Defender Fender Flares on a Series?

[paydan]

Can anyone tell me if a set of Defender fender flares will fit on a Series III? I have asked several people and got two different answers. Yes and no :confused I am mostly looking for a direct fit if possible. I figured that I would ask you guys in here before I bought something that I couldn't use.

[1962siia88]

The arch is different at least on the front of the defender. I'm sure they could be made to fit, but not direct fit.

Daniel

[JSBriggs]

You will need to recut the wheel openings to get the Defender flares to fit. Even then, It would be easier to get defender front fender skins, and just do the cutting on the tub. Be sure to account for the extra material to re form the lip before you cut.

-Jeff

[paydan]

Awesome! Thanks for the information. That is exactly what I wanted to know. I just purchased two new front skins from Safari but they are for the series. Since they are the plastic ones I don't want to cut into them. That is what I was afraid I was going to have to do. I know that they make some for the series somewhere so I will just keep looking for some of those. Thanks again you guys.

[mikeslandrover]

Defender outer front wing panels will bolt straight on but the axle is positioned 2" further back on a defender so the hole isn't in quite the right place, it will go on but doesn't look quite right.
Unless you are fitting very wide wheels or RRC/ Defender axles. wheel arches look rather strange on a Series,
the wheels come nowhere near filling the arches.

[paydan]

I actually have RRC axles on my series so my wheels stick out beyond the fenders.

[JSBriggs]

Have you tried the early 16" steel wheels, or Series 15" wheels to keep things inside the body work?

-Jeff

[mikeslandrover]

Early series II Long Wheel Base rims have the extra width inset and look like SWB rims, they'll put the wheels inside the bodywork, just, with 7.50 16's. Trouble is they're rarer than hens teeth.:(

[1962siia88]

I put early 2a 16" wheels from an 88" rig on my 109/110. I'm running 235/85/16 mud terrains and they just barely stick out past the body and I think look just right. Good luck.

Daniel

[TeriAnn]

Defender outer front wing panels will bolt straight on but the axle is positioned 2" further back on a defender so the hole isn't in quite the right place, it will go on but doesn't look quite right.
Unless you are fitting very wide wheels or RRC/ Defender axles. wheel arches look rather strange on a Series,
the wheels come nowhere near filling the arches.

I have early pre-Defender outer wing panels bolted to my Series truck. The Defender cut outs are both higher and longer. The extra length is mostly at the rear which makes the front wheel look off centre.

I have attached 2 pictures. One show a Defender outer wing panel sitting on a Series outer wing panel showing the differences in the wheel arch. The second one has the front of my truck with Defender outer wing panels and 33 inch dia tyres next to a truck with stock Series outer wing panel and 32 inch dia tyres. I added the Defender panels to gain additional clearance for 35 inch tyres.

As far as wheel arches are concerned, they bolt to the wheel arch flange. So you can not just cut out a Series outer wing panel and fit Defender arches unless you bend in new flanges.

However arches for Series trucks are available in the UK. Check the big LR parts houses and you can get some that fit a Series wheel arch.

[paydan]

Wow! Thanks for the pictures and the description TeriAnn. I don't think that it can get any better than that. Since I just bought new wing panels, I am looking for some series arches in the UK as we speak. Thanks again. Awesome post.

[Wander]

Here's a picture of my buddies SIII 109 with Disco axle's and Defender wheels. He doesn't have the Defender wings but he does have flares. I'm not sure how what he used or how he did it (I'll ask) but it came out clean and covers that extra bit of tire.

[HeloBubba]

A few years ago I put a set of "Defender-ish" arches on my weird hybrid project (first D/D-lite), and as I recall I got them from Al at DAP. (Bearmach made, maybe?)

They mounted differently than Defender ones, but were made for the Series arches. Required no cutting, and the arches were screwed/bolted into the rolled/folded edge facing the tire. Then, the top, body-contacting edge had pieces of weatherstrip for a cleaner look. I have no idea if they're still available, but I'm 99% sure I bought them from DAP after seeing them on their site.

The truck had Series III front panels and rear panels from a Series III 110 Regular cut down to fit the 100" RR wheelbase, but had unaltered Series arches front and rear.

Photos attached of the truck without it's top a few months before I sold it in '06.

Note oil spotting on otherwise new driveway. It's a Rover V8.

Murph

[isleofbones]

I purchased those wheel arches for a series IIa from M & M 4x4 in England. Ask for Becci.

[Red90]

It is very easy to change the opening to fit the flares in the correct location. Cut two pieces of plywood the correct shape. Clamp to the skins. Cut 1/2" away and then hammer in to create the lip.

[paydan]

Chris,

Your rover is friggin awsome. I am looking to about the same thing with mine. Do you by chance havve any other pictures or a build thread? Great work man!

Norberto