Here are some details of converting my 1997 NAS ST (Badger top) to a pickup top
Pros
· Much quieter than my old Badger half cab
· A little quieter that full SW equipped D90’s that I have ridden in
· Heat and AC work great since you have a smaller space to heat/cool
· No water leaks from the top
· Excellent visibility
· Only one passenger can ride with you
Cons
· Less legroom since the seat will not go back as far as a stock ST or SW
· Little space for cargo in the cabin
· Only one passenger can ride with you
The conversion of the top has made a huge difference in the everyday usability of my 90, I drive it to work and back going 75 MPH for 45 min each way, with the new top I can actually listen to the radio and have a conversation with someone in the defender without having to yell, my heat and AC now work similar to what you would expect in a Discovery of a similar vintage, at this time I have no water leaks from the top, even when driven through a high pressure car wash, the only water to come in was from the front vents.
As you can tell I really like the improvements of the top, but one down side that may cause me to remove the top and install a SW top is the lack of leg room, I am almost 6’ and have not been able to adjust the seat to a comfortable position like I could with the ST, I have tried a 1.5” spacer under the seat rails and that helps some, but I still find that I get a cramp in the back of my leg on long drives
I plan on playing with the seat a little more before making my final decision of whether I remove the top and sell it or keep it. :mad
Big/lots of Pictures (Dial up users beware)
http://www.slickrockfabrication.com/daves90.htm
Time involved ~ 30 hours
Here is a list of items that I need to complete the install, I am sure that I missed a few, but this will give you an idea of the items that need purchased.
Complete Pickup top , included all bolts/hardware, front and rear seals
Headliner, included rear view mirror since UK spec mirrors mount to the top not the glass.
New driver and passenger side galvanized capping
New center capping to support the rear of the top
Bunch of pop rivets
A bunch of Misc nuts and bolts
Items that I had to be made
New internal Abar, side impact bar and rear cage.
Rear bulkhead
.062 5052 Aluminum sheet
Rear bulkhead frame
.90 1.5” 5052 aluminum angle
If I decide to keep the top installed I will eventually have the rear bed/tub rino lined, have a nice interior piece made for the inside of the rear bulkhead and paint the top.