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| rover Member Since: 26 May 2012 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 146  
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I really like the look of the Drivelodge roof, keeps the look of the original roof plus more affordable than the other pop tops. Have you any further thoughts on the Drivelodge roof, pros and cons?, would you recommend?
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14th Jun 2023 11:03am |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3372
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The drivelodge is a great piece of kit at a reasonable price. Looks much more like the old series safari roof than a scientist with a very large forehead
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14th Jun 2023 11:29am |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3372
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Would definitely recommend. Pros: Price (c£3k fitted + c£600 for the elevating bed panel on gas struts.) Weight: not a great deal of weight added due to fibreglass panel replacing original roof cutout. Bit of weight in the frame. Height: It only raises the overall height of the vehicle a few inches. 'Safari' option, with this you can roll all of the canvas up giving you a great viewing platform. Built and fitted in the UK. Cons: Not full width of the vehicle like other replacement roofs. (Still space for 2 comfortably however). If you want to carry a load on the roof, this will be restrictive. The reason I went with this option is to reduce the amount of clutter on top anyway. I'm going to fit a solar panel up there anyway. The fastening mechanism, this is minor, currently secured using 2 quick release straps connect to d rings on the rear arches. |
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14th Jun 2023 9:29pm |
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| andrew_carr Member Since: 11 Jun 2023 Location: Grantham Posts: 2
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I had my drive lodge system installed by lr bits at skipton and can 100% recommend them
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15th Jun 2023 5:54am |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3372
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+1 for LRBits, they did mine as well, needed a bit of tweaking as I was fitting a 110 roof to my 130
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15th Jun 2023 6:28am |
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| the_lincs_landies Member Since: 29 May 2023 Location: Boston, Lincs Posts: 230
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Glad I stumbled across this post. I had been looking at the Alucab Icarus as a pop top as a long term goal, but was put off by both the price and the look at the front - as has been said "like a scientist with a large forehead". This looks like a really decent alternative at a far more "sensible" price, I'll have to bookmark the page for future reference so I dont lose it.
One question... Do they do the carpeting on the frame, or is that left to you to do so that it matches the rest of the vehicle? |
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15th Jun 2023 7:59am |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3372
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It comes fully carpeted and moulded into your existing roof liner.
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15th Jun 2023 8:35am |
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| Andrew95 Member Since: 27 Jul 2022 Location: Midlands Posts: 70 
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So a brief update on the build. Last week was a mad panic - had quite a bit to get done before it was dropped off for the interior build.
We got the trim back in after painting it. I had to make a few brackets and modify it slightly because of the roof, but nothing too difficult. Next up was getting sound deadening into the back, I luckily had done quite a bit of it for the previous layout so just a case of tidying that up and adding the remaining material. We also added thermal iinsulation at the same time. Wheel arches were trimmed in carpet and the floor was covered with a rubber mat. So the interior is looking very smart. Externally i finally fitted the gwyn lewis mud guards for the rear. I've had them probably the best part of 6 months now, I fitted the front ones ages ago but lost interst when it came to the rear! (At the time they would had to be drilled through the previous interior layout and I couldn't be bothered!) The good news is the awning. We spent ages deciding what to do - you name one we looked at it. We were very close to just biting the bullet and getting an Alucab, but we've never really used our awnings much before and it's a serious ammount of money for something that's going to get, at best, occasional use.... Quick Pitch and Ostrich Wing were close contenders. But in the end we went with a bit of a out there option - the Terradactil from Terrafirma, as 270s go it's at the cheaper end of the spectrum, but honestly, first impressions are really positive. Very solid construction, solid tube construction throughout, it's self supporting (in good weather) and has almost no flex when open. The material is thinner than the others we looked at (it's about the same thickness as our 2.5m ARB we had a few years ago) but for us it Will be more than suitable. The best bit..... it even came with the spanners to attach it 😂. As for the Tuff Trek Speedwing, well two weeks later and we're still waiting for them to pick it up. Every day they have promised 'its getting collected tomorrow' 🙄 Last Saturday we handed it over for the interior build. Spent a few hours chatting to the guy doing it about various aspects of the build and we both came away feeling positive. I think it's going to be a few weeks yet but already very excited. With everything in other people's hands now we're at a loose end. So going back to basics this weekend with a hike and wildcamp in the Berwyn Mountains (Hills?). Been a while since the old Terra Nova saw action so will make a nice change. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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23rd Jun 2023 6:33pm |
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| Andrew95 Member Since: 27 Jul 2022 Location: Midlands Posts: 70
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I am in need of a bit of advice again. The interior build is coming along, the photos below are screenshots from a video so excuse the terrible quality.
When we get the truck back we are going to have another week long panic of getting it finished before heading off to ATUK meet up / green laning week in Norfolk. So I am trying to get as much bought and ready to fit so there is no hold up. Todays problem is the water system. In the previous build we had a water tank with a bit of 'overlanding hose' (totally not a bit of garden hose cut off the reel) which went to a hand pump on the back door. It was simple, worked good enough. I was thinking of doing something similar but the watertank is behind the drivers seat and I think it would be a stretch for the hand pump to reach the back door. So I am toying with the idea of an electric pump. We are not fitting a sink unit in this. My idea at the moment is the little grey hose at the bottom coming out of the side of the unit will be my fill / drain. A short length of 13mm hose and a on/off tap and push fit connection so I can fill it or drain it. Breather on top of the tank venting up high in the unit. Then a 10mm (most pumps and taps seem to be 10mm) outlet on top of the tank which will go to a pump and then a tap. The easiest place to put the tap would be to the left of the watertank door. But it would mean unlocking and opening this door every time we want water. The next obvious place would be the same place but on the opposite side - the fridge is that side, its on the 'living' side of the truck so would make more sense. I still think putting it on / near the back door will be the most practical solution but will involve more work. What have you guys done for water storage / tap and where do you have it fitted? Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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19th Jul 2023 12:50pm |
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| wyvern Member Since: 13 Dec 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2103 
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We have a safari 60ltr tank under the left side of the vehicle and have one tap on the back door and a shower point in the rear quarter light (replaced the window)
The tap on the back door works very well as its accessible when in the vehicle with the door closed, and outside with the door open ! The shower is from Bullfinch and is branched off the main feed and works well. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126 |
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19th Jul 2023 4:02pm |
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| jocklandjohn Member Since: 16 Sep 2016 Location: Highlands Posts: 62  
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I've done without a sink for decades, but recent self-build I decided at last to fit one. I'm so glad I did.
Its tiny but the huge advantages have made me wish I'd done it years ago. Its only small and takes up very little space but the usefulness has to be experienced to be understood imho. Sink is 280mm deep by 370 long and it only sticks out from the wall in its frame about 380mm. Supply tank is near the middle of the van below the floor (outside) and the Flipper hand pump pulls the water up with ease. Small grey tank below the sink (outside up above the rear exhaust section) allows easy access for draining. I'm enjoying not having to avoid kicking basins or buckets over and generally having a more convenient access to water and drainage. May not be for everyone if space is REALLY limited but I've found it very practical. When I need water out the back of the van I slip a bit of hose over the flipper outlet and point it out the back door and it works just fine. PS bits of hairy 2x1 inch holding the roof up are not really holding the roof up, but were a temporary safety feature until I fitted the proper gubbins! Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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4th Aug 2023 6:21am |
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| wyvern Member Since: 13 Dec 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2103
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We had a sink on our previous build and found we rarely used it and it was a bit of marmite item.
My partner said not to fit a sink this time in ‘Poppy’ and carry a collapsable bowl, which has been much more versatile working well with the tap on the back door. We each have our own priorities and there are no right/wrong rules - so have a go and see what works for you  Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126 |
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4th Aug 2023 8:27am |
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| jocklandjohn Member Since: 16 Sep 2016 Location: Highlands Posts: 62
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I'll politely say to myself (so you dont have to!) - "I need a sink because I'm a messy bu*ger!!
Your build looks great (even with no sink!) |
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4th Aug 2023 6:55pm |
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| Andrew95 Member Since: 27 Jul 2022 Location: Midlands Posts: 70
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So yesterday was the day. We picked the landrove up from our friend doing the interior. At the same time it's also had a little bit of mechanical work undertaken but nothing noteworthy.
I am honestly blown away by the quality and attention to detail. He's shown us both photos and videos throughout and it's always looked good, but seeing it in the flesh is amazing. We're still undecided on the exact layout / storage we are going for, spent the evening in the range buying up lots of boxes and storage containers. The current thinking is: Bottom of tall unit - personal clothes in packing cubes. Middle of tall unit - climbing gear and hiking stuff etc. Top of tall unit - Cooking and dry food storage Right hand side low unit - in the front oil's and recovery gear etc, under the top its only 5cm at most so not much room, thinking a space for tools. Middle row unit - behind the passenger seat is the water tank. We're going to keep this as a fairly open space to 'chuck it' in - everything from rucksacks to shoes to whatever. But for now before packing it up we've got a few final things to do. Nothing major but they all take time and time is something we don't have as we're off to the ATUK summer meet up next Saturday. 1) Water System - I'm going to try and do this without drilling into the units and I have an idea that might work but I need to fabricate a few brackets for the tap tomorrow. 2) Cushions - hopfully they should turn up tomorrow. I have only ordered one for now as we are yet to sort the fridge out and want to get that in and sized before we buy the other cushion. 3) 12v - this is actually the easy one. We were going to put a 12v pannel in but as we're so loathed to cut into the units we're just going to use an extension lead running from a hidden 12v / USB socket behind the cubby instead (we don't run anything other than charging phones and cameras). 4) Few trim bits- there are a few trim bits that need a bit of TLC / finishing off along with a general clean and tidy up. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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7th Aug 2023 8:53pm |
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