Topless 2 door -getting there

[Rev Den]

Taillights in, major welding done, still got some little items.

http://home.attbi.com/~denjeep/pic/day4.jpg


Rev

[4ward]

Is that all the cage you're putting in or am I not seeing something in those pics. Where's the A hoop? I'm not trying to bag on your design, but I don't see much of anything in helping to keep that thing from twisting. I've been wondering what a 2 door chop would look like, I can dig it. Just try and get that thing from looking like a pretzel at the end of a day of wheelin'.

Sean

[Rev Den]

Thats it. There is 1" square .120 welded where the hatch was, angled, renforced, etc. I had it twisted up today in a ditch...no twists. Thanks for asking, glad to know someone is thinking about it besides me. Also, the "B" hoop is tied to the existing "B" piller in 2 places, and the floor, each side.


Rev

[HossHoffer]

You've got me hooked. The top comes off of my '85 two door this summer. Just hope it looks as good as yours!

[CheapXJ]

What's supposed to keep you from eating the windshield in the event of a rollover?

Definitely looks kickass tho! (I've been working on drawings of a half-cab 2-door XJ with a removable sunroof, a full cage, and cut doors with soft inserts similar to what you'd find on a Scout SSII)

seeing all these chopped 2-doors lately is really giving me good ideas, and givin me a good look at the XJ's body structure.

[Rev Den]

Originally posted by CheapXJ
What's supposed to keep you from eating the windshield in the event of a rollover?

Same thing that does in a stock XJ. The roof was rolled over and welded to the existing structure. This formed, is essence, a steel tube along the roof line. I also gusseted the front corners to help distribute the loads. Is it as storng as a cage? NO. Is it as strong as the original roof? Yes.

Thnk of this as a cheap and easy (sort of) way to do it. If Beezils is a 10 (which it is) this is more like a 3. Safe, sound, but not real pretty.

Rev

[CheapXJ]

actually, the roof sheetmetal itself did quite a bit to keep eveything together. It helped distribute load, which is really key to the design of the chassis. its resistance to impact is greatly diminished by removing the the roof sheetmetal.

and even then, the factory setup is weak to begin with... Unfortunately, I did a little "destructive testing" on one of my previous XJs, seeing how the roof folded up easily in stock form, I'd be seriously worried about that without something more substantial up there.

Not tryin to be a nuisance. Genuine concern ;)

[Economos]

Looks good, but I must agree with OneTon and Cheap. Honestly, how much more work and money would it cost you to throw in the A hoop and a dash bar with some over head spreaders? IMHO, its worth the hassle - call it insurance if you will.:cool:

[Rev Den]

Good points...and well taken. Thanks guys, there may be a A hoop in the future. Thanks again for your input.

Rev

[CheapXJ]

You plannin any kinda soft top/bikini for that?

[Rev Den]

Yea...got find a place...might have to venture into the........(hush) City!!!! Lions and tigers (no Bears) ohh my!!

Rev

[mtndewmaniac]

Good looking XJ you have there. wish that I had seen something like this a few months ago before I started mine. Glad to see that there is another two-door topless similar to mine.

[freewithfire]

what did you use for the tailgate there? it looks like cj tail-lights. Do you have a fold down tailgate? im planning on doing a similar thing to my four door xj and was thinking of just cutting the original hatchback in half and converting it into a fold down tailgate. looks tight by the way.
Adam

[Mcstiff]

I too have "tested" the structural abilitys fo my XJ roof and on a scale of 1-10 I would give it a 5 because it did not hit me in the head but is too deformed to sit in the seat and drive the car :D

Looks cool, I wish I had the time to start cutting my top off :D

[Rev Den]

Originally posted by freewithfire
what did you use for the tailgate there? it looks like cj tail-lights. Do you have a fold down tailgate? im planning on doing a similar thing to my four door xj and was thinking of just cutting the original hatchback in half and converting it into a fold down tailgate. looks tight by the way.
Adam

Tailgate is 1/8 plate, backed by 1X1 .120 tubing. The taillights are cheap 4" peterson units. No, the tailgate does not fold down, it is part of the structure now.

Rev

[Wallyman]

have been looking all over the place 4 someone who has done this allready.Thanks, u have motivated me 2 break out the sawz-all!!!!!!I ran out of other things 2 do.if u decide it needs more strenght, please let me no.:party:

[Rev Den]

Thanks.
So-far, so-good. That said, make sure you are comfortable with what you are doing, you are changing the structure of your XJ. You are elimanating crumple zones and major support members. I went bare minimum approach, maybe to little, time will tell. Hit me up if you want more details on what I did, its totally your responsability to make you vehicle safe.

Rev
(Not trying to scare you, or talk you out of it, just want you to know it is not all that easy)

[Wallyman]

YEs i understand about the safety factor.And i have a couple very experienced welder friends that were tought by the coast guard.So the main questions i have r ,what did u use 2 cut, a die grinder,saws all, leatherman heh.where did u anchor the rear supports to n the back, how much room is left n the back,i am assuming most of the braces were pretty much cut and weld home-made.Do u notice much body "flex" .And of course, how many strange looks do u get? I am gonna wait till i get 2 Cali 2 do this so i will have some time 2 get research done first.And i think i am gonna use the spray-in bed liner on the interior once it is cut.could the rear lift-gate b cut and welded n or do u think the squre stock is stronger. It seems as though it probably would b.Thanks 4 the info,..Wally

[Rev Den]

OK...you asked.

To cut it I used a sabre saw, much cleaner than a sawzall. The supports are welded to a cross beam that is welded to the floor across the "frame" rails and spring mounts, the beam is also welded and gusseted to the reinforced sides. I did not cut the original weld or seam below the back side windows.
I have less than 1/4" flex measured from front right corner of the roof to the left rear corner of the roof.
I used Durabak to cover the interior of mine, I like the Rhino I have on the floor better, but the Durabak was much cheaper for this project and it looks good.
My hatch was fiberglass, it would have been a bit*h to weld so I used the tubing and plate. Everything is custom cut and welded.
Strange looks? Believe it or not, I get less now than before I cut it, I think the walking dead that are not jeepers think it is normal that way.

For the deffinative source on this type of thing consult Beezil and OneTon, these guys are pros.

Rev

[Wallyman]

thanks much...ya no, after i went out and x-amed my hatch, mine is fiberglass also. can't b-lieve i hadn't noticed that b-4!well i guess that is out of the picture.I think i will go bug the others u speak of about this now, thanx again!

[Fore Wheeler]

Look into getting a windshield channel from a CJ or a YJ, it will screw to the top of the windshield and the front of the bikini top from a CJ/YJ slips into it, and with the strap type top, it'll lay on your B hoop and attach to little hoops that you put at the bottom of your cage.

I too agree with the above comments, my 4 door with the roof is starting to do alot of twisting, I can feel my seat move from time to time, which just goes to show that an XJ in stock form is weak after a bit of beating on.

Look nice tho.

[Mcstiff]

WIth the 2 door you could go 4-runner style and leave the b-pillar then (maybe) find a pickup topper that will fit.

[Rev Den]

The top issue is on its way to being resolved. I found a place that does custom tops for vehicles all the time. The guy has the right idea, proven track record, and has done it before. Just waiting for the estimate, expect it to be $$$, but hell, its only money.

Rev

[jjchgo]

looking good rev. a buddy of mine saw you in downtown lisle a week or so ago. i dont know if he stoped and talked to you but he liked your rig enough to call me at work and tell me all about it.

cheers,

jj

[Beezil]

http://www.sonic.net/~sprocket/danroll2.jpg


Den....

do me a favor....

DON'T WHEEL THAT THING UNTIL YOU HAVE the A HOOP INSTALLED properly gusseted and even better.....triangulated!

[Rev Den]

Good point as always.

EVERYONE who does not have an A hoop...see above.

Rev

[Flowers]

I've been wondering what a 2 door chop would look like, I can dig it.


Sean,

I will you give you permission to be in the Infinishop for a maximum of 3 minutes. While you are there you should take the chance to see how a proper 2 door chop is executed.
Beezil does not know what he is doing............. Berndog does. Cameras are prohibited.


Timo

[Rev Den]

Originally posted by Flowers
Sean,

Beezil does not know what he is doing.............

Timo


Strong words there Timo.......hope your joking.

Rev

[jjchgo]

Originally posted by Flowers
Sean,

I will you give you permission to be in the Infinishop for a maximum of 3 minutes. While you are there you should take the chance to see how a proper 2 door chop is executed.
Beezil does not know what he is doing............. Berndog does. Cameras are prohibited.


Timo

loose lips, sink ships;) cant wait to see what you guys are working on down there.

cheers,

jj

[Flowers]

Strong words there Timo.......hope your joking.


I'm serious!

[4ward]

I agree, Beezil is clueless :firedevil All he knows how to do is post pictures.

[Beezil]

so, we'll be able to see what REAL bernie-fab is all about?

I suppose this is increasing the limits of bootie-fab?

[Gil BullyKatz]

I think their name is "Lincoln Marine & Trim"....I might be wrong...I'll double check if interested...They're here on the north side of Chicago On Lincoln Ave about 1 block north of Addison on the west side of the street. They've been around forever and I've seen a few of their custom jobbers on street rods/convertibles and a few speedboats..You could probably do a search online and they'll probably turn up..

Gil Bullykatz
"It's not the size of a dog in a fight....It's the size of fight in a dog"

[Beezil]

also.....

archer avenue around loomis and lock has a few sailmakers and topmakers.......

they'll probably more economical than the northside elston corridor marine suppliers....

and then there's the south branch marine corridor, ashland and western near the river have a couple joints....

otherwise, if you are up for a drive, you'll probably save the most money going to places around michigan city and "harbor country" up into st. joe.......

[Rev Den]

Thanks again for the tops suggestions....I have located a place in the 'burbs. Places that handle marine tops "can" do it....but...the few I hit said "too busy, try October" or "well...we can make something work". The place I found handles this regularly, they know what to do, and how to handle all the details. I get pics when done.....about 2 weeks before i can get it in.


Thanks again,

Rev

[Flowers]

so, we'll be able to see what REAL bernie-fab is all about?

Bootie-Fab or not....Bernies welds stick.


Flowers

[cheeryoleary]

Hey guys new to the board and was linked over from JU.
Ok that jeep is great. I have a buddy of mine here in Canada that did the same thing last month. I am doing two four door xj as we speek. one 90 Larado and the other is my wifes 91 4 door with 3" skyjacker lift.
If I could find out how to post a pic I would.
I am going to have kits for sale soon as I get all the detail done. My brother has a upolstrey shop if you want a top made for that jeep. I could get some info from you take some mesurments for my buddys jeep and get you one made up no proble.
good to see others like the convertible XJ.

[Beezil]

Cheery....

I have a fourdoor myself, that has some choppin going on, but it still has most of its roof, don't know if it would help you....

how much choppin are you thinking?

[cheeryoleary]

I am just cupping from the rear side window back. the one that we are working on now is going to have a tail gate from a MJ.
and some custom fab work with sheat matel for side piceses in the back. my brother who does the upolstery wants the hole thing done like the pic's on this thread. I was thinking of do that with the next one but my so called wife just told me to get out and I told her to F off as you know how that goes, so she went somewhere with her dogs for the night so I dont think that I will be doing that to her jeep. great life. anyway if you have any pic's of what you have done post them or if you are like me and can,t do that send them to me at tazjeeper@ hotmail.com. I would love to see them.

[cheeryoleary]

I was just reading my post and well if you see stuff misspeled it is be cause I was just told by the wife (not) to get out so forgive me.

[Beezil]

http://users.rcn.com/beezil/public/Lake4.JPG

I have other pictures of that one if it helps....

http://users.rcn.com/beezil/public/ (pictures)

[4ward]

I'd prefer to see a more recent shot ;)

Sean

[cheeryoleary]

yes I was just looking at some pic's of that jeep on JU. it's nicely done. I would love to see some shots of the inside. to see how the cage went together.

[JnJ]

Ya, let's see it after you've wheeled it a couple times. :)

[Beezil]

Ya, let's see it after you've wheeled it a couple times

one bung....I think the recent attica pics need to come out.

[cheeryoleary]

put a link up Beeril or some pics on this jeep at work. I would say it can wheel.

[Beezil]

i did, check under the pic....

if you wanna check something out thats not there, I may have a pic that isn't uploaded.

oh yeah, have jnj send you pics of his............they wouldn't happen to be pics of........

YOUR JUNK IN YOUR GARAGE WOULD THEY JNJ?????

Next time, don't make yourself such an easy target.....

hmmmmm......then you wouldn't ever post....

jnj.....(flipoff)

[cheeryoleary]

that right but remember they do not call me cheery because I am a happy cheery guy. hehe
is jnj on this board or ju?

[JnJ]

Originally posted by Beezil
oh yeah, have jnj send you pics of his............they wouldn't happen to be pics of........

YOUR JUNK IN YOUR GARAGE WOULD THEY JNJ?????

Next time, don't make yourself such an easy target.....

hmmmmm......then you wouldn't ever post....

jnj.....(flipoff)
Hey now, I wasn't busting your chops this time Beezilbutt, you said something about peeling the doors, I want to see. Bout time you graduated from the mall speed bumps.
BTW, mine is out of the garage (in the driveway now)! Still have a few more thing to finish up, but I can promise you when it's done, it wont take me 6 months to really get out and wheel it. (flipoff). :)
Here is a non-garage shot (still a poser shot though).

http://jeep_n_john.tripod.com/flexfront.jpg

[Beezil]

Here is a non-garage shot (I'm still a beat-off though).


exactly.

[cheeryoleary]

anyone elts have any imput or pics of choped xj's?