Thread: Defender Ute conversion from Wagon

And can wait to see how my dualcab conversion works out... Discoute should be finished it in a couple weeks. Will post pics when done

I have done (doing) this using a County wagon as a starting point. I contemplated using a series 3 rear tub (cheap) but there were fuel filler issues and the wheel arch position thing. In the end I was able to source a tub from a Defender hardtop and used a drop down tailgate from a Series 3.
There were also some tub mounting brackets unique to 110's which I was able to buy genuine. For the sill beams under the front doors I used Series 3 items which bolt straight in and are hot dipped galvanised unlike the 110 ute ones which rust.
Apart from price, the other advantage of a series 3 tub is thicker alloy and galvanised body cappings but in end I was more comfortable using a 110 tub. A stage one tub has the fuel filler in the right position but the wheel arches still arent right. They arent exactly common either....

Where did you get the hard top tub from and what price was it roughly???

Originally Posted by sclarke

Where did you get the hard top tub from and what price was it roughly???

Got the tub from British Off Road - $750. Andersons in Hervey bay may still have one - they wanted $1000 with all brackets to suit.
Defender ute cab roof and back to suit was $700 (private sale) however BOR sell them for $800 - $1500 depending on condition when they get them.
I'm also using Series 3 doors as I like the simplicity and removable top.
I coverered the cost of the above parts in what I got for the wagon body and doors - probably sold them too cheap
If you use a Series 2/3 truck cab you will also have to use a series windscreen and may have upper seat belt mounting issues.

The tub ute is about 200kg lighter than the wagon - am now using 150 lb rangie rear springs with an adaptor to suit the 110 upper spring mounts.

About eight years ago I talked to a County owner in Tasmania who told me he had converted it from a ute - which in turn had been converted from a wagon. He was able to locate and use most of the original wagon parts.
John

Great Stuff.... Looks like a Hardtop conversion could be a better and neeter option.................

Originally Posted by sclarke

Great Stuff.... Looks like a Hardtop conversion could be a better and neeter option.................

It would be a lot easier to convert a hardtop however County wagons can be found very cheaply these days which is why I went this way. Plus I wanted to galvanise the chassis so had to pull the whole thing apart anyway.......

Was going to do this to my county, but tubs in W.A. are hard to find.
Ended up just doing a dual cab, turned out good using S3 bits.
The roof was the only drama, gen. dual cab roof toooo $$$$$$$
so joined a S3 ute roof to my cut down wagon roof, few rivets &
a coat of white paint & it works well. Its only an offroad toy so its
not perfect. Rear seat belts were fiddly too.
Roll cage is next as when you work on these theres not much
holding the roof up.
cheers Jeff