DEFENDER BODY BACK ON

Before the back body goes on we want to clip the loom to the chassis. And just to make double sure the loom is protected, pushes it inside this flexible tube before clipping it to the chassis. These mounts bolt on to the chassis and help to secure the rear body. And because they have slot rather than holes, they can be adjusted to suit. Line up the fixed rear body mount on the chassis with the adjustable mounts, using a big spirit level as a straight edge, it’s the last chance to get a good look at the shiny chassis before body parts go back on. The rubber pads stop metal to metal contact where the rear body touches the chassis. With the body tipped on end, the air riveter to secure the pads in place. Later on the seatbox will be butting up to this edge of the rear body.    

A section as big as the inevitably takes a bit of post fit adjustment to line it up correctly. But with a bit of push and shove, quickly gets the body in shape. The large but very light seatbox into position. Once it’s in place the rear sill bolts are pushed through the seatbox and rear body and into the captive sill nuts from step 10. The nine nuts and bolts that joint the top of the seatbox to the rear body are fitted too.  The air riveter makes another appearance as the rear body capping are fitted.