 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Optimill vs Croytec |
 
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5804   
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Morning all, and first Happy Boxing Day.
For those whose brains aren’t foggy with too much Christmas booze, a question. Which is the better (if there is such a thing) between Croytec and Optimill? Specifically for hinges. I’m looking to turn my tailgate into a swing-door version and thought I’d do it properly with some quality upgraded hinges. Just wondering which are better and why? I will ultimately do the door hinges as well when I get round to repainting. Anyone had experience of both? Or any thoughts of whichever brand they’ve chosen? Thank as always.  Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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26th Dec 2021 8:15am |
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| Likeomg Member Since: 29 Jun 2012 Location: Lake District / Newcastle Posts: 2638 
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my optimal hinges squeak, to the point its embarrassing at times.
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26th Dec 2021 10:13am |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410 
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And the standard LR rear hinges can creak like a Draconian oak door without lubrication
I do love the Optimal and Croytech hinges, but they are just too expensive for a full 110 CSW to justify  Hence replacing with modified standard hinges. |
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26th Dec 2021 11:30am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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Given your other thread about fitting a spare wheel carrier, I'd suggest that either are overkill for your application. Not only will you only have a half door, it won't be taking any load anyway so standard hinges will be more than adequate. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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26th Dec 2021 2:25pm |
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| captain slow Member Since: 22 Jun 2011 Location: Herts Posts: 355 
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Have you considered Gore Hinges? I have their bonnet hinges and a few other things and the quality is excellent. https://goreproducts.com/products/defender...hinge-kits 2.2 Tdci 110 XS CSW Corris Grey
Prince Harry's D3 (gone but not forgotten) 300 Tdi 110 CSW (gone but not forgotten) |
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26th Dec 2021 6:16pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5804
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Thank you Litch. They look very smart.
You’re right LRA, I did discuss having the swing away carrier, so your thoughts make sense. But after Blackwolf’s comments (access, opening, tight spaces etc) I’ve decided against the spare carrier and instead will stay with strapping it down in the back on top of the drawer system I’ll fit and keep the back end clean but with the new swing tail gate. With that in mind, some upgraded hinges would be worth it. Must say though, I do actually like the original look of the back door hinges. 
Thanks Captain Slow, I’ll take a look. Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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27th Dec 2021 6:58am |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060  
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The driver´s door on mine started squeaking profusely when the weather got colder this autumn, and I suspected the Optimill hinges. I sprayed them with silicone spray to no avail. It turned out to be the door strap which was immediately silenced with said spray. Very pleased with the Optimills. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTs, Recaro CSs, anorak, wellingtons |
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27th Dec 2021 7:51am |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10379
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I love the whole CNC door hinge thing, it must be the most frivolous of all the trinkets available for a Defender.
‘Bespoke’ do them with big grease nipples hanging off them (presumably to stop the squeak issue) which are also decorated with their logo. |
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27th Dec 2021 8:26am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17351 
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My Optimill hinges need periodic lubrication or else they squeak, but it's not an onerous task.
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27th Dec 2021 8:28am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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Fair enough. I assumed you were looking at them for strength. I've just had a look at the Croytec website and it appears that they offer a set of two to suit a half door, whereas Optimill only offer a set of three, so you'd be left with a spare top hinge. Personally, I think the Croytec ones look the better of the two but I really wouldn't bother with either for this application. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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27th Dec 2021 9:28am |
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| Co1 Member Since: 19 Aug 2018 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 3671 
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Does anyone supply OEM hinges that are colour coded? I don’t have much success with rattle can jobs and could do with a set of front hinges but really wanted “normal” ones.
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27th Dec 2021 9:30am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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Don't think so. They're painted with the complete body in the factory. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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27th Dec 2021 9:31am |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10379
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I bought some for my v8 and left them raw. No issues 5 years on.  Click image to enlarge |
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27th Dec 2021 9:41am |
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| Litch Member Since: 10 Mar 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 761
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"Optimill only offer a set of three, so you'd be left with a spare top hinge."
If you speak to them they will sell you the middle & bottom hinge only, that is how I bought mine. ONE LIFE, GET IT! |
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27th Dec 2021 3:11pm |
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