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MuddyMarky



Member Since: 01 Feb 2010
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 548
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Tail gate to rear door coversion
Right chaps.....any reason why the lower half of a safari door wouldn't fit my DC? I'm looking at converting to a side-opener, but would rather not chop about my tailgate. Also, by going with the original door, I could have a proper lock too.

I realise I would need to make provision for the lock 'striker plate' and sort the rear hinges, but is there anything I'm missing? I can't see that the dimensions etc have changed over the years. The only thing I have noticed is that I'd have to go for an earlier door (poss a series door?), which is almost separated into 2 parts already (well, has a definate join between the lower & upper parts), rather than the newer 1 piece looking ones (does that make sense??).

Ideas/inputs?

Cheers! Thumbs Up Mark
2011 110 XS DC
Stornoway Grey
Post #95074 19th Oct 2011 3:35pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6611
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
They are weak with the spare wheel attached. I have half a safari door on my 90 and it's badly cracked around the top hinge.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #95075 19th Oct 2011 3:37pm
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MuddyMarky



Member Since: 01 Feb 2010
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 548
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Thanks Martin...I'm hoping to get a Sonic/type carrier when I've 'refreshed' my savings (big bill elsewhere Sad ), so it won't need to support anything really....just itself. Do you know if I'd come up against any other problems? Mark
2011 110 XS DC
Stornoway Grey
Post #95077 19th Oct 2011 3:45pm
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CR



Member Since: 28 Jan 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 947
Ireland 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Santorini Black
I changed the drop down on my svx to side hinged, used the same door, it turned out a great job
also used mantec wheel carrier

CR
Post #95082 19th Oct 2011 5:09pm
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The Boy



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: East Northants
Posts: 1459
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Rimini Red
Martin wrote:
They are weak with the spare wheel attached. I have half a safari door on my 90 and it's badly cracked around the top hinge.


So do I and it is in real need of a wheel carrier.
Post #95087 19th Oct 2011 5:47pm
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bob neville



Member Since: 30 Apr 2009
Location: Marbella
Posts: 3248
Spain 2001 Defender 90 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Mark

PM sent Thumbs Up

Bob
Post #95088 19th Oct 2011 5:49pm
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yobbie



Member Since: 15 Nov 2010
Location: Isle of Wight
Posts: 713
United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 Heritage LE Bronze Green
I cut a Series safari door and managed to find piece of aluminum channel that fitted over the top. I used the standard hinges but did have a chassis mounted wheel carrier. It lasted the 5 years i had it.
Post #95106 19th Oct 2011 8:04pm
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MrFlips



Member Since: 27 May 2009
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 682
Wales 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 PU Santorini Black
A drop down tailgate is excellent for sitting on, changing boots after walking and brewing tea - why would you want to change it for a side opener? Makes sense if you could open it from inside, but if you've got a Sonic carrier then you'll have to get out to open that anyway. Peter
2008 SWB Truck Cab
1952 80" Soft top
Post #95127 19th Oct 2011 10:24pm
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ben_j85jty



Member Since: 02 Sep 2008
Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire
Posts: 491
United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
I did this to mine a few years ago, makes the load bed a lot more useable.

here's the thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic6699.html?highlight=tailgate

Ben 2002 Defender 110 DC
Post #95128 19th Oct 2011 10:32pm
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MuddyMarky



Member Since: 01 Feb 2010
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 548
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Thanks Yobbie, so the dimensions of the door were ok without any other mods?

MrFlips, I know what you're saying and fair point, but I use the space for carrying stuff an awful lot more than I use if for what you described.....the tailgate is useful for me occasionally, but I find myself cursing it more due to the 'stretch' to reach inside.....which will get even worse when the spare's moved aswell!

That's sort of the point of my thread aswell, as I don't want to chop 'bit/s' off my perfect tailgate, then want to change back for any reason later on.

Thanks Bob, replied to Thumbs Up


* also, thanks Ben...unfortunately the pics seem to have gone from that one. Mark
2011 110 XS DC
Stornoway Grey
Post #95163 20th Oct 2011 8:58am
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The Boy



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: East Northants
Posts: 1459
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Rimini Red
I know its only a battered onld 90 but here is a couple of photos of how I chopped the rear door and capped it with some stainless steel.



Post #95164 20th Oct 2011 9:08am
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lrmaniac



Member Since: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Lisboa
Posts: 762
Portugal 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Keswick Green
CR wrote:
I changed the drop down on my svx to side hinged, used the same door, it turned out a great job
also used mantec wheel carrier

CR


Any pics ? Thumbs Up

I want to make that mod, but I'm after all pics I can get my hand on ... just to make sure on what to do and don't do! Regards
Joao

'10 Land Rover Defender 110 CC
'08 BMW F800GS
'64 SIIA Forward Control
'69 SIIA 109 ZA CKD
_____________________________________________
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.
Post #95208 20th Oct 2011 12:58pm
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