Alu-Cab Icarus Roof Conversion for Land Rover Defender 110
Transform your classic Defender 110 into a self-contained two-person expedition camper with internal access, standing room and unmistakable Alu-Cab engineering.
The Defender Camper That Becomes Part of the Vehicle
The Alu-Cab Icarus Roof Conversion is designed specifically for 1984–2016 Land Rover Defender 110 models, creating an integrated pop-top sleeping and living system for two.
Available in Black or White. Professional installation by a qualified roof-conversion installer is required.
See the Icarus installed on Cap-it’s own Defender 110 at Alu-Cab Canada’s headquarters in Langley Township, British Columbia.
The Alu-Cab Icarus does far more than add a rooftop tent to your Land Rover Defender. It turns the roof itself into a purpose-built camper system.
Open the roof and gain generous interior height. Lift the sleeping platform and stand inside your Defender to change clothes, access storage, organize equipment or take shelter from the weather. When it is time to sleep, lower the bed and settle onto a full-length 2370 mm x 1250 mm mattress.
Because the sleeping area is accessed from inside the vehicle, you can move between your bed, clothing, cupboards, kitchen and cargo without climbing an exterior ladder or stepping outside into rain, snow or wind.
When closed, the aluminium roof follows the Defender’s purposeful profile while adding only approximately 180 mm to the vehicle’s original height.
Sleep above. Stand below. Keep the entire expedition inside your Defender.
From Defender 110 to Integrated Expedition Camper
The Defender 110 has spent decades carrying travellers into places where conventional vehicles do not belong. Icarus adds the sleeping and living capability needed to stay there longer.
Rather than mounting a separate tent above the factory roof, the Icarus integrates the sleeping area directly with the vehicle interior. The result is a cleaner installation, internal access and significantly more usable space at camp.
- Integrated two-person sleeping platform
- Interior standing room with the bed raised
- Fast one-person setup
- Internal access from the Defender cabin
- 70 mm mattress included
- Insulated aluminium roof construction
- Double-layer waterproof rip-block canvas
- Integrated interior lighting
- Built-in roof cargo tracks
- Suitable bedding can remain inside when closed
Why a Roof Conversion?
A conventional rooftop tent sits above the vehicle and requires exterior access. Icarus connects the sleeping area directly to the Defender’s interior, creating one integrated space for sleeping, standing, storage and camp life.
Stand Up Inside Your Defender
Raise the Icarus roof and lift the hinged sleeping platform to create substantial standing room inside the Defender.
That changes how the vehicle functions at camp. You can get dressed, reach cupboards, organize equipment and prepare for the day without immediately stepping outside.
In poor weather, the benefit becomes even more important. Your sleeping space and vehicle interior remain connected, allowing you to move between the bed, storage and kitchen while protected from the elements.
Sleep Above. Live Below.
Lower the bed when it is time to sleep. Lift it when you need standing room. Icarus gives the Defender two distinct interior modes without requiring a trailer or a permanent external camper body.
A Proper Full-Length Bed
The Icarus includes a two-piece mattress measuring approximately 2370 mm long by 1250 mm wide, with a thickness of 70 mm.
The generous length gives taller travellers room to stretch out, while the integrated layout keeps the sleeping system permanently ready above the vehicle interior.
- Designed to sleep two people
- 2370 mm x 1250 mm sleeping platform
- 70 mm mattress
- Two-piece mattress and bed system
- Insulated roof and interior liner
- 400 gsm double-layer waterproof canvas
- Suitable bedding can remain stored inside
Arrive ready: keep neatly packed bedding inside the closed conversion, release the latches at camp and your sleeping area is only moments away.
Built Specifically for the Defender 110
Icarus is designed specifically for the classic Land Rover Defender 110 rather than adapted from a universal rooftop tent.
Its aluminium structure follows the vehicle’s lines and creates a finished appearance that suits the Defender’s functional, expedition-ready design.
- Designed for the Land Rover Defender 110, 1984-2016r
- Aluminium construction
- Available in Black or White
- Vehicle-specific roof profile
- Polyethylene closed-cell foam insulation
- Insulating interior quilt
- Integrated cargo tracks
- Designed for long-distance overland travel
Choose your colour: select Black for a strong contrasting roof or White for a classic Defender appearance that blends naturally with lighter vehicle finishes.
100% Reversible Roof Conversion
Unlike the Silenus conversion for the INEOS Grenadier, the Alu-Cab Icarus is designed to be completely reversible.
The original Defender roof can be retained, allowing a qualified installer to remove the Icarus and return the vehicle to its original roof configuration. The conversion may also be transferred to another compatible 1984–2016 Defender 110, subject to vehicle condition and professional fitment.
This gives Defender owners the freedom to substantially transform the vehicle without permanently committing it to one configuration for the remainder of its life.
Transform the Defender, Without Losing the Original Vehicle
Icarus creates an integrated expedition camper with internal access, standing room and a full sleeping platform, while preserving the ability to professionally restore the Defender to its original roof configuration later.
Lighting and Interior Comfort
The Icarus includes dedicated lighting for both focused reading and general interior illumination.
- 2 x adjustable stalk reading lights
- 3 x diffused LED interior lights
- Insulated automotive-style interior finish
- Closed-cell foam roof insulation
- Insulating quilt for improved temperature regulation
- Large canvas openings for airflow and natural light
The integrated lighting makes it easier to read, organize equipment or settle in after dark without relying on loose lanterns or headlamps.
Serious Roof-Load Capability
Integrated cargo tracks allow compatible load bars, solar panels and selected expedition equipment to be carried above the Icarus roof.
- Static roof-load rating: 200 kg (440.9 lb)
- Dynamic roof-load rating: 150 kg (330.6 lb)
- Supported load with roof open: 50 kg (110.2 lb)
Cargo position affects how easily the roof opens. Heavier items should generally be positioned toward the front of the conversion, with lighter equipment such as a solar panel located farther rearward.
Roof-mounted equipment must remain within the ratings of the Icarus, load bars, mounting hardware, Defender and completed vehicle configuration.
Important: adding weight to the roof will affect opening effort, vehicle height, handling and centre of gravity. The lowest applicable rating within the complete system always governs.
Build the Complete Icarus Expedition System
Icarus creates the foundation. Compatible Alu-Cab accessories add interior comfort, shade, privacy and rooftop carrying capability.
Camper and Roof Conversion Backrest
Add an adjustable seating position inside the Icarus for reading, relaxing, working or enjoying the view without leaning directly against the canvas.
Interior Roof Drop-Down Table
Create an interior surface for meals, maps, drinks, a laptop or smaller camp essentials, then fold it flat against the roof when it is not needed.
View the Alu-Cab Interior Roof Drop-Down Table
Alu-Cab 270° Shadow Awning
Add fast wraparound shelter beside the Defender for shade, rain protection and a covered camp living area. Correct roof-conversion brackets are required.
View the Alu-Cab 270° Shadow Awning
Alu-Cab Shower Cube
Add a compact private space for showering, changing clothes or using a portable toilet at camp. Correct roof-conversion mounting brackets are required.
Alu-Cab Load Bars
Use the integrated cargo tracks to carry compatible solar panels, recovery boards and selected expedition gear above the conversion.
Backrest and Drop-Down Table: Build the Interior Lounge
Pair the optional Backrest with the Interior Drop-Down Table to create one of the most useful interior upgrades available for the Icarus.
Sit comfortably inside the open conversion while eating, working, reviewing maps or waiting out poor weather. When it is time to sleep, fold the accessories away and return the space to its full sleeping configuration.
Your Defender’s Upstairs Lounge
Add supportive seating and an overhead table to turn the Icarus into a comfortable place to work, eat, relax and enjoy the view, not simply somewhere to sleep.
See the Icarus in Person
A roof conversion is difficult to fully appreciate through specifications and photographs alone. The difference becomes clear when you open the roof, stand inside the Defender and see how the bed, canvas, lighting and interior access work together.
Visit Alu-Cab Canada in Langley Township
The Icarus Roof Conversion is installed on Cap-it’s own Land Rover Defender 110 at Alu-Cab Canada’s headquarters in Langley Township, British Columbia.
See the conversion open and closed. Stand inside the Defender, inspect the sleeping platform and experience how the Icarus transforms the vehicle without permanently altering its future.
For a conversion of this scale, seeing it in person is worth the trip.
Professional Installation Is Required
The Icarus replaces the Defender’s factory roof and must be installed by a qualified roof-conversion installer.
This is not a universal rooftop tent or a basic bolt-on accessory. Correct preparation, alignment, sealing, wiring and structural fitment are essential to long-term performance.
A Major Conversion Deserves a Qualified Installer
The work involves removing the factory Defender roof and installing a new structural roof assembly. Installation should never be treated as a casual home project.
A professional Icarus installation includes:
- Pre-installation vehicle inspection
- Protection of the vehicle body and interior
- Removal and careful storage of factory roof components
- Preparation of the Defender body and mounting surfaces
- Installation and alignment of the Icarus structure
- Professional sealing and weatherproofing
- Electrical integration and lighting tests
- Roof opening and closing adjustment
- Water testing and final inspection
- Customer orientation covering operation, loading and care
Contact Cap-it to discuss vehicle condition, compatibility, colour selection, accessory configuration, installation scheduling and total installed pricing.
Care and Maintenance
Always dry the canvas thoroughly after rain, snow or heavy condensation. During extended storage, open and air the conversion periodically and inspect the mattress, canvas, seals, hinges, latches and mounting hardware.
Keep roof cargo properly secured and periodically check all load-bar and accessory fasteners. Ensure the conversion is completely latched before driving.
Read the Alu-Cab Care and Maintenance Guide
Technical Specifications
| Product | Alu-Cab Icarus Roof Conversion |
| Vehicle Compatibility | Land Rover Defender 110, 1984-2016 |
| Available Colours | Black or White |
| Construction | Aluminium roof-conversion structure |
| Sleeping Capacity | Two people |
| Exterior Length | 2815 mm |
| Exterior Width | 1440 mm, or 1470 mm including gutters |
| Closed Height | 370 mm to rooftop, or 390 mm with rails |
| Additional Vehicle Height | Approximately 180 mm |
| Mattress Dimensions | 2370 mm L x 1250 mm W x 70 mm H |
| Conversion Weight | Approximately 125 kg (275.6 lb), excluding packaging |
| Static Roof-Load Rating | 200 kg (440.9 lb) |
| Dynamic Roof-Load Rating | 150 kg (330.6 lb) |
| Supported Load With Roof Open | 50 kg (110.2 lb) |
| Canvas | 400 gsm UV-resistant, rip-block, double-layer waterproof canvas |
| Insulation | Polyethylene closed-cell foam and insulating quilt |
| Lighting | 2 x stalk reading lights and 3 x diffused LED lights |
| Roof Cargo System | Integrated cargo tracks for compatible load bars |
| Installation | Professional installation by a qualified roof-conversion installer required |
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles does the Icarus fit?
The Icarus is designed specifically for the Land Rover Defender 110 from 1984 onwards. Vehicle condition and previous roof modifications should be reviewed before installation.
Is the Icarus available in different colours?
Yes. The roof conversion is available in Black or White.
Is Icarus a rooftop tent?
Not in the conventional sense. It replaces the Defender’s factory roof and integrates the sleeping area directly with the vehicle interior.
Does the conversion provide standing room?
Yes. When the roof is open and the sleeping platform is raised, the Icarus creates standing room inside the Defender.
How many people can sleep inside?
Icarus is designed for two people and includes a mattress measuring approximately 2370 mm long by 1250 mm wide.
Can bedding remain inside?
Yes. Suitable bedding can remain inside when arranged neatly and kept within the available closed-roof clearance. Never force the conversion closed around excessive bedding.
How quickly does the roof open?
The Icarus is designed for fast one-person setup. Opening effort can increase when cargo is mounted on the roof.
Can the Icarus be removed later?
Yes. The conversion is designed to be reversible and may be transferred to another compatible Defender or removed to restore the original roof. All removal and restoration work must be completed professionally.
Can I install it myself?
No. The Icarus replaces the Defender’s factory roof and must be installed by a qualified professional familiar with roof conversions, vehicle sealing and electrical integration.
Can load bars be installed?
Yes. The roof includes integrated cargo tracks for compatible load bars and selected rooftop equipment.
Can I add the Alu-Cab Backrest and Interior Drop-Down Table?
Yes. Both are listed as compatible Icarus accessories and can be combined to create an interior seating and dining or working area.
Can I add a 270° Shadow Awning?
Yes. The Icarus can be configured with an Alu-Cab 270° Shadow Awning using the correct roof-conversion brackets.
Can I add an Alu-Cab Shower Cube?
Yes. The Shower Cube can be added using the appropriate roof-conversion mounting brackets.
Does Cap-it arrange installation?
Yes. Contact Cap-it to review your Defender, accessory requirements, installation location and scheduling.
Why Buy From Cap-it?
Cap-it has helped Canadians build trucks, off-road vehicles and adventure systems since 1977. As Canada’s Home for Alu-Cab, we import Alu-Cab products directly from South Africa and support them through our Canadian distribution network and experienced retail locations.
A roof conversion requires more than ordering the correct part. Our team can help review your Defender, confirm compatibility, select Black or White, configure optional accessories and coordinate professional installation.
Built in South Africa. Professionally installed and supported by Cap-it in Canada.
Designed for Adventure®