Looking for old stuff ... what happened here? Any progress made?
I didn't do a good job of updating this thread at all!
The wheel carrier has been on the car for 2 and a half years now. It's done many trips and is holding up well!
I'll post a detailed update soon.
We're in the bush for a getaway weekend:
Looks great
Version 1 of the wheel carrier is being retired soon after many years of good service.
Version 2 is in development :D
Version 2 will follow the vehicle lines better (closer and angled more along the curves of the tailgate), will incorporate a maglock for locking, a gas strut to keep the carrier open or closed as required and a relocated high lift jack mounting so that it stops catching trees as we move along. Nice!
First test fit of V2. I'm going to be tilting the wheel forward a little more to give the jack at the bottom a bit more space but other than that I'm happy with it.
The next complicated bit is to cut the bumper skin in the right places so that it clears everything but doesn't leave big gaping holes everywhere. Oh, and it still needs paint.
I'm happy with the mechanical fitment and functionality. Now I just need to do the electronics to control the maglock and integrate it with the rear door button.
Pics above taken on a recent trip we did to a 4x4 track here in RSA called 3 Provinces. It was awesome as usual.
Video of an obstacle called The Waterfall:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN5JnEJBKxId8Re1lkdheqjQLU-rRpYdClAZuTyc_t9ivrwMqHLFOzZq5_H-u4UnQ/photo/AF1QipO8PDOpYrLm88sV9m_ifYkRZ7p2-Imoy6wbIOID?key=NnlTRTB6SXJoNnhXLUJ3MHd4N1Y3aUdNUWVNZnB3
The tire holder looks great.
Great video!
Nicely done. Just what I would expect a P38 on EAS to be capable of doing with a driver that knows what he is doing. Post that video on .net to show some on there that you don't need huge wheels, a 4" lift and coil springs
What tyre size are you running? Looks spot on!
Do you have any more pics of the actual carrier, how it mounts etc?
Aragorn wrote:
What tyre size are you running? Looks spot on!
Do you have any more pics of the actual carrier, how it mounts etc?
I don't have any more detailed pics, I'm terrible at documenting while building! I'll take some pics next time it is off. I need to do some adjustment with some spacer shims to get the heights right, so I'll take some pics then.
Tyre size is 235/85r16. Fits perfectly with no additional modifications required (no body lift etc), and only slight touching of the mudflaps in access height. It works for highway and offroad with the standard gearing still being acceptable in most situations (mine has 4.12:1 diffs fitted, although only recently).
Calibration of the air suspension is done with the standard height blocks.
I am considering testing 35" tyres, but the gains vs the modifications required is likely not worth the effort for a 1.5" additional axle clearance.
I guess the slimmer tyre helps it fit, as according to lore an almost 32" tyre on a p38 would need various mods. Most of the more common ~32" tyres are quite a bit wider, eg 265/285 etc.
I had considered using the 255/70r18 option that is standard fit on the newer defender but chickened out in the end and went with 255/60r18 which is much more common and readily available, but only a little bit bigger that stock.
Would the 32’s be drivable if you went down to the bump stops?
Yes, the 235/85r16s work because they are so narrow, anything wider and you'll likely need a lift to clear at full lock.
Harv wrote:
Would the 32’s be drivable if you went down to the bump stops?
In a mostly straight line yes, maneuvering with tight turns will have some scraping in the wheel arches. Doubt it would cause damage, but it won't be pleasant.