Thread: How legal is it to rip the roof off a Landie?

These guys hire out a soft-top Defender on Fraser so it must be able to do legally

http://fraserisland4wd.com.au/vehicl...#defenderspecs

BEWARE
Open Top Land Rovers are Chick Magnets

you have been warned.

In the older models, depending on age, there will be lap/sash, lap or no belts. You can fit lap-sash to some softtops (e.g. with a roll bar or raised attachment) or there are a few softtop Defenders (coil springs) around. Technically the Wagon versions (5 door) are not designed to have their roofs removed, but it's straightforward.

Wazza has a softtop Defender if you want to ask more detailed questions.

Originally Posted by Michael2

BEWARE
Open Top Land Rovers are Chick Magnets

you have been warned.

The only chicks my Land Rovers ever pulled had feathers and beaks

I run around Sydney every year with no roof and the windscreen folded forward. I usually set it up this way 2 weeks before ANZAC Day and as long as I can tolerate it afterwards! (weather dependant).

My car leads the local march each year too, and the police salute it and smile.

hope this hel

The only legal problem with roof off is the upper seat belt mount - and if pre seat belts being compulsory on commercial vehicles (197?) then it would not apply. Seat belt mounts for soft tops were made even without roll bars (see for example Series 2a/3 optional equipment catalogue) but if you are required to have seat belts you may have to get the right fitting for your year.

John

Originally Posted by Gromit68

I run around Sydney every year with no roof and the windscreen folded forward. I usually set it up this way 2 weeks before ANZAC Day and as long as I can tolerate it afterwards! (weather dependant).

My car leads the local march each year too, and the police salute it and smile.

hope this hel

There was a discussion on outerlimits (and ozjeepoffroad) about the legalities of this - looks like it is technically illegal in WA and QLD.

Originally Posted by ISUZUROVER

Bogged from ausjeepoffroad: http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...7&page=3&pp=10

Dear Mr Tanner.

Thank you for your email.

In regard to your query:

It is currently illegal to drive with the windscreen folded down on a public road, as they protect the driver against airborne objects (insects, small stones kicked up by other vehicles' tyres, etc) that may impede their vision or cause injury while driving.

Given that the external mirrors are also attached to the doors, and that it is a requirement to have them on BOTH sides of the vehicle, the doors must remain on the vehicle while being driven on a public road.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to reply to this email. Alternatively, you can visit our website, www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing or call the Customer Contact Centre on 13 11 56 (inside WA) or 08 9427 6404 (outisde WA).

Yeah I know what your thinking but this not another, "can I remove my doors" post etc.

What is it about.

I have written to the QLD DOT and asked whether it is legal or not, the respondant stated with NO, as it is a modification that adversely effects the safety of the vehicle.
This was after I had stated in my initial letter that the doors (half doors in my case) are designed by the manufacturer to be removed, therefore it is not a modification and that the manufacturer specifies that the doors are only to keep the weather elements out of the vehicle, they do not offer any side impact protection.

The respondant went on to cite the following as the reasons:

Under Queensland's Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Vehicle
Standards and Safety) Regulation 1999 it is an offence to modify a road
vehicle in a way that would adversely affect its safety.

It is clear that removing a door from a motor vehicle adversely affects its
safety and therefore this is not permitted.

Side impact protection is covered in Australian Design Rule 72/00 Dynamic
Side Impact Occupant Protection and can be down loaded from the following
web address:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/LegislativeInstrument1.nsf/0/56B652D4DB712B62CA2570D5001F9EB0/$file/ADR%2072-00%20[FINAL%20FRLI].pdf

My assumption is that he did not read the letter fully as he would of noted that the doors do not offer side impact protection and that they are designed to be removed therefore how is this a "Modification".

What I am after from you guys is any evidence (scanned manuals, photo's, warning signage etc.) that is from DC JEEP that verifies my argument. I have personally seen these warnings but can't for the life of me locate them. I think they were in someone elses manual, as mine does not mention door removal or the lack of side impact protection. (It only goes into detail about folding the windscreen down.)

This will only apply to TJ's with standard fitment half doors (97 - 04 I think?) as the newer model TJ's with full doors comply with the ADR referenced.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2...&postorder=asc

As far as WA is concerned I checked this out 10+ years ago with the authorities regarding my IIA which I used to drive around with no roof most of the time.

Isuzurover's info is the same as I got... however I was told that if I wore a motorcycle helmet then it would be legal to fold the windscreen down.