Hopefully this thread will generate enough info so it is tagged in Jim C's FAQ Topic Thread: https://nas-row.com/index.php?threads/faq-topic-thread.3291/ , answering this question:
Q: How do I convert my soft top to a station wagon or vice versa?
I am considering doing this as my very favorite configuration of any Defender I have owned has been the soft top cage with a Badger Surrey Top. The aluminum hardtop is nice to have, especially for northeastern winters and long trips with a roof basket though. The flexibility of having an aluminum top and an open top Defender is the cat's pajamas!
Having had a 1994 POE, taking the aluminum hardtop off was very easy -- the POE aluminum top was set up like earlier series tops and I am guessing ROW tops. The 1995 and 1997 NAS station wagons are not set up like this however and seem much more difficult to remove cleanly. There is also the issue of the full roll cage being dramatically different between Soft Tops and Station Wagons.
Anyone who has removed a 1995 or 1997 NAS Station Wagon top care to comment?
I am guessing I would need to make a custom roll cage if it was to be permanent for both hard top and soft top use, at the least...
Thanks,
Chuck
Q: How do I convert my soft top to a station wagon or vice versa?
I am considering doing this as my very favorite configuration of any Defender I have owned has been the soft top cage with a Badger Surrey Top. The aluminum hardtop is nice to have, especially for northeastern winters and long trips with a roof basket though. The flexibility of having an aluminum top and an open top Defender is the cat's pajamas!
Having had a 1994 POE, taking the aluminum hardtop off was very easy -- the POE aluminum top was set up like earlier series tops and I am guessing ROW tops. The 1995 and 1997 NAS station wagons are not set up like this however and seem much more difficult to remove cleanly. There is also the issue of the full roll cage being dramatically different between Soft Tops and Station Wagons.
Anyone who has removed a 1995 or 1997 NAS Station Wagon top care to comment?
I am guessing I would need to make a custom roll cage if it was to be permanent for both hard top and soft top use, at the least...
Thanks,
Chuck
Last edited: