Mass_Mopar
Don't Litter
Looks awesome! Nice work as usual!
Barn Door for JK factory hardtops
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Yes, that's why I do lots of mockups with things like paper sunroofs - to make sure I've got the design right to support all the features and options I want to allow for...
Because the roof is taller than the factory roof, there should be enough room for an electric sunroof.
Thank you!
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I've designed many of the JK Safari Cab components to be compatible with the factory hardtops, like the barn door which was the original subject of this thread - it's a simple bolt-up to the factory tailgate. The roof is also compatible, so a factory hardtop could be modified with the installation of a Safari Cab roof panel.
One way to use the Safari Cab roof on a factory hardtop would be to make a tilt-up camper out of it. The photo on the right below is an earlier project of mine - a tilt-up camper top for my Jeep-tub trailer. Pretty much the same sewing would happen for the roof-top tilt-up camper.
I've posted tilt-up camper concepts earlier the project...
One way to use the Safari Cab roof on a factory hardtop would be to make a tilt-up camper out of it. The photo on the right below is an earlier project of mine - a tilt-up camper top for my Jeep-tub trailer. Pretty much the same sewing would happen for the roof-top tilt-up camper.
I've posted tilt-up camper concepts earlier the project...
jscherb
Expedition Leader
A couple of other projects have kept me from working on the JK Safari Cab for the past week, but they're done now so later this week I plan to pull the factory hardtop off the JKU and start fitting the Safari Cab parts. I'll need more space in the garage for the JKU, so it's time to move the roof mold and master out.
Since I don't really have room to keep the roof master, and since it became redundant after I made the mold from it eventually I'll cut it up and get rid of it. The difference between the JKU and JK 2dr roof panels is 20 5/8", so for now I'm going to cut it in half and get rid of the center section. I'll take up a little less room in two pieces so I'll store it a while, and if I decide to make a 2dr Safari Cab roof mold I can put the two halves together, do some bodywork and refinishing, and make the 2dr roof mold from it.
Marked and ready for cutting:
Since I don't really have room to keep the roof master, and since it became redundant after I made the mold from it eventually I'll cut it up and get rid of it. The difference between the JKU and JK 2dr roof panels is 20 5/8", so for now I'm going to cut it in half and get rid of the center section. I'll take up a little less room in two pieces so I'll store it a while, and if I decide to make a 2dr Safari Cab roof mold I can put the two halves together, do some bodywork and refinishing, and make the 2dr roof mold from it.
Marked and ready for cutting:
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Cut into two more manageable pieces. A little woodworking and bodywork and it can be the mold master for the 2dr JK Safari Cab roof mold, but for now, each piece is easy for me to move around by myself so I can keep the master around a while longer.
What this would look like - here are a few 2dr concept drawings I've posted before...
What this would look like - here are a few 2dr concept drawings I've posted before...
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Some photos with the side panels, rear panel, upper door jambs and drips rails in place. Barn door is just setting on the tailgate for now, it's not bolted on. The drip rail isn't trimmed to height or front length yet.
Overall fit is very good, especially considering all of these parts were made separately and this is the first time they've all been together and all been on a Jeep. Door gaps are to factory spec:
Next I'll do a rough fit of the roof panel.
Overall fit is very good, especially considering all of these parts were made separately and this is the first time they've all been together and all been on a Jeep. Door gaps are to factory spec:
Next I'll do a rough fit of the roof panel.
justageek
New member
This is fun to watch. Can't wait to see the rest.Some photos with the side panels, rear panel, upper door jambs and drips rails in place. Barn door is just setting on the tailgate for now, it's not bolted on. The drip rail isn't trimmed to height or front length yet.
Overall fit is very good, especially considering all of these parts were made separately and this is the first time they've all been together and all been on a Jeep. Door gaps are to factory spec:
Next I'll do a rough fit of the roof panel.
unibox
New member
Looks great! Can't wait to see the top on it. I even like it in white.
I ordered half doors specifly when I bought my jeep so i couldn't get the dual top option. I'm now glad I waited. If/when this ever makes it to market, I am ordering one.
jscherb
Thanks for documenting this for us. It is fascinating to watch the process.
I ordered half doors specifly when I bought my jeep so i couldn't get the dual top option. I'm now glad I waited. If/when this ever makes it to market, I am ordering one.
jscherb
Thanks for documenting this for us. It is fascinating to watch the process.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Thank you very much! I'm working on the photos of the full top install, so they'll be posted shortly.
Hey since you have half doors, you might be interested in another project I'm working just finishing up - a slider window kit that retrofits into either the factory soft uppers or Bestop or Rugged Ridge upper doors. This photo shows a test install of the pre-production windows. A company has picked these up so they'll be going into production very soon.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
All the parts installed. The roof hasn't been final trimmed yet, so it's about 3/4" taller than it will be when it's done, it's sticking up a bit in the front. It fits perfectly, but I won't do the final trimming until a later stage of assembly when I bond the drip rails to it. Also haven't installed the barn door mounting hardware yet, so it's just setting in place.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Two more photos from the JK Safari Cab test install...
This one is an "over the shoulder" view - the small windows on the back provide for some extra visibility:
And speaking of extra visibility, since the rear wiper is mounted in the bottom of the barn door, there isn't a huge wiper motor blocking the view out the back anymore. When everything's done, there won't be a third brake light blocking the view either, that's being moved to the roof.
This one is an "over the shoulder" view - the small windows on the back provide for some extra visibility:
And speaking of extra visibility, since the rear wiper is mounted in the bottom of the barn door, there isn't a huge wiper motor blocking the view out the back anymore. When everything's done, there won't be a third brake light blocking the view either, that's being moved to the roof.