Looking to turn a Defender into a Dormobile!

[66Landy]

I currently own a 1966 Land Rover 109 NADA Dormobile. I am selling it to buy a Land Rover 110 and turn it into a Dormobile using new Dormobile parts. I have checked the Dormobile website and they claim to be in business but have not responded to my emails.

I know a company in Japan, Cleveland Expedition Vehicles if I recall correctly, sells Land Rover Defender Dormobiles through their website, but I can't get any responses from them either.

I've seen a picture of a Defender Dormobile alleged to be in the NW of the US, but can't determine an owner.

Does anyone know someone with a Defender that is outfitted into a self contained camper? I've read all about the ECR 110 camper, but I don't have $100,000+ to spend, so that is out of the question.

My plan is to hire a garage in England to re-furbish a 1983 or 1984 110 using a donor late model Defender for the mechanicals and add in New Dormobile parts. Anyone who knows a garage in England or elsewhere who might be up for the job, I'd appreciate it if you could drop me a line. I'm even toying with the idea of picking up a 127/130 and seeing if they are willing to swap the '83 registration over to that.

Well, I'll keep you posted on my progress and would love any help that you can offer!

[SeaRubi]

i think this is a sound plan ...

Terri-Ann's website will probably be a big help, as would the LRO email list if you're not already on there. being mostly an ex-coiler guy I don't know much about the dormies, other than the times i've spent dreaming and lusting for one.

I don't know of a 110 dormy in the PNW but I do know the folks to ask if you'd like someone from this area to dig around a bit for you just say the word ...

here's a couple links. Shoot an email over to Terri ann- she'll talk your ear off :) but she's very knowledgeable.


http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/

http://www.land-rover.team.net/lro-info.html




I currently own a 1966 Land Rover 109 NADA Dormobile. I am selling it to buy a Land Rover 110 and turn it into a Dormobile using new Dormobile parts. I have checked the Dormobile website and they claim to be in business but have not responded to my emails.

I know a company in Japan, Cleveland Expedition Vehicles if I recall correctly, sells Land Rover Defender Dormobiles through their website, but I can't get any responses from them either.

I've seen a picture of a Defender Dormobile alleged to be in the NW of the US, but can't determine an owner.

Does anyone know someone with a Defender that is outfitted into a self contained camper? I've read all about the ECR 110 camper, but I don't have $100,000+ to spend, so that is out of the question.

My plan is to hire a garage in England to re-furbish a 1983 or 1984 110 using a donor late model Defender for the mechanicals and add in New Dormobile parts. Anyone who knows a garage in England or elsewhere who might be up for the job, I'd appreciate it if you could drop me a line. I'm even toying with the idea of picking up a 127/130 and seeing if they are willing to swap the '83 registration over to that.

Well, I'll keep you posted on my progress and would love any help that you can offer!

[Andrew Walcker]

Oh ya, this should be a good thread to keep an eye on:lurk: Mind of I live vicariously through your thread?:elkgrin:

[stevenmd]

Oh ya, this should be a good thread to keep an eye on:lurk: Mind of I live vicariously through your thread?:elkgrin:
I think we all will be doing that! At least I live about 20 minutes from Carey and will get to see it firsthand... neener, neener, neener!:jump:

[Andrew Walcker]

I think we all will be doing that! At least I live about 20 minutes from Carey and will get to see it firsthand... neener, neener, neener!:jump:

That's just plain CRUEL!!! :PROFSheriffHL: I'll expect twice the coverage on this post from here on out:D

[Dmarchand]

Did you check the dormobile project on the ECR website?

Also, these guys are responsive. Hope your German is good.

http://www.ex-tec.de/

[66Landy]

Hi SeaRubi,

Having a 109 Dormobile, I've already poured over TeriAnn's voluminous site. I also belong to the DOC (Dormobile Owners' Club) and the DOR (Dormobile Owners' Registry) and communicate with her there. A lot of the talk on the DOR is Dormobile based, but at least 50% is LR mechanicals specific, and they are a bunch of great folks!

As far as poking around the PNW for the owner, I'd appreciate whatever you can do. I'd rather not re-invent the wheel, unless his wheels are too expensive! I know that self-assembled Defenders run rampant up there, and since I am shortly going to move to Washington myself, I might just take that route and buy one here and upgrade it, or find a late model one in the UK, have it "broken down" into individual parts lots, buy the various parts over a certain amount of time, then have all the parts shipped over with the requisite receipts to show the origin of the re-build to satisfy the WA DOL that they're not stolen parts, and "re-assemble" them before inspection.

I'm looking for the least expensive way, but it has to be legal. I turned down a 130 brought back by an America's Cup member because he simply had a 70's SIII ID plate riveted into the engine compartment of the 130. It fooled customs, but I don't want to risk my money or my insurance coverage should I get into an accident. Since I'm going to have to ship over the Dormobile parts, shipping the truck with them attached is probably going to be cheaper than shipping the parts by themselves.

Of course, before I can buy anything, I have to sell my current Dormobile. My wife was kind enough to let me buy my current landy not three weeks after I had bought my first one, and it was still sitting in England. I don't want to push the boundaries of her understanding any further than necessary!

[66Landy]

The Ex-Tec site is wonderful! They not only do 110s, but 130s and 90s! Ah, almost makes moving to Europe worth it. And to think that my wife and I almost chose England over Washington. Oh well, at least we don't have to learn their funny version of English!

[SeaRubi]

i will do some digging for you and report back - glad to hear another Landy enthusiast coming this way from England. There are some great trips to be had in this area only a few hours drive over highway to the back country. There's a local overland friendly group that gathers around at:

NorthwestOverlandSociety.org


cheers
-isaac

[66Landy]

I'm not from the UK, we were thinking of moving to the UK from California, but chose Washington instead. We're moving to Vashon in the near future. We already found our house, now all we need are the jobs! :luxhello:

[66Landy]

Well, here are some shots of a 110 Dormobile and a 110, 90 and 130 De-Tec version. Sooooo Nice! :clapsmile

[pwc]

the De-tec is nice and I've been tempted to go that route. they haev a lot of stuff but some seems a bit stiff on the price. that top can't be easy to make, though

[66Landy]

I've exchanged a few e-mails with Lisa at De-Tec who speaks/writes English much better than I do German!:xxrotflma

The basic problem with the De-Tec top is that you have to have your rig in their factory in order to have one. They do not ship and only install their roofs themselves. The cost is 6390 Euro including Value Added Tax for either the 110 or the 90. VAT might be negotiable is you do it on a vehicle not originally German and slated for direct export. An installed bed platform and mattress cost 299, 250 Euros, respectively.

Well, I know that Dormobile ships their stuff and since you can just take off your roof and put theirs on, it seems the better system. You could always sell your roof to someone else if you wanted and put your old one back on.

So it seems that De-Tec is off of my build sheet.

[66Landy]

I just got back an email response from Dormobile Ltd. After weeks of no replies, I decided to send a picture of my current Dormobile with the email, hoping that might convince them I was serious and not just some "loud American." Well, it worked.

Although he didn't write it specifically, it was clear from his comments that he was under the impression that importing a Defender could not be done and that nothing before '78 could be imported to North America. I shared with him my plan and informed him that there were no current pictures of the 110 offerings on his website. I requested some official Dormobile Ltd. 110 pictures so I could see what I would be ordering. I'll post them when/if he sends them.

He did tell me something that confirms an anonymous picture posting of a 110 Dormobile from the North West that I saw on another website. A few years back, he sent 110 Dormobile parts to a garage to be included with a disassembled 110 bound for the U.S. He never heard from the garage or the buyer again, and wasn't sure it had made it through customs. I wrote to him that I had seen a picture of a 110 Dormobile that I thought was the one in question.

Well, at least I'm in communication with one of the two main suppliers now. :wings: I asked him for references to local garages who refurbished 110s for Brits, as the ones that already work with Americans charge exorbitant prices. If anyone has a suggestion for a good garage in the UK, let me know!

Carey

[stevenmd]

Thanks for the update Carey. I am keenly interested in your progress on this project.

[66Landy]

Hi All,

Well, Madelyne is gone, and I'm looking into the possibility of building a Defender Dormobile. I've spoken with Bruce, (a friend over in England) who is now helping out at Land Rover Enthusiast, and we may have developed an approach that will work. :luxhello: If anyone is interested, a rough estimate is $25,000 to $30,000 for a re-built 1983 110 with factory Dormobile roof, seats and fridge (no wardrobe, add it if you like from the factory, but most add an engel fridge/freezer and more storage). This is only an estimate, and this is only in the brainstorming stage so nothing is permanent.

Basically, any vehicle 25 years or older can be imported without Federal or State government red tape. Petrol engines have a 1973 or 1975 cut off date for running in the US without EPA and DOT approval. However, diesel engines are not yet regulated and can be imported as the engine in 25 year or older vehicles without any hassel at all.

As you may know, I bought off of UK ebay a 1981 109 with a 2.5 diesel out of a 110. It made it into the US without a single problem. Even California allows diesel imports without any hassel. Since they do not require smog testing, it is easier than petrol engines.

Bruce knows of many garages that are suitable for re-builds, and here are some of his estimates. Remember, these are estimates only.

>A 110 around that age is £3000, engine gearbox and mods £3000, dormie bits >£4000 around £2000 for labour say £12,000 although depending on condition >could be cheaper add £2000 for shipping.so around $25000 - $30000 would be >a good start. for that it would be a virtually rebuilt car. A 90 or 110 >without dormie bits would be around the $20,000 including shipping. there >are a lot of 1983 age around and with high mileages so new bits would be >required. If a workshop had a production line then it might be possible to >do a real deal. there are a number of garages in England that could do it >and since I am doing regular trips for the mag and they are all advertisers >it would be fairly easy to keep things monitored.

Since Bruce works for LRE now, the magazine is even considering doing an article on a Defender into Dormobile rebuild. He mentioned that the 60th anniversary is coming up and this might be an interesting tie-in for the celebrations.

Well, let me know if anyone is interested. I've started talking to my wife about it, but she seems pretty set about re-building our second floor before I re-build a Defender. I'm very persuasive though, I did get her to agree to owning two 109s at the same time once! :-)

Cheers,

Carey
:clapsmile

[mountainpete]

Just a thought...

The British military has a training grounds in Northern Alberta and went through the process of importing a number of Rovers. They are all left hand drive diesels with low KM but otherwise beaten to hell and back. These Rovers are legally registered in Canada the military has been selling them off. here is an example:

http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=27674018&pgno=1&srt=1

There are a bunch for sale in Calgary right now like this one:

http://www.buysell.com/root/detail/Calgary,%20Alberta/1990_Prior_Import_SUVs/3334/57302317/1998_LAND_ROVER_DEFENDER_138000kms.aspx (I think that is actually a typo - it's not a 1998, although there were a few that new)

Edit: remember prices are in CAD dollars and are pretty over-inflated. Some of those trucks have been sitting unsold because they are beat-up and prices are high inflated because of all these RHD JDM Land Cruisers coming in and being so popular.

So my thought here is I think these were a special case and are actually government approved. You may be able to get one of those from Canada and legally register it eventhough it is newer than 25 yrs. Not sure, but it might be worth a look at least.

Pete

[66Landy]

Canada can legally import any vehicle 15 years or older. But, you can't bring them into the US just because they were brought into Canada. The US still requires they be 25 years old or older. Now, the government bringing them in might change that around, but I don't know how that applies.

Even if I can bring in the Canuckers, I would then have to pay freight for the Dormobile parts over here, plus buy another roof over in the UK to have Dormobile alter it. (Dormobile takes your 110 roof and cuts hole in it to install their lifting roof mechanism, same as Detec from Germany.) The crating and shipping is more for that than just shipping a vehicle. Plus, then I have to install the parts over here.

I have thought about shipping a 15 year old to Canada, and then bringing it in and "re-building" a 109 I buy here in the states using all of the Canada donor parts, but then you have to worry about insurance claiming you just switched paperwork (which is essentially what would be done).

Thanks for the thought, but I think the UK route is cheaper, I would have a rebuilt one from the land of cheap parts, and have Dormobile do all the install work there. However, I will keep looking on the site to see if I can find a cheap kick-about until my dream Defender Dormobile comes through!

Cheers,

Carey

[66Landy]

Well,
We're moving to Washington and re-doing the second floor is going to cost more than we thought, so my fun money is going into the building fund. It looks like it will be a few years before I'm back on track with the 110 conversion. I'll check back in if anything changes.

Later,

Carey

[aricea]

For anyone else interested, a similar lifting-roof is available from Tom Hurndall at www.safari-equip.co.uk. I've included two photos below. The last time I checked, these weren't posted on their website, but they were planning to market them in kit form very soon.

I believe the last picture may be the 110 Dormobile in the NW which prompted this conversation and my own curiosity with pop-top Defender campers...

- Aric

[pwc]

Carey, where in Washington did you end up?
I'm recently getting back into turning my truck into more of a long range cmaping 110, but also gave up on the Dormobile idea, even though my wife liked it.

[Chucaro]

It is this what you are looking for?
http://www.eastcoastrover.com/672.html
East Coast Rover Co.
21 Tolman Road
Warren, ME 04864
email: ecrover@midcoast.com
Cheers

[4Rescue]

So what exactly is a Dormobile??? I see it apears to be a pop top Defender 110 (or 130??) but other than that what are the specifics?? Or is it like a "westfalia" and more of a model name??

Andrew It's starting, I'm spending an inordinate ammount of time pouring through the LR forums and less time in the Toyota forums...

Cheers

Dave

[Alaska Mike]

Check TeriAnn's site for information on Dormobiles and other Rover-related stuff. http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/

[TeriAnn]

So what exactly is a Dormobile??




http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/Dormobile/graphics/topGraphic2.jpg

"WHEN YOU BUY A DORMOBILE CARAVAN YOU BUY A NEW WAY OF LIFE"

Read all about Land Rover Dormobiles (http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/Dormobile/index.html)


http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/Dormobile/pictures/5DormiPABFM.jpg

http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/Dormobile/pictures/DM_PABFM96.jpg

[TeriAnn]

It is this what you are looking for?
http://www.eastcoastrover.com/672.html


Some interesting history. I trailed with that Land Rover from Canada to the Mexican border. At the time it was your standard US spec D110. Not long after spending a couple weeks traveling with a Land Rover Dormobile, the owner sent his D110 to East Coast Rover to have it converted into a Dormobile

Coincidence? Or just someone who know a good thing when he saw it. :drool:

[Chucaro]

Hi TeriAnn
I like to congratulate you for your very interesting page. Excellent source of information for the ones with 'itchy feet" like me who cannot stay in one place for more than a year.
With my wife we traveled in a motorcycle for a few years (some times towing a trailer) then we have a 109 1978 with a 3.5 V8 (we regrete that we sold it), built a motorhome based in a 21 seater Mazda 3500 bus and now we have a Disco Tdi300 and a trailer. We are planning to hit the road again and considering a Land Rover County 110 1986 with a 3.9 Isuzu engine.
What I am curious about is which kind of reinforcement (if any) is required in the body of the County once we cut the roof for the pop up part.
What you think about making the pop up roof in aluminium ?
Here in Australia, we do not have fiber glass roofs ready made for Landys and I am handy with aluminium.
This is something similar to what I am referring to
http://extec-gmbh.de/website/media/Kundenfahrzeuge/60%20kunde/154.jpg

Looking forward for your reply
Chhers
Chucaro

[MuddyMudskipper]

So what exactly is a Dormobile??? I see it apears to be a pop top Defender 110 (or 130??) but other than that what are the specifics?? Or is it like a "westfalia" and more of a model name??

That's exactly what it is like. Dormobile did camper conversions for all sorts of vehicles (http://www.dormobile.org.uk/Dormobile_Models.htm).

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n100/mrburns71/gs1.jpghttp://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n100/mrburns71/T1_Dormobile.jpg


Andrew It's starting, I'm spending an inordinate ammount of time pouring through the LR forums and less time in the Toyota forums...


Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the Dark Side.

[Chucaro]

Another views of the Defender with aluminium roof sides
http://extec-gmbh.de/website/media/Kundenfahrzeuge/60%20kunde/167.jpg

http://extec-gmbh.de/website/media/Kundenfahrzeuge/60%20kunde/166.jpg

[TeriAnn]

What I am curious about is which kind of reinforcement (if any) is required in the body of the County once we cut the roof for the pop up part.
What you think about making the pop up roof in aluminium ?

This is something similar to what I am referring to
http://extec-gmbh.de/website/media/Kundenfahrzeuge/60%20kunde/154.jpg


Yes there is a frame around the roof cut out and reinforcement bars at each end of the cut out. These keep the cut edges from deforming and adds strength to hold the top bunks.

A hinged roof similar to the one you show was my initial solution. I decided upon a Dormobile roof because it was an already designed bolt on solution with top beds and a roof vent. Propane cookers produce water vapour and the roof vent helps get it out before it condenses on the underside of the roof and rains inside. I think a hinged LR roof is a good low cost solution but I'm sure it can be done without a brace in the middle of the rear entrance.

There is no reason why you can not side hinge the stock roof on an adapter spacer and add stays to keep a canvas in place like the Dormobiles do.

If you car clever you could do a side hinged top & a couple sheets of plywood for a top double bed.


http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/LR.images/convRearOpen.JPEG

There are many ways to create solutions.

[Chucaro]

Thanks TeriAnn, when are you coming down ?
Cheers

[Alaska Mike]

I love the concept of the X-Panda Series 88 conversions listed on TerriAnn's page, even though I think aquiring/restoring or replicating one would be more expensive than buying an currently manufactured RTT. It's a cleaner install, but I wonder about the weight and how stable the whole assembly is.

Until then, I guess I'll have to look at other solutions.

[kd_walmsley]

Mike,

Here is another pic for ideas. The work was done by Rover Hybrids.

[Alaska Mike]

I'm a ways off from doing any conversion of my own (have to get a functional Rover first), but it's always nice to have a direction to work towards.

The X-Panda's seemed like an interesting concept, although I would have put the "hinge" at the front so that the highest point would have been in the cargo section (standing room for cooking and stuff) and the structure would have been less likely to take flight on the road if it wasn't properly secured.

Either way, it would take a good amount of structure to pull off securely, and I'm not sure how much weight I want up there on a permanent basis.

The Carawagon Safari also looks interesting, but I'm not sure how much I want to hack up the body to do it. It's fun to look at all of the different solutions to the same need, and then pick and choose what suits your needs.

[Chucaro]

My only worry at this stage is in the case of a roll over. If I cut the roof I will fit a roll cage/cargo barrier behind the 2 front seats and perhaps another roll cage at the rear of the vehicle.
Having seen the damage caused by roll overs in Defenders I will not feel at easy without a roll cage.
The good point about this set ups is the luck of a roof rack and the temptation of overloading it.
Having previous experience in building a motorhome from the ground up I am not concerned about cooking facilities inside. We prefer cooking outside in an annexe/awning at the back or on the side if the Defender is a 4 door model.
I started considering the Dormobile to be able to sleep inside the vehicle. Some times I am still going back to the option of a 130 dual cab model and using the space of the rear seats for cargo and sleep at the back, therefore there is not need to convert the body of the vehicle.
Cheers

[craig]

The X-Panda's seemed like an interesting concept, although I would have put the "hinge" at the front so that the highest point would have been in the cargo section (standing room for cooking and stuff) and the structure would have been less likely to take flight on the road if it wasn't properly secured.


The X-pandas were designed this way so you can get in/out by walking on the hood. This also precludes the need for a ladder.

I definately understand your reasoning though.

[Alaska Mike]

My thought is that if you've gone to all that trouble, what's an aluminum ladder gonna set you back? Besides, I don't want to walk on my fenders and hood if I can avoid it.

I wonder how much they retailed for back in the day and how they were shipped. Seems like something that wouldn't cost all that much and would be able to be broken down into manageable sizes.

[TeriAnn]

My thought is that if you've gone to all that trouble, what's an aluminum ladder gonna set you back? Besides, I don't want to walk on my fenders and hood if I can avoid it.

Why not? a pair of wing tread plates and the wing tops can hold an adult. I'm up and down on mine on trips since that is how I get to my roof rack. I haven't broken the wing, bonnet or myself yet. I have added anti slip tread material to the top of my bumper & top of winch cover where I step though. Its too easy to slip on wet smooth metal.


http://www.tjwakeman.net/new_images/TWtakingpict.jpg