landrover roof hatch

**longroadtrip** · #1 31 Jan 2005

can any one tell me about fitting roof hatches to landrovers to allow access to the roof from the interior, for wildlife photography/security, and access to the roof tent.
Thanks
Rob

**mario travaini** · #2 31 Jan 2005

Hi, I personally don't think is a good idea...:
- the roof will get weaker (thinking about 50kg for the roof tent+spares+etc)
- most of the Nat. Parks don't allow you to lean outside the windows anyway
- sooner or later will leak inside through (though this won't be new in a Land Rover)
cheers
/mario

**Runner** · #3 2 Feb 2005

A friend of mine did it with his transafrica Discovery - did away with the stock roof hatches (sunroofs) and fitted the biggest hatcvhes he could get to enable access to the roof tent and roof for game spotting. Worked really well and its stood the test of time - but it wasnt cheap at all.

As far as I can see the only reason Id contemplate it is access to the roof tent and the reason I havent is that I would have to substantially hack about and reweld my roof rack to deal with the big hole in it.... and Im not keen.

**ctc** · #4 4 Feb 2005

Footloose 4x4 (nr Peterborough) have done this mod on a Land Rover 110 hardtop. It'll probably cost you a bit though. I forget whether they retro fitted a Land Rover hatch or used a marine hatch such as "Lewmar."

As mentioned in the previous post if you are using a Brownchurch rack you'll have to cut out a strut. I would recommend talking to Brownchurch first though.

Finally most moden safari vehicles (as used in game reserves) are now soft tops with modified raised forward facing bench seats so taking photos from the roof/ hatch is unlikely to be an issue.

**ctc** · #5 17 Feb 2005

Just a quick one - my father is getting rid of some Lewmar marine hatches on ebay (he ran a boat yard at one stage). If you want to put a hatch in the roof of your vehicle the large one would do.

Search under "Lewmar Marine hatch" and you'll find them.