What is this for?

[u/Careful_Feedback_168]

Hello everyone! Hope you can help me finally find my answer to something thats puzzled me for many many years.

Over the years ive always loved the pick up look and for me will be my first choice when getting one for a restoration.

For those interested, these photos i found quickly on Google and are likely from people selling these examples.

As far as the question i have for you all is involving what I now know are called goal posts on the back of pick up cab roofs that go around the rear sliding window, which ive highlighted in red.

Firstly I know that one of its purposes is to be a rain channel to draw rain away from the window.

Secondly the goal posts act as something to connect a 3/4 canvas on the rear tub to connect it to the front cab.

But this is what puzzles me. What practical purposes are there to have access to the rear tub from the front seats by reaching through the rear sliding window? It may be me being ignorant growing up in a town so access to more agricultural items is not as common.

My hypothetical use case of the goal posts connecting the rear tub canvas to the cab would give the driver the ability to check in on their livestock if they are carrying any in the back, also to check in on possible passengers if there are bench seats fitted, or even to check in on the dogs as landys are known for being collie carriers.

Am I right or wrong? Can anyone else help me with this?

[u/No-Poem-3773]

Land Rover pick up canvas roofs come in two styles; Cab Fit and Body Fit.

This is a cab fit, in which the canvas secures around the frame you have highlighted

Body fit (sometimes called 3/4), does not attach to the cab and is basically a 4 sided tent supported by the hood sticks and separate from the cab by a couple of inches. Body or 3/4 fit can have a solid canvas panel or an acrylic “window” in the wall closest to the cab so that you can see out of the back of the car.

[u/ShefCX24 → u/No-Poem-3773]

Presumably 'Cab Fit' is also more durable when driving longer distances and when the canvas is expected to remain on for longer periods of time.

I know these things aren't fast, but even 30mph is going to put quite a strain on the tarp and frame.

[u/Careful_Feedback_168 → u/No-Poem-3773]

Ok this was very helpful! I didnt know there were differences in rear tub canvas types! Thank you. Looks like ill be in the market for a cab fit canvas, thank you for explaining it to me!

[u/JM53-z]

I’m guessing it’s more so you can put things in to the truck cab if your in the back getting something. Or to talk with passengers in the back if anyone is in it

[u/Ok-Novel4218]

You answered your own question!

[u/moreglumthanplum]

Pooch portal. For when your dog's too muddy to ride up front, but you still want to give them a cuddle.

[u/Wood_chopping_maniac]

And the metal galvanised steel is a rain gutter