I want to sooooo bad!
I either want to make a custom rag top or chop the roof and make a hardtop convertible.
Theres a jeep in the junkyard I could rip the rollcage out of and modify it to fit.
I want to make it look like this jeep.

The doors still have a frame just the roof is gone. I figured I would need to make some kind of mounting set up that wouldn't be a quick release, something that has to be unbolted. Weatherstripping. I've got the tools, and the time.

I've searched and can't find any walk thrus on how hardtops are achieved.

 

yes it's doable. Been done on minitrucks since the 80s. Search teh intArwebz.

 

But all of that is for regular cabs.
I've googled til my fingers fell off.

 

all you really need is a saw. it's kinda like chopping the top off a bronco2. you'll have to build a rollbar or something since you're cutting out some of the support.

 

Anything is possible with a sawzall and some patience.

Or a lack of patience, depending on who is doing it.

 

Lack of patience thats me. I just want functionality..nothing more. Idc if it looks half assed. I want to drive down trails and feel the breeze. But it's also a semi-daily driver so it can't fly off going to work.

 

lol if you make it half assed its gonna perform half assed.. i hope you like leaks!

 

Thats not what I meant.
I don't care if the welds are ugly or it's primer everywhere.

 

ohhh ok lol . good welds can still be ugly..

 

I have seen roadtser ext cabs. You can make the ext cab a removable hard top if you want. All it takes is a little more work.

After you cut the roof off, you need to brace your cab to keep it from flexing.

 

Actually, it would be better to brace the cab before cutting anything. Helps it fit back together later.

 

well technically yes, that would be the proper way to do it, but that bracing would only be temporary. In the case if I were to do it, I would make X braces in the cab to keep it from flexing before chopping the roof off. After it's chopped off, I would keep the X brace in the cab and make permanent braces in the areas needed and then remove the X brace when the cab is stiffered up enough. Then I'd have to fill in and plate the top of the bodyline where the roof was cut off.

 

I was going to run a bar from each side from one seat belt bolt to the other.

I've got a better idear though.


First I would lay out a peice of plexiglass or lexan and use a heat gun to bend it to mold to the roof's curve on the back.
Then remove the rear window and cut as you see it. I would run weatherstripping like that around the door openings on the edge and silicone it in place and some screws as well. Cut the plexi/lexan to fit cleanly on the weatherstripping without overlapping.
Then on the inside of the cab use the hold down found on jeep hoods every 8"s to pull the plexiglass tight to the cab and seal it.
I would weld in a support at the bend to prevent cave in of the plexi/lexan and to prevent flex.

The truck never sees speeds more then 45mph and thats only when I go down the long road to get to our offroad spots, it's mainly all residential roads of 35mph. So the chance of it flying off is low.

If i don't attempt this I will cut out a hole in the roof and do this same idea... and just remove the back window and use weatherstripping and wing nuts to remove it.

 

They had something like that back in 94 called the Super Dome

Seems everyone is going with a ragtop these days. - Ranger Power Sports Forum

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...ight=SUperDome

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...ight=SUperDome

 

Oh come on! Seriously!
I wonder if i can find a super dome and do it...cause my idea sucks and will probably leak.

 

i would totaly do this, if i found a kit.