Soft top conversion

[rob]

Hey,as I'm brand new to this site just like to say hello.My question is this,has anyone ever seen a xj roof removal and a soft top conversion done from windshield to liftgate.I can invision what it will look like but im not a engineer and I know it will require alot of thought and redesigning to the body alone not to mention the super structure.And question 2 is,does anyone know of a custom shop that would take on a project like this:confused:

[4.3LXJ]

Before you do that you will have to put in a full cage to brace the unibody. The roof gives the unibody structural strength you don't want to be without.

[XJ Wheeler]

Yeah, this is quite the undertaking. As 4.3lXJ said you're gonna need to cage it. And if you want the roof to actually be used and removable then its gonna need to be reinforced. Cover the edges, figure out something for a tailgate/back window, configure a latch system to hold down the roof, weatherstripping, rods to hold up the soft top, either a rail or snaps to hold the soft top on. To get someone to fabricate this would be very expensive as well. But would be awesome, and versatile.

And you could show off to the wrangler crowd.:p

[cantab27]

howdy rob....anything can be done ...lots of thinking and fab work ....heres a write up on a members rig..one of the best write ups out there and the mans work is fab art....sit down have a read a laugh and enjoy....

http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=5779&highlight=detours

[oderdene]

not full soft top, but man did this

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/Off_Road_Ram_01/Cherokee%20Project/100_2863.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/Off_Road_Ram_01/Cherokee%20Project/100_2625.jpg

full cage is required to keep integrity

[JENSSEN]

There is one seriosly awesome build on pirate4x4 I will have to find it for you

[oderdene]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-cherokee/557715-removable-top-xj-project-pics.html

but i can;t see the photos

as in other member's response, it was more than successful

[oderdene]

just for idea, here is good exmaple

http://www.davidallenracing.com/history.htm

http://www.davidallenracing.com/top9.jpg