Mulgo Defender Pop-Top

[landy]

I've just got my Defender back from Daniel at Mulgo.
To say I'm happy is an understatement. The workmanship and construction is second to none.
I would highly recommend this conversion to anyone interested in touring with their Defender.
Well worth the money.
I opted for the Howling Moon Awning, and it's massive.
If anyone is interested in having a look around it before you decide to throw down your hard earned please PM me. You won't be disappointed.

Just to to be clear. I am not associated with Daniel or Mulgo in anyway.

[El Rey]

Jealously intensifies!

[weeds]

Yep we are loving our as well....

same offer for member up Brisbane way, feel free to hit me up for a guided tour.

We are heading out for an overnighter tomorrow night.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/04/639.jpg

[landy]

Jealously intensifies!

Mate, I was the same. If you can, do it. You won't be sorry.

[Zeros]

Hi all,

I'm interested in getting a Mulgo Poptop for my Defender. The quality looks impressive. I've scoured the Mulgo website, etc for more photo's, particularly of the inside when set up, how you climb in and out, wet weather performance, etc, with not much luck. ...Hoping you guys who have Defenders with Mulgo Poptops could share a few more details and real world photos of the following...

- How easy is it to climb up into the bed?
- How it performs in heavy wind and rain? Any leaks when open or closed?
- Packing up when wet?
- Close up pics of canvas, fixings, finish

Cheers
Zeros

[weeds]

Climbing in and out is easy enough....all depends on what you have below....ours is empty ATM so normally use the food box although I about to start fitting out the back which will mean we will have the kitchen bench to step on.

We have only camped 20 nights in our.....have had a couple of very windy nights which it performed nicely. It also rained a few night and depending on which way the rain falls you do need to close at least that side and the rear windows other than that no leaks.

No issues with packing up in the wet.....everything stays dry

Where about are you located? If your serious about buying Danial can normally put on to an owner....I looked at two before I signed the dotted line.

[Zeros]

Thanks Weeds, good to hear it's really weatherproof, not that I really doubted it. By all accounts Daniels work is excellent. Great to hear packing up in the wet is ok. I was imagining there would be drips in the corners from the wet canvas with the roof closed.

In terms of climbing up to the bed, I'll definitely find one to try before I buy. Is it just a matter of hoisting yourself up from the floor or whatever you're standing on? or could you use a ladder of some kind? How much room is there between the end of the bed platform and the back wall of the vehicle?

Any chance of some pics from inside with the roof up?

Cheers
Zeros

[dazzler]

I have complete drifta kitchen/storage/front runner fridge slide/water tank tank/shower setup coming out of mine if one is interested. I am converting it back to a 5 seater and then rearrange the storage solution etc.

[travelrover]

I have complete drifta kitchen/storage/front runner fridge slide/water tank tank/shower setup coming out of mine if one is interested. I am converting it back to a 5 seater and then rearrange the storage solution etc.

Some photos and an indicative price would be be good dazzler?

[Zeros]

I could be interested dazzler....and some photos from inside of pop top showing where you climb up to the bed platform if you have time would be great too! 👍

[dazzler]

128782128783128784128785128786128787128748128750
Will also include the side trims, swap for 60/40 or 2 bucket seats from >2012 puma or cash. Can help with swap also

PS sorry for the mess as I am middle of a rebuild

[dazzler]

With Pictures

[Zeros]

Thanks for the pics Dazzler.

It looks kind of difficult to climb up to the 'mezzanine' in the Mulgo pop top. Has anyone put a ladder in or something similar?

[weeds]

Thanks for the pics Dazzler.

It looks kind of difficult to climb up to the 'mezzanine' in the Mulgo pop top. Has anyone put a ladder in or something similar?

All depends on your size I guess.

I'm 6'1" and 95-100kg and the bride is 5'10" 65kg ish

The access gap is 500mm, we haven't had any issues getting up or down and spinning around once up in bed.

Pretty much all touring defenders generally have storage or a fridge in the back which generally works well as a step to get up. A ladder would take up room, design the inside right and you will by default have already access.

I started my kitchen/cupboard over the weekend, we will be stepping on the kitchen bench to get up top......still working on a second option on the lounge side.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/09/65.jpg

Oh the finished product will have a spice rack/shower recess as another step...maybe.

[Zeros]

Hey thanks Weeds, looking good. Yes I guess you can build a step in to any side storage.
If you have a chance could you also send a pic from up on the bed platform?
Cheers

[Jake93]

Slight Hijack..

Is there any pros/cons between the Mulgo pop top and the equivalent Alucab icarus conversion?

Just curious to hear why people may have gone for one or the other.

[weeds]

Slight Hijack..

Is there any pros/cons between the Mulgo pop top and the equivalent Alucab icarus conversion?

Just curious to hear why people may have gone for one or the other.

Alu-cab have only recently offered the Icarus and as off late last year they didn't have one fitted in Aus, I would say they probably have one by now

I have checked out a troopy with an Icarus but haven't compared to Mulgo.

Mulgo units are cheaper and quality is spot on,

Danial is happy change/add things as they are custom built for each defender....I believe this is the case with the

Mulgo is colour coded to you car, Icarus isn't

Mulgo uses your roof and it cannot be re-fitted if you remove the bed base at a later date although you would sell it complete, Icarus you end up with your old roof in the shed or sell it ton a perentie owner

I thought The awnings over the windows on the Icarus was a good idea, my Mulgo doesn't have them and to date haven't had the need for them.

Mulgo you can open from the inside therefore if it's pouring rain, hail or snow no need to get out of the car, we have used this once and realize the benefit....Icarus the latches are on the outside which maybe be inviting to a thief

I purchased a 270 Awning from alu-cab and it was a difficult frustrating purchase...good Awning but but didn't enjoy the journey

I also challenged alu-cab to design bike racks after watching there promo videos but after being passed around to three different people with eventually no response.

Daniels customer service is excellent when he drags himself away from fitting Poptop.

Mulgo is Australian made, Icarus is imported and I believe the Australian product is cheaper than an imported product.

After dropping $10k plus on a mod I supposed anybody would be bias to the brand they purchased.

Keep in mind I haven't been up close and personal with an Icarus so comments are only based on YouTube video and their troopie.

[Zeros]

Thanks Weeds, very insightful.

[Bagsalino]

Hi Everyone,
I think I am Mulgo Poptop Number 18. I must get some pics up of how I solved getting from the ground up to the bed. I believe my 2013 Defender with Daniel's Mulgo Poptop is the greatest purchase of my life. I have seen more of Australia in its 63,000 Klms than I ever saw before in my 51 years of driving. Since Daniel did the conversion, I have never used my caravan, and only once used my off-road Camper trailer. ( that was just to try it again )
I hope to see all the Mulgo Converts at the Expo at Camden too.

[Damo89]

You're right Bagsalino, best purchase of my life also! Love getting out in it when we can :-)

129424

[Zeros]

Hi Everyone,
I think I am Mulgo Poptop Number 18. I must get some pics up of how I solved getting from the ground up to the bed. I believe my 2013 Defender with Daniel's Mulgo Poptop is the greatest purchase of my life. I have seen more of Australia in its 63,000 Klms than I ever saw before in my 51 years of driving. Since Daniel did the conversion, I have never used my caravan, and only once used my off-road Camper trailer. ( that was just to try it again )
I hope to see all the Mulgo Converts at the Expo at Camden too.

Hey it would be great to see your pics. And how is it when you need to climb down to take a leak in the middle of the night?

Great to hear you're so happy with it too. 👍

[weeds]

Hey it would be great to see your pics. And how is it when you need to climb down to take a leak in the middle of the night?

Great to hear you're so happy with it too. [emoji106]

While we wait for Bagsalino......

Re: middle of the night pee, just reverse to getting up into the bed, our lights will eventually become remote controlled.....we have a loo in the car so no need to go outside.l when it's raining, fine weather we go outside. It's rare we need to get up in the middle of the night.

Getting close to finishing the kitchen storage......we will either step on the kitchen bench or the lounge (bigger distance) on the other side

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/09/499.jpg

And to fund our trip around the world it's also a food van....serve through the gull wing, this pic has the bed raised
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/09/500.jpg

[Zeros]

Hey thanks Weeds, looking great. It still looks deceptively high to climb up easily. I'm thinking about how to put a ladder in the side where your bench is. Has anyone done this?

Nice idea to use gullwing as a food van window...what's your specialty?

[Robmacca]

A bit off topic...... I would love to be able to afford one of these Roof mods but not really knowing how long I will be keeping my current defender or whether to upgrade to a later version and henceforth not willing to do that sort of mod..... but I recently came across the BUNDUTOP ELECTRIC ROOFTOP TENT (see link below) which I thought would be another option solution that would solve my dilemma and would allow me to take it with me from car to car or trailer to trailer. It comes with some issues of not being able to stand upright, etc, but still extremely very quick to set up, greater flexibility and a price more to my budget. Add to this the BUNDUTEC 3 SIDED POLELESS WING AWNING and u really have some great undercover space....

Sorry for going off topic, but it's just another option that people may or may not have considered.....




https://youtu.be/KiPNRVUA99k


https://youtu.be/Ow-ZgGA07Sw

[weeds]

Hey thanks Weeds, looking great. It still looks deceptively high to climb up easily. I'm thinking about how to put a ladder in the side where your bench is. Has anyone done this?

Nice idea to use gullwing as a food van window...what's your specialty?

I think you're over thinking getting in and out of bed....unless there are factors like age, size, medical issue.

Im 6'1" at 95kg, bride is 5'10" and both 46years young, no issues for us.

Best thing would be to track one down and have a look to get the real picture.

[Zeros]

Yeah probably over thinking, but I'd be surprised if no one has put a three step ladder inside to make it easier. Will definitely check one out in the flesh of course when I have a chance.

It's a big decision to cut and shut the roof on a perfectly good Defender for a $10K tent, but I like the convenience and the idea of sleeping soundly inside the vehicle. I dont think I'd do the full kitchen fitout though because I use my Landy for many purposes. Hence the idea of a ladder and thinking through how to get up to the bed platform without a bench to climb up.

[dazzler]

128782128783128784128785128786128787128748128750
Will also include the side trims, swap for 60/40 or 2 bucket seats from >2012 puma or cash. Can help with swap also

PS sorry for the mess as I am middle of a rebuild


Complete storage inc Drifta, fridge slide, water tank is ready to come out next weekend, let me know if anyone is interested before I put it on gumtree

[Bagsalino]

hi, i will have to get some pics up as soon as i can get away from the vehicle.
I have a milk crate, saf t step on a towbar tongue, saf t step on a bracket, top of storage drawer, top of Eva Kool esky, then up to the bed. All those steps make it easy for us. Every Defender owner use his/her ingenuity.

[dazzler]

Finally started work on the poptop 4 seat reconfiguration after a month OS. Ordered Exmoor middle left and right seats and matching front seat re trim kit (any one wanting to trade/swap your worn puma front seats with mine please pm). Access to the poptop will be through the middle seats as i am thinking about installing a slide out pod with fridge/draws etc at the back from OTS.

Anyone done similar pods? Thoughts?

132184

pd

[Zeros]

Interesting idea Dazzler. Do you mean you won't acces the vehicle through the rear door, but down a central corridor from the front?

i like the G Professional walk through set up with four bucket seats and central corridor. Has anyone mounted an extra two front Defender seats in the second row instead of the split fold 3 seat bench?

i like the idea of being able to walk straight through with the poptop up and easy access to / from drivers seat to bed if the weather is wet or in an emergency. Also just for ease of access. Perhaps even a cargo barrier with centre taken out?

Trying to save the cash for a mulgo poptop conversion is the difficult part though lol!

[weeds]

The issue with walk through is it takes up potential storage space.

Re: cargo barrier we have opted to not have one given our plan is not to have any loose item is the back.

In the 31 nights we have camped we used the walk through function once as it was pouring rain although I got wet as I had to check in to where we were staying.

[Colmoore]

I've seen a 130 on carsales or gt recently that has 2 buckets in the back

[dazzler]

I've seen a 130 on carsales or gt recently that has 2 buckets in the back

Seats:

I have two exmoor bucket seats for the middle row that are yet to be fitted due to missing bits. These seats will bolt straight on to a TD5 or older truck, but need a plastic wedge for the puma. If you are ordering these please make sure you get the wedges as well.

Compliance:

I have quotes around $550 ~ $660 for a compliance certificate


You will need Buckles that needs to be bolted to foor:

Floor mounted front seat Buckles from older defenders will do the job.

Purchase:

I purchased mine from local disti, but i am told importing direct might save you $$. Local Disti is just an importing agent at best.

[Fubar]

Complete storage inc Drifta, fridge slide, water tank is ready to come out next weekend, let me know if anyone is interested before I put it on gumtree

Have you got a link to the Gumtree ad?

[dazzler]

Have you got a link to the Gumtree ad?

Hi Mate,

Its gone for a song to a member, will be installed to a 130 poptop conversion.

[Colmoore]

Seats:

I have two exmoor bucket seats for the middle row that are yet to be fitted due to missing bits. These seats will bolt straight on to a TD5 or older truck, but need a plastic wedge for the puma. If you are ordering these please make sure you get the wedges as well.

Compliance:

I have quotes around $550 ~ $660 for a compliance certificate


You will need Buckles that needs to be bolted to foor:

Floor mounted front seat Buckles from older defenders will do the job.

Purchase:

I purchased mine from local disti, but i am told importing direct might save you $$. Local Disti is just an importing agent at best.

Thanks Dazzler.
I'm going to start a new thread on fitting late model seats to my td5, if there's not already something on here?

[dazzler]

Thanks Dazzler.
I'm going to start a new thread on fitting late model seats to my td5, if there's not already something on here?

Hi Col,

Front are a straight swap, middle row needs a little bit of work if you are going down the puma seats into rd5 route, but doable

Fit Defender Tdci PUMA second row seats into your LAnd Rover ... (https://www.google.com.au/url'sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiBppbZ_JHYAhXBn5QKHXmXBtUQtwIIKTAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1T SPWf0s3is&usg=AOvVaw1QFD7RbKWk9n8W0o7Ndpvc)
PM me if you haven't you sourced your seats yet. I have a set of middle row seats available from mid Jan.

pd

[Tins]

Mulgo you can open from the inside therefore if it's pouring rain, hail or snow no need to get out of the car, we have used this once and realize the benefit....Icarus the latches are on the outside which maybe be inviting to a thief



That alone could be the deciding factor here in Oz.

[Colmoore]

Thanks dazzler, I've already got seats, brackets and seat belts.
I've seen that vid before - not sure it would pass inspection in NSW! Although the factory seat install in my 130 is a joke anyway!!
I've not really looked at a puma 130 rear seat setup, but I figure they must have done away with the storage box under the rear seats in favour of the angled box the same as the puma 110?
I'm thinking I might remove the square box and just get a box from a wrecked puma 110 and use it, then make up a mount point for the rear fold down bars.
At least that would be factory so I can avoid engineering.
Not going to get it done in time for Tassie though; might have to get the kids full face helmets for Xmas....

[dazzler]

haha, I reckon your choice is simpler than mine since you got a 130. Get a pair of front bucket seats with seat box and adopt to the rear, job done! you will end up with storage and a fridge or cubby box in the middle, that of course if you are ok with 4 seats. I wanted that set up for the 110 but went for the easier exmoor option.

Also td5 front seats are cheaper and can be re trimmed to look up to date. 2c
pd

[Zeros]

I just saw this story about another happy Mulgo poptop camper

Land Rover Defender custom camper review (https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/custom-4x4s/land-rover-defender-custom-camper-review)

[Bagsalino]

Hey it would be great to see your pics. And how is it when you need to climb down to take a leak in the middle of the night?

Great to hear you're so happy with it too. [emoji106]

Hi Zeros, I have been travelling ( in my Defender of course. 99 K on the Odometer now). I have a Porta Potti inside a box cover up behind the front seats that I slide out.