I love the old defenders! The new ones are so wimpy looking.This is what I want on the Gladiator. I keep the front sun roof with a rack on top. From the front seat back the roof lifts for a walk through. I keep the back seats but when folded down, the large seat can be used or turns into a bench for the back and the small seat is where the fridge goes. Access the fridge from the front, outside, or back, and it's even next to my back seat power. I'm guessing add a roll bar tied to the front to stiffen the frame. Am I really going to have to build this or can I convince Ursaminor or Alucab to prototype one form me?
What about “Slides?” Those slideouts the you see on motorhomes… that would really expand the space.I'm thinking about chopping and stretching the original hardtop to make this. Has anyone checked the fit of the Gladiator hardtop to the back of the bed? It looks pretty close and the glass back would look
great. Only problem would be how to hinge/remount the entire glass to open. Maybe I could just hinge the whole back end since there is a seam running near the corners.
Pictured is roughly a 8 1/2 ft. top. This will give a 7 ft. bed which will leave 1 1/2 ft. access at the back to get in and out of the upper bed. The lower bed will also be 7 ft. covering the original 5 ft. truck bed and going over the rear seats, when folded down. It would be great if this could travel and sleep 4 people (although pretty crowded when it rains!)
