Fitting hard top to S3 lightweight
Stephen
of reasons including fumes, security, nagging wife etc.! Will any old
SWB hardtop fit? What about rear doors? Any problems I should know
about?
TIA
--
Stephen
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J. A. Halliwell
<sjp...@nospam.clara.net> writes
>I want to fit a hardtop to my 1972 S3 lightweight for a whole variety
>of reasons including fumes, security, nagging wife etc.! Will any old
>SWB hardtop fit? What about rear doors? Any problems I should know
>about?
I've certainly seen a Lightweight with a hardtop. It looks a bit top
heavy though (without the wider bit at the bottom). It didn't look like
it had been modified.
It had a Safari door on the back, but the guy mentioned it used to have
a two piece tailgate fitted.
Hope this helps.
>
>TIA
>
No Problem.
--
John
Rover 216 - Daily Transport :-)
Rover SD1 3500 - currently off road :-((
Ex MOD IIa 109 - currently off road :-((
Mike Derrick
<sjp...@nospam.clara.net> writes
>I want to fit a hardtop to my 1972 S3 lightweight for a whole variety
>of reasons including fumes, security, nagging wife etc.! Will any old
>SWB hardtop fit? What about rear doors? Any problems I should know
>about?
The std. hard top will fit though it is about 3/4" wider if memory
serves me correctly. In other words well withing the tolerences of the
Solihull product!
Mine had a safari rear door fitted. The tailgate and top door will also
fit.
I wouldn't assume that the problem with fumes will go away. Make sure
the seals on the rear doors are good.
--
Mike Derrick
J. A. Halliwell
<Mi...@derrick.demon.co.uk> writes
>I wouldn't assume that the problem with fumes will go away. Make sure
>the seals on the rear doors are good.
That reminds me, on Lightweights (and all Landies with military
underseat filler fuel tanks), make sure that you have good seals on the
inside of the filler caps. With an enclosed area, you may be able to
smell petrol that comes up from the tanks through the filler seal!
I know of several Ladnies where this is noticable (all with military
tanks and hardtops) including my own IIa.
Stephen
fume problem is not so bad since I moved the exhaust to leave via the
rear wheelarch, but I still notice that when the side of the tilt
unclips itself (for some reason it sits too low), the smell comes in
that way. It's not surprising in view of the difference in air
pressures that cause the tilt sides to be pushed in under motion.
Anyway, going for a hardtop can not do any harm. I've seen some that
look quite smart, although I have to admit that they generally look
better with the wider body of the civilian series 3.
Thanks again.
--
Stephen
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J. A. Halliwell wrote in message ...
Jonathan
Stephen wrote in message <6um5k4$h0r$1...@eros.clara.net>...
>Thank you John and Mike for the various bits of advice. Actually the
>look quite smart, although I have to admit that they generally look
>better with the wider body of the civilian series 3.
>
>Thanks again.
>
>--
ever since the doors dont fit and the windscreen is at an odd angle. I
think I might have the wrong seal! My ex-RAF lightweight was always a
hardtop even in service - but it is handy to have a tailgate and door lid as
an alternative to the safari door when it comes to moving rabbit hutches,
doors, anything large as an alternative to having the safari door flapping
about on a bungee cord. Jonathan ,
Stephen
I'll probably avoid a safari door if I can help it. As to the doors
not fitting, and the windscreen at a funny angle etc., I already have
those problems, and was hoping the hardtop might fix it!!
Thanks!
--
Stephen
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Jonathan wrote in message
<906930180.12666.0...@news.demon.co.uk>...
J. A. Halliwell
<sjp...@nospam.clara.net> writes
>I'll probably avoid a safari door if I can help it. As to the doors
>not fitting, and the windscreen at a funny angle etc., I already have
>those problems, and was hoping the hardtop might fix it!!
I think the doors should fit OK (upto the usual Landie tolerences). As
to the windscreen, the one I saw had the detachable vent panel removed
and replaced with sheet metal.
I'm not that familiar with softops, but is there anything to define the
"proper" location of the screen. It may just be a case that there's
nothing bolt the top of it to, which could lead you to choose the
position you prefer. With a hardtop, you haven't the choice, the screen
bolts to the roof and thats it!
beth...@my-dejanews.com
"Stephen" <sjp...@nospam.clara.net> wrote:
> Good advice Jonathan
>
> I'll probably avoid a safari door if I can help it. As to the doors
> not fitting, and the windscreen at a funny angle etc., I already have
> those problems, and was hoping the hardtop might fix it!!
It will simply by the fact that the top of the screen bolts directly to the
hardtop so it will force it to the correct place. However, It is not hard to
reset the position of the windscreen and door surrounds on a soft top. The
long bolts at either side on bottom of the windscreen help to position the
rake, and the bits of metal surround bolt to the hood sticks. Loosen bolts
and reposition. Et voila!
FWIW, I personally think hardtops on lightweights look awfull. But each to
their own, and all that.
Beth.
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Stephen
Just to paint the picture, after replacing my rusty and flapping
doortops, despite the new ones looking identical when put against each
other, because the angle of their securing bolts was a little greater
than on the old ones, in order to get the doors shut I had to lower
the windscreen, remove all the metalwork above and to the rear of the
doors, close the doors, raise the windscreen, and then put it all
back. I was tempted to set to at the bolts with a hide faced mallet
to decrease the angle, but did not want to break any of the welds
securing them inside the door top. Anyway, the doors fit, but not
well, even I suspect by LR standards!
One thing I have noticed that might be significant is that the screen
appears not to be original. What leads me to suspect this is that
instead of the 'hinges' between the screen and upper bulkhead being
close together, there are sawn off coach bolts, and a gap of at least
an inch between the screen hinge half and the bulkhead hinge half.
I'm wondering if the lightweight screen was originally different to
the one that has replaced it, and by inference perhaps other
dimensions and angles are also out. I can't afford to keep throwing
money at the problem, as the original aim of the road tax exempt motor
was that with the few miles I do with it as a second car, it would be
an economic proposition!!
As to the hardtop looking ugly on the lightweight, I have to say that
I prefer the look of the rag top too, but there are practical
considerations I must consider... and I have seen some that aren't too
bad :~(
Thanks again
--
Stephen '72 Lightweight 3L V6
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