for those who have chopped their top, how did you make it reasonably clean?

[90Pioneer]

I'm considering cutting the roof and sides off in the cargo area of my 96 XJ.

I would basically be cutting along the lines of the rear windows once removed.

For those who have done this, how did you get it to come out fairly clean with the roof rack and sides, etc

My other option is to just leave it on with no hatch (damaged during roll over)

 

[Cottontail]

Or your third option is to go to the Pull A Part and pay $40 for a new used hatch. At least that is what our PAP charges for that part....

 

[Wil Badger]

Go and find either a later model steel hatch and graft that in or you can find a Comanche cab to hack. I have even heard some use the rear section of Nissan cab.

Take your time cutting make it fit as tight as possible and get to welding. The roof section is the rough spot. Remember to save the rear half of the roof where the roof ridges end so you can graft that back in.

Go to XJ DataBase there are plenty of pictures over there of chops.