I want to go topless

[willvine]

Hey guys. its not what you think, but I got ya attention. I would like to know from your experence what is involved in removing the roof and canopy on my series 3 LWB and making it into a ute with a canvas canopy as per the army spec. and where to buy the frame and canvas canopy. I dont know much about the car but am keen to learn. I can weld and can make the frame/ roll bars if required. Come on Barney come and av a captain cook. I think there was a post about this topic just recently but cant seem to find it.

any help would be great.

[langy]

For a short time I owned an ex army soft top series III - and the different bits can be a bit difficult to find these days. But, you may be able to make most of your own. The hoops are just steel tube, that fit into holes already in the steel capping of the rear tub. Weld tabs on the tube so they can be bolted down ( Those holes should already be there too). The problem parts are the frame that bolts to the top of the windscreen and across the top of the doors. You might have to copy someone else's soft top, because this is where the canvas attaches to, and it isn't just straight steel angle. You may also need to make a complete rollover bar to attach seat belts to, as mine only had lap belts, not lap/sash.

[JDNSW]

To find out what you need, see the parts books or for example, the on-line catalogue of Four Wheel Drives (www.landrovers.com.au). The parts, hoops, door frames and their fittings, former to go along the top of the windscreen, are available either new or second hand from Landrover specialists or from people who have converted to hardtops or utes, although they are in relatively short supply and hence likely to be a bit expensive. Canvases can occasionally be found second hand or new old stock, and are available new ex-UK. They tend to be expensive. Try "wanted" under markets on this forum or keep an eye out on ebay.

The only problem is likely to be the top seatbelt mount - the most common solution is probably to build a roll bar, which may require engineering approval. The legal position regarding seat belts will depend on the actual date of your Series 3 - you probably need to seek advice on this.

Apart from the seat belt situation, converting from a hardtop or cab to canvas top should take no more than a couple of hours, maybe half a day if you haven't done it before.

John