Barn Door for JK factory hardtops

[jscherb]

Everything ordered.

I understand your point on mounting the right hand bracket to the hinge, but Im going to start using the left and right spare tire bolts. I ordered two sets of brackets so I can always add or use them for bracing.

My food cooler will be the main weight out there not my drinks cooler which is much larger. What will go into the ammo cans on there wont weigh much, D-rings, jumper cables, light weight tools, and such. Heavy tools will go in the vacated rear footwells, I dont have a rear seat.

Also ordered some Quick Fists so I can mount a shovel, maybe an axe if I need or want too, and my strap to the rack . The rack would also be a good place to mount those lights you've been testing, as well as a CB antenna mount.

I may rethink the ammo can idea once this is built, an Action Packer or 2 may be a better idea, heck maybe both. My rafting "kitchen" is in an Action Packer, it not as well thought out as others on here.

And, as Amplighter said, you'll need a Tactical Spare Cover .

I'm sure he's looking forward to seeing how you mount the spare...

here's what I'm thinking. I never really liked the idea of the spare tire mounted on the back of the wrangler seeing how the ranger's spare is under the bed. So is it possible assuming if and when we diced which wrangler to purchase.. to mount the spare inside the jeep towards either the left or right rear side of the jeep?.. this way we could do the tactical cover in the same interior color and have the molle pattern to attach more to the spare when needed. This would free up space on the rear of the jeep for the tray Jeff has an easy fix for using the reinforced door hinges.

 

[jscherb]

I'm working on laying out matching rear flat fenders. This first photo shows the outline of the fenders, the outside edge of the fender will be at the inside edge of the tape. The tape lines may look a little curved but they're actually straight, because of the cramped space in the garage there's some zoom lens distortion in this photo (notice the how the line between the top of the tub and hardtop is curved).

An approximation of the fender, trying to take into account the angle and perspective of the photo in the drawing of the fender.

A better concept drawing. The front fender is real, the rear is a drawing.

 

[akpostal]

Ill say it again, that looks sexy.

Like I said parts have been ordered and if the rack turns out half as good as your drawings I will be more then happy.

I used Unistrut to mount the spare and Hilift in my Postal Jeep and it held up well.

For the JK I just need to get over to AIH for either u-bolts or pipe clamps and some Unistrut, and spend some time with the tape measure. Not really in that order. Im ordering new tires and maybe rims next week so once thats done and the rack is on Ill be harping on getting the spare inside.

There is at least one group coming up from the Lower 48 this summer that I want to tag a long with, so thats motivation to get this all done.

Thanks again for the links and advice.

 

[jscherb]

Ill say it again, that looks sexy.

Thank you.

There is at least one group coming up from the Lower 48 this summer that I want to tag a long with, so thats motivation to get this all done.

I did an Alaska Jeep Expedition two years ago, although I wasn't part of a group, just my Jeep on the trip. I'm thinking about another Alaska trip perhaps next year.

Thanks again for the links and advice.

Glad I could help!!

 

[akpostal]

I did an Alaska Jeep Expedition two years ago, although I wasn't part of a group, just my Jeep on the trip. I'm thinking about another Alaska trip perhaps next year.

Be happy to tag along if you are in state. Some of the local clubs should be willing to guide you to some places.

Glad I could help!!

I cant wait to get the parts to put the rack together.

ETA: Wound up ordering the aluminum rack as well, the one you used on your trailer doesnt seem deep enough for Action Packers or my older then me Coleman Cooler. I can always use the smaller rack for firewood off the hitch, or swap them out as needed. Judging from the specs the larger aluminum carrier can do an 8qt AP, the Coleman, and a ammo can.

 

[akpostal]

If my math is right, the aluminum rack should be able to fit a 8qt AP, my older then me green Coleman cooler, 3 50cal ammo cans, and room to spare for soft items. Just need to figure how to strap it all down once I get it together.

Looking forward to the rear flares and if they all make it to market.

 

[TrailBadger]

Jeff, Although I like the ideas, I doubt we would do anything like the spare relocation etc to the new jeep (upon ordering) I feel we may just do a few simple upgrades on a basic 2017/2018 jeep Wrangler JK.. we're not even going to give the 2018/19 jeeps a second look.. We've got our hearts set on the last model year and we'll have to take our chances on the lot without ordering. This has caught us at a bad time, when work is just picking up from being nearly no work in more than 10 years. Several times we've had to barrow on the 401K so buying a new jeep now.. isn't an option. Give us a few more months or at least till Dec 2017 - Jan 2018 we'll be able to work up a better deal.

Although we've both talked about the JKU, I have a feeling we'll aim for the 2 door model. But one things clear, she said she wants the premium soft top.. I was shooting for the hard top.. but I can live with the premo soft top. if the premo was off the table.. we may have even went for a half door option but that would have meant having to ordered it.. so times drawing short and our options would be limited.

 

[jscherb]

I did some final fitting of the fenders to the Jeep this morning, now they're on the workbench ready to put a nice finish on them - the finish on the final part out of the mold will only be as good as the finish I put on the masters, so it's worth doing well. They'll get block sanding, and necessary bodywork, high-build primer and more block sanding, and finally a 2k automotive clear coat (don't need a color coat, the clear can go on top of the high build primer).

I'll be doing the finishing work this week, and hopefully by the weekend or the beginning of next week I'll be ready to make the molds.

 

[akpostal]

Looking forward to your projects. Any company showing interest in these yet? Cant wait to see the full set.

Waiting on both racks well and the brackets for my rear rack.

I need to pull the tape measure out on my drinks cooler, the steel rack may be perfect for my Kwik Kamp trailer tongue tray. If it doesnt work out for the drinks cooler Im gonna see if my neighbor can make a hitch for the back of my KK trailer to haul wood.

 

[jscherb]

Looking forward to your projects. Any company showing interest in these yet? Cant wait to see the full set.

A company has been in touch with me about the flat fender project. We've emailed back and forth a bit about it, and they're looking forward to seeing how the fenders turn out once I make the molds. No commitments by them or by me at this point.

 

[akpostal]

I didnt expect a commitment at this point, but Im glad at least one company reached out to you.

 

[jscherb]

I've finished the bodywork to perfect the flat fender mold masters. The next step is several coats of 2k high-build primer, followed by a final block sanding and then a few coats of 2k clear, then they'll be ready to have molds made from them.

 

[akpostal]

Cant wait to see the fenders done, Ild even pay to test a full set of them out.

Most of the parts for the rack you laid out for me have shipped, I cant wait to put it all together.

Once I get the rack and all the other parts together my dog will thank you for the extra space.

 

[jscherb]

Thanks. I haven't decided what if any testing I'll ask others to do after I mold the first set and install/test them on my Jeep. I'll add you to the list of people who have volunteered and if I decide to mold a few more sets for others to test/evaluate I'll let people on the list know.

I plan to start putting the final finish on the mold masters tomorrow. It's a bit cold today to heat the garage warm enough for painting, and anyway I've got to plow the driveways again and shovel out from the storm today.

 

[jscherb]

This morning I shot the master fenders with several coats of 2k high-build primer. I'll fix the inevitable few minor pinholes in the surface that always seem to show up at this step, block sand everything, and then shoot the final finish tomorrow.