perentie hardtop conversion

[mattmac]

Anyone out there converted their perentie to a full length hardtop using a 2 door defender hardtop?

[Mick_Marsh]

I reckon it is possible.
You would either have to replace the tub with a civy one or cut away these protrusions.
Or maybe cut the hard top to clear them.

Me, I'd replace the tub

[frantic]

If you do could you post pics as it would be a sticky for future reference for others. Thanks.

[weeds]

Finding bits would be tough I thought........

[cjc_td5]

I may be wrong but I understand that as long as you remove the ROPS, the sides and rear door off a 109 series 3 or defender will fit? The roof must be off a defender to fit the windscreen (could be off a wagon which are much more common).

Cheers
Chris

[steane]

I've seen it done, keeping the rops, using series 3 panels and I assume roof but could be wrong. Guy who did it is a forum member. Said 'a bit' of manipulation was required but nothing too serious. Don't know his name, bumped into him at a service Centre on the Hume.

[Phil B]

I have fitted a Defender single cab onto my Perentie with very few issues but the full hard top is another ball game, if you can find one.:o


It can be done but as Mick Marsh said you will have to remove the front and rear ROPS as well as the center frame and bracket along with the ROPS brackets on all four corners and 1/3 of the way back (see Mick's photos) that are welded to the capping. These can all be ground off.
The Defender rear door would also not fit as the Perentie (assuming it is a GS and not an FFR) has a tail gate. The FFR is completely different.
Might be easier to replace the whole tub.
A Series cab or hardtop will not fit on the Perentie as the windscreens are different.
Hope this helps.

[Mick_Marsh]

The FFR is completely different.
I think the FFR has a valance. Once removed, it is like a GS.

[Phil B]

I think the FFR has a valance. Once removed, it is like a GS.



Quite right Mick.
Another thing to ponder though.


Thanks,

[cjc_td5]

I was under the impression that apart from the hinges being in the wrong locations (side vs bottom), it was relatively easy to convert from a tailgate to a side swinging door, whether on a Series 3, 110 or Perentie? Are there big issues with rubber seals, door latches etc???

Cheers,
Chris

[Dervish]

Are there big issues with rubber seals, door latches etc???


No, it is easy. The biggest nuisance to do the job properly is changing over the capping bits from the drop down tailgate latch version to the side hinge version.

These ones:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

But it's just 6 rivets a side. Apart from that, measuring where to drill holes for the door latch could be a challenge if you don't have a reference.

[mattmac]

I think I'd prefer to fit an upper tailgate from a series 2/3 rather than defender swing-out door-if i can find one in good condition.
No, it is easy. The biggest nuisance to do the job properly is changing over the capping bits from the drop down tailgate latch version to the side hinge version.

These ones:

http://www.yrm-metal-solutions.co.uk/WebRoot/BT4/Shops/BT4822/55B5/3AEC/ACC5/8754/4CB1/0A0C/05E0/65D7/YRM_246.jpg

But it's just 6 rivets a side. Apart from that, measuring where to drill holes for the door latch could be a challenge if you don't have a reference.

[rfurzer]

What about a swing-up upper half and a hinge right lower half?

[rfurzer]

I've seen it done, keeping the rops, using series 3 panels and I assume roof but could be wrong. Guy who did it is a forum member. Said 'a bit' of manipulation was required but nothing too serious. Don't know his name, bumped into him at a service Centre on the Hume.

I cannot see how it would be possible to use 110 (or 109) side panels and a full length roof over the ROPS. Some more details (or some pics :)) would be very interesting to see

[steane]

I cannot see how it would be possible to use 110 (or 109) side panels and a full length roof over the ROPS. Some more details (or some pics :)) would be very interesting to see

I don't have pics. It was an AULRO member's Perentie (father and son travelling but belonged to the son) that I came across at a servo on the Hume. Had roof and sidepanels off a S3 Hardtop fitted. I asked about the ROPS and they said it was still there but a few mods were made to keep it. They made it sound like it wasn't that big a mission.

Don't know their AULRO identity either.

Sounds like I imagined it but I didn't ;)

[rfurzer]

I have found this photo labelled "senior commander" on REMLR but it shows a different rear door to the EMEI.

The photo shows what looks to be a hinge-up upper tailgate like a series BUT with the large glass window of a newer vehicle.

As far as I can figure it , the "senior commander" and "personnel carriers" had a hinged rear door like a defender.

Is this one an oddity?

Also - Is there a reason that the hinge up top/ hinge right bottom is not commonly done? (see second photo)

[rar110]

The SC in the pic is currently owned by a Queensland forum member. The photo is from a long time ago.

[rfurzer]

The SC in the pic is currently owned by a Queensland forum member. The photo is from a long time ago.


so was that factory or a custom-made mod?

[rar110]

Factory as far as I know. My personnel carrier RPS has a single door.

[Barefoot Dave]

I have some detail photos of a hard top conversion, will see if I can dig them up.
The drop down trail gate is Sallyman spec Perentie.about 5 delivered.

[rfurzer]

Haven't heard of that one as a separate build type.

Sallyman sounds like reading out the chassis number!:p

Edit- found it on REMLR - thanks to you.

[Carzee]

The SC in the pic is currently owned by a Queensland forum member. The photo is from a long time ago.

Land Rover 50th Anniversary Event, Cooma Showground, Easter 1998. :cool:
(REMLR founded then as well).

[mattmac]

Would like to get my hands on one of those upper tailgates!
I have found this photo labelled "senior commander" on REMLR but it shows a different rear door to the EMEI.

The photo shows what looks to be a hinge-up upper tailgate like a series BUT with the large glass window of a newer vehicle.

As far as I can figure it , the "senior commander" and "personnel carriers" had a hinged rear door like a defender.

Is this one an oddity?

Also - Is there a reason that the hinge up top/ hinge right bottom is not commonly done? (see second photo)

[rfurzer]

I have neither a defender door nor a "cat flap" series upper tailgate to play with but have been looking at photos for ideas.

I wonder if it would be possible to make up a tailgate using the hinges and locking mechanism of the series part and a cut-off upper half of a defender door?

Would there be enough room for the handle/ lock/ catches below the glass?

Does anyone have a photo/ diagram of the "sallyman" tailgate from the inside showing how this was done?

[cjc_td5]

So, who's up for the challenge? :D:D:D

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/body-external-accessories-sale/230511-series-3-hardtop-sides-rear-door-donor-perentie-conversion-bunbury-wa.html

Cheers,
Chris

[Mick_Marsh]

Found this pic on the net.

[mattmac]

Found this pic on the net.
Funny that - i actually contacted him hoping he'd have one as saw his perentie with hardtop conversion in background but no joy.

[Mick_Marsh]

I was looking at a couple of defender wagon roofs a few months ago. Didn't really take much notice of them as they weren't single cab.

[rfurzer]

Found this pic on the net.

Thanks Mick

I didn't look closely enough at that pic. Looks like sunny Loongana. The towing vehicle is the point of interest! I had missed the point.

I have been chatting to DB about this kind of project but he didn't let on that he'd seen one.

Furthermore - what kind of tow bar does it have?!

[SWM]

I have bought all the parts i needed for a hard roof top conversion, i have chopped it and fitted to be a extended dual cab as i have used the third section, tray sides, for the back. Wasnt much trouble and all fitted pretty well. If your looking for a straight bolt you wont. Also all parts were from British Off Road in brisbane.

[juddy]

What are the big second hand land rover part suppliers charging for the hard top kits?

[rfurzer]

"Wasnt much trouble and all fitted pretty well. If your looking for a straight bolt you wont."

I didn't follow that - do you feel a straight bolt on will be easy?

[mattmac]

does anyone know if the defender roof bolt holes match up to the series 3 sides?

[BadCo.]

does anyone know if the defender roof bolt holes match up to the series 3 sides?

Somebody on facebook has done this and said it all bolted up.


Thanxs for the membership, we are changing our Perentie to a Hard Top . 1970,s Sides and Rear Door Top, 2014 Defender Roof, All bolts togeter perfectly, Just finished the paint in the Original Camouflage Green Drab......more progress pics to come

[mattmac]

What facebook page?

Somebody on facebook has done this and said it all bolted up.

[BadCo.]

The Perentie owners one...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AULRO mobile app

[LandroverScott]

What facebook page?

search

Land-Rover (with the hyphon) Perentie owners

regards

[mattmac]

is there any difference with the tub-hardtop seals between defender and series 3?

[Bush Animal]

There is a perentie kicking around Murwillumbah NSW with a series 3 hardtop on it so it can,t be to hard to fit

[Mick_Marsh]

There is a perentie kicking around Murwillumbah NSW with a series 3 hardtop on it so it can,t be to hard to fit
We need photos of this. In particular, where the hard top mates with the top of the windscreen on the top corners.

[rfurzer]

Not having seen it, i'd reckon it must be series sides with a 110 roof- There's no practicable way to make the screen work.

[Mick_Marsh]

Not having seen it, i'd reckon it must be series sides with a 110 roof- There's no practicable way to make the screen work.
I reckon I could make it work with a jigsaw and a few dozen tubes of silastic.
What worries me is I reckon some people have done just that.

[Phil B]

Not having seen it, i'd reckon it must be series sides with a 110 roof- There's no practicable way to make the screen work.



Unless you change the windscreen to a series one as well.:o

[rfurzer]

I reckon I could make it work with a jigsaw and a few dozen tubes of silastic.
What worries me is I reckon some people have done just that.

Blimey

[steane]

There is a perentie kicking around Murwillumbah NSW with a series 3 hardtop on it so it can,t be to hard to fit

That will be the one I mentioned earlier in this thread to be told "it can't be done".

Bumped into them last September.

Was a father and son and it was the sons car. Both were Landy tragics.

I spoke to them, they were on their way home from Melbourne, and they had a light brown/yellow/poo coloured S3 hardtop roof and sidepanels fitted. Told me (cos I asked) that the ROPS were still in place and only required minimal mods to keep.

I don't really care, because I've got a hardtop and I don't want a Perentie, but it has been done.

[rfurzer]

I'm sure no-one was wanting to be disrespectful Steane, but we'd love to see how it was done- to satisfy our
own tragic interests even if we don't want to copy them

[Bush Animal]

Hi Steane I would have thought they might of had to cut down the ROPS as it looks to be too high Cheers

[Bearman]

Unless you change the windscreen to a series one as well.:o

That's the way to do it. I have seen one converted that way years ago.

[Red90]

Are the boxes on the Perenties the same length as a normal 110? For some strange reason I thought the rear overhang was longer. Would this not make a normal 110 roof too short?

[rfurzer]

The chassis is longer, body standard length.

The 110 roof fits, you can swap bits of body from defender and series. A series roof will fit if you also use a series windscreen (not desirable).

The perentie chassis rear crossmember is further rearwards than the back of the body/tub (flush on the civilian vehicle) and the body mounting tabs (part of the chassis) are cranked to fit

[Barefoot Dave]

Speaking as (probably) the only person in this thread who has actually done this;
Yes you can, no you don't need to bodge it up.
Retain the top door channels with the curved windscreen corner pieces. You will need a piece of flat ally bar as an adapter for the screen/ roof join as the roof has an 'overbite' and own't line up perfectly. You will need some fill in pieces between the door gutter pieces and the roof. 75-100 wide rubber would work well.
The roof and side bracing will need to be trimmed around the ROPS bars and hoop frames.
Retaining the ROPS bars unmodified will also require a fill in piece between roof and sides or sides and tub. approx 50mm.
Will it look factory? NO
Will it look ok if executed with care? Hell yes!

[rathgar]

Come on Dave...... pictures....... and lots of them!

[Barefoot Dave]

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[Barefoot Dave]

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[rathgar]

So now its not the 1st of April, time to put up the after photos!

[Dervish]

This was a Series roof:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/04/1049.jpg

[deansyorath]

Mine has a hard top, was fitted by the guy i bought it off.
Has the ROPS retained, could send you some photo's.
W

[normie]

I cannot see how it would be possible to use 110 (or 109) side panels and a full length roof over the ROPS. Some more details (or some pics :)) would be very interesting to see

what about the difference in length of roof 109 inches v 110 inches wheelbase.

[BadCo.]

what about the difference in length of roof 109 inches v 110 inches wheelbase.

Isn't that the wheel base and not reflective of the size of the body?

[rfurzer]

The dimensions of the body panels are the same. The junction between screen and roof is different (the 110 has a taller screen so that the Swiss could see traffic lights). You can put a series screen on a 110 and then use a series roof (and vice versa I spose). The wheel arch "eyebrows" disguise the relationship between the wheels and the metal part of the wheel arch.

[RKOlly]

I have a 1988 FFR and just picked up a 110 roof and walls along with a Puma rear door. First off, thank you to the person who sold me these and the person who put us in contact. It's a community!

It'll be slow going but I will document incase it helps any to follow. After pulling tape and some sketches my plan is to abandon the ROPS and fabricate or replace with another system. Cappings I will modify or swap if I find someone that wants them, the ROPS and all the canvas top hardware in exchange.

I'll post some pics this weekend of the parts on hand. First step for me is going to be stripping the roof and refurbishing.

Regards,

Russ

[RKOlly]

129110

Molly on the hood!

[Vern]

I'd try leave the rops in there! Defender roofs have the tendency to end up flat if they spend anytime upside down

[BadCo.]

I would remove the ROPS before butchering the roof and sides.

[Translucent]

KROlly how did you go with your conversion to a hard top, what bits did you need and what was the overall total cost?