Cutting up the Hijet

Feels quite bad really...........even though it was rotten throughout


but, the real reason for starting this thread is to ask about something I found underneath......

up under the rear end (basically where the spare wheel should sit), I found 4 heavy lumps of steel bar stock (each a different size)........
bolted each side......

2 pieces are around 2" x 1" and 1" narrower than the gap between the chassis rails.
1 piece is 2" x 1.5" and 3" narrower than the chassis rail gap, and the final piece is (I think...havent measured accurately) 2.5" x 2" and also 3" narrower than the chassis gap......



has anyone else got them on their Hijet?

they dont look standard, backed up by the different lengths.....
but you never know.....



Needless to say, I WILL be keeping them in the shed! :p

Recently bought a 2001 Hijet and found the same setup of metal bars bolted to the underside of the spare wheel space.

Thought it was a cowboy bodge-up or something because they don't seem to have any function. I bought the van due to the low mileage and VERY clean bodywork so I was surprised to find them. I had an earlier Hijet (V reg) and I don't recall seeing this setup on the older van.

Nice to know that there are more out there and it's not a quick-fix of some kind.

Thanks.

well mine was an N reg 1996....

(one of the last before the facelift)



similarly though, at least others have had the bars fitted.....


damn things are big and heavy though....so they are being kept for......um.........er.........'future projects'

Pictures? I'm curious!

Ours has them too, I found them when I removed the spare wheel hanger.
I assumed they were to weigh the back end down a bit, so you don't do a stoppie if you slam the brakes on with an empty van.

I cant take any pics for you (the van has gone :p)


but hopefully someone can take a photo for you.....



but if you look at a hijet, you might see them up where the spare wheel fits (there are the 4 bars, each held on by 2 bolts)

Hmm? I'll need to have a look tomorrow.

I've seen them on mine, pretty sure it's a weight thing. Needs another 100Kg over the back axle when it's slippery out though.

Only spare wheel and battery box at the back of mine

Had a look, i've got them too, quite hard to spot with the spare on, but they're there.

Is this a van thing rather than an MPV thing?

I've double checked and there's some kind of cross member type of thing behind the spare wheel, painted the same colour as the van, there maybe others but I can't see. Goes horizontal across the back and is bolted on!

Just crawled under the back of our N reg MPV (in the dark) no funny bars under there just lots of metal that could do with a coat of hammerite.

I can't see why they wouldn't be there on a MPV - handling can't be much different when empty unless the seats add the same sort of weight. It's presumably an afterthought from the original design, so maybe something to do with the brake compensator valve?

They'd be fitted before the shell was painted so not easy to see in the dark, Rich.

I did have a light and there are no bars between chassis rails although the spare wheel was still fitted.

hmm.....perhaps it was an optional extra



no matter what though.....they will come in useful



they will make nice heavy duty spacers if needed :p