Series III soft top - Land Rovers Only

Art Vigil · 04-20-2006, 09:35 PM

Rita (my '72 SIII 88" project) is just about ready for the road and one of the first things I plan to do once she's roadworthy is pull the top off for the warm Colorado summer driving.
From past experience with my ST D90, I'd like to run with a bikini or similar top instead of no top at all, but I'm not sure what I need to convert to a soft top. Hoop set???
Can anyone advise me what I need to find in order to run a soft top setup?
Since most of my wife's family is in the UK, and Rover parts are less expensive and more plentiful, I'll probably purchase what I need there to save some $.
Does anyone have a hoop set for sale in London or know where to purchase what I need?

Thanks!

Art Vigil
amvigil(at)comcast(dot)net
Denver, CO USA
'72 Series III 88" (Lovely Rita - almost finished!)
'95 RRC SWB TWR Edition (wife's/family driver)
Former Rovers:
'97 NAS D90SW #2426
'95 NAS D90ST #2620

Muddy Oval · 04-21-2006, 09:05 AM

Genuine L.R. Hoopset is $550 here in the USA for reference...
It's such a large item to ship that international shipping might be kinda pricey, but good luck!

TerryS · 04-21-2006, 11:07 AM

There's more to the hoopset then just the hoops. There's the footman loops, and all the other little hardware to attach the top, the door frame galvanized bits, the part which attaches to the top of the windscreen frame, and the bits to anchor the hoops into the tub holes.
Then you'll need the top itself, that comes with ropes for tying it to the tub, and rear tailgate. That's next; the tailgate. That comes with hindges, hardware, latches, and support chains. All up, you're looking at about $1600 in the US. Yeah they can be had cheaper over there, but try carrying all that back. The hoopset is over 300 pounds (at about $1.72 to the pound, or so)

Muddy Oval · 04-21-2006, 12:25 PM

We have a prototype top we just tried out that we will be stocking later this summer- only fitted for an hour and looks nice. It hasn't been waterproofed so you can either wax it or spray it. I'd sell it for $350 and a new hoopset with everything for another $550. You won't be able to beat that buying in the UK and shipping back.

Art Vigil · 04-21-2006, 05:02 PM

Wow! Thank you for the replies. I really appreciate the information.

Let me be more specific about what exactly I'm looking for:
I am not too concerned with or looking to run a full soft top as I plan to only use the vehicle in nice weather with the hard top off. I'll convert it back in the wintertime or leave it in the garage.
I have a tailgate already.
I'd like to be able to run a bikini (over the front seats) or preferably a surrey (over the entire vehicle front & back) and can have a friend who owns a local auto upholstery shop make something that will work as long as I have the supports in place.
So will the hoop set be enough, or do I need the other bits?

Thanks again,
~Art

TerryS · 04-21-2006, 05:21 PM

Art, in Steve's photo, you can just see the galvanized piece which is one of the two parts which make a rigid door top frame. This has weather stripping which seals the door tops. Whether you choose to run with the door tops on or not is immaterial, you still need this portion of framework so that the top has a place to fit into. There are channels in these pieces, and the front and top edges of the top fit into them. The hoopset comes with a galvanized piece which bolts to the windshield frame. There are about 7 tabs to which the top hooks. That is how the leading edge of the top attaches to the truck. The top has a strip of canvas webbing sewn into it with openings located corresponding to these tabs. There is alot of detail to the top, which makes Steve's price seem pretty reasonable. You can run with the sides folded uo, held up by buckled straps. Sewing up one of these tops is alot of work for a one-off. I've seen a few home-brew tops, on some home brew top frames, and frankly, unless they are done well, they look pretty hokey. It's good that you have a tailgate, as that's the most expensive part of a soft top conversion, leaving the rear door in the garage for the summer.
My advise is to do it right. You want your truck to look good, summer or winter, so don't embarass us all with a home brew job that isn't in keeping with the Landie look. We'll still talk to you though

Muddy Oval · 04-22-2006, 06:54 PM

The top I am getting rid of (mainly because I don't have a Series) has provisions to roll up the sides. I'm getting a 109 Station Wagon so I really don't need the top.

CanuckIIA · 04-28-2006, 06:31 AM

Here is a link to All Wheel Trim Ltd. They have a lot of different soft top setups for Series trucks. Bikini and Pick-up are included.

http://www.allwheeltrim.co.uk/series...tml#Series-2&3

Hope this helps.

ducttape · 08-04-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckIIA

Here is a link to All Wheel Trim Ltd. They have a lot of different soft top setups for Series trucks. Bikini and Pick-up are included.

http://www.allwheeltrim.co.uk/series...tml#Series-2&3

Hope this helps.

Not to speak badly of them, but I emailed TWO times and got no answer. Business must be good over there in England...

Series 3 guy · 08-04-2007, 11:13 AM

Whoa!! I cant believe people are going to charge you,in all seriousness,$900 for a hoop set and canvas.YOU CAN find cheaper and original parts from people in great britain plus shipping for way less.They wont be new more than likely be ex-mod but will be just fine.Get hold of Achor supplies www.anchorsupplies.com or www.pablanchard.co.uk and get your self a full hoop set and canvas for around $300 max with about $120 for shipping max. I'm sorry but $900 is someone taking the piss.Discraceful.