Ok finally convinced myself to attempt fabbing up a new hitch and getting rid of the stock rear bumper. The only problem that I have is making it strong enough to truly tow with. I am sure that I can make it strong enough to do recovery from but I need to be able to tow my trailer at least until the end of the summer when I'm hoping to get a dedicated tow rig and not have to use the defender anymore. So the idea is to drop the stock bumper and the tank and try to put a hitch though the rear crossmember. Probably putting some bracing on both sides of the hitch anchorring it to the crossmember (triangulation I guess is the best description) Do you think this will be as strong as the stock bumper? As always give me the good gouge I'm sure there are some flaws in the idea so let me have them before I spend hours getting that damn rusted bumper off.

-Ben

I've made a couple D90 rear bumpers, what vehicle are you talking about? I'd have no problem towing with mine. The Other one I did the owner tows small trailers and man lifts around without a problem, just gotta get a hell of a drop on your hitch as the reciever is a lot higher than stock and higher than SGs. I've got pics if need be.

I tow another D90 with mine, and no worries.

I've triangulated from the centre of the hitch, as low as possible upwards, forwards and outwards to the frame/chassis to where there are bolt on points (2 holes on low plates).

Dont know if that's much use if your fuel tank is back there!

Merv.

yes please post pics if you got them yes it's a d-90 I know that I'll need a bigger drop and I'm towing a 16' enclosed box trailer that basically has everything I own in it and can weigh as much as 5000 lbs. So that should give you an idea as to how well this needs to be thought out

-ben

Since I'm a pauper and I have no posting ability, I'll just send them to you. If attaching through the rear crossmember you'll want a backing plate, either make one or there's a genuine Rover one that's drilled out.

here are some pics fear factory sent me

more

two left

last one

Ben,
Check your email, I sent the bumper photos this morning.
Mike
:usa:

This is Mike Pado's rear bumper

more

another angle

last one

Them asses look the business.

Don't you mean arses?

yes, but I was trying to sound american

:flipoff2:

yea mike pado makes some good stuff, by the way, whose yellow D90 is that?

funny that you ask who's yellow d-90 that is because it's mike pado's look at the top of the first pic.

-ben

Ben,
I wish the yellow defender was mine, it belongs to a fellow club (SOLAROS) member. Will knows me and that i don't own a 90. I've built two of those for D90's and one for a 110. I currently wheel a Disco and have just started a 110 pickup project.
If you need more info on the bumper let me know.
Mike
:usa:

my bad I assumed since you wanted me to put that I got it from you that it was your's oh well guess that's what you get when you ass u me.
-ben

ahh yes i know whos D90 that is now....
Pado,
You "just started a 110 project" When i was at your place picking up my series truck(over a year ago) you were "just starting it"....LOL hahahaha man get to work ;)
just kiddin with you

Will:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by m016324
Ok finally convinced myself to attempt fabbing up a new hitch and getting rid of the stock rear bumper. The only problem that I have is making it strong enough to truly tow with. I am sure that I can make it strong enough to do recovery from but I need to be able to tow my trailer at least until the end of the summer when I'm hoping to get a dedicated tow rig and not have to use the defender anymore. So the idea is to drop the stock bumper and the tank and try to put a hitch though the rear crossmember. Probably putting some bracing on both sides of the hitch anchorring it to the crossmember (triangulation I guess is the best description) Do you think this will be as strong as the stock bumper? As always give me the good gouge I'm sure there are some flaws in the idea so let me have them before I spend hours getting that damn rusted bumper off.

-Ben

make it this strong....

if I ever tow a boat that big with my defender the hitch will probably be one of my smallest worries

-ben