Fitting an Alu-Cab Icarus Roof and Shadow Awn: Land Rover Defender Camper Build Part 1

[@Mecurial_Meanderings]

What a team you are, thank you for sharing this. Love it.

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much 😁

[@tomlee261]

Found you guys as most did through your Sainsbury's van build.. Now firmly my favorite channel to watch on here and felt it would be rude not to watch the Landy build playlist before the Morocco vids.. Keep up the amazing work you two!

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 thanks again mate, much appreciated 👍👍

[@sandykunkle9466]

Great video plus pros and cons.

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks sandy 😁

[@JKN713]

Finally we have been waiting for this build to start 🎉 Can't wait to see the rest of the progress keep it up guys your smashing it 💪🏻 🧡

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Butch and Kerry, as much as we loved our euro trip we’ve been itching to get going on this beauty! Thanks very much, so far so good 🤞

[@stevestott1514]

Awesome video on your roof pop top . Am a new subscriber, and a big Land Rover fan . So watched this video and liked it very much looking forward to seeing more . Cheers from Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A. :):)👍🏼😁

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much Steve, I didn’t realise defenders were so popular in the US but since getting one I’ve noticed allot of people from there like them, funny as everyone from the uk loves an old American car 😁

[@stevestott1514]

@@truebluetravellers …. so true . But for over landing pure looks , as if it’s on a adventure setting still ,only a Land Rover defender has that look about it . And as you will find out the Land Rover family of friends is every were in time of need . Love your build so far . Cheers from Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A. :) :) 👍🏼😁

[@Mark.G475]

I would have gone with Titanium or Carbon fiber myself!! Just saying, better gas mileage or petrol milage?

[@truebluetravellers]

That would be smart that, pricey too tho

[@Mark.G475]

@@truebluetravellers I know😁. Another what 25 grand for Titanium... It was a joke.

[@truebluetravellers]

@@Mark.G475 😂😂😂

[@ClareCC0902]

Just found the channel today and subscribed1 Where did you source your Defender?

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much 😁 we bought it from a little garage just outside of Bristol, it was listed on auto trader.

[@ClareCC0902]

@@truebluetravellers Thanks.

[@jjt1093]

This roofs are amazing but bloody expensive

[@truebluetravellers]

Yep totally agree 👍

[@Mark.G475]

Good instructions are rare and few in-between.

[@truebluetravellers]

😂 tell me about it, at least if I ever do another one I’d have half an idea

[@TheTravellingdane]

We are two friend who are going to buy either a van to convert, or a Defender each, to work remote from. It will be a permanent living for at least 5-10 years I hope. Since ytou now tried both of these, which do you prefer, the campervan, or the Defender?

[@truebluetravellers]

For full time living, I’d go with the van to be honest as you get allot more space and comfort 👍

[@TheTravellingdane]

@@truebluetravellers Thank you very much, if your ever in Portugal (center) it could be awesome to meet you guy`s 😀

[@jasonchapman6318]

New to the channel, you two crack me up! Looking forward to watching the rest of the build, eventhough I'm not in the market for a landrover.

[@truebluetravellers]

Hi Jason, thanks so much 💙 glad it gives you a laugh 😂 have a great day!

[@carlfogarthy6508]

fantastic!!!!!!!!! congrats from Italy

[@truebluetravellers]

That’s lovely of you thanks Carl 💙

[@allegrosotto2126]

Such a surprise to see you wearing clothes😳 then realised you were back in Ukk 😂 A couple of years ago I met travellers who had a similar setup although of course with a Toyota 😊 and they loved it. Access was great important for them as they had a few years on you two. Best of luck with the rest of the build.

[@truebluetravellers]

honestly allegro I try not to moan much about the weather in the uk but this year it’s been terrible 🙄 yeah I love the land cruisers, we will definitely have to get one one day, thanks very much ❤️

[@thevigarfeeling]

Awww great video

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much 😁

[@flamintasty]

As a new sub who’s just finished binge-watching the Sainsburys van build, I thought I’d start on this one now. I think I’m definitely gonna run out of episodes before the next Sainsburys van build update, at the rate I’m going anyway 😂

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂 thanks for the support 👍💪

[@fjardine]

Hi guys - I'm new to the channel - really enjoy your style, Thanks for your efforts...

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much 😁

[@PedroVozmedianoRamirez-wb1oq]

Good job! ❤

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much 😃

[@WhipperdeetsAdventures]

The roof is so expensive but it looks amazing tho and definitely worth it plus the awning ❤❤❤❤

[@truebluetravellers]

Yeah it’s not cheap hey but totally transforms the car 👍😁

[@johnaraujo5748]

Gostei muito do vídeo bem legal e explicativo. Abraço John

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much 👍

[@raychambers3646]

The money you saved fitting it paid for the awning . Do you think there was 1600 worth of fitting involved ?

[@truebluetravellers]

Didn’t think of it like that, that’s a nice thought! No definitely not, we went and collected and fitted it in one day. It’s only 150kg so if you had a couple of tall mates you wouldn’t need the ramp either.

[@Mark.G475]

This will get alot if Views! I hope that Land Rover doesn't have BMW engine 😂

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks mark, nope not this one, it’s got a transit engine in it 😂 they call it a puma model

[@Mark.G475]

@@truebluetravellers is that engine good or bad.. That was a fun video! I hope Jess gets extra pay,Danger pay? To work with Jon.

[@truebluetravellers]

Mark my main man, you see it how it is 😂😂😂 I should get danger pay living with this boy for sure! The engines are one of those “depends who you ask” to whether they say they are good or not 🤞she’s a gooden!

[@Landyutility_Travels]

Great video the pair of you I have the same set up but its not yet on the truck , and I've found your instructions so useful thank you for putting that out there , I'll be following along cheers Gary

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Gary, glad it will be helpful to you, make sure you send some pics over on insta or Facebook as you do your build, we love to see other peoples projects 😁

[@walterricciardi2769]

good job! I have seen that on an Italian Def they have installed a roof the that has opening mechanism from the inside the car. As it is now any one can open and enter in the car easly. What do you think?

[@truebluetravellers]

Yeah it’s a much better idea really, with the canvass I’m not sure u could do it with this one but the catches on the rear do have a hole for a padlock to go in 👍

[@Two-Bods]

Well done guys, looks stunning, and yet again, the wiff wants one 😂😂Van will have to do for a while. Look forward to seeing the rest of the build

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Callum 👍 😂 I don’t blame Leanne though they are pretty cool! Your van looks like it’s getting close to being done. Bet you can’t wait to get out in her!

[@Two-Bods]

@truebluetravellers Yes almost done. The cupboard is finished only to be mounted, and then the floors to be put in. We will be off to Port Lincoln for shark cage diving when it's a bit warmer. Camping show this weekend

[@truebluetravellers]

@@Two-Bods Gotta love a love camping show!! Sounds absolutely brilliant, looked swish in the last pics we saw, can’t wait to see it finished 👌 Oh my days, that sounds incredible absolutely can’t wait to see the footage from shark cage diving, don’t know if I’d have the bottle for it but what an incredible experience!!

[@TheBongo19]

£8k for a roof you have to fit yourself???

[@truebluetravellers]

£8800 to be exact 😅, you can get the company to fit it, in fact they prefer it if they do fit it but it’s another £1500 on top, So for the sake of a day of our labour it’s definitely a no brainier

[@adiehull]

Just found your channel! Never seen a roof like that before, looks great!

[@truebluetravellers]

We hadn’t either untill we started to look to convert a defender, brilliant idea really 😁👍

[@kenpurnell4798]

Excellent products and well fitted.

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate 👍

[@Nordkapp65]

New subscriber, love the roof and awning, looks the business, perfect for overlanding.

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks mate 👍, can’t wait to get her built and on the road 😁

[@mikefry5704]

Nice job. Enjoy

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate 👍

[@DaleReubin]

Great job guys! Can I please buy your old roof? Mine is knackered. Maybe a little colab?

[@truebluetravellers]

I’m sorry dale but I’ve sold it already, I did think about keeping it and trying to do my own pop top roof design with it but I just haven’t got the space really

[@DaleReubin]

AH no worries, it's worth asking :) Thanks for coming back to me so quickly.

[@judithgreen3689]

Great job in installing roof yourself & saving $1,500! I don't know much about vehicles, but that Defender looks like something you could do the outback in or perhaps Africa? I'll have to stay tuned to see what your next adventure is.

[@truebluetravellers]

Hi Judith, thanks very much 😁 Well you’ve hit the nail on the head! The ultimate goal for this one is to drive her to Africa. We will test it out around the UK a bit first but so excited for the places we will be able to get to in this one!

[@bandalog6428]

At 11:13 you mention about the canvas to go over the openings, surely the canvas should be on the outside otherwise the netting will act as a water collector when its either damp or raining and the water will drain into the Land Rover which wont be good. To me it looks like they have sold you a top with the canvas fitted inside out as far as side windows are concerned anyway

[@truebluetravellers]

I see what u mean, yeah it would make more sense to me too that the bug mesh be on the inside but 🤷‍♂️ who knows, it seems to work ok tho

[@analea6531]

Dumb question but is there a way to convert the defender where you can lift the whole roof front and back?

[@truebluetravellers]

Unfortunately not, there is a company where the roof hinges sideways rather than front to back but it’s still not that tall like that 😁

[@analea6531]

@@truebluetravellers thank for the answer. After a sleepless night I found a boat renovation company in south Germany that can do it, I just hope it won’t me a kidney 😅

[@ClareCC0902]

It's the best because it's South African!

[@truebluetravellers]

Like Borewors sausage 🤤 💙

[@Y24JAW]

👍🏼🛠🇦🇪🚙👫⛺️

[@truebluetravellers]

😁😁👍💙💙

[@philotown]

The project is looking good. Think about a side awning for the front end too, Africa can get windy. Have you watched 4xoverland on KZbin? Andrew can go on a bit but he has loads of really good info. A good Africa man. Keep up the good work. Am looking forward to the next vlog 😊

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Philotown, no I haven’t seen any of his videos but I’ll definitely take a look, thanks for the recommendation, I’ve binged watched loads of defender vids to try get get as many ideas as possible as the 4x4 game is all new to us 😁

[@allegrosotto2126]

@@truebluetravellersit’s a good recommendation I did watch him for a while .

[@grahammakesstuff.1916]

Anyone else spot the ghost at 8:45 ?

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 yep that’s my little niece, she loves watching us film 😂

[@grahammakesstuff.1916]

@truebluetravellers Absolutely love your content. Slowly working my working my way through all your videos, and I'm completely addicted. 👊

[@truebluetravellers]

@@grahammakesstuff.1916 thanks mate 👍

[@gnarlyboot477]

Hi, just started this playlist, currently watching your latest van build series. Can’t believe you haven’t got a powered silicone gun…….from John & Al

[@truebluetravellers]

It’s on the list mate but like usual Bosch stuff is ridiculous expensive, need to keep and eye out for a second hand one 👍

[@Lee_Proffit]

8:47 - Your landie has a ghost, you can get a glimpse of her looking out of the nearside rear window. She looks like a friendly one 🙂

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 she’s a very friendly one, my little niece 😂😂👍

[@mikes2654]

Love this video. I wish they made these for the G wagon.

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much, brilliant aren’t they 💙

[@pslsoccerleagues9199]

Hi guys brilliant channel and amazing content with so much knowledge and explanation. I have a question that you may or may not be able to answer? We recently completed the NC 500 with a TENT BOX CARGO on top of our qashqai. It is virtually the same (if not the same) as the Icarus unit you have bought but without the lifting floor so you have to climb in via a ladder outside. Your build has got me thinking (not for the first time 😆) My question is would you think its possible to create the same set up simply by curtting and welding the tent box to the top of the car? Its an oldish car and not got much value in it. If yes would John be confident taking the job on at some stage when you return from your travels? 🙂 Would be very interested to know your thoughts. Keep up the great work and enjoy your new venture(s). 👍👍

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate, so I love the idea and I was thinking about this myself at one point but I don’t think u could do it, I think cutting the roof out and strengthening it would be fine but normally the pop top tents don’t have the extra space on the base to be able to also climb in too, it almost needs to be a bit longer to get that extra bit to enter into

[@pslsoccerleagues9199]

Thanks for the fast reply mate, must admit I was thinking the same to be honest but was hoping that I could save myself some money....oh well looks like I will be telling the missus we are buying a Landy and an Icarus 🙂she has taken on the Jess power move by the way..... she's doing my head in lol. keep up the great work and thanks again for the prompt advice 👍@@truebluetravellers

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂😂 go on girl 💪💪💪😂😂 cheers mate 👍

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Missed this one.1👍 Have you thought about those tube showers? On the rooftop? Or on the upper part of the driver's side? 🤔💡🛁 MTB Travel review did a great "presurised solar heated shower" and Spaseyota did a "8-10 gallon offroad shower"very good one a bit lager that might work better for the both of you. Instead of burning through your filtered water. 💧

[@truebluetravellers]

Yeah we saw loads of them type ones in Australia, brilliant idea, like u say a black pipe in the sun is an ideal shower solution, 👍

[@iancox-b8v]

I notice that you have cut out a section of your “bulk head” behind the driver seat. I’m assuming that is to push the seat back a bit more. Have you had any comments about structural integrity? Im tall as well and have considered doing the same thing but nervous about doing it. Ian

[@truebluetravellers]

Hi Ian, It was already done when I bought it but it does give you allot more leg room, I don’t think it affects the structural intergrity if anything it seems to strengthen everything up, all it is is a bit of angle iron welded into a u shape and then bolted to the bulkhead, there a link below that I’ve found where people sell them on eBay but to be honest it’s that simple, if you have a welder I’d say it would be really easy to make

[@truebluetravellers]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221907887675?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=dMcgEXoMRUK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video as always!! I see the general was in a supervisory position there John and yes you need a cordless Rivet gun!!

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂 he’s not having one yet Peter, 100k subs and he can have one 😂 so he’s got a long way to go yet

[@peterdnreynolds777]

@@truebluetravellers well with the way the channel is going subscriber wise, that won't be long before John has that cordless Rivet gun... 😁👍🏻

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂😂🤞🤞🤞

[@lewisjudd1153]

What drone do you have.

[@truebluetravellers]

We use a DJI mini pro 3

[@Scottie2hottie71]

Great, entertaining video. I have completed the same install on my 07'. I was curious about how you did the wiring for the interior lights so that you have control manually, and control with door position (open/closed) Thanks for your video! Cheers!

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate, so they are just wired up to the leisure battery and have an off off switch on the light itself, I haven’t wiring them so they come on and off with the doors 👍