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airpusher



Member Since: 04 Sep 2011
Location: South Wales
Posts: 363

Wales 2006 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Zambezi Silver
Time to convert my DC to a USW
OK, after a great deal of thought and deliberation I'm going to convert my DC to a USW.

I never thought I would but with two kids and a few other things the USW is just more practical Sad !

I'm looking at USW as don't want the station wagon windows but I do like the idea of the flaps/lockers for access to the back. Sadly they seem to cost the earth!!

Has anybody done this and can offer some advice?

Having a look around it seems that I need:

110 Roof
110 USW side panels (or 88" side panels?)
Back door

I assume there would be some seals etc that are needed and whilst I'm at it I may as well change out the seal top and bottom of the window.

How to the panels attach to the rear tub?

Also, looking on eBay, the USW panels are ridiculously priced! I tried one of the large breakers but they said they had nothing in. Does anybody have any contacts or suggestions?

There may be some 88" side local, hopefully still there when I get home.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks Thumbs Up 2006 Defender Double Cab- Zambezi Silver
Post #696195 26th Mar 2018 9:05am
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hank



Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2292

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
welshsurferdude has done this, have a look at his progress thread

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic45254.html
Post #696198 26th Mar 2018 9:12am
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zsd-puma



Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
I love my USW, but have you considered one of these.....

https://www.trekoverland.com/pages/trojan-...onversions

A lot less work involved in fitting.

Your DCPU also I think has fixed second row seats unlike the USW which as folding ones, and removing the lower bulkhead is further work. On a USW you need a cargo barrier really to be able to make full use of the rear load space.
Post #696215 26th Mar 2018 10:28am
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hank



Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2292

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Seats will be fixed but only by bulkhead brackets which can be easily removed to allow seats to fold
Post #696218 26th Mar 2018 10:36am
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airpusher



Member Since: 04 Sep 2011
Location: South Wales
Posts: 363

Wales 2006 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Zambezi Silver
Thanks Hank, I will have a read though his thread.

Thanks ZSD-Puma, I have looked in the past at different ones but they just don't fit the bill. I have the puma seats, bracket and all the bits from YRM to fit them properly like one of the threads on here (CDM I think). I'm planning on leaving the bulkhead at present as I want to convert back in the future when my needs change. I do want a cargo barrier for travel but for my fay to day I need the length that the USW gives me. Thanks for the reply.

Cheers 2006 Defender Double Cab- Zambezi Silver
Post #696219 26th Mar 2018 10:36am
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Rad666



Member Since: 21 Jun 2016
Location: North yorkshire
Posts: 89

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 110 300 Tdi DCPU Keswick Green
Dc roof forsale??
Post #696224 26th Mar 2018 10:59am
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airpusher



Member Since: 04 Sep 2011
Location: South Wales
Posts: 363

Wales 2006 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Zambezi Silver
Haha! Thumbs Up Thanks Rad666 but I've got one, need both! (Edit: I misread this!! I want to keep the parts to return it when my needs change) 2006 Defender Double Cab- Zambezi Silver

Last edited by airpusher on 27th Mar 2018 4:26am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #696227 26th Mar 2018 11:01am
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zsd-puma



Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
You could just buy ordinary 110 SW side panels remove the windows then cut a sheet of ally to cover the whole of the side panel, it could be pop riveted or bonded on with panel adhesive. Pop rivets around the edge then painted wouldn't look out of place on a Defender.
Post #696362 26th Mar 2018 9:20pm
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Badger110



Member Since: 06 Feb 2018
Location: South hams
Posts: 1039

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Buckingham Blue
I've removed my 2nd row folding seats from my usw if you want some
Post #696367 26th Mar 2018 10:17pm
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airpusher



Member Since: 04 Sep 2011
Location: South Wales
Posts: 363

Wales 2006 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Zambezi Silver
ZSD-Puma, I thought about that but my metal working really wouldn't stand up to much! Sad but I thought about gullwing doors if I had to get Station wagon panels.




but they cost a fortune! So maybe not!! Neutral

Badger, I have puma rear DC seats to put in, but thanks 2006 Defender Double Cab- Zambezi Silver
Post #696376 27th Mar 2018 4:31am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17342

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
You can use the DC second row seats, and once you have removed the DC rear cab panel you can un-modify the DC seats to have the same seatback angle as an SW seat. WIth the cab rear panel out of the way they will recline the 'normal' amount. They're still not very comfortable though (but great punishment for kids - it is character building after all!)

There is no need for the DC second row seats to be bolted to the bulkhead, and I think LR only did this to try to stop them rattling. I think the modification to set the backrest angle to "maximum back pain" so that they fit the DC made them more prone to rattling. I unbolted mine on Day 1 of ownership so that i can use the area behind and below them for storage. The tilt mechanism and locks etc all work exactly as the SW.
Post #696413 27th Mar 2018 8:46am
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airpusher



Member Since: 04 Sep 2011
Location: South Wales
Posts: 363

Wales 2006 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Zambezi Silver
Thanks Blackwolf, I think I came across a post from yourself when I was looking into changing the rear seats regards the DC/USW differences etc.

That pretty much is he plan, I got some seat raisers for the front to which help the angle and comfort but as you said "but great punishment for kids - it is character building after all!" Rolling with laughter

My plan is to get it in the garage and do all the work at once as I'll be taking it apart so much I may as well.

For the seats I'm following this thread, mind my metal work for the wheel arches most likely won't look as good though lol

I just need to source the parts for the conversion at an affordable price!!

Thanks 2006 Defender Double Cab- Zambezi Silver
Post #696416 27th Mar 2018 9:05am
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Boyd



Member Since: 11 May 2014
Location: Le Saint
Posts: 172

France 2003 Defender 110 Td5 SW Zambezi Silver
If you are after a cheaper gullwing solution....... Lattitude Overland are prototyping a competitor to the Front runner Gull wings at the moment and they tell me their final production prices will be a good bit cheaper than Front runner too Thumbs Up

Just hope they hurry up and finish the production ones soon as i'm in the queue! Whistle 2003 Zambezi Silver TD5 110 XS SW overland prepped....
2004 Santorini Black TD5 110 XS SW left hooker for sale!
2004 Alpine White TD5 110 left hooker (work in progress)
Post #696426 27th Mar 2018 10:22am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5804

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Love gull wings, very cool, very useful but you can't have a roll cage as well. Obviously you can have roll up doors instead. My issue with the Trojan, aside from it sounding like a brand of prophylactic, is that it is larger and more square than the DC cabin. Looks a bit odd to me. Prefer this, albeit eye wateringly expensive. Shocked

https://www.devon4x4.com/afn-defender-110-...d-top.html Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #696430 27th Mar 2018 10:44am
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pj2106



Member Since: 20 Dec 2012
Location: Huntingdon AKA The Shire
Posts: 1500

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
A friend of mine has a pair available with lockers

If of interest? 2008 110 2.4 XS Utility (Hagrid)
2002 90 TD5 Hardtop (Sully) Sold
1998 300TDi D1 (Billy) Sold
Post #696432 27th Mar 2018 10:58am
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