Description and principle of operation (Defender 2007+)

Location of elements

Pos.	spare part no	Name
1	-	central support
2	-	cross beam
3	-	Dashboard

Review

All 2007 model year vehicles have a new instrument panel. In addition to various switches and controls, the instrument panel also contains a completely new instrument panel and climate control system. For more information, see chapter: Instrument panel (413-01 Instrument panel, Description and function), Climate control system (412-00 Climate control system - General information, Description and principle of operation), air distribution and purification (412-01 Air distribution and purification, Description and principle of operation).

Behind the instrument panel is a transverse beam made of tubular steel construction. To provide places for fastening the transverse beam, three welded bolts are installed on each of the edges of the partition located inside the passenger compartment. When removing the cross beam, the nuts securing it must be discarded and replaced with new ones.

The cross member is non-directional, i.e. the same member is suitable for vehicles with both left hand drive (LHD), and right hand drive (RHD).

The cross beam has 4 support brackets. The driver's side brackets provide attachment points for the dashboard trim, and the passenger's side brackets provide attachment points for the dashboard grab rail. The support brackets contain flare nuts that must be replaced each time the dashboard is removed.

The center support bracket is attached to the cross beam with two plastic threaded rivets. Another plastic threaded rivet secures the top of the bracket to the cockpit bulkhead. The center support bracket mounts the audio head unit and supports the inner ends of the climate control ducts. The air ducts are attached to the central support bracket with two more plastic threaded rivets. Plastic threaded rivets removed from the structure should be discarded and replaced with new ones.