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Thread: Taking the roof off a new 90?

  1. 11th September 2012, 03:23 PM #1
    bluedogonalandy
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    Question Taking the roof off a new 90?

    I'm sure I am coming to the right place when I throw it our here, how hard is it to take the roof of a new Defender 90?

    Along the lines of the SVX, however I want to keep the rear seats (so extended rolls bar?), as well I want to be able to take off the windscreen and top of doors off.

    I know the older ones were straight forward and this may well be a one way modification but I see this as a car I'll hang onto forever and expect all these late model Defenders to be collectable classics (aren't they all) after the new version eventually comes out.

    I used to have a moke as see this as similar to the 1980's models with all the right bits for longevity. In a way this is a replacement for the moke but can tow a boat and go up the beach, even if it's garaged most of the time.

    So, how silly am I?

    I thought I might speak to the local 'British Off Road" mob to help me with it.

    Can't decide whether to buy a brand new one, and I am kicking myself I missed those $40k drive away sales, or a 2-3 yr old one. Seems a bit extreme on a brand new car, but at l least you know where it has been.

    I'd be forever grateful for the opinions of the resident experts.

    Cheers
    Jono
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  2. 11th September 2012, 04:00 PM #2
    goingbush's Avatar
    goingbush
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    possible but not very practical & good luck getting it engineered.

    the modern ones have fixed brackets on the windscreen instead of hinges.

    1983 or 1984 was the last that had unboltable door tops.

    Tho you could always retrofit a new one with Early doors & latches but wont pass ADR's. & without a roof there are no seat belt anchor points.






    ..
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  3. 11th September 2012, 04:12 PM #3
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    juddy
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    The 90 soft top we had, had no issues with ADR etc, but converting a current new vehicle may have issues.

    I would investigate current ADR ruling and obtain either Land Rover/MOD soft top roll over specifications. If these meet ADR roll over protection then you have a fighting chance.

    Alternatively just buy a 90 soft top and modify to suit....
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  4. 11th September 2012, 05:21 PM #4
    MR LR
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    I think you'll need a whole different firewall unless you want to be hacking around, are the 'things' that go where the hinges would on an older one welded on?? If this is the case it would be near impossible to have a folding screen, unless you go to the Meccano shop and get the different bits haha.

    Also will need the older doors...

    Technically yes it can be done (technically anything can be done), however it will be expensive and you'll need a good engineer on hand to sign off on it, best bet is to consult an engineer i would suggest
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  5. 12th September 2012, 01:02 PM #5
    bluedogonalandy
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    [QUOTE=MR LR jnr.;1757762]I think you'll need a whole different firewall unless you want to be hacking around, are the 'things' that go where the hinges would on an older one welded on?? If this is the case it would be near impossible to have a folding screen, unless you go to the Meccano shop and get the different bits haha.

    Also will need the older doors...


    Here is a pic of a 1999 svx 90 with the windscreen removed. I'm not sure how much if at all the body has changed since then? Removable would be an alternative to hinged.

    The seat bekts are a good point but I assume they would just be mounted on the roll bars?

    Would the earlier version doors fit without modifaction?

    As far as starting with a soft top, the ones I have seen like the SVR are just two seats, is it harder to have the back ones installed?

    Thanks again for the feedback.
    J
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  6. 12th September 2012, 01:05 PM #6
    bluedogonalandy
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    Now the pic

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  7. 12th September 2012, 02:56 PM #7
    bluedogonalandy
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluedogonalandy View Post
    Now the pic

    Long story short, this is what I want but with 4 seats.

    How hard can it be?!
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  8. 19th September 2012, 10:39 AM #8
    bluedogonalandy
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    Quote Originally Posted by juddy View Post
    The 90 soft top we had, had no issues with ADR etc, but converting a current new vehicle may have issues.

    I would investigate current ADR ruling and obtain either Land Rover/MOD soft top roll over specifications. If these meet ADR roll over protection then you have a fighting chance.

    Alternatively just buy a 90 soft top and modify to suit....
    What is the latest model soft top you can buy here? I haven't seen many?

    Looked at the import option to just buy the SVR soft top out of UK, but need an letter of compliance from the manufacturer that it complied with ADRs when new. I've tried e-mailing and twittering Landrover but no reply and don't really expect one.

    OR find a RAWS (registered automotive workshop) who can import and make compliant for you. However the search engine showed none for Landrovers, (does anyone know of one?) and is apparently pretty costly anyway.

    The harder it gets the more I want one!

    Cheers
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  9. 19th September 2012, 06:49 PM #9
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    juddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluedogonalandy View Post
    What is the latest model soft top you can buy here? I haven't seen many?

    Looked at the import option to just buy the SVR soft top out of UK, but need an letter of compliance from the manufacturer that it complied with ADRs when new. I've tried e-mailing and twittering Landrover but no reply and don't really expect one.

    OR find a RAWS (registered automotive workshop) who can import and make compliant for you. However the search engine showed none for Landrovers, (does anyone know of one?) and is apparently pretty costly anyway.

    The harder it gets the more I want one!

    Cheers
    No Land Rover never sold a soft model here ( but was one ever submitted to ADR thats another story )

    Anything manufactured before Jan 1st 1989 is fine to import, regardless if its a hard top or soft top, anything thats got a made before jan 1st 1989 stamp on is may also be fine

    As for RAWS good look, they may want you to spend 20k plus crash testing a soft top 90 so it complies with ADR.

    I would be bringing in a pre 89 fully converted from the UK to SVX spec etc..... simple as that...

    If you want any further info PM me happy to help out...
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  10. 28th September 2012, 06:04 PM #10
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    wannabeexplorer
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    Take a look at the North American spec (NAS) Defenders... You could probably buy most bits
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