how long to ......

[Bob696]

change a rear x member on a 90

a) fully equiped garage and mechanic or 2 that knows what they are doing

b) Keen but inexperienced mechanical idiot (me) who has the usual tools found in garage/shed/back of said 90 and a mig welder.

It dosnt need doing but i have found a rather nice looking x member that is heavy duty and is designed to carry a winch inside the chassis rails hidden from view. and christmas is just round the corner ..........

[Jake]

I losened up all the bolts that hold the rear body on our old series 3 and a mobile welder came to me and did it in half a day.
All i had to do was paint it with chassis paint.
Cost me £80 + VAT for the work.
I was very pleased.
 :D

[hobbit]

As above, but couldn't lift the tub due to the roll cage going through it, I just cut 2 panels out over the chassis in the floor,  did the work and checker plate the section back over afterwards, mind you this is on an old lightweight S3 though

Although you may not want to chop up the floor if its a decent motor

Make sure you have enough metal to mount the cross member to the chassis (unless you have the chassis extensions on the cross member), also if the defenders are like the series, the wiring loom goes though the box chassis on the off side, coming out near the back

But relatively easy job to do, unless you run into more rot than you thought you had, it may not be all the way through, so you may  be in for a surprise when you weld it, never any guarantee

Good luck

[landyman Ash]

I'd say a day if your doing it yourself.  Get a mate to help

I did my hybrid in half a day but the tub was off.  

Its dead easy

[Xtremeteam]

work quotes it out as 8 hours ish,thas one mechanic goin non stop till its done

[davidlandy]

We did one 2 weeks ago on Jimbobs def90 and it took the best part of a day - if he had some decent drill bits then it would had taken a couple of hours less!

[landyman Ash]

Its one of those jobs that is totatally vehicle depandant.  Could take 3 hours, could take 3 days!

Good luck!

[davidlandy]

...and importantly, dont cut too much off of the old chassis , can be a nightmare to put bits back on!

[DIL]

Replaced mine on the 90 a few weeks ago, did it it a couple of half day stints, in between other jobs.

I fitted a new one with extensions, The wiring harness is in the O/S chassis rail so we cut a slot in the chassis to move the harness so it comes out in front of the new part, then welded the slot up and slid the new cross member over the chassis. Found there is enough room between the chassis and floor to weld across the top if your confident with a Mig.

Simple job, go for it! 8)

[muddyweb]

If you are looking at fitting a winch-carrying rear cross member, and you only have a small welder / are not an experienced welder... get someone else to do it !

If you tow, winch or even do heavy recovery from the rear cross member, it needs to be attached *properly*

[Bob696]

you only have a small welder / are not an experienced welder

You have me tagged  :oops:

[davidlandy]

we bolted jimbobs on as well as weld it

belt n braces!

[landyman Ash]

Just seen the new D44 winch rear cross member from Devon 4x4.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

I feel my cross member suddenly needs replacing.....  

[davidlandy]

Have u seen the price £ Ash?

Need a mortgage to buy one!

[landyman Ash]

Have u seen the price £ Ash?

Need a mortgage to buy one!

£450 plus is a bit pricey!!!!  :shock:  :shock:

But dam sexy  :twisted:  :P  :twisted:  :P  :twisted:

[Xtremeteam]

Have u seen the price £ Ash?

Need a mortgage to buy one!

£450 plus is a bit pricey!!!!  :shock:  :shock:

But dam sexy  :twisted:  :P  :twisted:  :P  :twisted:

hey ash,if you havent let on about the lighst i certaionly wouldnt go buying that just in case swmbo finds out  

[Xtremeteam]

to help this topic along,doing a rear xmember on a 130 built by nene overland  :(

so far in 1 1/2 hours removed fuel tank,disconnected rear wiring & also pulled it through to the front & choped the rear x member off,tommorow will be dressing up & fitting new x member