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Blue Blood



Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 126
United Kingdom 1990 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bonatti Grey
Maer stainless steel bulkhead thoughts?
Hey all, I am at some point going to change my bulkhead but want to weigh up my options.

There are the galv ones from shielder which I have see are poor fit, so which again have been described as poor fit and DDS metal/Marsland apparently fits well but is £££.

But of late I have seen a lot on social media Maers offering of a stainless steel version which they claim are a good fit and less prep work for paint over a galv unit. However has anyone had any experience fitting one and also I thought stainless would be a no no on account of having different properties to mild steel. Is the potential there for it to crack like how some stainless exhausts do??

Any help, experiences or thoughts would be welcomed.
Post #1046971 27th Sep 2024 10:34am
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Zed



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: In the woods
Posts: 3330
United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
As a company they have a decent reputation so I would assume they use the correct grade of ss and will be up to the task. My concern would be the additional weight. WARNING.
This post may contain sarcasm.
Post #1046976 27th Sep 2024 12:16pm
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Blue Blood



Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 126
United Kingdom 1990 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bonatti Grey
Well the weight side I’m not worried about however the hanging weight of doors on the a pillar is something that I’m super dubious about.
Also the fact I can’t find anyone who has fit one yet, so there is no kind of bench mark or base an educated choice from when it comes to picking them.

I remember I looked into them a little while back but couldn’t really find anything and then for a while they stopped advertising or showing they did them for a bit. So I didn’t know if there were teething issues from the first developed product or something.

So yeah anyone who has hands on experience with one I’m super keen to hear their thoughts for sure.
Post #1046977 27th Sep 2024 12:22pm
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Mdm



Member Since: 11 Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 1630
United Kingdom 
you have to ask why would you go for another dissimilar metal on a landy.

the only bulkhead i would use is the richards one, e coat or galv .fitted both no issues.

uk made as well.

if you think how long the original has lasted with no protection then a galv one or decent e coat version , both painted should last years
Post #1047256 30th Sep 2024 9:29am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3431
Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Do you know what grade of SS they use?
Weight wise, SS, or mild steel would make no difference if the same metal thicknesses are used. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1047264 30th Sep 2024 10:59am
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Blue Blood



Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 126
United Kingdom 1990 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bonatti Grey
Mdm wrote:
you have to ask why would you go for another dissimilar metal on a landy.

the only bulkhead i would use is the richards one, e coat or galv .fitted both no issues.

uk made as well.

if you think how long the original has lasted with no protection then a galv one or decent e coat version , both painted should last years


I don’t think I’m too fussed about dissimilar metals as the bulkhead being steel anyhow is dissimilar to the other aluminium bodywork and it is going to be painted as well so didn’t know if it’d make that much of a difference?

Also I don’t mind if something is made outside the UK if the product is good and worth the investment. However just as there is so limited information it makes me wary.
Post #1047265 30th Sep 2024 11:07am
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TexasRover



Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1091
France 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White
I work a lot of with metals and Stainless Steel, despite is obvious benefit has a number of structural challenges. Now obviously we don't know if these problems will manifest themselves for this bulkhead application, but I think it is fair to say its not exactly tried and tested.

Like others say, I would stay with conventional with additional protection. I have a Defender and a Series both with original bulkheads and I regularly coat the whole inside with Fluid Film or the likes and I don't have any corrosion issues.

Also helps if you regularly wash the car from underneath so you have no buildup.
Post #1047268 30th Sep 2024 11:27am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8097
 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Mdm wrote:
you have to ask why would you go for another dissimilar metal on a landy.

the only bulkhead i would use is the richards one, e coat or galv .fitted both no issues.

uk made as well.

if you think how long the original has lasted with no protection then a galv one or decent e coat version , both painted should last years


Likewise, Richards for me. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1047271 30th Sep 2024 12:42pm
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Topvaruk



Member Since: 25 Apr 2018
Location: bratislava
Posts: 49
Slovakia 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 ST Aintree Green
I am also in the research stage as my bulkhead will need doing at some point in the not so distant future.

I have discounted the obvious ones

Leaves me with

1) New genuine - the current one is 41 years old - so if I go this route and paint/protect well, dry store it should outlive me. Should be a perfect fit.

2) RC - my chassis is already RC and apart from the whole GKN/welded plate discussion seems good - am thinking E coat only - no galv due warping and hole issues

3) Maer - caught my eye. They use 304 SS according to their sales team. They don’t do a pre defender version so I would need to get hold of some windscreen vent parts

4) could repair but might be fighting a endless battle.

Does anyone know of a maer one being fitted? 2010 90 LHD soft top
2010 110 XS
1985 90 soft top
Post #1056192 3rd Jan 2025 11:02am
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