Defender Overland Touring Build 2.1 - Mulgo Pop Top Camper Conversion

[@Michael_Mears]

Great build video. I didn't realise the lids on the Defenders just come off so easily.

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

very nice i love land rover. fc from thailand.

[@mijen4x4africa36]

Mike and Jenny Köhl in South Africa. We are so happy for you Brett, man this is going to make you life so much more organised and enjoyable when you're on an expedition. We can't wait now to see the finished item. Well done son, your priorities are in the right place. Take care and travel safe.

[@jasonhumor]

You are a golden standard to show how we see Australia. Nothing wrong with someone spending a quarter of a million just for a vehicle and a camper but you show how normal people should do!

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks mate.. quarter of a million sounds nice, but would probably buy another Defender and do a nut/bolt rebuild.

[@donaldhalvorsen4135]

Can’t wait to see your truck with the pop top 👍

[@RoamingTheOutback]

The basic build is complete, just the final install to go, then trying to figure out how to reinstall all my kit inside.

[@kenmarapese9085]

This is exciting, being able to stand up inside you rig and what your changing to save weight is huge!

[@frankianball]

Hi Brett, You will love it. I am Defender Mulgo Poptop #18. I recently got inspired to do an internal fitout after seeing the Landyhus site. I will make floor to under bed height cupboards from the driver seat to the rear. There will be a sink and 2 burner gas on top at the rear with the gas bottle outside. The passenger side will have a seating to still give me side vision when driving. I am actually starting my build tomorrow. I am also looking at getting my vehicle weight down. I hope to see more of your build progress. Best regards, Ian.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Great to hear Ian. hope you film some of the conversion. Your setup sounds great for long term comfortable living. All the best.

[@CliveWebbAustralia]

I'm pleased for you that you are getting the new roof and more space Brett, It's going to change improve your comfort levels incredibly. It'll almost be like getting a new vehicle. I'm currently in the middle of modifying my vehicle and when I watched you today I could here myself doing the same as you, trying to work out where I can put stuff, trying to reduce weight etc. I'm really pleased that you have been invited to the Sydney show, I know that a lot of 4x4/overland KZbin presenters are attending this year, I hope it brings you the exposure you deserve. Congratulations...

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks Clive. Indeed will be transformational with all the space. Will be good to meet other creators.

[@andrewwhittaker2613]

Will be awesome to see how they do it Brett

[@rax7111]

Good start!

[@tobyshipman5853]

Great stuff. I recently got myself a 93 Defender 110 (QLD rego too!) then found your channel. It's been an excellent resource and I get more inspired with every upload, I might have to give the Mulgo people a call... Thanks Brett!

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Congrats Toby. Hope your 200Tdi gives you years of trouble free service! enjoy the journey.

[@gaj5701]

Good stuff Brett, this will be far more suited to your travels & give you the opportunity to replace everything with lighter gear & better storage. Hoping you remember my post about the Hesch defender interiors for ergonomic storage systems where you get a great seating/living area position with storage built round that rather than adapting poorly dimensioned storage into seating as many people try. Look forward to the final result 👍

[@RoamingTheOutback]

yes mate.. was just on their website a few days ago getting more ideas.. completing rethinking the possibilities into perhaps a living room, rather than a few storage boxes. Alot to consider on which axle I put the wait over and what I pack where. Next year though.. budget is blown this year.

[@gaj5701]

At a rough guess, using that 'Connect-It' Aluminium square tubing system & 6mm marine ply from Bunnings it would probably run around the $600 mark with hinges, locks etc. If you pop rivet the joints & then bond the ply with sikaflex to the frame in addition to rivets, that will be enough for the roughest conditions around. Will probably weigh about the same as a set of steel drawers for a full height & a seat unit too so shouldn't be that bad for weight. If you can definitely arrange the seating so it converts into a full length bed to give you a stealth mode, or for heavy storms you may encounter. Either way, it will be a different vehicle now you have the mezzanine level so enjoy it dude 😀

[@warci]

thx for sharing your extensive experience and design ideas! I'm building a 110 from the ground up right now and your setup makes the most sense of most I've checked out sofar!

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Enjoy the journey mate. all the best with your build!

[@87xfute]

Wow this came up very quick mate, well done, can't wait to see what's next. My mate and I did a Simpson desert trip for Newcastle back in 1984 and it was brilliant JUST breathtaking some of the places, some of the scenery our beautiful country has really does bring a tear to the eye !! I'm so excited for you Brett, great stuff. Seeya Rob

[@RoamingTheOutback]

The Simpson must have been magical back in the 80's.. probably won't make it there this year again, first up next year. Thanks Rob.

[@dropbear6740]

Looking forward to seeing the finished product, you wont know yourself when it is finished, just hope the conversion goes well mate.

[@robpinter5431]

Land Rover Defender it's not an obsession, it's a way of life

[@greebo7857]

Great decision, Brett. These pop ups are great. Daniel's 130 is AWESOME.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

indeed it is.. that would be my second car if I needed more space.

[@BoresaverAus]

Very impressive! loved this episode

[@danshelly2028]

Love it ❤

[@MrTHEBRITINWA]

I can only image your excitement m8. Well deserved . Congrats.

[@offtrackfamily]

Realy interesting episode!!! Good job!

[@toddhampson7234]

cant wait to see the finished product, i will try to get to the sydney 4wd show to say hello

[@RoamingTheOutback]

The time has come to build my Australian Outback Touring Defender! If you're going to the Sydney 4WD & Adventure Show this coming 6-8 September, see me on the 4 Wheeling Australia Creator's stage, 1:20pm each day. Visit the Adventure Overland Hub on Saturday to see the pop top fitted live. If you've enjoyed my videos and would like to contribute to my film making in some way, visit www.roamingtheoutback.com/how-you-can-help/ To prepare your vehicle for an overlanding adventure, visit the Expedition Centre www.expeditioncentre.com.au/

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

That's a great upgrade, specially when you're doing a lot of outback driving!✌😎👍

[@autoglassmike]

Awesome man. Look forward to seeing the new setup. I think it’s going to be much more comfortable for you in your travels. Great channel

[@LanceKnott]

Thank you for the show and tell, Looking forward to the completion. its going to be great. enjoy the show.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks Lance!

[@Dorko85]

Can’t wait to see the end result.

[@kumbackquatsta]

exciting times. keep us posted! can't have been cheap.

[@acafwd]

Wow. Didn't know that was happening! Looks good mate! Will make using the vehicle that much better for you!!

[@richardcallison1637]

Love the pop tops👍 Must have been devastating seeing years of work just ripped out in a day! All for the greater good though! I just wish being in the U.K. justified something similar but we are never really more than a short walk away from home compared to the trips you undertake😂 Love the vids! Take care👍

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Like you say, for the greater good. I'll get to figure out how to put it all back in once the new roof is bolted down. Thanks

[@kevanharding9716]

Great modification you won’t look back.

[@johndobbyns8651]

Great to see your vision coming together. Well done.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks mate.

[@MarcLaneAus]

Very exciting install, stressful watching years of work removed, but will be great in the end.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Should be epic! Interesting to see just how much work had gone into it, all the different custom brackets and wiring.

[@waynedoeblin6801]

You have been waiting for this occasion,good for you Brett.It seems to be getting further out of my reach,but I'll work something out at some point 😊

[@michellarson1020]

Cool stuff man.........🔧⚙️👍🏻👊🏻😉

[@nnoddy8161]

Great stuff. Watching with interest as I have a Mulgo on my list.

[@Alan.livingston]

Really excited for you, mate.

[@Simonandisla]

Hi Brett....watching with interest. Don't remember if you have a centre cubby box or not. If you do, I can highly recommend an under cubby box enclosure with a sub woofer. Check up mud stuff here in the uk as its where I got mine from. Very easy to fit and the sound is unbelievable trust me. The plus benefit is that the cubby box is raised by about 6-8 inches or so which gives you a much better height for the cubby box being an arm rest. An excellent mod you won't regret. Speak with Kevin at mud stuff 👍👍

[@ethicalfarmer7424]

Fantastic mate and you deserve more exposure, so I hope it all goes well for you.

[@emu4wd]

Looks awesome. Steve 🇦🇺

[@RoamingTheOutback]

It's all coming together quickly.

[@outbacknomad9939]

Looking good Brett. Bet you found a few things wene cleaning out the rear.u Definitely have a lot gear to sort out. Interesting to see how it performs wene your using the finished fitout .

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Need to take the hose to the interior again! Plenty of red dust.

[@dtpprojects]

GREAT WORK MATE! keep up the great content!

[@adelarsen9776]

Exciting times :-)

[@landcruisertroopytouringan2166]

Excellent video. Loving the visions into the future....... but my focus faulted once Troopys started getting into the frame.....😆🤦‍♂️. We are all biased to our particular vehicle.👍

[@peterhanson5042]

Brett can you take lots of images of the fitment of the new frame around the top of windscreen and windows as I am considering the same but I do not want to have my original roof modified as seems to be the case with this unit.

[@vic6820]

That must be a bit of a shock to the system but it will be well worth it.

[@donaldhalvorsen4135]

Hello Brett can you give a link for the solar panel setup you are getting. Thanks a bunch don in the states. Love the cups and stickers.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Great to hear Donald. I'm using 2 of these panels with the installation kit to hopefully prolong their lifespan. www.solar4rvs.com.au/combo-1-x-150w-radpower-solar-panel-with-install-k

[@sprocketdiver]

Oh yes!!!

[@GregPalmer2]

Looks like a well thought out setup,cost of installing poptop as opposed to towing a small 4x4 trailer would run through my head. I know security and towing would be a factor when travelling around this country as my comrade the bush Tucker man was against. I do still do short runs with a normal trailer and find it valuable for putting wood fire in as well as a lot of my gear which leaves my land rover county to sleep in. Yes weight is a enemy for people like us and if you look at past explorers like the Leyland Brothers they did it with VW Combies with their families,how they managed the weight problem is bewildering.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

The Leyland's travelled in simpler times without all the toys we can enjoy today, but they also had experience on their side.. I'll be repacking after this and dropping a few additional items off I haven't used so still learning.

[@davidtorcello3765]

Awesome project Brett, you won’t know yourself once your on the tracks again. Any future interior custom work, I recommended visiting Drifta” another great Aussie company, they do any custom work to suit.... only just a recommendation! Would love to invite you to show your rig one day at the Sunshine Coast Land Rover Owners Club.... “when time permits” But looking forward to part 2 of the build.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks David, could try and swing round some time. See how my travels progress.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

can you send me an email david with your details, otherwise i'll lose track of this message. thanks

[@davidtorcello3765]

Hey Brett, I’ve just sent you my details via your contact portal on your website. Let me know if it didn’t come through

[@kumbackquatsta]

i did not know a defender room came off that easily, without cutting

[@RoamingTheOutback]

it's all held to together with nuts bolts and rivets. You can strip a defender down to its chassis with just a few tools in a day.

[@frank-lr]

only downside: might attract a potential partner who wants to travel with you ;-)))

[@georgedaniels3683]

Will you also be at the show on Sunday?

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Yes, should be all three days, 1:20pm on the creator's stage near the adventure overland hub.

[@georgedaniels3683]

Roaming The Outback hope to say hello to you on Sunday

[@wildkurley8428]

Why didn’t you just buy a 105 land cruiser they are much simpler stronger and cheaper to repair

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Because i like old land rovers, and have spent too much on this car to afford to buy another.

[@alexturner2593]

What do you do for work mate?

[@RoamingTheOutback]

was a park ranger.

[@alexturner2593]

@@RoamingTheOutback on ya

[@kyleryan7456]

Where did you get the new solar plans from

[@RoamingTheOutback]

www.solar4rvs.com.au

[@kyleryan7456]

@@RoamingTheOutback how much did one cost you.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

@@kyleryan7456 I think about $495 EA.

[@kyleryan7456]

@@RoamingTheOutback you have a pic

[@RoamingTheOutback]

@@kyleryan7456 watch the other 2 parts. Will see it clearer.

[@defenderzook]

hi....i guess this all happening right now......and you are now in sydney...... i have a vehicle you can borrow to get around with while yours is off the road if you like.......and im not too far away from mulgo........ you can be driving it in 15mins if you like......just let me know...... cheers....tony.....

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Thanks for the offer Tony. Already got a spare Defender, but with the show coming up will see how my rides work out.

[@defenderzook]

@@RoamingTheOutback no problem.......if you get stuck just let me know......this is also a defender and you can live in it if you had to.......just like yours..... the offer is there if you require........ cheers.....tony.....

[@MudducksTouringAustralia]

Good stuff Brett, I assume you'll be at the show on Saturday, so hopefully I can meet you there. Cheers Steve

[@RoamingTheOutback]

yes Steve. On the creators stage at 1:20pm, but likely around otherwise.

[@MudducksTouringAustralia]

@@RoamingTheOutback Cool mate, I'll be around the creators stage to say hi nut I'll look for you around. Cheers Steve