 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Soft Top conversion: Folding windscreen for rabbit shooting |
 
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| Jibino Member Since: 31 Oct 2016 Location: Aix-en-Provence Posts: 5   
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Dear friends and Landy lovers,
I am new here, and I am from France ! This is my first post. I am doing my best to drop it at the right place. My project is to convert a 90 from Pick Up to Soft Top, but for my first post I want to start with a not too serious but real subject. This post is about modifying the windscreen to shoot rabbits while driving. You may think I am crazy frog but please read further 
I am about to welcome my Mum's 90 Pick-Up (she doesn't need it anymore...), and as I can only keep one, I am selling my 110 SW Puma2.2 2013. Anyway, I try to make it short. The 90 is on the other side of the world and will reach the South East of France where I live in about two months (by boat
For a few weeks already, and for the two next months, I am inquiring about Soft Top components I have to acquire, and I am mentally going through this process like a surgeon (maybe too much like a surgeon actually). As my intention is to keep that 90 forever, I could invest some money in refurbishing and upgrading it. I went through ideas such as fitting a NAS cage/sticks and mohair hood, or fitting a "only 6 points" cage/sticks from Safety Devices with a Mohair hood with Alpine windows... but: - premium sticks and premium hood would inititate an arms race triggering new painting, alloy wheels, new seats, back seats facing forward and foldable with proper seat belts... it would cost an immediate fortune. - such an major upgrade would require an installer workshop, paintshop, and at the end I will have done nothing with my own hands except signing a one-shot bank check. Then I would be left with the Prom Queen just to parade with. I am sure I would get bored immediately. - by looking too great my Mum's agricultural 90 would lose its soul and wouldn't be the same anymore - somewhere at the back of my head a little voice whispers in my ears: "keep it original". For all these reasons I slowly take the direction of a classic Soft Top conversion, with original skinny hood sticks and canvas hood that I can assemble myself without big time drilling. I then will have time for a step by step refurbishment without feeling ashamed. If I still end up bored once done, I will have the possibility to upgrade further later, or paint it Huey style similar to the first and last original Land Rover/Defender, that only tolerate canvas hoods. I have visited a few threads about Soft Top conversion but still have questions, which I will post here later, or contact you individually for the ones who achieved a Soft Top conversion. This is basically my introduction speech, and I may repeat it when I post other questions about hoods, hood sticks requesting seat belt bar or not... For now, I just want to gather your opinion about modifying the windscreen to shoot rabbits while driving. No I don't plan to shoot rabbits while driving. And I don't shoot rabbits in general, driving or not. What I would like is to feel the wind in my hair (I still have plenty) by tilting/folding the windscreen. I totally droped the idea of removing the hood and the sticks to drive open top. Too much work, and sometimes in the South East of France where I live, there is too much sun (if you live in Scotland, please discard what I just said). The Master Piece, the secret weapon, to me is this : http://foleysv.com/folding-windscreen-on-l...t-shooting I can already see myself driving Soft Top fully rolled up, windscreen folded, wind going through the cabin without being stopped by anything (but flapping everything). Wearing a pair of skydiving glasses it would be ridiculous enough, just the way I like. I sent an email to the Foleys but haven't been answered yet. This is the first and only time I see such a modification, which doesn't disfigure the Defender. Does anyone ever saw that for real ? Does it work ? It looks clever, why would it be so confidential ? It doesn't look like rocket science to modify, and I believe the only risk I would take is to have a not rainproof windscreen seal anymore. But where there is too much sun, it rarely rains. The only stupid blocking point I could mention is the impossibility to combine this mod with a spare wheel on the bonnet, which I am thinking about, but no big deal to make up my mind and leave tje spare wheel behind the bulkhead if the winscreen mod is worthwhile ! (wipers are another point, but jettisonable wipers might be possible to adapt). Would you have any comment, remark, evaluation of the feasibility, difficulty, stupidity ? I am definitely not an aeronautic engineer, but with a few advices, and technical assistance, this looks pretty much achievable even if the Foleys never answer. What do you think ? Looking forward to hearing from you, and hoping to having pay you a good laugh at least, Kindest regards, JB. |
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1st Nov 2016 4:18pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5804 
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Salut JB, bienvenue
Do you want to buy this from Foley's because it looks like a one off, special job? Whilst I love drop down windscreens, not great in winter up here in the 74. One day when I'm somewhere hot. I prefer the full drop down windscreen, but if a Defender possibly too difficult? However, can't imagine just the windscreen dropping would be too difficult to do. Get a carrosserie to build you the hinge and a fixing point (or two) in the cab, et voilą. Not too complicated. I would think the difficult bit would be the windscreen wipers. Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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1st Nov 2016 6:57pm |
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| Jibino Member Since: 31 Oct 2016 Location: Aix-en-Provence Posts: 5
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Thank you Monsieur Le Grenadier, Beyond building just a hinge out of a sheet metal welding professional, i would need also to build an entire rectangular frame going around the glass. (That's how I analyzed the two pictures from Foley's). http://foleysv.com/wordpress/wp-content/up...01-Web.jpg http://foleysv.com/wordpress/wp-content/up...00x199.jpg Then would there be enough space between the serial glass size and the windscreen body ? Do you think Foley's could have slightly reduced the glass size, or it would be too much of a headache ? Last edited by Jibino on 1st Nov 2016 8:01pm. Edited 3 times in total |
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1st Nov 2016 7:26pm |
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| Jibino Member Since: 31 Oct 2016 Location: Aix-en-Provence Posts: 5
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Thank you Strang, I like your idea because: It would solve the wipers issue It would be compatible with the spare wheel on the bonnet. Even if I am a bit suspicious about the hybridation Series/Defender, do you think it would be compatible with a 90 300TDI from 1996 windscreen ? Do you know where sourcing such a museum piece ? Thank you for your hint, JB. |
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1st Nov 2016 7:36pm |
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| davew Member Since: 02 Jan 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 888  
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The only real problem is supporting the soft top when the windscreen is folded. In the case of a hardtop it's pretty easy, you just remove the bolts and replace them with some quick release pins on the top of the screen.
For a soft top you could do pretty much the same but instead of the hard top you'd need to make some form of quick release for the frame at the front and possibly put a strengthening/tension bar in the middle between it and the first hoop. The windscreen is hinged already on proper Defenders anyway, if you have a pretend one with solid windscreen hinges, just buy and fit the older style ones and the tensioning/fixing bolt thing that goes on the inside. http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/ |
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1st Nov 2016 8:04pm |
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| Jibino Member Since: 31 Oct 2016 Location: Aix-en-Provence Posts: 5
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Thank you Davew, That's where my English is a bit limited I am afraid Check the two pictures (i am trying to display them here but I am not familiar with the forum interface yet). http://foleysv.com/wordpress/wp-content/up...01-Web.jpg http://foleysv.com/wordpress/wp-content/up...00x199.jpg By clicking the two above links you will notice that the native winscreen frame stays in place. It's not being folded. It is an additional homemade frame around the screen that is folded. Pretty clever. From my understanding of the pictures, hard top or soft top wouldn't make a difference, but as I said previously, I am not an aeronautic engineer. And I am wondering if there is enough space to fit this homemade additional frame between the native windscreen frame and the native screen itself, or if it requires some sizing customization (on the screen most probably). |
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1st Nov 2016 8:31pm |
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| CY88 Member Since: 05 Jan 2016 Location: Offshore Posts: 255 
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Hi JB! Welcome to Defender2!
First thing that springs to mind with the Foley windscreen is the enormous amount of drag it will create unless your rear door / flap is also open! Ps. I've replied to your PM  
FFRR Supercharged - Series One - Defender 90 V8 |
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7th Nov 2016 12:06pm |
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| Jibino Member Since: 31 Oct 2016 Location: Aix-en-Provence Posts: 5
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Hello CY88,
Of curse I do consider driving with that rabbit window folded only when the soft top canvas is entirely rolled up, sides and rear. I did skydive in the past, but have no intention to do it again with a Def90 as packback chute gear. When I will get my soft top canvas i will study how You roll up the above front seats canvas part like this : http://images45.fotki.com/v1636/photos/5/5...845-vi.jpg I arrived in Reunion Island this morning. Towed the 90 pick up out of his tiny garage where it has slept for the past 6 months. As I didn't unplug the battery it was gone. I put a new one and the engine started immediately. I went driving around and, as usual, i have been amazed by how smooth is the 1996 300tdi engine, compared to the Ford 2.2 I also drive. Do you think reprogramming the 2.2 would change irs personnality completely ? Mine is rough as an old angry man. It even coughs. I will put a few pictures tomorrow, and maybe start a new page which will be the base for a restoration and soft top conversion blog. See you, |
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19th Nov 2016 6:54pm |
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| CY88 Member Since: 05 Jan 2016 Location: Offshore Posts: 255
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Look forward to seeing the pictures!
If you get an exmoor trim canvas (the early one), they have the straps sewn in to hold the front piece in place once you've rolled it back. Make sure your front clamp bar over the windscreen (mine is painted green in the picture) is the quick release type too - once the catches are loosened, the front edge of the canvas can be pulled out / pushed in under the bar. Click image to enlarge
FFRR Supercharged - Series One - Defender 90 V8 |
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19th Nov 2016 7:28pm |
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