TheHaflinger.com

To checker plate or not checker plate? That is the question.

Where are you going to checker plate?? If it is just going a decorative cover on something then be aware of rust issues under it. Of you are going to use it as a bed liner - it is heavy and moisture can form underneath.

I am not an advocate and prefer to use rubber matting.

Garry

Hi Garry,

I have been considering making up a piece to cover the platform and fitting with rivnuts having first laid down a very thick bed of waxoyl. The platform is in good nick having had everything fixed when the platform was off. The Haf needs to earn its living in the vineyard so the platform will take a bashing. The alternative is a marine ply cover.

Checker plate is always an emotive issue and I have seen many Land Rover owners excommunicated on varies Landy sites for the mere suggestion of fitting it.

Having said that I did fit it to the bonnet and wings of my ex forces TUL 90 given the MoD started fitting it to the Wolfs and the rebuilt 110's. I guess being alloy there is less of electrolysis.

why not make a lift out box / liner .

not bolted in .

kerry

I would go a heavy rubber mat - the type that has fabric reinforcing like conveyor belt rubber. It is tough and can simply be rolled up when the tray needs cleaning/checking.

Think of the added weight if covering the tray with thick enough plate that will protect it.

Garry

Doug,

You say the rear platform has been fixed - are you talking "original" fixed as in rear engine cover above the level of the rest of the platform, rear seat lids flush and just the ribs making the platform not completely flat?

If so, how is your checker plate layer going to work?

If you need a completely flat bed then you will have to raise the level to the height of the side rails and that will mean having to put supports underneath to prevent it bowing in the middle.

A marine ply tray with central supports and blocks to act as guides along the side would be easy to side on or off, would allow you to stand in the middle without bowing down in the middle.

At the end of the day, you are the one who is going to live with the Haf, so A) paint it what ever colour you like, B) alter it however you like!

Having said that, standard vehicles will always command a premium if you want to sell it.

John

Rubber "cow mat" or "horse stall" mat. Purchase a big one from a farm store, and trim to fit. You can take it up when you are done, and hose it off for cleaning. 4x6 foot ones cost under $40 USD in my area.

Here is a Mule with trimmed mats..

Love the mat and the Mule, I always wanted one . That, and a Lohr Fardier.

John, when I said that the platform was fixed I should have said repaired. It is totally standard.

In which case you're going to end up with no end of rubbish in the foot wells, putting things on and off will involve making sure they don't catch on the side rails, engine hump and the foot well lids.

I took some bramble we had cleared from the garden down to the local amenity point (Rubbish dump) and had to fight virtually every piece off the back as it caught on everything - lots of hooks on brambles, but even so.

The rubber mat does look like the way to go, can be rolled up when not required.

Someone in the past had been using cement on the back of Lurch and I am still finding lumps stuck to the platform!

John

I once had a friend who filled the front of his Hillman Imp with ready mix to improve the handling.

I use a piece of fake grass upside down, one advantage is that you can easily pull it out with the dirt when the weight gets down. Works a treat with the bodgy sides as well!

You can also turn the grass up the correct way and use it for teeing off

For some reason I just read this post, OP.

For anyone looking to do this, and an alternate item, look for Horse Stall Mat. It's a very thick, recycled rubber mat. I've been using it for years for truck beds, archery target backers, etc.