XJ Unibody - strong enough to "camperize"
- Thread starter CLynn85
- Start date
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
jh504 said:
And/or vehicles that have not been maintained depending on the specific instance.
Back on topic...
If you want to attempt this I say go for it. I think all the foibles of the setup have been mentioned at this point.
If I was going to do it I'd reinforce the unirails and add a mild cage of some sort. If you intend to wheel this machine you'd be well served to add those items regardless of the roof modification anyway.
For the hassle of building it and your intended usage (the ability to tour urban areas without a trailer), maybe a roof top tent would get you out there quicker.
Again, $0.02.
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
Root Moose said:
Not to mention, the price in the end might be comparable....?
This is a good point, this project would represent a lot of effort just to save some "profile" and possibly fuel.
madizell said:
I am sorry, but your reply is such that I do not consider you to be experienced in the topic on hand. If you had removed/replaced an XJ roof skin at some point, you would understand my point entirely.
But it is not worth arguing - I know exactly where that would go already.
The Swiss
Expedition Leader
True, but the roof had to be cut to put these conversion top roofs on. So, there you have some examples where it was done before.CLynn85 said:
When a pop-up roof is added, the roof is not only cut upen but a reinforcement frame is welded in place around the roof opening. The skin itself of a car roof is NOT structural, the roof reinforcements connecting the the left and right A, B, C and D-pillars however are. I don't think cutting either the B or C brace out would be too much of a problem; cutting them both I would not recommend without the reinforcement frame.
dukegnarley
Observer
I have a 66 mustang coupe and a 65 mustang convertible. they are essentially the same car. the convertible has some added bracing on the bottom and an additional boxed channel on the inside of the rocker panels.
The coupe is significantly stiffer due to the roof. you can feel it while driving.
That being said, Unibodys aren't made with magic, they're just different. I would see no problem whatsoever in cutting out a chunk of the roof as long as you add some bracing to compensate. you can add a LOT of bracing to the bottom of the car, but you'd have better results with adding your bracing higher up near the roof. Do a little research on "polar moment of inertia" and you'll see why this makes sense.
Personally, i would weld up some tube into the rectangular shape you plan on cutting out of the roof, then cut the roof to the same shape and weld the tube to the remaining roof so half of the tube is above the roof line and half below. Then connect that tubing to a basic 6 or 8 point rollcage. With the rollcage welded through the floor and into the frame rails, the upper rectangle will be able to support a pretty good load. the cage itself will add stiffness in torsion and bending while providing rollover protection.
You could beef up the frame rails but with a decent cage it probably wouldn't be worth the added weight.
The coupe is significantly stiffer due to the roof. you can feel it while driving.
That being said, Unibodys aren't made with magic, they're just different. I would see no problem whatsoever in cutting out a chunk of the roof as long as you add some bracing to compensate. you can add a LOT of bracing to the bottom of the car, but you'd have better results with adding your bracing higher up near the roof. Do a little research on "polar moment of inertia" and you'll see why this makes sense.
Personally, i would weld up some tube into the rectangular shape you plan on cutting out of the roof, then cut the roof to the same shape and weld the tube to the remaining roof so half of the tube is above the roof line and half below. Then connect that tubing to a basic 6 or 8 point rollcage. With the rollcage welded through the floor and into the frame rails, the upper rectangle will be able to support a pretty good load. the cage itself will add stiffness in torsion and bending while providing rollover protection.
You could beef up the frame rails but with a decent cage it probably wouldn't be worth the added weight.
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
The Swiss said:
Good point.
OverlandZJ
Expedition Leader
This may help. It's a prototype that never went into production from what i'v read. You can see it's been reinforced inside with framework connected to an interior cage.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/grimmpics/IMG_6513.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/grimmpics/IMG_6513.jpg
dukegnarley
Observer
there are companies that make rag top kits just like that.
over2land
Observer
OverlandXJ said:
LOL, that is/was my buddy Tony's XJ. I was there for "install" of the hole. It ended up being an article in JP Magazine.
He already had a cage, already had frame stiffeners (TnT), and the cutting of the roof didn't do crap to the door alignement,closing, or measurements between pillars... regardless of the fact that the cage didn't tie into the pillars.
All that said, I have no fears cutting a hole in an XJ.... but I do agree with the "live around" sentiment. Basically to me, either you sleep in it, OR you do everything else in it... (cook, clean, bathe, etc...). I can't see the space for both. And even with 2 or 3 feet extra clearance with my XJ, I'd still be cooking on my knees.
JeepN95YJ
Adventurer
Here is a guy putting a Vanagon top on a Cherokee. Looks like it is in process, but he seems to be working quickly:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=665127
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=665127
Maximus Ram
Expedition Leader
Great, yet another thread on another site that I will need to follow:yikes: Thanks alot:hehe: :hehe:
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
Bump for many pages of updates on the VW topper'd XJ posted above :wings: