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Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

Puma Pickup to Van conversion with a roll cage. Help needed.

All,

I recently bought a 2012 90 pickup. My wife is keen on getting a roll cage fitted but on doing my research it looks like fitting a good cage to a pickup severely reduces the load capacity.

Because this will be a long term car, I think I will be better off converting it to a van then getting a cage fitted.

Can you tell me if all the 90 side and roof panels are interchangeable please.

Do you know anybody selling the panels I need? I'm not bothered about side windows.

Will I have to inform the dvla of the change.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers Andy Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

30th Nov 2015 12:06pm

L90Andy

Member Since: 29 May 2014
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon
Posts: 717

This could be an option if you want to keep it as a pickup as it doesn't lose cargo space: http://www.whitbread-offroad.co.uk/roll_ca...ck_cab.php

30th Nov 2015 12:44pm

Cupboard

Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey

In answer to the other question, it is possible to convert between the two fairly easily, it all just unbolts. You need a rear door, roof and sides. Few hours with a spanner, probably a helper to lift the roof on and away you go. My helper for taking my 110 roof off had a gammy arm, so I put the roof rack on and lifted the whole lot off with a telehandler.

30th Nov 2015 1:09pm

roel

Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

My 2003 td5 pick-up became a hard top by using 1984 and 1987 parts.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

And then I put a North Offroad cage on.

Click image to enlarge

The hardtop might not be a 100% direct fit. I needed to drill a few holes different to get the safety belt bracket in place. The bracket changed a little between 1984 and 2003. But nothing mayor.

A North Roll cage looks a little different the most cages on a 90 specially the hoop near the front seat is placed a little more backward then other modells. This is because this way you can easily make a cross behind the front seats giving the cage more support. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)

30th Nov 2015 2:16pm

Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

L90Andy wrote:
This could be an option if you want to keep it as a pickup as it doesn't lose cargo space: http://www.whitbread-offroad.co.uk/roll_ca...ck_cab.php

This was on my short list, but we have decided she wants the dogs on the inside of the Landy.

plus I was not sure about the cross bracing or lack of it behind the seats. Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

30th Nov 2015 4:38pm

Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

roel wrote:
My 2003 td5 pick-up became a hard top by using 1984 and 1987 parts.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

And then I put a North Offroad cage on.

Click image to enlarge

The hardtop might not be a 100% direct fit. I needed to drill a few holes different to get the safety belt bracket in place. The bracket changed a little between 1984 and 2003. But nothing mayor.

A North Roll cage looks a little different the most cages on a 90 specially the hoop near the front seat is placed a little more backward then other modells. This is because this way you can easily make a cross behind the front seats giving the cage more support.

Do you have any more photos of the cage and the internal hoop. I got a quote from North this morning

but they look well made.

Thanks for the replies

Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

30th Nov 2015 4:44pm

Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

Just to clarify, the side panels and roof from a TDI 300/TD5 will fit on a Puma with some re drilling of holes. Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

30th Nov 2015 4:48pm

roel

Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

Please note that I have a mismatch off parts. I build my 90 out off a accident write off 2003 td5 and a rotten 1984 but with good body. And to drive tax friendly I converted it to on a commercial license.

Click image to enlarge

Currently I have a 1984 nose and doors, 2003 bulkead and rear tub, 2007 isch roof and sides and a rear door from unknown year.

I changed parts around to as you can see where my 90 is on the trailer it still had the 1984 roof. Later I put on the Dutch tax roof.

Click image to enlarge

I had to drill some holes in the roof part to get the seatbelts fitted, no changes to the body off the 90.

I noticed that with 19 years between my 90's only little changed body wise, like the hole for the lights got bigger and the bottom doorseals moved from the body to the doors, leaving me without seals for a while.

If you buy a hard top make sure the headlining comes with it, I don't know how it is in the UK but here in The Netherlands they are bloody expensive.

The North off road cage comes or welded and fitted or as a flatpack that you have to weld yourself. But it is designed as a fully welded cage. I didn't like that as I like to have everything removable so I made soem changes to the cage.

Click image to enlarge

As you can see I can split the cage at the middle hoop and I can take the support below the front windscreen out.
Also the inner support is completely desinged by me as that wasn't included in the kit I bought.

Click image to enlarge

Before making any comments that this isn't strong as the cross should be connected to the chassis too, you are right but my 90 isn't a finished project (started in 2009

) I have plans to install a second winch below the rollcage cross so I can feed the cable trough the roof or through the reardoor. The winch, that I don't have on the moment will bet fitted on the chassis crossmember just below the body there so the a additional support will be made too. But I am still thinking off other possibilities to place the rear winch so it is not definitive yet. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)

1st Dec 2015 7:58am

Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

Roel,

I've gone down this route for the cage.

Click image to enlarge

I'm currently working on the roof and side panels. The rear door is on order from a local supplier

Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

Last edited by Striker on 30th Dec 2015 7:46pm. Edited 1 time in total

30th Dec 2015 7:43pm

Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

double post deleted

Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

30th Dec 2015 7:45pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8025

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

i would use North Off Road if you want a proper cage fitting in my experience, they will fit it nice and tight to the body work too.

if you want to fit your own P&P would get my vote or weld up a North one.

i have a 90 Puma hardtop with internal cage (P&P one) can take some pics if you like? Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

30th Dec 2015 8:30pm

Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

Thanks James,

Yes please, I'd like to see the photos and compare the differences. I know the one we went for is a compromise based on price and internal space. The picture shows the cage that was temporary fitted just to get it home. I've already taken it off and will fit the 6 chassis brackets when I get the pickup cab off

I'll take some more photos of the clearance between the cage and bodywork when I get the hard top on.

Cheers Andy Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

30th Dec 2015 9:27pm

Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

I forgot to say mine was from AT4x4. Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

30th Dec 2015 9:39pm

Morepower

Member Since: 08 Jan 2013
Location: Fife, Scotland
Posts: 630

I Have this cage in the back of my 90HT... Supplied by Bowler as used on the Challenge Defenders... Although I only had the rear section fitted..

Click image to enlarge

Cheers

Tim It doesn't matter how bad it is, It can always get worse...

2013 Bowler 110 (Sold)
2016 Bowler 90 Rally Spec (Sold)

31st Dec 2015 1:02am

Striker

Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 127

That looks very substantial without losing out on the rear space. I like it

Can I ask the price? Pm me if you prefer.

Wow, just seen your Bowler build thread. Looks fantastic

Cheers Andy

Never Knowingly Understood

31st Dec 2015 7:45am

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