DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Mid cross member replacement: slide it in with sill removed?

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > 130 > Mid cross member replacement: slide it in with sill removed?

Page 1 of 1

Print this entire topic ·

RoadForce

Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Holland
Posts: 353

2000 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Coniston Green

Mid cross member replacement: slide it in with sill removed?

Hi, my 130 HCPU's mid cross member has rotted through. I am still unsure whether I can patch it up or it must be replaced. In case of the latter, I noticed that YRM do a replacement with bolt-on brackets to attach to the cabin, see https://yrmit.co.uk/product/hdg-rear-body-...double-cab

The bolt-on brackets allow to install the brackets and hence attach the cabin once the cross member has been put in place, that looks ideal.

My question is: with the old cross member and brackets removed, if I remove the sill on one side, will this new cross member slide right in, or will it foul some other part?

I know a common approach is to cut the new cross member in half, wiggle the two halves in position and then weld them back together, but I'd rather avoid that. Also, I don't want to remove the tub to gain better access since I figure that's quite an added pain compared to removing one sill and sliding the replacement home. Any thoughts? Defender 130 HCPU Td5 MY2000

19th Sep 2025 2:09pm

rustandoil

Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 886

2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey

My experience with DCPU says the YRM crossmember will slide in no problem, removing the old for me was no trouble.... It just crumbled up by hand 😂

20th Sep 2025 7:43am

RoadForce

Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Holland
Posts: 353

So how did you gain access then? Remove the floor/tub, or one of the sills and slide it in sideways as I hope to do? Defender 130 HCPU Td5 MY2000

20th Sep 2025 7:56am

Mdm

Member Since: 11 Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 1667

a few ways to do the job. normally the seat mounts are rotted out so its 2 jobs in one.

if they and the side panel steel bits are good, then pop the floor out and it makes it easier.

clean wax and paint while its out

side panels off as well and make sure you use closed head rivets to refit.

plus some sealant/ sealing foam to fill the gaps to keep water and spiders out of the lr

20th Sep 2025 6:53pm

rustandoil

Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 886

There's some good YouTube vids on the mid crossmember replacement.... My replacement "escalated" but I'm pretty sure you can do it by just removing the floor.
Good luck.... 👍🏼

21st Sep 2025 7:37am

rustandoil

Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 886

There's some good YouTube vids on the mid crossmember replacement.... My replacement "escalated" but I'm pretty sure you can do it by just removing the floor.
Good luck.... 👍🏼

21st Sep 2025 7:37am

RoadForce

Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Holland
Posts: 353

I'd rather avoid having to remove the floor and/or tub (it's a 130 HCPU) because of all the additional work, hence the original question of the viability of sliding it in with only 1 sill removed. Defender 130 HCPU Td5 MY2000

21st Sep 2025 8:12am

rustandoil

Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 886

Yup.... As far as I understand it should slide in with one sill removed... As long as you can get the old one out....

21st Sep 2025 8:48am

RoadForce

Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Holland
Posts: 353

Thanks, that would be great

Defender 130 HCPU Td5 MY2000

21st Sep 2025 10:26am

Page 1 of 1

All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum