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I’ve finalized my working design for the top and lifting mechanism and have turned my attention to the enclosure (basically the sewn fabric walls). I’ve found several custom enclosure suppliers, but have no references or insight into their abilities to produce. All three say they will custom...

Oh the carnage! Oh the outrage! I feel for you brother, hopefully they get it straightened out and it doesn't impact your vacation plans.

Another nod to the Chevy/GMC van. Super reliable, easy to work on, parts interchange for many years making maintenance and upgrades fairly easy, and you can get a nicely optioned, low mileage and reliable used one in your price range. I would shoot for the extended wheel base version given your...

Neil, really well done! Your hours and hours of block sanding really paid off. I was sorry to see it was for sale until I turned the page and saw you were building another, incorporating lessons learned from the first one. Great execution!

Lol, busted by the Internet! Still looks great and I love that stealthy looking winch with the built in light. Very nice!

Just read the entire thread, great job executing your build! A suggestion to help you address your curved sheathing challenge. Use an “outside” or concave bending jig to hold your bent plywood to the proper curve. Use a small Brad nailer to hold it in place. Once it dries, West System epoxy can...

I guess I should have said, “I can believe no one has mentioned Land Rover...” My Defender hasn't had any engine issues...since I installed a GM engine and tranny!

Can't believe no one has mentioned Land Rover... :smiley_drive:

I used one of these on a friends truck (ambulance conversion) and it worked really well. http://www.cruisencomfortusa.com/truck-series/ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good plan and execution so far! Anxiously awaiting the design and installation of the lifting mechanism.

One of my overland buddies has a fixed top. His entire rig is covered in raptor liner. He swears it dissipates stress and prevents cracks. I think I have a picture somewhere.

Thanks, Coyote, I appreciate the input! Calculating the load is a simple trigonomic vector calculation. I have all the weights except the top and the variable there will be the required wood reinforcements. I will calculate the load at various points, particularly at the closed position when...

Here are the pop top drawings.

Having zero response from CCV to my many calls and emails over the last several months compounded by concerns over their installation/service reputation, I have decided to design and build my own electrically operated pop top. I have significant design and build experience over the last 30 years...

Excellent work! I put an L99/6L80 (6.2L from 2012 Camaro) in my 1988 LR Defender. You are going to be very happy. I do recommend you gusset the top of those engine frame mounts. You will be surprised how much stress they take. Here’s a pic of mine:

^This. Fine if you stay on asphalt, but the way the top is attached around the perimeter will cause cracks and leaks as the chassis flexes off-road (especially during my hamfisted off-roading forays). The flex is felt in a properly designed lifting rigging when installed as a pop top.

In this age of social media, people have grown massive keyboard muscles and some live to post negative reviews. My point is that if someone had a negative experience, I don't think you would have a hard time finding it with a simple google search. So, either no one has had a bad experience or...

Oops, here are the new ones:

Nice 109 you got there, Cameron! Sorry for my tardiness gents (and ladies). I took a detour to work on my 1988 90 out of need and a little want. I took an early retirement last year and I am going to finally get to do what I want to do, at least for a short time. I sold my CLS 63 work sled and...

I have a 1988 LR Defender 90 that had a 2.5TD with an open 3.54 front and rear. I recently installed an LS3/6L80 from a 2012 Camaro and a truetrac with the stock ratio in the rear and no change to the front. That takes my 90” wheel base vehicle from about 90hp to 400hp. The truetrac has...