Terrafirma - Discovery 3 and 4 spare wheel carrier - Swing Away

Early Land Rovers carried the spare wheel on the bonnet—a solution that worked well on Series III vehicles fitted with narrow tyres. As wheel and tyre sizes increased, the spare was relocated to the rear door. While practical at first, this change led to a long-standing issue for Land Rover owners: rattling, cracked, and broken rear doors. The problem only worsens with larger wheels, heavier tyres, and tougher off-road use.

The TF053 Terrafirma Swing Away Spare Wheel Carrier solves this issue by removing the load from the rear door entirely. Designed for Defender 90 and 110 Station Wagons and Hard Tops, it is suitable for all models from 1985 to 2016, providing a robust and proven solution for vehicles running oversized wheels and tyres.

In contrast to earlier Discoveries, the Discovery 3 and 4 were built with the spare wheel mounted underneath the vehicle—a move that proved unpopular with Land Rover enthusiasts. Retrieving a heavy spare wheel from beneath a stuck vehicle with a flat tyre is far from ideal, and the limited space also restricts tyre size.

With their drop-down tailgates, Discovery 3 and 4 models require a swing-away carrier for rear-mounted spare wheels, particularly when fitting larger-than-standard tyres. The TF053 Terrafirma Spare Wheel Carrier mounts directly to the heavy rear chassis member behind the plastic rear bumper. It features a clever over-centre, lockable lever mechanism and a gas strut-assisted opening, ensuring safe, controlled operation on side slopes and preventing the carrier from closing under its own weight.

This easy-to-use design also frees up valuable space beneath the vehicle—ideal for the fitment of an additional fuel tank.

Both spare wheel carriers are finished in a durable satin black powder coat and are supplied complete with fitting kits and comprehensive installation instructions.

Suits;

• Discovery 3
• Discovery 4