Spare wheel

A place for all things Land Rover Series III. Embrace your inner British Leyland.
Post Reply
Chisler
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2026 10:44 pm

Spare wheel

Post by Chisler »

Afternoon one and all
I’m planning on fitting the spare wheel on the bonnet, I have the round spare wheel plate was wondering where it should be positioned ie right in the centre of the bonnet or just off centre to take into account when opening the bonnet so the wheel doesn’t touch the bulk head vents.
Any chance someone could measure either the distance from bulk head to tyre or to the edge of the round plate please.
Best regards.
Chisler
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2026 10:44 pm

Re: Spare wheel

Post by Chisler »

Or point me in the direction for spec
Chisler
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2026 10:44 pm

Re: Spare wheel

Post by Chisler »

Found a diagram on the Uk Land Rover forum
So sorted, will take photos of the fitting etc.
Paulie
Posts: 17
Joined: Fri May 15, 2026 10:38 am

Re: Spare wheel

Post by Paulie »

Just seen this, Mine is mounted on the bonnet but the plate was fitted before my ownership. i find my landy rides a little better with the wheel mounted on the bonnet.
Last edited by Paulie on Tue Aug 04, 2026 5:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Chisler
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2026 10:44 pm

Re: Spare wheel

Post by Chisler »

My 4 other landis had the spare on the bonnet
Feels quite strange driving without haha
Neil Bymouth
Posts: 118
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2025 9:50 pm
Location: North West Hampshire

Re: Spare wheel

Post by Neil Bymouth »

My Series 3 has Wolf wheels and each one with tyre weighs about 40kg. For a start I wouldn't be able to lift the bonnet and then I wouldn't fancy sticking my head under it with only that flimsy support holding it up.
I know the archetypical Land Rover has its spate wheel on the bonnet but I've driven one and the wheel limits vision to the front.
Mine lives in the back and I can get it in by rolling it up the tow hitch and can lift it out but no way would I be able to lift it on and off the bonnet.
I wouldn't belong to a club that would accept me as a member (Groucho Marx).
Chisler
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2026 10:44 pm

Re: Spare wheel

Post by Chisler »

Just marked out the plate position on the bonnet ready for drilling rivet and bolt holes .
User avatar
o4dn
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2026 1:31 pm

Re: Spare wheel

Post by o4dn »

Neil Bymouth wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2026 5:43 pm My Series 3 has Wolf wheels and each one with tyre weighs about 40kg. For a start I wouldn't be able to lift the bonnet and then I wouldn't fancy sticking my head under it with only that flimsy support holding it up.
I know the archetypical Land Rover has its spate wheel on the bonnet but I've driven one and the wheel limits vision to the front.
Mine lives in the back and I can get it in by rolling it up the tow hitch and can lift it out but no way would I be able to lift it on and off the bonnet.
I agree with all of the above!

For the wheel on the bonnet, it might be worth considering a smaller tyre/lighter rim (similar to the space-saver spare wheel on modern cars) - Mine is a 7.50 on standard steel rim and it's quite heavy as well, I remove it every time I need to work on the engine bay, for safety.
--
“A Land Rover immobilized is a moral defeat for the driver and bad publicity for the vehicle, […] it's up to you to do justice to your Land Rover!” - Land Rover Driving Technique.
--
2009 2.4 Puma Defender 90 SW
1979 Land Rover Series 3 88"
Chisler
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2026 10:44 pm

Re: Spare wheel

Post by Chisler »

Here we go spare wheel now fitted onto the bonnet.
Post Reply