Nice Week On the Beach

[Bostonian1976]

Just got back from spending a week on/around the beach w/ my IIa. It's really just the perfect environment for this truck...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1169/1182363028_a226293c13_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1145/1182055041_76d9c2ad00_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1131/1165291067_b5dab8afc9_o.jpg

[jp-]

Did you take the roof off when you got to the beach? Or are those shots on different days? Just curious.

[Bostonian1976]

Did you take the roof off when you got to the beach? Or are those shots on different days? Just curious.

the roof pictures were en route to the Cape house - and the roofless are how the truck was for the whole week - it was awesome - relatively unsafe but awesome :)

[Jared]

So, is removing the top that easy? I always thought it would be a nightmare...how about the doors. I wasn't sure that the top of my doors are removable.

[Bostonian1976]

So, is removing the top that easy? I always thought it would be a nightmare...how about the doors. I wasn't sure that the top of my doors are removable.

naw it's very very easy - just keep all of the nuts and bolts in place after removal so you know where each of them go. It took me no more than 15 minutes to remove the top and door tops...

[Jared]

Is it standard for the tops of the doors to be removable. I haven't noticed a break where they separate. Maybe I just haven't paid close enough attention.

[Bostonian1976]

Is it standard for the tops of the doors to be removable. I haven't noticed a break where they separate. Maybe I just haven't paid close enough attention.

yeah, your door tops should be removable. There will be two threaded posts that come down from them into the door and nuts that hold them there below the sill. They should be very visible inside unless you have the original padding that was on the inside of some of the doors...

[TSR53]

Just got back from spending a week on/around the beach w/ my IIa. It's really just the perfect environment for this truck...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1169/1182363028_a226293c13_o.jpg



Very nice photo!

(sorry to hijack this thread, couldn't help it...) Yes, door tops can be removed easily. Once you get the buggers off, our door top speednuts are a good replacement for the originals. Makes installation and removal easier.
(http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-3963-door-top-speednut-716-series-vehicles-set-of-4.aspx)http://www.roversnorth.com/store/images/Product/icon/KINGFAST1.jpg
Land Rover Series II, IIA, III Door Top Speednut (http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-3963-door-top-speednut-716-series-vehicles-set-of-4.aspx)

[jp-]

Bostonian,

Who took that first photo? Because I was thinking if it was perhaps your girlfriend, maybe you could have let her stand in the truck and you take the photo:D

[LH Drive]

When I removed my Series 3 top it did take less that 15 min to remove the hardware, then I almost broke by back removing the top from the truck by myself and tore the inner top liner in the process. Then it took well over an hour to separate the window top from the door half due to a rusted stud and I even broke one at the end. That was a fun day, no other car or truck will do that to you, Man I love my Rover......
Oh yeah, some PO's might have installed newer Defender doors without the removable door tops so don't go trying to take the window part off one of these. And Yes you have to remove the SW rear door first before you attempt to take the top off. not that this happened to me of course.

[Tim Smith]

They should be very visible inside unless you have the original padding that was on the inside of some of the doors...

And the same goes for the seam of the roof and window. You may have a piece of interior trim there which would block your access to the main bolts. Just add a few minutes more (and a flathead screwdriver) for the job of removing your roof, if you have all the trim in place.

If it is the first time you've ever removed it, make sure you have a buddy with you. Previous owners have been known to use silicone to seal the roof to the body and some heavy pulling might be in order the first time through. You might want your buddy anyway even if the roof has been off before because they can be a bit awkward for one, when you are lifting it off the truck. Once it's off, you should be able to pick it up with one hand. It's just when you are bending over your tail gate and trying not to rip the roof lining or dent anything that is a bother.

Cheers,
Tim

[Bostonian1976]

yeah luckily my truck has zero inside trim, except for some aluminum-lined insulation in the roof, so I don't have to get under any trim to get the top off. makes it easy :)

as a sidenote, which trucks did/didn't have interior trim on the doors? Did the basic tailgate configuration have any interior trim? (I ask because I think the old gray '65 I have is 100% original and does not have the trim - so was wondering if that's correct)

[Tim Smith]

yeah luckily my truck has zero inside trim, except for some aluminum-lined insulation in the roof, so I don't have to get under any trim to get the top off. makes it easy :)

as a sidenote, which trucks did/didn't have interior trim on the doors? Did the basic tailgate configuration have any interior trim? (I ask because I think the old gray '65 I have is 100% original and does not have the trim - so was wondering if that's correct)
I don't know but there is always the POT's when it comes to these trucks. I have an air-portable with a hard top. I don't think air-portables were supposed to have hard tops...

I also have a 109 regular that came from S.A. and served for the British. It has a pickup top (with the trim bits) that *was* bright yellow and said "Crowders" in bright green on the front. Some how I don't think the military used it in that configuration.

Lots of fun all around. :thumb-up:

Cheers,
Tim