Barn Door for JK factory hardtops
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Yes. It's on CJ-8.com because I started the build when my daily driver was a CJ-8 Overlander. You might have to register at CJ-8.com to see the photos in the thread: http://www.cj-8.com/forum/showthread.php?18796-OT-Retro-Wrangler-Willys-Pickup-(long) BTW the first post in that thread is dated 11-30-2007, a few weeks short of 10 years ago, it was my very first Jeep design and construction project.
If you're interested in Jeep pickups, I did a CJ-based one starting in 2009 (pictured below): http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/gaucho-cj-stepside-pickup-build-709132/
And in 2014 I did a proof-of-concept build showing how to use a Dinoot fiberglass trailer tub kit as a bed for a Wrangler-based pickup: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/wrangler-dinoot-pickup-proof-concept-build-dinoot-brute-2667202/
Jeep pickups are a favorite of mine
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southpier
Expedition Leader
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Donny (rubicon91) asked for a photo of the pickup when I got it loaded for the trip back to NY, so here you go Donny. I know it looks like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies, but among the stuff in this load is an outboard motor that's been in the family since the 30's, some furniture and family heirlooms that don't fit in mom's new apartment, some odds and ends from Dads' workshop, a Dinoot trailer kit panel that I had shipped to me in Florida because I wasn't going to be home to sign for it (the brown cardboard box) and the full-size spare I carry when I drive this truck on long trips (the spares on the bedsides are compact spares). Everything's wrapped in "free with any purchase" Harbor Freight tarps, which means that I've purchased one 49 cent HF utility knife to get each tarp . And of course my bicycle, which I brought to use in the little bit of spare time I had on this trip. I'm leaving for home before dawn tomorrow.
. And of course my bicycle, which I brought to use in the little bit of spare time I had on this trip. I'm leaving for home before dawn tomorrow.
rubicon91
Explorer
Hahaha holy crap that thing is loaded up. Thanks for remembering I asked. Looks great. Safe travels home Jeff!Donny (rubicon91) asked for a photo of the pickup when I got it loaded for the trip back to NY, so here you go Donny. I know it looks like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies, but among the stuff in this load is an outboard motor that's been in the family since the 30's, some furniture and family heirlooms that don't fit in mom's new apartment, some odds and ends from Dads' workshop, a Dinoot trailer kit panel that I had shipped to me in Florida because I wasn't going to be home to sign for it (the brown cardboard box) and the full-size spare I carry when I drive this truck on long trips (the spares on the bedsides are compact spares). Everything's wrapped in "free with any purchase" Harbor Freight tarps, which means that I've purchased one 49 cent HF utility knife to get each tarp
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unkamonkey
Explorer
Sort of looks like when I moved out of my college dorm room except my father came up with the 62 'burban and yep, the bike was strapped to the spare tire on the MB. How did get so much junk up here?
Yes, my Safari Cab hardtop does have more headroom than a factory JK hardtop.
I've also been thinking about alternate roof styles for the hardtop, with the modular architecture of the Safari Cab it's possible to build new variants of the top by swapping out components for different ones, such as the roof.
I've posted this photo before, the AADS (Africa Automotive Distribution Services) sells militarized JK and J8 Jeeps to "Governmental Organisations". One of the vehicles in their brochure they call the "Enhanced Command Vehicle":
The same idea could be applied to the Safari Cab to make a "sleeper cab" roof that would allow for a sleeping platform above a fridge/kitchen/storage system in the back.
That looks great to me. For the purposes of camping I once considered a Defender 110 (especially the Dormobile version) mainly because it would have the dimensions you drafted here. I think the few inches in height would make an enormous difference for sleeping inside. But I'm smitten with the versatility of the JK. And the ideas you present here would preserve that versatility.
Oh well, I taught myself to weld a few years ago, maybe now I'll learn fiberglass.
I was noting on my intro thread the other day that I originally bought my JK to put an Ursa top on it. But now that I've had some open top riding I can't do it. Then on Friday I fit a telescoping pole chain saw in my JK with multiple bags of mulch, all doors closed. Now I'm convinced I want to keep my camping set up simple and easily removable. I just have too many other uses for the Jeep.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
The Safari Cab design for keeping the camping setup simple and easily removable is that it would be self-contained within the roof panel. This photo shows the standard roof panel being removed, I hang it from the garage rails under the Jeep and drive out from under it. The same installation/removal process would work with either a tilt-up camper top or a taller "sleeper cab" roof like the one I posted the other day.
With the hard roof/camper roof removed, the "soft roof" would then be installed, and you'd have an open air experience when the soft roof was folded back or removed. In this photo I set the tonneau cover from one of my trailers on the Safari Cab, it's a little wide and a little short, but gives the general idea of how the soft roof would look:
With the tonneau removed...
Haven't gotten around to implementing the final soft roof yet though, been too busy with other ideas and projects.
I hope these top ideas hit the market, it's a much better fit for me and my purposes.
It speaks volumes about the Jeep platform and I'm so glad to see that these things still inspire so much ingenuity after all these decades. Thanks for sharing these pictures here. I have an R&D background (in wireless) and really enjoy seeing these great ideas. (And products that you've executed)
It speaks volumes about the Jeep platform and I'm so glad to see that these things still inspire so much ingenuity after all these decades. Thanks for sharing these pictures here. I have an R&D background (in wireless) and really enjoy seeing these great ideas. (And products that you've executed)
jscherb
Expedition Leader
When last I posted about the door hinge steps, I had made up a quick prototype and did a test install to verify the fit and that they supported a 225-lb. gorilla. I'm planning an RTT camping trip to Death Valley in a few weeks and the steps will be very handy, so I made up a second one, painted them and installed one on each side. While installing more of the new HD door hinges, I took photos of what can be expected in most JK's up through the mid-'15 model year.
This almost looks innocent, but it's a sign of much larger problems:
From the outside, the hinge in this next photo didn't look anywhere near as bad as the one above, but unbolting it reveals:
I'll need to sand off the corrosion and refinish the area under the hinges so that the sheet metal doesn't deteriorate any further.
A hinge and step installed:
The steps are pretty simple devices, this is a photo of the parts. The one on the left is assembled; the one on the right is disassembled - two pieces of steel plate, some bolts/nuts/washers, and the step. A step can be installed/removed in less than a minute without touching the door hinge bolts, so I'll probably only have them on the Jeep when I'm on an expedition where I'll need them.
This almost looks innocent, but it's a sign of much larger problems:
From the outside, the hinge in this next photo didn't look anywhere near as bad as the one above, but unbolting it reveals:
I'll need to sand off the corrosion and refinish the area under the hinges so that the sheet metal doesn't deteriorate any further.
A hinge and step installed:
The steps are pretty simple devices, this is a photo of the parts. The one on the left is assembled; the one on the right is disassembled - two pieces of steel plate, some bolts/nuts/washers, and the step. A step can be installed/removed in less than a minute without touching the door hinge bolts, so I'll probably only have them on the Jeep when I'm on an expedition where I'll need them.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
is that crazy or what? You'd think the e-coating of the sheetmetal would prevent that fast of a corrosion.
Step looks great. :victory:
I like how unobtrusive it is when folded up.
If the step portion was round instead of oval, it could be used as a cup holder too.
Step looks great. :victory:
I like how unobtrusive it is when folded up.
If the step portion was round instead of oval, it could be used as a cup holder too.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
It's even more unobtrusive when you remove the step, which takes less than a minuteis that crazy or what? You'd think the e-coating of the sheetmetal would prevent that fast of a corrosion.
Step looks great. :victory:
I like how unobtrusive it is when folded up.
If the step portion was round instead of oval, it could be used as a cup holder too.
. My plan is to install the steps when I'm heading out on an expedition and remove them when I get back, no reason to have lots of gear installed when I don't need it.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Yes, keeps people from climbing around on your Jeep as well.
Very smart idea. :beer:
Very smart idea. :beer:
unkamonkey
Explorer
A neighbor kid just bought a used Rubicon so I had to wander over to OOH and AHH around it. I noticed that the paint was peeling off of the door hinges and mentioned the corrosion issues to him. "Nah, paint just doesn't stick as well to aluminum". Whatever Scott.