Softback, Hardback or Both...?

Hi all,

I bought a freelander with a softback a few days ago and I'm thinking of doing away with the softback and replacing it with the hardback as I expect it'd result in less wind noise and provide a higher level of security than the softback.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who had done a swapover especially with regards to any issues with doing it. I'd also be interested in finding out what percentage of owners use one, the other or both. I was thinking that I could use the softback during the summer months and the hard over Autumn / Winter.

Thanks in advance,

Andy.

is it a petrol ? if so just burn it

My preference would always be the hardback although it would be nice to fit the soft top for occasional summer use. There was also a rain cover that Land Rover did for use in place of the hardback, could be worth tracking one down

My case is a bit different though as I have an MG TF for the summer

Ive got both. Hard top right now because the wife nagged me to put it back on - don't ask me why its my scatty wife.

With the soft top I experience no difference in sound - bare in mind I work in a very noisey paper mill so maybe Ive gone deaf .

I bought the soft top kit new from a main dealer on ebay last spring. Its a great bit of kit. Only downside I have is the 2 side windows, really, really tight sliding them up the side slots. Ive cleaned the slots and tried lubbing with no success. Thats the only downside of the soft top for me.

My last one had the Softback when I bought it - it's a hopeless design - takes ages to take off and put up etc. I bought a hardtop and fitted it - easy job and transforms the vehicle.

My current one is a TD4 3 door with removable hardtop - I kept the old softop from the old 2.0L but cannot see me ever fitting it again.

There is a shower cover you can get which is an option for the summer occasional open roof trip.

Forgot to say main reason I bought the 3 door and not the 5 was because of its ability to add the soft top.

I like it and think its a good design

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17481&size=big&cat=&ppuser=61083

Shower Cover its under the Freelander Soft Top search

There is one on eBay now

Not sure if this will work
Browser URL:
FREELANDER SOFT TOP COVER 3 DOOR EXC CONDITION
http://Browser URL: FREELANDER SOFT TOP COVER 3 DOOR EXC CONDITION

I was told by a guy at LR parts dept that the shower covers are not worth buying as they tend to depart from the car above certain speeds. He actually talked me out of buying one. And I didnt buy my softback kit from him.

This is where I bought my softback kit

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

Thank you all for your responses.

I'll pick up a hard top later this week. Earlier I had a look at the owners manual and the instructions for fitting and removal of the softback and it looked as if it is quite a task (probably simple once you've done it once). I also think that the hardback looks "tidier" too.

Thanks again,

Andy.

UPDATE...
Ok - I managed to get a hard top for £59 from ebay. I'll have a go at fitting it this weekend - wish me luck ;-)

upstream said:

Thank you all for your responses.

I'll pick up a hard top later this week. Earlier I had a look at the owners manual and the instructions for fitting and removal of the softback and it looked as if it is quite a task (probably simple once you've done it once). I also think that the hardback looks "tidier" too.

Thanks again,

Andy.

Click to expand...

Have you got the special red key that lives in the drivers side cubby? You will need it.

angeloc said:

Have you got the special red key that lives in the drivers side cubby? You will need it.

Click to expand...

Hi,

This is undoubtedly a daft question but what is the driver's side cubby? Also - if a red key isn't in there, is this something that can be purchased separately? What does the key do anyway?

Thanks,

Andy.

If you have right hand drive it is the glove compartment near you right knee - yo will see a slot and fitting to hold it. The red key is used for some special bolts that hold the soft top on. And yes you can buy one but wait until someone else confirms exactly this - I had one on my last Freelander with a soft top and did have to use it.

I'm going to have a look right now - I'll let you know what I find there (if anything).

Thanks,

Andy.

No key unfortunately - Just a storage compartment and behind that some fuses and relays ;-(

Andy.

Here it is

http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/14496/3344/3/DUJ100000-SOFT-TOP-KEY-TOOL-RED.html

UPDATE...

I have just come back from a local 4x4 breaker (Equicar 4x4, Coseley) and having parted with £65 was able to get myself a hard top and an antenna (to replace mine that was broken).

But... The story gets even better...

I had gone there with the intention of folding my rear seats down and placing the hard top sideways in the boot to get it home however no sooner had the guys at Equicar bought the hardtop from their storage area did they then remove the soft top for me AND fit the hardtop - All in the space of around ten minutes AT NO CHARGE!

I'm a happy guy and would thoroughly recommend them.

Andy.

You got a hardtop and antenna for £65! And you published it! It's stolen flee the country now!!!! Sounds an absolute bargain to me.

angeloc said:

You got a hardtop and antenna for £65! And you published it! It's stolen flee the country now!!!! Sounds an absolute bargain to me.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that - Initially I had thought hard tops would be very expensive as I had seen a few soft ones going for over £200 - Maybe I should sell my soft top now as I don't think I'll be refitting it ;-)

Andy.