After my last lot of work to the Defender fitting the checker plate to the rear load area, I found myself with some more time and though I would finish the checker plate work.

I started by fitting a catch to the storage box in the rear.

My next task was to create speaker housings for 4 speakers I plan to use in the back. Firstly I started with the mid set by creating a cardboard template for the checker plate.

Then I cut out the checker plate to the same shape as the cardboard, ground down the edges and polished up. Also at the same time marking the hole for the speaker to fit into.

The it was simply a case of cutting out the hole and bending the plate, with a hammer and straight edges clamped into place, and fit into place.

Repeat again for the other side.

Fit the speakers.

Then repeat the process for the rears.

They have a couple of screws in each to stop them flying around, and foam tape where they butt against the metal work to stop vibration.

At some point I’ll wire them in.