Converting my 110 County wagon to a soft top

**mark2** · 30th March 2006, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by VladTepes
When I last priced a tub (and it was the tub from a wrecked hardtop not a ute) it was approx $1,000.

This is why I have a $50 series tub sitting in my yard, annoying the missus.

Your idea is intriguing. Are you going to be converting it to a 2 door ? If so, are you keeping the rear seats ?

If so, you'll need to consider belt mounting points for those too.

If not, then I would seriously question the benefits of converting a wagon (unless you have some pretty serious hardware fitted like maxidrive lockers and such).

Keep us posted.

I too have looked at and am seriously considering using a Series 3 tub. They fit but the fuel filler is in the wrong place, the old filler would also have to be blanked off. The tool box in the RH rear would also have to cut away to make room for the the fuel hose. It doesnt seem like would it be a major undertaking to cut a hold for the rear filler and fold the surrounds of the hole in slightly. A filler from a Series 3 wagon would fit behind the hole. Also a stage 1 tub has the filler in the right place, there are a few of these around....

Tonight I hope to have my wagon body removed from top of the windscreen back.- only electric wires and fuel hoses to disconnent now then into action with the block and tackle.

I will be sandblasing and hot dip galvanising the chassis and firewall. I know its a big job but I've done it before (Check out Antaine's Series 2A FFR) and am ready to face it again. Actually I've found the County a bit easier to dissassemble than the 2A. A few more captive nut plates and only 20 years of corrosioon on the bolts rather than 40...

I bought this car cheap (well I thought 2k for a good County was cheap) with the intent of doing this. The idea is basically to build a poor mans Perentie replica. In the end it will look more like a UK millitary 110 I suppose. Each to his own...... I'm not going to worry about rear seats at this stage.

**Cousin_John** · 30th March 2006, 08:33 PM

You could try using a SIII tub, the tub will sit on the chassie and with a mig and a bit of modification to the mounting bracketts it will fit. The only drama is that the one ten axle sits three inches further back on the chassie than the SIII. To overcome this when the one ten flare is fitted to the SIII tub it is necessary to cut out the wheel arch, so it might be possible to cut the rear of the arch which might allow the flare to move far enough back to posicion it over the middle of the axle. You would need to some measurements to see if this is possible.
The front doors rear seals would probably need modification. The door locks are different so the stiker from the county would need to be fitted to the SIII tub, some modification would need to be done hear as well. If you enjoy a chalenge it might be possible.

**DaveS3** · 30th March 2006, 08:41 PM

The only one i've seen done is a county ute conversion with a series 3 tub, but the car has volvo portal axles.

He did cut the arches out to fit the tyres, but it din't look out of place.
I would measure mine, but I don't have a standard tub anymore.

The other think to note is that the wheel arch boxes in a series 3 are lower in height than a 110/county, so they will need modifacation as well, for the flare to sit at the correct height.

I'd say go for it, the series tub wheelarches are offset to the rear anyway, this will helf trying to gain your 3 inches for the flare.

Dave

**mark2** · 31st March 2006, 02:12 PM

It sounds like the S3 tubs are more different than I thought. I had been led to believe it would bolt straight on and all the mounts would line up. Now I find out the wheel arches are in a different position and the front mounts wont line up! Not good news. What about Stage one tubs - are they likely to be similar to a Series 3 except for the position of the fuel filler?

I need to work out which way I'm going before galvanising the chassis as I dont want to do any welding afterwards.

The body is now removed - only the front doors and firewall remain on the chassis. Finished lifting it off at midnight last night. Did it on my own using ideas borrowed from the system of straps Cousin John used.

**JDNSW** · 31st March 2006, 05:54 PM

The Stage 1 tub will be the same as the other S3 ones except for the fuel filler- after all it is still an S3.

**DaveS3** · 31st March 2006, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by mark2
It sounds like the S3 tubs are more different than I thought. I had been led to believe it would bolt straight on and all the mounts would line up. Now I find out the wheel arches are in a different position and the front mounts wont line up! Not good news. What about Stage one tubs - are they likely to be similar to a Series 3 except for the position of the fuel filler?

I need to work out which way I'm going before galvanising the chassis as I dont want to do any welding afterwards.

The body is now removed - only the front doors and firewall remain on the chassis. Finished lifting it off at midnight last night. Did it on my own using ideas borrowed from the system of straps Cousin John used.

Call Anthony Johnson and talk to him.
He knows as he has done it (the one I talked about earlier)
Don't have his number on hand (Search for it, I;ve posted it before)

Dave

**one_iota** · 31st March 2006, 06:21 PM

Anthony & Bev Johnson
British 4WD Imports Pty Ltd
61 Hamilton Road
Bayswater Vic 3153
Tel/Fax: 03 9729 9943
Email: british4wd@bigpond.com

**modman** · 3rd April 2006, 09:45 PM

anthony just converted my defender 110 ute to county 5 door s/w
so he knows the bits that fit, he might knoe where a hc tub is as well :wink:
david

**sclarke** · 4th April 2006, 04:54 PM

Why do ute guys want wagons.....

All us wagon blokes want utes.....

**abaddonxi** · 4th April 2006, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by sclarke
Why do ute guys want wagons.....

All us wagon blokes want utes.....

130CC

Simon

Thread: Converting my 110 County wagon to a soft top

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