable block for pennies. Shame I don't have a CNC mill.
Post #90110 20th Sep 2011 8:39am
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Gil9713



Member Since: 11 Sep 2011
Location: Colchester
Posts: 94

United Kingdom 
Agree with that. Its similar to my suggestion on the underside, a shaped piece of alloy (dead block)on both sides
as mentioned above only difference if people wanted to leave it as it is and just add the block would be a different M6 headed and threaded say 25-30mm bolt with a locking screw on the underside. It would buy you time thats all, but enough time to get out of your PJ's Laughing
Post #90112 20th Sep 2011 8:44am
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