How would you outfit this custom LJ?

[Ford Prefect]

Yes, a two inch BB would be my second choice. You have never sounded like you were looking for anything monsterous. I just like the little extra in either option, just to be able to get that axle a touch higher up off the ground.

So are you thinking about putting in storage, or shelving? If you go in this line you really will not likely need the rack on top. Perhaps it would be nice for fuels, but other than that your jeep is very large inside, more so than many of the vehicles people on here use for the same purpose.

 

[jscherb]

So are you thinking about putting in storage, or shelving? If you go in this line you really will not likely need the rack on top. Perhaps it would be nice for fuels, but other than that your jeep is very large inside, more so than many of the vehicles people on here use for the same purpose.

Not shelving, but I do have some custom storage ideas that I may be doing in fiberglass. Mostly I'm looking for ideas from this group though, I'm expecting you guys have better ideas on this than I do.

 

[Beowulf]

If I could only do one thing to a stock Rubicon LJ, it would be the Safari tank from Genright. Having nearly 32 gallons of gas is really nice for the long trips.

 

[jscherb]

If I could only do one thing to a stock Rubicon LJ, it would be the Safari tank from Genright. Having nearly 32 gallons of gas is really nice for the long trips.

I've been thinking about doing one of those tanks... last week I took a long trip in the Suburban, and the 400-mile range (while towing a trailer - it's got a 500 mile range with no trailer) was really nice compared to the 250-mile range of the LJ.

 

[jscherb]

Today I'm going to mold a different side window panel for the hardtop as an experiment. This one will have a large window opening, which could be filled either with a snap-in soft window or a clamp-in framed glass window. Here's an edit of a photo to show what the opening will look like, and two concept drawings below showing the open side and the side with the snap-in soft window.

Here's a look at the details of how the soft window will snap in (left side in the drawing below).

The soft window would attach into the recess with snaps. There would be a nylon stiffener sewed into the canvas frame of the soft window to aid in applying pressure to the weatherstrip. And on the right of the drawing below, if I could find the right window frame extrusion, then glass windows could also be mounted in these same openings for winter use. The red frame extrusion in the drawing is one I made up, based on some commercial extrusions.

This side window concept would give the insulation and security of glass windows when needed, but the flexibility of running more open when the weather permits by snapping out the soft windows.

Molding the different side window panel is very simple, it's just an insert that goes in the original mold:

(The other mold on the left in the photo is the hardtop rear corner module. I'm also molding a different version of that module today, this one's for the half cab version of the hardtop and the insert you can see in that mold is to allow the roll bars to pass through the back wall of the hardtop with no modification to the roll bars).

 

[ddog45]

top please

Can you mail me all of your expeiramental pieces so that I can assemble one of your tops here in colorado?

 

[tweenerlj]

Today I'm going to mold a different side window panel for the hardtop as an experiment. This one will have a large window opening, which could be filled either with a snap-in soft window or a clamp-in framed glass window. Here's an edit of a photo to show what the opening will look like, and two concept drawings below showing the open side and the side with the snap-in soft window.

Here's a look at the details of how the soft window will snap in (left side in the drawing below).

The soft window would attach into the recess with snaps. There would be a nylon stiffener sewed into the canvas frame of the soft window to aid in applying pressure to the weatherstrip. And on the right of the drawing below, if I could find the right window frame extrusion, then glass windows could also be mounted in these same openings for winter use. The red frame extrusion in the drawing is one I made up, based on some commercial extrusions.

This side window concept would give the insulation and security of glass windows when needed, but the flexibility of running more open when the weather permits by snapping out the soft windows.

I really like this idea! Way better and easier than having a factory hardtop for winter, then full soft top for summer.

 

[jscherb]

Here's what the actual parts look like, popped them out of the mold this morning.

On the left is the soft window panel for the full length top, on the right, the half cab rear corner with the roll bar pass-through. Both are only roughly trimmed at this point; for the side panel, I've left the inside flange larger than its final size until I determine how much room would be required for snaps and weatherstrip; for the rear corner, most of the "indent" for the roll bar gets cut out except for a 3/8" flange to secure the weatherstripping.

Here's a shot of the new panel standing in front of the full side, it gives some idea of the opening size, basically the same as the two glass windows. The new panel bolts right in place of the original window panel so the door surround and rear corner get reused in the new configuration:

 

[Root Moose]

Much prefer the one big window panel.

That said, the two windows does have it's advantages. Dark tint on the rearward window could keep prying eyes from looking into the cargo area.

 

[jscherb]

Much prefer the one big window panel.

That said, the two windows does have it's advantages. Dark tint on the rearward window could keep prying eyes from looking into the cargo area.

The goal of this side panel experiment is to make panels with the largest window openings possible so that when the snap-in windows are removed, there's as much of an "open air feeling" as possible. I think having the front of the window angled to match the angle of the door frame as I have it in the fixed window version looks better, but I made the opening in this new side panel perfectly rectangular so the snap-in windows would be interchangeable left and right, which could make things a little less expensive.

In a couple of days I'll have this new panel trimmed and primed in black like the rest of the top so then I'll bolt it all up and install it so we can see how it looks on the Jeep as part of the hardtop.

 

[Jim K in PA]

Looks good J. You may or may not recall my comments in your first thread about the desirability of a side window that swings open. This is getting closer! Access to the rear storage area of my LJ from the side would be fantastic. I could pull a beer from the Engel without having to swing the tire carrier and tailgate open, or climb over the front seats . . . :wings:

Nice work, as always.

BTW - do you know if the OEM hard top side windows are bonded in place, or just gasketed?

 

[jscherb]

I need everyone's input on this design - rather than outfit the LJ for sleeping, I think it's better to have a companion trailer. This trailer would be made from two TJ/LJ tubs, a trailer frame, and a top made from the existing Safari Cab molds, no new molds would be required to build this one.

There's a pull-out kitchen with stove, sink, water tank and storage, also a canvas canopy that can be set up over the kitchen. Could also make a canopy to go between the back of the LJ and the front of the camper, to allow access between the two in the rain.

Sleeping is on a platform above the kitchen, there is enough room for a full double mattress (54" x 75"), so plenty of room to sleep two people. Windows swing open/up and would have screens for flow-through ventilation.

What have I missed?

Since this uses the existing molds I've got, and readily obtainable Jeep tubs, trailer parts, this would be a very straightforward construction project.

 

[jscherb]

BTW - do you know if the OEM hard top side windows are bonded in place, or just gasketed?

Sorry, don't know, I've never taken the windows out of an OEM hardtop.

 

[tweenerlj]

Here's a look at the details of how the soft window will snap in (left side in the drawing below).

The soft window would attach into the recess with snaps. There would be a nylon stiffener sewed into the canvas frame of the soft window to aid in applying pressure to the weatherstrip. And on the right of the drawing below, if I could find the right window frame extrusion, then glass windows could also be mounted in these same openings for winter use. The red frame extrusion in the drawing is one I made up, based on some commercial extrusions.

This side window concept would give the insulation and security of glass windows when needed, but the flexibility of running more open when the weather permits by snapping out the soft windows.

What about ditching the extrusion surrounding the glass and attach the glass to the inner extrusion using button fasteners like those used to attach the struts to the back glass on the factory hardtop? The glass could seal against the weatherstripping. I would think that would give it a much cleaner look.

 

[Ford Prefect]

Not sure about the new ones but the older windows were just gasketed in there.

SO are you home again Jeff? How did the trip go, where they thrilled to see you?

By the by, I think you are about to build the strangest 'tear drop' trailer anyone has ever had! But I like it!