Removing the hard roof

[Esqulax]

Is it possible to remove the roof at the back, with the roofrails still on?

(3door '99 Freelander)

thought id ask here before embarassing myself trying if its not possible :)

[LovroD]

It is possible buuuuuuuuutt ...

You have to be very careful ...

Easier is to put rails down, put roof down and rails back ...

Only 4 screws more as without ...

[Esqulax]

Thanks for that!
I'll have a go a bit later when the wether decides what its doing!

[LovroD]

I have also original soft top, not just rain cover and will wait to change hart top with soft one for about one month more ...

We still have about -2 to -6 deg C ...

[robbie77]

Removing the roof is a very simple 2 person job.

I undo the 8 bolts of the rail with a star bit and my cordless drill, while the missus undoes the 4 clips in the car.

We then both lift the rails off and put them on the deck before taking the roof off carefully and putting that on the deck too.

We then both lift the rails back on for me to screw back onto the car.
While i am re-attaching the rails, she takes the glass panels out and stows them.

We can do the whole process in about 5 mins.

Even though the rails are extremely light, we make sure that we lift them on and off together to avoid the risk of scratching the car.

I have had a Frontera sport and a Daihatsu Sportrak in 3 door hard tops as off road toys. Getting the roof off those was a complete nightmare that took at least half an hour, nowhere near as easy as the 4 clips for the FL.

Robbie

[simon_g]

I used to take my roof on and off by myself with the rails on but far easier without the rails - also used to put a moving blanket (thick wool) on each side whilst manouvering it into position to save the paint.

you endup doing a strange walking backwards sitting down twisting thing...probably not good for your back either!!!