Gaydon set to celebrate Land Rover’s 75th anniversary on 7-8 May

DEFENDER REAR TUBS is one of those companies that specialises in doing one thing and doing it well. If you can’t guess what that thing is, maybe try reading again from the top.

‘We specialise in making replacements for Defenders whose rear tubs have worn out over the years,’ says the company. ‘This gives our customers a stronger and longer lasting tub and brings new life to old Defenders.’

Based in Worcestershire, Defender Rear Tubs boasts more than 30 years’ experience of top-end engineering and fabrication.

‘When looking at buying replacement panels for our own Land Rovers,’ it says, ‘we found that some panels weren’t available – and those we could source were very costly. So we set about making our own!

‘Over time, we have developed the panels to provide a quality body using modern methods and technology while retaining the original features and authenticity.’

Sounds good. The tubs are supplied as a bare, unpainted shell made from 2mm commercial grade aluminium. ‘We use traditional methods for fixing panels together, alongside modern bonding technology,’ says the company. ‘We maintain the authentic spot weld markings which Land Rovers are renowned for.

‘For the main floor, wheelarches and bulkhead we use lock pin and collar aerospace structural fixings and fully sealed pop rivets,’ they continue. ‘For securing side panels and other subcomponents, we use Thatcham Insurance approved two-part panel bond.’

The tubs come pre-drilled with all the necessary holes for bolting up the door components. It’s a different matter at the back, though, where the bolt holes for the rear crossmember are left up to the individual customer – the reason for this being that different manufacturers made them with different hole centres.

Tubs are currently available for 90s and 110s powered by the 200/300 Tdi, TD5 and TDCi engines, and a fitment for the 130 is in development. Built to order for full compatibility, they come serial numbered and covered by a year’s warranty and can be specified with or without cappings fitted these can also be supplied loose for you to fit yourself. In addition, Defender Rear Tubs says it can modify standard units if required.

Prices are very much of the ‘on application’ variety, but it’s a customer-focused so you needn’t fear an immediate assault on your trousers. To find out what this means in pounds and pence, pay a visit to defenderreartubsltd.com and you’ll find all the contact details you could ever want.

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