XJ Cherokee convertible?

[BltByKrmn]

Since Wranglers are insanely expensive and pretty small inside, has anyone done research on cutting the top off of the XJ Cherokee? How much structural reinforcement would the XJ need?

I'm picturing leaving the roof over the driver/passenger, a simple roll cage over the back 2/3, remove all carpet and truck bed liner inside and out. Should be pretty easy to find a cheap running XJ, seems like it could be a fun beater.

I think this is a pickup, but you get the point:

[rpmk4]

do it. with enough tubes welded in you will be fine

[Quinn1.8t]

Lots and lots of people chop the top off of Cherokees. As already said, add rollcage/unibody reinforcement and it will be fine.

Edit: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&b...og&sa=N&tab=wi

[2 doors]

I think this is a pickup, but you get the point:

What you have pictured IS a 2 door XJ with the roof cut off. I have seen a 4 door with the roof off, and it looks kind of dumb.

Remeber, these have top hinged liftgates, so you'd need to fab a tailgate. It would be pretty flimsy I'd imagine. With what you spent on reinforcing an XJ, you probably could have bought a Wrangler. YJ's are cheaper than TJ's.

Don't forget about other topless wonders: 1st gen 4-Runners, Samurai's, Scouts (all rusted to death or extremely expensive), fullsize Blazers & Broncos, Izusu Amigos.

[deucestudios]

I think this is a pickup, but you get the point:

That's a chop top 2 door XJ cherokee, not an MJ comanchee pickup.

If you use that the way it looks to be built, it'll fold in half. You'd want a full cage, or a hybrid internal/exo cage.

edit:
something like this:

[BltByKrmn]

If anyone is interested, I found the build thread to that black 2 door XJ I posted a picture of:

http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/two...hop-top-39343/

[duke of chucchinchilla]

Not a bad idea actually. I like the results of these two.

2 door


4 door

[BltByKrmn]

This build is awesome, here's another one: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557715





Removable hard top back on:

[speedworks1]

That's a chop top 2 door XJ cherokee, not an MJ comanchee pickup.

I like this one

[patrickvr6]

Don't forget about other topless wonders: 1st gen 4-Runners, Samurai's, Scouts (all rusted to death or extremely expensive), fullsize Blazers & Broncos, Izusu Amigos.

You can also unbolt the roof from first gen Range Rovers using hand tools. They also have this little novelty called a frame so they don't flex like wet noodles.


Convertible Range Rover by willtel, on Flickr


Topless Range Rover by willtel, on Flickr

[duke of chucchinchilla]

^Forget the Cherokees I posted, I want that.

[BltByKrmn]

You can also unbolt the roof from first gen Range Rovers using hand tools. They also have this little novelty called a frame so they don't flex like wet noodles.

I didn't realize that, it would probably be about 10000x easier.

[badb5]

You can also unbolt the roof from first gen Range Rovers using hand tools. They also have this little novelty called a frame so they don't flex like wet noodles.


Convertible Range Rover by willtel, on Flickr


Topless Range Rover by willtel, on Flickr

I used to own one of these and never knew that.

[duke of chucchinchilla]

I didn't realize that, it would probably be about 10000x easier.

And 10000x cooler.

[welderdood]

It's weird because I have been thinking about doing this to a Jeep for a while now. We have a guy in town who did it to a four door and it's okay but kind of hacked. If you have the right tools it shouldn't be a huge project.Just have to make sure that you add enough material to avoid flex -

[ttvick]

awesome

[Tokyosmash]

Since Wranglers are insanely expensive and pretty small inside

Have you sat both an XJ and a YJ or TJ? Cherokee passanger compartments feel like being in a sardine can.

[B3passatBMX]

Have you sat both an XJ and a YJ or TJ? Cherokee passanger compartments feel like being in a sardine can.

I love it. Feels like a cockpit. I really miss mine but don't miss spending $100 a week on gas.

This...

..is completely badass

And this one...

...looks extremely well done. Almost to nice to thrash on some trails.

[VdubChaos]

Why are Wranglers so expensive anyways?

[BltByKrmn]

I've tried to find some info on removing the RR Classic's top, but haven't found much. Anyone have some info on it?




This one is on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-...b857aae7#v4-38

[thetopdog]

Why are Wranglers so expensive anyways?

They don't lose value because they're similar to motorcycles. An old example is still pretty cool and can do almost everything a new example can do, so there's a big demand for used ones

[Tokyosmash]

They don't lose value because they're similar to motorcycles. An old example is still pretty cool and can do almost everything a new example can do, so there's a big demand for used ones

That and JK Wranglers are horrible piles of **** as far as the offroader community is involved so prices for older examples went up, I got lucky on the Rubicon price wise.

[VdubChaos]

They don't lose value because they're similar to motorcycles. An old example is still pretty cool and can do almost everything a new example can do, so there's a big demand for used ones

That doesn't really answer my question. I guess for the used portion.

I'm just wondering why they are so expensive new. Is it like Apple, they CAN charge that much so they do? Or is there really that much materials that go into it?

[thetopdog]

That doesn't really answer my question. I guess for the used portion.

I'm just wondering why they are so expensive new. Is it like Apple, they CAN charge that much so they do? Or is there really that much materials that go into it?

Oh, I figured you were referring to used once since we're talking about older cars in this thread. I have no idea about their prices new

[Quinn1.8t]

That and JK Wranglers are horrible piles of **** as far as the offroader community is involved ...

What brings you to this conclusion?

[Tokyosmash]

What brings you to this conclusion?

Expensive, poor build quality and reliability, the 3.8 is... Disappointing.

[patrickvr6]

I've tried to find some info on removing the RR Classic's top, but haven't found much. Anyone have some info on it?

There isn't much to it. Once you remove the headliner you can see small bolts around the perimeter of the top panel. Remove those and the roof panel comes off. The window frames are built onto the doors so they still work. The entire Range Rover body unbolts from around the floor pans.

[caddy 2 dope]

why would you make a jeep truck out of an suv when you could easily just buy a jeep truck?

[welderdood]

Jeep pick ups are pretty uncommon in my neck of the woods and the ones that I have found have all be 2wd
Where as I can throw a rock and find a Cherokee sport in decent shape for 2k

[BltByKrmn]

There isn't much to it. Once you remove the headliner you can see small bolts around the perimeter of the top panel. Remove those and the roof panel comes off. The window frames are built onto the doors so they still work. The entire Range Rover body unbolts from around the floor pans.

Cool, thanks. Do you know if a roll bar/cage is a necessity? Thinking about this a little bit more I would want to try and figure out how to have some sort of canvas top as well.

Thought this was pretty cool too.

[BltByKrmn]

why would you make a jeep truck out of an suv when you could easily just buy a jeep truck?

I'm not looking to do this because it has a truck bed, I'm looking for an open top offroad beater that seats 4.

[RenegadeE36]

I did it to my Classic.

Roof just unbolts, then I cut the back quarter out. I'm having a friend weld up a cage and getting a snap on top made for it.