Pop top safety and cages

[Overlander]

Thinking about my next 110 wagon build. I've always like the functionality of the pop top campers, but I always end up rationalizing it away due to roll over safety and coming back to external cages as a start point of requirements.

Now that I have more time to ponder, does anyone know of any pop top campers that worked with a cage? I'm wondering if the Camel Trophy internal cage would work?

 

[javelinadave]

I pondered this myself and came to the conclusion that a custom cage would be the only option with any movable roof. An internal cage would rob precious interior space so a funky shaped expo-cage would be the workable option in my opinion.
I went with an SD expo-cage and an interior sleep deck and a stationary top.

 

[aeo]

What about the interior cage that just goes over the seats?

It has the front seat belt mounts and then goes back to cover the 2nd row. You'd have to climb over it to get up into a bed but you might be able to integrate it into the bed supports.


http://www.safetydevices.com/expedi...+Ten-1983-1990-5-door-Station+Wagon/230/1778/

 

[Overlander]

I'm seriously considering an Alu-Cab Icarus pop top on my next one. I think you're right Dave. Something custom may be in order for safety.

 

[66rover99]

I've been thinking along the same lines. I just purchased an Icarus and have yet to install it.

The Icarus roof itself seems to be very sturdy, however there's a couple of youtube videos from a guy in France installing and reviewing the roof. He's concerned about potential weakness in the B and C pillars on his 5 door. His second review is after a year of overlanding, mostly in Africa, and the front corners of the Icarus have developed cracks. He thinks its due to the rigidity of the Icarus vs. the comparably flexible Land Rover body.

I was thinking some sort of rigid subframe down to the Land Rover Frame would be wise, or at least some reinforcement at the stress points.

My upper sides have fairly large windows cut in them, not exactly where I would have configured them. I was thinking of removing the windows and covering the entire upper sides with 5 bar chequerplate, which would cover the openings for the windows as well as increase the strength of the sides. I would then put in smaller windows with built in screens/shutters where I want them.

cheers, Dave

 

[nas90tdi]

Hey Dave. Glad to see you came over with us.
I was wondering if you had picked up the Icarus yet. I really am interested to see how that works for you guys.

 

[Overlander]

I've been thinking along the same lines. I just purchased an Icarus and have yet to install it.

The Icarus roof itself seems to be very sturdy, however there's a couple of youtube videos from a guy in France installing and reviewing the roof. He's concerned about potential weakness in the B and C pillars on his 5 door. His second review is after a year of overlanding, mostly in Africa, and the front corners of the Icarus have developed cracks. He thinks its due to the rigidity of the Icarus vs. the comparably flexible Land Rover body.

I was thinking some sort of rigid subframe down to the Land Rover Frame would be wise, or at least some reinforcement at the stress points.

My upper sides have fairly large windows cut in them, not exactly where I would have configured them. I was thinking of removing the windows and covering the entire upper sides with 5 bar chequerplate, which would cover the openings for the windows as well as increase the strength of the sides. I would then put in smaller windows with built in screens/shutters where I want them.

cheers, Dave

I've committed my decision to go with the Icarus and to solve the safety issue, I'll be going with a Safety Devices interior 4 point Puma cage for the front and middle row.

Glad to hear about the 1 year report. A few Alu cracks after a year of overlanding is no big deal to deal with. That just a little Tig reinforcement.

 

[rocky]

The 110 CT cage has a massive internal structure allied to external roof rack. I get the allure of a true dormobile style pop top, but wonder if a clamshell bolted to a platform bolted to the CT rack would be better long term.

 

[Overlander]

The 110 CT cage has a massive internal structure allied to external roof rack. I get the allure of a true dormobile style pop top, but wonder if a clamshell bolted to a platform bolted to the CT rack would be better long term.

was that response for me? the front cage I'm referring to ends just aft of the middle row seats. it doesn't go all the way back to the D pillars like the CT cages do.

 

[66rover99]

was that response for me? the front cage I'm referring to ends just aft of the middle row seats. it doesn't go all the way back to the D pillars like the CT cages do.

Is there a cage that covers just the front seats? Mine is a 3 door so wouldn't want it going that far back.

 

[DefendersNW]

Is there a cage that covers just the front seats? Mine is a 3 door so wouldn't want it going that far back.

Yes - internal B-hoop and external at the front, but you should also have diagonal braces off the back of the cage headed down to the center crossmember area.

 

[66rover99]

Hey Dave. Glad to see you came over with us.
I was wondering if you had picked up the Icarus yet. I really am interested to see how that works for you guys.

Hi Kris, we were supposed to be heading down to Adventure Ready in Seattle this afternoon and install at Lamorna Garage tomorrow. But I have to be down to Vancouver for work this coming Friday so it doesn't make sense to head down twice so we've rearranged to pick up the roof next weekend. Getting pretty excited about it though...