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Rob80



Member Since: 27 Nov 2022
Location: London
Posts: 7

2006 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Galway Green
Hi Andy, how did you get on with the conversion over the summer?! I'm looking to potentially get the same, rather than an Alucab, so any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks, Rob
Post #972570 27th Nov 2022 11:42am
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Ashbyandy wrote:
andy2111 wrote:
Currently in the mountains on our first trip with the tent and its raining! Will be packing up wet tomorrow unless it dries overnight!


Hi Andy,

Who are you using for your guided tour of the Pyrenees, just asking out of curiosity, as I went in 2012 with Landtreks. Have a great time, I’m sure you will, don’t forget lots of pictures,

Ashby Andy 👍


Andy - so sorry I missed your question!! Yes we went with Landtreks on the advice of my mate who has been with them 3 times before. Really brilliant, as I'm sure you know already. They know the area like the back of their hand and they are a lovely couple and great company.
Post #972815 29th Nov 2022 1:04pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Rob80 wrote:
Hi Andy, how did you get on with the conversion over the summer?! I'm looking to potentially get the same, rather than an Alucab, so any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks, Rob


Hi Rob,

The poptop is fantastic and we are really glad we invested in it.

Pairing it up with the Oztent proved to be a good choice because we could set up camp and offload our gear into it and then drive out for the day without having to pack everything down - this has been transformational in giving us the additional space of a tent, but with the added comfort and convenience of the poptop.

It also gives us options depending on how long we are staying somewhere e.g. just the poptop, with the base Oztent without the sides, or the full Oztent setup with sides and front panel.

The work was done by xVisionx and the quality is very good. We decided to order a thicker mattress (as my wife has a bad back) but it was just a bit to thick and the roof would not close. The plan is to get an upholsterer to cut a few centemetres off the thickness so we can use it next time.

Having the opening side panels with the mesh screen was lovely to get air into the space when sleeping. We were perfectly warm enough at altitude, although it was summer.

I can't tell I have a poptop when driving - there is no additional wind noise and the centre of gravity feels the same.You just have to remember it's a bit higher off the ground!

Hope that helps, let me know if you've got any specific questions... I'll dig out some more pics if I can..


Last edited by andy2111 on 29th Nov 2022 1:38pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #972817 29th Nov 2022 1:15pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Here's a few pics showing parts of the tour and the camping setup...



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Post #972821 29th Nov 2022 1:28pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 13 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2066

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Hi Andy
welcome to the Club!!
Lovely to see another X-V-X top on the forum - I know that you’ll enjoy it !

Lovely photos and looks like you had a great time
onward and upward
Thumbs Up 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
Post #972823 29th Nov 2022 1:46pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Thanks!

I've been meaning to post an update for ages, but we had to move house 1 week after getting back from our holiday and it's been full-on ever since.

Was amazing to see what Markus was building in his workshop - a completely bespoke widebody chassis (approx Perentie size) for his next project. The man is a genius!


Click image to enlarge
Post #972824 29th Nov 2022 2:05pm
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Rob80



Member Since: 27 Nov 2022
Location: London
Posts: 7

2006 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Galway Green
Thanks for all these photos Andy, and your thoughts on it! I think this is the one we're going to go for next year!!
Post #972831 29th Nov 2022 2:42pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Rob,

I'll pass on the same advice that I was given... Markus at xVx is not the sharpest to reply to messages, and to be fair, English is not his first language.

The best approach is to DM him on Instagram saying something like "Hey Markus I want one of your poptops. I have the money ready.. How do I send you a deposit?" That worked a treat for me and he'll send you an order form listing the specification and price.

I don't know when you want it done for, but he will have a lead time of a few months and he'll want your truck for two weeks.

Keep us all posted when you get started!
Post #972893 30th Nov 2022 7:04am
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wyvern



Member Since: 13 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2066

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
^^^^^

As above very much so .. Keep it simple and blunt!

however - He managed to do ours in a week after some discussions .. so all is not lost if time is of an essence !

Whistle 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
Post #972937 30th Nov 2022 12:53pm
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Rob80



Member Since: 27 Nov 2022
Location: London
Posts: 7

2006 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Galway Green
Fantastic, thanks guys. We're not looking to do this until next summer but I appreciate your tips and advice.

One quick question - what did you do with the old roof? Does he keep it or did you bring it back with you?!
Post #973089 1st Dec 2022 4:02pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
The beauty of this type of conversion, unlike Alucab, is that it uses your existing roof (and headlining if you have one)
Post #973091 1st Dec 2022 4:06pm
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GEGEGOTS



Member Since: 01 Dec 2022
Location: Beringen
Posts: 3

Belgium 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Santorini Black
Really nice pictures Andy, we are hoping to get our pop top in Spring 2023! Still in doubt between the ex tec and the x vision. Both seem really nice…

Since Marcus is not responding the decision will make itself I suppose.
Post #973274 2nd Dec 2022 9:51pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
You will get a great job whichever of the two you chose from.

Try Instagram to contact Markus.

Make sure you share your pics when you get it done!
Post #973294 3rd Dec 2022 8:47am
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the shepherd



Member Since: 27 Sep 2016
Location: surrey
Posts: 18

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 300 Tdi HT Keswick Green
pop top
I have had Aclu-cab for 5 years, and my observations on it is this;

The rear 2 guides when you pull the roof down onto are powder coated and this rusts severely beneath the paint.

The roof gutters when it rains and the front doors are opened the gutters direct rain into the cab due to the roof angle.
I also changed the pop up main gas struts as it was difficult to pull down the top in hot weather I expect due to gas exspansion.

Hope this helps........
Post #984395 4th Mar 2023 6:09pm
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GEGEGOTS



Member Since: 01 Dec 2022
Location: Beringen
Posts: 3

Belgium 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Santorini Black

Click image to enlarge



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So we made a decision.. Ex Tec it is! Markus ended up responding to our instagram messages right after I paid the deposit...

We also talked to RRC which were great to talk to. We chose for the Ex Tec simply because they have the sides opening, which RRC didn't have yet. Now, I received some picture that they were working on a prototype with sides opening which is great to see. They also have the option for insulated, double layer fabric, which would be great in winter!

We booked our conversion right before the Christmas holiday and delivered the vehicle to Ex Tec about two weeks ago. I combined the trip with a conference for work so the Defender will be at Ex Tec for just under 4 weeks.

We decided to sell our roof rack and go for the slimline option that Ex Tec installs. It is glued to the original roof and doesn't increase the height of the car much. I think it is a great option since we don't need our RTT anymore.

We will be collecting this Friday so really looking forward to that!

Meanwhile we received some pictures that they started the conversion:
Post #987002 27th Mar 2023 10:54am
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