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Profyaffle

Member Since: 03 Oct 2016
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 527

Great

1993 200Tdi Defender 90

20th Jun 2017 8:52pm

GREENI

Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383

Welcome to the club!

Is it a v8

Looks pretty awesome, congratulations.

20th Jun 2017 10:23pm

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green

Appreciate all the congrats - thanks guys.

m33ufo wrote:
Perfect!

Lets have some details? Love the roof - goes perfectly with Aintree.

Standard Puma 2.2 - one owner, and my understanding is that he happened to either own (or was very senior at) the Land Rover dealership I purchased it from. It was 'his' car from new and they did the conversion to soft top - all done very nicely and using the Safety Devices soft top roll/hood bars.

There were a few issues when I viewed it - typical Defender things and a few paint issues, as well as an rear wheel holder fitted which I didn't like. They sorted it all out and prepared the car for delivery but it did take a lot longer than I expected. I know part of the issue stemmed from them having to remove the spare tyre holder and upon removal, they realised that they had to replace the tailgate because it had a section of the support bar cut out to accommodate the holder. Needless to say, more parts were ordered, there were delays and so on and so on. We got there in the end but about a month latter than I expected. Even so, handover was good yesterday and it was the perfect day to drive home. The dealership was about 100-miles away, so it gave me the chance to get to know my new Defender.

What I had forgotten was how much fun they are to drive and how each journey feels like an adventure. I think being cosseted in modern cars makes you forget how raw a car can be. They aren't quick, being a soft top there is plenty of noise but it instantly puts a smile on your face. I picked up a take away curry in it last night and even that 10-minute trip made me wish it was further away. Just brilliant and it all confirmed why I missed owning one.

21st Jun 2017 7:25am

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

GREENI wrote:
Welcome to the club!

Is it a v8

Looks pretty awesome, congratulations.

No, but my first mod is one of these: http://vroombox.com/

...joking aside, this is actually going to have to be my first real mod:

http://www.defender2.net/forum/post632582.html#632582

Advice welcome.

Last edited by Mr Fox on 21st Jun 2017 8:03am. Edited 2 times in total

21st Jun 2017 7:27am

ian series 1

Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey

80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.

21st Jun 2017 7:31am

GREENI

Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383

I can't recommend the -1 Alive springs enough. Especially with standard dampers.
I had to modify the internal door handle on my garage door as it was catching the hood on the rear hoop, a quick strip down of the handle and a date with the hacksaw and zip ties and it solved that issue!

The noise in a soft top is really bad on a motorway as most of the noise is from road/tyre noise from other cars.
I'm seriously considering a Peltor recce intercom kit for long journeys!

Seems like the wait paid off for you, it's very nice and the colour of the hood compliments the green.

21st Jun 2017 10:32am

ian series 1

Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

Greeni

Are they really that bad with the roof up?
This is something I am seriously considering doing to my puma,

I love using the S1s with no canvas as you get zero noise except from the tyres,
I was hoping the 90 would be a bit more user friendly with the top on?

(Edited now so makes a bit more sense!)
Apologies, I'm in A&E after placing my thumb between a large hammer and a Transit rear hub.....

80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.

21st Jun 2017 11:44am

Procta

Member Since: 03 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 5192

looks great, yes its been raining here today too Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!

21st Jun 2017 12:57pm

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

Thunder storms near me tomorrow... what have I done

Last edited by Mr Fox on 30th Jan 2018 12:18pm. Edited 1 time in total

21st Jun 2017 4:06pm

GREENI

Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383

@ian. Ouch. Hope not too bad. At 60mph plus, the hood flaps about a bit. With the door tops on and the glass closed but with the sides up motorway/traffic is very loud.
With the hood rolled down, well I cant say, that's just not cool so haven't been in fully closed mode!

Here's a tip though, I rolled the back and sides up the opposite way, water can't then sit in the roll and I find it quieter too.

21st Jun 2017 5:47pm

ian series 1

Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

Maybe the thing to do is soft top it in the summer and drop the hard top back on through the winter?
Bit of a faff but it's only a couple of times a year.

Thumb is ok cheers

Deep cut in the shape of a hammer head, and a bit of nerve damage,

80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.

21st Jun 2017 7:28pm

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

Ian, second the thumb comment - glad it isn't more serious but even so, something you could do without!

I had about 50-miles of motorway on the way home and had the side/rear flaps down and set in place. My expectations weren't high but in fairness, I actually didn't find it too noisy. You'd have had to have spoken loudly but I could hear the radio and that was with the window open (as my single red arm, farmer tan-style, shows

)

I did notice that the sides vacuum in toward the cabin, rather than billowing out. Also, as mine is full canvas, rather than plastic windows on the side, perhaps that also lowered the noise (a tiny bit!).

As I said, I had zero expectation of refinement but it was better than I expected.

21st Jun 2017 8:09pm

ian series 1

Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

When you get a moment can you post some photos close up of the hood set up for me please?
I would be interested in what's involved fitting one.

After seeing All these soft top 90s I think it's time to scratch the itch.

Cheers

80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.

21st Jun 2017 8:30pm

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

Will do but this might help - this is what mine has fitted:-

http://www.safetydevices.com/expedition/pr.../323/1157/

And this is a better schematic of the cage:

http://www.defendersource.com/forum/attach...1319031275

21st Jun 2017 9:36pm

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

You also need the drain channels over the front doors, mine have been powder coated black but this is what they look like:-

http://www.exmoortrim.co.uk/90-110-drain-c...-hand.html

This link gives an idea of the setup you need for the cab element:

http://www.exmoortrim.co.uk/90-full-stick-set-td5-td4.html

21st Jun 2017 9:41pm

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