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Home > My Defender > V8 Soft Top in time for Summer (hopefully)!

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Anyideas Member Since: 20 Dec 2015 Location: Kent Posts: 63

V8 Soft Top in time for Summer (hopefully)! I had sold my Puma 90 back in Sept 2017 I lasted almost a year before the itch for another 90 came back. My previous one was used as a daily and while I didn't mind it was replaced by an RRS which is perhaps better suited to what I need. This meant my 90 could be a little less practical and I always loved the NAS Soft top, after reading a couple of threads on here I knew I wanted a soft top and I was going to be on the look out for a V8. Enter this. Click image to enlarge An Early 90 factory soft top with 3.5 V8, Its previous owner had done a couple of small jobs to it, Exmoor Trim seat covers for front and rear (now for sale), new rear bench seats, new hood and some lights are now LED too. That doesn't tell the whole story though as its in need of some attention to the bulkhead, footwells and Oh did I mention the rear cross member Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge I'll upload the photos of the bulkhead and cross member when I can find them but the decision was quickly made to replace the whole chassis rather then just the cross member. This is pretty much where I am now, the chassis was ordered before christmas and I have been busy acquiring parts. Click image to enlarge Everything will be replaced rather then re used. The Plan is to re chassis, strip service and paint the axles, gearbox and clutch. Weld the bulkhead and footwell areas that need it, repair the OS front wing and replace 1 of the series doors as its to far gone. Click image to enlarge Once thats done its having a full re spray, colour still TBC although I am leaning towards a non metallic grey of some sort. I am going to be keeping the galvanised cappings as they are. I've already sourced nearly new front seats and a new cubby box, I am going to get all the seats re trimmed in a fabric thats Water, Dirt and UV resistant as I am likely to be using it mainly with the roof and window tops off. Attention will then switch to the dash area and under the bonnet but thats going to be after a summer spent hopefully enjoying it. Sorry for the long post in advance.

7th Jan 2018 6:46pm

GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383	I'll watch with interest
7th Jan 2018 6:58pm

Anyideas Member Since: 20 Dec 2015 Location: Kent Posts: 63	Thanks Greeni, I have read your (and CY88's) thread back to front and I have got a couple of ideas from doing so.
7th Jan 2018 7:05pm

GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383	PM me if you need any help, always happy to help
7th Jan 2018 7:06pm

HK07 Member Since: 15 Dec 2016 Location: Hampshire Posts: 749	Hk07 Sounds like a great platform to start from Where is the chassis coming from? 2007 90 Puma - Love it - Best car I have ever owned. 1989 Ninety 200tdi - Love it - Second best car I have ever owned. 1951 80" Series 1 - Love it - Third best car I have ever owned.
7th Jan 2018 7:24pm

Anyideas Member Since: 20 Dec 2015 Location: Kent Posts: 63	Chassis is coming from Richards.
7th Jan 2018 7:52pm

HK07 Member Since: 15 Dec 2016 Location: Hampshire Posts: 749	Hk07 Good choice - Alistair is a good guy. And our chassis has been a joy to work with, everything has lined up exactly as it should. 2007 90 Puma - Love it - Best car I have ever owned. 1989 Ninety 200tdi - Love it - Second best car I have ever owned. 1951 80" Series 1 - Love it - Third best car I have ever owned.
7th Jan 2018 8:09pm

JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7908	Going to be great!! Glad you're keeping the galv cappings!  James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers
7th Jan 2018 9:02pm

L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10867	Great project and i will be for sure watching with interest  Clayton. 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up. Keeper.
7th Jan 2018 9:49pm

mikeh501 Member Since: 07 Jan 2013 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1142	looks like its going to be great. watching with interest.
8th Jan 2018 9:02am

discomog Member Since: 09 May 2015 Location: Notts/Lincs Border Posts: 2533	Of all the many engines fitted to Series and Defenders over the last 70 years the 3.5 V8 is by far the best. Very envious  Defender 90XS SW Mini Countryman Cooper S Morgan Plus 8
8th Jan 2018 9:53am

Anyideas Member Since: 20 Dec 2015 Location: Kent Posts: 63

Thank you all, I've been busy sourcing new parts to hopefully make some swift progress once the chassis is ready. S/S Bolts and screws, replacement seals etc. I'm going to replace the front bumper with a galvanized one, heritage style light surround and grill (from Brendan) and LED light will complete the front. I've gone with ox4x4 hinges for the bonnet and doors and the dual opening galv tailgate hinges from Purely Metal. In my head I know what I want it to look like, now I just need to get it there.

8th Jan 2018 10:25am

jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8166	following with interest Cheers James 110 2010 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop
8th Jan 2018 8:52pm

L90Andy Member Since: 29 May 2014 Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon Posts: 722	Me too! I'd be very tempted to put a V8 in mine that looks remarkably similar to yours in its current state. Very nice indeed.  Instagram: L90andy My 1984 Ninety: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56071.html - SOLD! My 2015 Defender: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39625.html - SOLD!
8th Jan 2018 9:39pm

CY88 Member Since: 05 Jan 2016 Location: Offshore Posts: 255	GREENI wrote: PM me if you need any help, always happy to help Ditto! As you already have! Look forward to seeing how things develop!  FFRR Supercharged - Series One - Defender 90 V8
10th Jan 2018 12:12pm

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