Soft Top Alternatives

[ronward]

I happen to have an OD green canvas top that once covered my 1973 Series III 109 ex-military 3-door. I'd like to cut the top and sides to make a bikini/bimini top for the 90 now that I don't need it for the 109. Can anyone help me think through the winshield slip rail versus the corded "shark tooth" front of the old soft top?

Thanks in advance for any help...

[Mike Hippert]

corded "shark tooth" front of the old soft top

I have never seen one of these before, how about a pic.

[ronward]

The 90 soft tops have a straight lip underwhich the soft top must fit along the top of the windshield. On a Series truck, the straight lip has "teeth" that stick down, proud of the lip on the top of the windshield. The soft top has a hem sewn in the front with a cord running through it. The cord slips behind the teeth.

Anyway, there's little chance of making the Series top fit a 90 I'm afraid.

[roverx]

If you are just looking to use the 109 top as a surrey or shorten it down to a bikini just you can cut the front section off and sew a plastic belt onto it like a best top. This will allow it to fit into the windscreen frame you already have. You can remove the standard buckles on the front that adjust the tension to the front section and replace with w/ Velcro. Use the middle roll cage section to adjust the tension just like the series. As for the back, once you shorten the top, re-sew in a loop for the rope and get two tie down loops like a series at the corners. What you want to do is very simple. Remember most military 90's are soft tops very similar to a series except for the different windscreen mount.

Best of luck :)

[paulb]

Ron, I had an old top 'converted" to fit a D-90. I wanted a total cabin cover leaving the rear tub free and open.
First, I had a slip pocket sewn into the front of an old top. I used plastic door trip from Home Depot as a rail and just slide it into the pocket. Works fine and as a bonus I can slip it out to fold the top when stored.
Second area was the top above my head. Here it is attached to the roll bar behind the seats, though it does flap a bit in the wind. I need to work on that.
Third area where I do not have a solution has been the rail system on my D-90. I can not find the plastic lip piece to mimic the rail. As such, the two side column sections flap away.
I call it a work in progress - my wife calling a pain!

[newfD90]

Originally posted by ronward
Anyway, there's little chance of making the Series top fit a 90 I'm afraid.

I'm looking at buying a '75 SIII 109 3-door that has all the tops except the canvas (and hoops). I might be interested, is it in good shape?

Speaking of Series vehicles, anybody know of a good forum like this one, but for Series vehicles?

Thanks!

[ronward]

My top is ex-military OD green with no side windows, in excellent shape. I don't have the hoop set but they are easy to source.

Ottawa Valley Land Rovers web page www.ovlr.org is a great source of Series truck information. You might want to susbscribe to the LRO mailing list as well at

www.land-rover.team.net/lro-info.html

[newfD90]

Originally posted by ronward
My top is ex-military OD green with no side windows, in excellent shape.

That's too bad, I would want the side windows. Thanks for the pages of info!