Hard Top to S/W Conversion

Hi,

New to this forum, but have been 'lurking' for a while. I came from the World of Freelanders, but decided I need a more traditional Land-Rover.

Anyway, I have the opportunity to purchase a 110 Td5 hardtop in very good condition, mechanically and appearance wise. Its very high mileage (170k+) and is owned by a friends husband, whi bought it from a leasing company he worked with, who supplied it as a service truck to a plant firm for fixing/repairing hydraulic equipment. It is a base spec, standard truck.

I would purchase the 110 as a general fun and work horse for bad weather, lugging stuff in, etc. However, my longer term plan would be to go on a couple of overland trips (organised ones) to build up to a trip across Libya. These trips would involve my wife and our baby (to be born tomorrow). To carry 3 or 4 in comfort we would need to convert the 110 into a 'stationwagon'.
Is this a particulurly big or expensive job to do?

Before somone suggests just buying a 110CSW. I know that is sensible, BUT this 110 is in known excellent condition and at a great price. I don't fancy letting her pass for the sake of buying a CSW for a lot more dosh and risk getting a dog.

Also being as she is classed as a commercial (LCV) she is better for my company to buy, would converting her remove the LCV status and render her a PLG?

Thank you,
Harvey

Hello,

Anyone out there who will talk to me and offer advice please?

Harvey

Hi Harvey,
I've just done this conversion but I've made a twin cab pickup which is the same thing basically. It is not a difficult conversion but I found information hard to come by. Basically you'll need a safari body which do come up on e bay occasionally, and a few new body to chassis brackets and x member ( if they dont come with the body) Mine didn't and I had a lot of trial and error trying to find what I needed. I did find a parts catalouge for the 110 on the net which shows the different parts for the different bodies which was helpful.
I just got the rear tub and 'b' posts from one place, doors from another, roof and tailgate from another etc. but if I wanted to convert to a safari now then 88" sides would fit and of course you've got the 110 roof.
Hope this helps (and makes sense)
Contact me if I can help any more
Rick

Hi Rick,

Thats sounds encouraging, thank you.

I will give you a nod sometime and chat some more, just deciding whether it might be easier/cheaper to buy a DCPU 110 or the utility SW 110 instead.

Approximately, how many hours are involved and what would the parts cost?

Thanks,
Harvey

Hi Harvey;
I'll do a breakdown of what I had to do and buy etc and I think I've got some piccies somewhere, if I can remember hoe to put them on. Just on way out now so bear with me.
Rick

Hi Rick,

I really appreciate the assistance. Seeing as you were out Friday night and its Saturday morning I will be patient ;-)

Thanks,
Harvey

Hi Harvey,
I've been trying to work out how much I've spent on this project and the best I can do is

Safari rear tub (including B posts) £250

Roof (North Off Road glassfibre Conversion) Rear window panel and tailgate £250

2x rear side doors (2nd hand but as new) £400

Hi cap rear bulkhead £30

Body mounting brackets, door seals, roof seals, stainless nuts and bolts etc £150

Prices are approximate as I'm working away from home at the moment. The next major expense is a paint job, some nice wheels and tyres, second row seats and seat belts and I think thats it. I know people will say I should have bought a double cab or safari to start with, but a TD5 from work, with just over 100,000 on the clock and a full service record for what I paid for it was too good to turn down.
Time wise, I suppose I took 5 days, mostly by my self, just getting help from freindly people to lift the heavy bits on and off.
Just had a scan on e bay for "land rover double cab" and some of the parts are on there from a seller in Co. Durhamm
Let me know if I can help any further. Whereabout you based?
Rick

Yes, that is where I am starting from. I know of a high-mileage 110 Td5 hard top, but its in mint condition and has a full, regular service history and has been a reliable unit.

But I would prefer a DCPU or the utility SW, so as it has a roof and rear panels already, I guess its just a matter of getting the SW tub, doors and side panels (88" ones will blank the rear out then nicely).

Is it sensible to spray everything individually before assembling? My logic was only a little touch up or two is needed once build and its more manageable when in bits.

What is meant by a 'safari body'? Is that the SW rear tub, or something else?

Thanks Harvey

don't forget the cost of new outriggers and welding them in place if you don't weld ya self.

H 'Redhand',

Is the hardtop chassis different form that of the DCPU or SW?

Thanks harvey

harveyg77 said:

H 'Redhand',

Is the hardtop chassis different form that of the DCPU or SW?

Thanks harvey

Click to expand...

Yep the CSW has an additional set of outriggers for the B posts to sit on.

Hi Redhand,

Am I going to ahve problems with VOSA, DVLA, etc. if I take a 2000yr, W plate, hardtop and convert it to have extra seats and become a pseudo utility SW?

Thanks Harvey

The chassis is the same. I've tried to attatch a piccie, if it works then if you look at that in conjunction with the landrover parts catalogue (page 746 part no. NRC4171 and NRC 4665 and page 795) it should make sense.
No 1 is replaced by a steel sill that runs from the bulkhead outrigger to the rear tub with the b post built into it as page 795.
no.2 are all replaced by nrc 4665 which are longer and hold the front of the rear body to the seat box
no. 3 are replaced by x member nrc 4171
No welding involved all held on by 13mm nuts and bolts, captive plates etc
Pic no. 2 shows the rear tub in place
Hope this makes sense
Rick

Rick,

Thanks for the photos, makes a lot more sense now. Out of itnerest where do I get a copy of the parts catalogue you refer to? is there a free PDF download site or similar?

Thanks,
Harvey

I did try to send it over with the pics.
As a matter of interest how can I send something from 'my docs' to this site that's in a pdf format without downloading the whole thing?
I'll try to sort it for you later
Rick

landroveroneten.com/index.php/land-rover-manuals...
Hi Harvey
Bet you thought I'd forgotten this
This is where i found the parts catalogue
Hope this helps if you're going to go ahead with this conversion
Rick