defender van conversions - what are the issues?

[petemurphy]

Hi,

How different are defender hard tops to normal ones - are they the same inside bar no rear seats and no windows?

How much approx is it to convert them?

How does this affect insurance?

Whats the law re people sitting in the back?

Asking re existing one im looking at that has been converted with 2 forward facing seats and wondering if i could get a newer one (tdci) and convert it cheaper than buying normal one.

any other issues?

Thanks

[camel_landy]

As it's a van, you'll get stung for a higher rate for tolls, etc...

M

[petemurphy]

not sure i ever pay any tolls?

[TLandCruiser]

petemurphy said:

not sure i ever pay any tolls?

currently if you ever need to venture within the M25 it wont be LEZ compliant so will cost a premium. I think thats correct, but as LEZ does not effect me I am not sure if that is accurate. someone will be able to provide more details or correct me.

[anonymous-user]

petemurphy said:

Hi,

How different are defender hard tops to normal ones - are they the same inside bar no rear seats and no windows?

CSWs have the bulkhead removed too, to allow a bit of access front to rear. Not really enough to gain access to the rear seats, but enough that the rear seat occupants don't feel like sheep dogs.
There's also additional interior trim around the side windows that, obviously, isn't there in a van.

petemurphy said:

How much approx is it to convert them?

My local indy quoted me £99 a side for the actual window (OEM) plus a bit of a labour to cut the relevant panel and fit. Can be DIY'd but they've got far more experience of taking an angle grinder to Defenders than I have.

petemurphy said:

How does this affect insurance?

Tricky one. It may cost you more as you're now capable of carrying passengers. But then again, vans are always popular as they've got loads of tools in, or something.

petemurphy said:

Whats the law re people sitting in the back?

You can only carry the number of people that there are seats stated on the V5, so even if the seats are there it may not be legal to carry anyone in them. The type of seat required is a massive bone of contention at the moment. Some insurers will simply refuse to give you cover for any retro fitted seats, some will insist on the latest forward facing three-point belted variety, whilst others will insist on seats specific to the year of the vehicle's manufacture. Nightmare.
In terms of LEZ and tolls, again it depends on how the vehicle is listed with the DVLA.
CSWs are "cars" whilst vans are "light trucks" so different rules apply. It is possible to get the V5 altered to reflect the modification and thus become LEZ-compliant without touching the emissions (which always grips my st as a van driver)

In terms of overall practicality of the modification, it really does depend on the vehicles being compared. It's something I've got on the back burner for my truck, but that's because I've got the truck just the way I like it, so it makes sense to convert it. To buy a CSW would mean starting all over again with a new, unknown vehicle.

[petemurphy]

Crossflow Kid said:

You can only carry the number of people that there are seats stated on the V5, so even if the seats are there it may not be legal to carry anyone in them. The type of seat required is a massive bone of contention at the moment. Some insurers will simply refuse to give you cover for any retro fitted seats, some will insist on the latest forward facing three-point belted variety, whilst others will insist on seats specific to the year of the vehicle's manufacture. Nightmare.
In terms of LEZ and tolls, again it depends on how the vehicle is listed with the DVLA.
CSWs are "cars" whilst vans are "light trucks" so different rules apply. It is possible to get the V5 altered to reflect the modification and thus become LEZ-compliant without touching the emissions (which always grips my st as a van driver)

In terms of overall practicality of the modification, it really does depend on the vehicles being compared. It's something I've got on the back burner for my truck, but that's because I've got the truck just the way I like it, so it makes sense to convert it. To buy a CSW would mean starting all over again with a new, unknown vehicle.

thanks interesting

[petemurphy]

ie this is quite tempting - could get a tdci and then at later date when i have some cash cut out the rear windows and stick some seats in?

any reason i couldnt put the same rear seats the new ones come with in?

any other downside?

[anonymous-user]

I think you'd have to put the current seats in as anything else will be obsolete and thus not up to spec for that year of vehicle.

[petemurphy]

do the vans come in county / xs specs or just a basic one and things added - eg do all tdci hard tops have air con?

can you get the interior rear window padding bits - ie would it look exactly like a normal one?

[anonymous-user]

There is an XS spec van, known as the XTech. Mine is one of the earlier Td5 versions. Only real difference is the sunroof, headlining in the rear, metallic paint and Boost alloys, plus ABS and TC although a newer truck will have the last two as standard anyway.
Think the latest ones will have aircon as it's standard on the TDCi base model from which everything else is derived.
Retro fit interior trim is always an option, just depends how much you want to spend.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 22 December 08:01

[petemurphy]

Crossflow Kid said:

There is an XS spec van, known as the XTech. Mine is one of the earlier Td5 versions. Only real difference is the sunroof, headlining in the rear, metallic paint and Boost alloys, plus ABS and TC although a newer truck will have the last two as standard anyway.
Think the latest ones will have aircon as it's standard on the TDCi base model from which everything else is derived.
Retro fit interior trim is always an option, just depends how much you want to spend.

Edited by Crossflow Kid on Sunday 22 December 08:01

thanks - would be just nice to know i can do it up the same in the future when cash is available

[MaverickV12]

I have a 13 plate, 110XS Utility and converted it into a 9 seater. Got the rear seats (inward facing) made from Exmoor trim and installed them myself, bril job with fab seats. Belts etc all from exmoor, even got XS trim to match. Completely carpeted out the rear and made it really comfy. I left no windows, but there is plenty to look out of anyway, all my kids use iPods as if their life depended on it, so I had 11 power sockets put in. (I've been through the stunning Swiss Alps - and they still played on iPods )

You can put some nice panoramic windows in....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panoramic-Side-Windows-f...

.....a friend down the sports club has some on his Defender and they look bril, especially of your Defender is black.

I sent the V5C off and had it changed to the 9 seat, got insurance on the internet at £660.00 fully comp, after disclosing ALL mods, including steering wheel, tyres etc etc

Kids love it .... "are we taking the army car Dad !!", .... wife likes it because its high and she doesn't ever have to drive (Auto Licence)..... I like it because I can get my complete family inc my parents in it and get them and their luggage to the other side of Europe and not fear any snow at all.

[petemurphy]

cool thank interesting - did you remove the bulkhead in yours ( the bit behind the seats or wasnt it there in your one? )

which insurance did you use out of interest?

thanks

[MaverickV12]

No bulkhead in mine, so nothing to remove, is yours a 110 or 90? Apprently what I was told is that you can do what you want for your own car, as long as its safe of course and passes an MOT and you can get insurance, its if you want to sell the car, it becomes a problem. If you set yourself up as an interior car fitter, and put in inward facing seats for other people, then you do have issues....

You can put deck chairs in the back of your car if you want to, but can you get insurance?

Insurance is lot easier that you think, if you go on a comparison website they ask you if you have any modifications, the maximum number of seats you can put in is 9 (Perfect), I put this in, very truthfully, and also that I had a tow bar etc, they quoted me, I got insurance.

Easy really

[petemurphy]

cool - looking at a 90

[JimboSmith]

In respect to the LEZ, you can apply for exemption from Transport for London if you send them some details and pictures to prove that it is not used as a van (with the rear seats and windows, etc). I had this done on my behalf by the dealer and now have 5 years exemption before review again.

James.