Not pop-top but flip top!

MOB993 · Sep 4, 2013

Hi folks, first post and looking for some info/ comment/ suggestions and putting my idea out there for others too.. I am hoping to purchase a Defender and convert it to a camper.
I am putting together plans to make a defender camper conversion and was toying with the idea of popping the roof up to use as the sleeping area when I came across this:

Habitat1 - YouTube

It basically flips the roof over 180degrees forward and allows the roof to be used as the sleeping platform. (the ceiling becoming the floor) This product isn't available for a defender (I am aware of the dormobile roof) but from my research taking the roof off a defender is not all too difficult so my question is:

Could the roof simply be mounted on a hinge and swung over in the same way as the roof on the jeep and a tent be added?

My second question is would the roof length of a 90 be sufficient to make a bed when flipped over.
A 110 would obviously be longer but I would really prefer to get a 90 over a 110.

Also I have read that different years have fibreglass or aluminium roof so which is which please.

Thanks in advance for any info..

the_wolf · Sep 4, 2013

The length would be fine and I don't know of any fiberglass roofs. However a fenders roof isn't flat like that one and wouldn't be the most comfortable for lying in unless it had some kind of floor. Also think about what it would be mounted on, the top of the windscreen. It's hardly the sturdiest point so I wouldn't want to put any strain on it.

I'm probably wrong and I wait to be corrected but I doubt it would be easy

the_wolf · Sep 4, 2013

Also forgot to add, with all that gubbins mounted on the roof when its closed its going to take up a lot of room. 90s aren't exactly renowned for space as it is. You would be better off just carrying a large tent inside as opposed to going for the fancy option

MOB993 · Sep 4, 2013

The reason for not going with a roof tent is that I will be converting it to a camper i.e on the log book so that I can get the cheaper tax rate of €100/yr compared to taxing it privately at a cost of €1080/yr.
Well its not my sole reason for the conversion but a big factor. The cost of the conversion would pay for its self after a year or two!!
I would attach a foam matteress to the ceiling/floor and should be comfortable enough.
Fair point about where the roof would hinge, maybe if it was further back a little then a frame of sorts could be fabricated to take the weight instead.

Dr_evil · Sep 4, 2013

run a roll cage across the front of the screen, strengthen the pillars, extend the roof and hinge it to that.

MOB993 · Sep 4, 2013

Dr_evil said:
run a roll cage across the front of the screen, strengthen the pillars, extend the roof and hinge it to that.

Was just looking at a defender with roll cage
Landrover Defender 90 For Sale in Sligo : €2,150 - DoneDeal.co.uk
and the entire roof could hinge on and be supported by the roll cage. ie the top part of the cage flip over too...no?

The roof length is a bit short though and a 110 would be better because the roof could hinge just behind the front doors and still have roughly 2m. Where as the 90 would have to hinge directly above the windscreen to get 1.9m
but i just prefer the 90 to the 110..

Dr_evil · Sep 4, 2013

if I was building from scratch I'd make it part of the cage, wouldn't have the cage flip though as it'd only be a half cage

you don't want to be adding more weight than needed

MOB993 · Sep 4, 2013

True..cage wouldn't be of much use if it flipped with the roof. just wonder would the local VRT crowd accept it as a legitimate camper?? They have a list of requirements such as cooker, sink, table, bed, and some other stuff too which wouldnt be difficult to accommodate but still could be picky. Which I'm in the process of getting the info for, which is all Irish regs etc..

Dr_evil · Sep 4, 2013

if you want a real defender camper get a perentie 130

the_wolf · Sep 4, 2013

You'll struggle to get a cooker, sink and table in a 90 but good luck and I look forward to seeing what you come up with

chunkymunky · Sep 4, 2013

Did anyone see "the gadget man" yeterday? Had a transporter basically the back extends ( like you see on rv's only theirs are usually on the side).

I reckon this is doable on a defender.

MOB993 · Sep 4, 2013

chunkymunky said:
Did anyone see "the gadget man" yeterday? Had a transporter basically the back extends ( like you see on rv's only theirs are usually on the side).

I reckon this is doable on a defender.

Seen that too

But would it not be even more cramped than the section its coming out of.

By the way I'm not set on using the 90 its just that I prefer it looks wise with the 110 being the more sensible choice conversion wise.

flat · Sep 4, 2013

the_wolf said:
You'll struggle to get a cooker, sink and table in a 90

even just to take them to the tip let alone use them!!

mick the builder · Sep 4, 2013

flat said:
even just to take them to the tip let alone use them!!

Where are you? and how can you get tax for E100? mines commercial and its E330.

the_wolf · Sep 4, 2013

mick the builder said:
Where are you? and how can you get tax for E100? mines commercial and its E330.

Thats not the OP lol. OP is not far from you though judging by the link he put up earlier about a landy for sale in sligo

mick the builder · Sep 4, 2013

Thats what i thought!

chunkymunky · Sep 4, 2013

I was looking at the possibility of using one of the grp tops but just the top and sides sliding back. This leaves underneath to store things.

Pikey · Sep 4, 2013

There's A new guy doing the shows with a lift up roof for a fender. Which is basically the roof removed and a 2" spacer fitted where the roof should be. then the roof is refitted onto the spacer. with a Piano hinge on the offside and a folding flap fitted to the N/S. with a triangular section front and back Looks quite good and you can standup inside it. at B&W he was asking £7k

at Eastnor he was Asking £5.5k

By the time Billing comes around I reckon you'll be able to buy em for £500

chunkymunky · Sep 4, 2013

Theres a video on youtube of some guys making a slide up back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4fIhtx1KME

jamesmartin · Sep 4, 2013

MOB993 said:
Hi folks, first post and looking for some info/ comment/ suggestions and putting my idea out there for others too.. I am hoping to purchase a Defender and convert it to a camper.
I am putting together plans to make a defender camper conversion and was toying with the idea of popping the roof up to use as the sleeping area when I came across this:

Habitat1 - YouTube

It basically flips the roof over 180degrees forward and allows the roof to be used as the sleeping platform. (the ceiling becoming the floor) This product isn't available for a defender (I am aware of the dormobile roof) but from my research taking the roof off a defender is not all too difficult so my question is:

Could the roof simply be mounted on a hinge and swung over in the same way as the roof on the jeep and a tent be added?

My second question is would the roof length of a 90 be sufficient to make a bed when flipped over.
A 110 would obviously be longer but I would really prefer to get a 90 over a 110.

Also I have read that different years have fibreglass or aluminium roof so which is which please.

Thanks in advance for any info..

safari equip used to do pop up roofs

Not pop-top but flip top!

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