Defender Rear Bumper/Tow Bar on a Series III 109

[o2batsea]

It's the most painless/sensible way to go, but that design was previously eliminated from consideration as it sticks out too far for the OP's shins, hence the rather complicated PITA setup in my drawing

Yup that's part of the reason why the tow ball is in upside down, so I don't nut myself on it. However, the thing absolutely doesn't get in the way if you are aware of it.

[toga Rover]

So I took Mark's suggestion and made the smaller version of his design for my 109. And because she is a station wagon, I had to drop the tank to gain access to the rear of the crossmember. With all the parts cut and ready to weld, we dropped the tank, assembled and welded the receiver in to place, and reattached the tank all in one Saturday in the shop. Attached are some pics of the finished product (along with a 7-pin trailer plug with the controller tucked inside the tuffy box up front). And a few pics after blasting snowbanks in -7 degree weather in Upstate NY this afternoon. Thanks again Mark for your design idea.

...of course, if you DO want to remove the rear tub for installation, the hitch is a whole lot easier to fabricate and attach by simply welding in. It won't need to be as wide to make up (structurally) for the big hole through the center of the crossmember if the plates are welded to the crossmember:

[SafeAirOne]

Nice job-- a receiver with no shin-bashing.

[o2batsea]

I don't get it. You were so worried about clearance and plowing a rut with the hitch yet there's a (useless) rear step bolted on!

[SafeAirOne]

I don't get it. You were so worried about clearance and plowing a rut with the hitch yet there's a (useless) rear step bolted on!

That step is the only USEFUL one of the five, I've found (at least for a 3-door 109), and when stowed, barely sticks below the rear crossmember.

[toga Rover]

Minimal loss of ground clearance, maximal usefulness for my wife, 4yr old, and 2yr old getting in and out of the back.

I don't get it. You were so worried about clearance and plowing a rut with the hitch yet there's a (useless) rear step bolted on!

[TravelinLight]

Looks good, I will need to go out and check how mine is done as it looks similar. Truck is new to me so I have not had a need to tow anything as of yet.

[clearcut]

So I took Mark's suggestion and made the smaller version of his design for my 109. And because she is a station wagon, I had to drop the tank to gain access to the rear of the crossmember. With all the parts cut and ready to weld, we dropped the tank, assembled and welded the receiver in to place, and reattached the tank all in one Saturday in the shop. Attached are some pics of the finished product (along with a 7-pin trailer plug with the controller tucked inside the tuffy box up front). And a few pics after blasting snowbanks in -7 degree weather in Upstate NY this afternoon. Thanks again Mark for your design idea.

Very nice Station Wagon. What type of wire did you use for the floor on your roof rack.. How did you attach it

I saw it (wire) in the last picture.

Thanks

Josh

[toga Rover]

Thanks Josh,

It is fencing used in prisons/corrections facilities called "no climb". Comes in 4x8 sheets. I sourced it locally. It is in 2 sections (slant front, and flat back) and all zip-tied down. I wanted to find something whose bars are close together so that I could #1) put anything up there with out it falling through and scratching the paint on the roof, #2) wanted to be able to stand up there with minimal flex,

I could have tack welded it down, but decided against it because the whole thing would have been really heavy if ever i wanted to take the rack off. I can now stand up there and the weight is spread out nicely. Here are some more pics.