Barn Door for JK factory hardtops

[jscherb]

A cargo hatch option... this illustration shows a "no trim" cargo hatch installation, using a standard rectangular hatch (the image is a digital edit, I haven't actually installed a hatch). Using a minor variation of the retrofit kit, a standard RV cargo hatch could be installed - the hatch in this image is rectangular, the sides don't angle to match the window opening, and it's sized so it could be installed without trimming the window opening in the hardtop. Standard hatches like these can be manufactured very affordably.

As this hatch is shown the hinge is on the top so it swings "gull wing" style; it could also be installed to swing down and when open serve as a trail table/work surface.

 

[jscherb]

I think this will only affect the few people like me, who want the ability to go back to factory glass on resale.

Even if you trim the window opening to fit the larger of the two window options I showed, there's still enough flange left to reinstall the factory window glass - the raised part of the flange that gets trimmed off isn't part of the bonding surface for the glass, I think the raised flange is there to prevent adhesive from oozing out when they bond the window in place at the factory.

My recommendation to the company will be that they go with the full size window rather than the "no trim" size because the larger window looks better.

 

[Comanche Scott]

The raised part of the flange provides support for the side to reduce twist. It forms a "C" chanel. Don't want to run factory glass with that trimmed.

I agree with you on suggesting the full size window. It will only stop a few sales.

 

[jscherb]

The raised part of the flange provides support for the side to reduce twist. It forms a "C" chanel. Don't want to run factory glass with that trimmed.

I agree with you on suggesting the full size window. It will only stop a few sales.

The raised portion isn't really thick enough to provide any material amount of extra strength, so while it could add a marginal amount of strength, I believe it's mostly to form a dam for the adhesive and to close the gap between the glass and the fiberglass due to the thickness of the adhesive bead. I would have no reservations about reinstalling the factory glass if the raised portion were cut off although it might take a little care to have it look as good as the factory installation on the inside without the raised portion closing the gap to the glass.

Doesn't really matter what the raised portion is for though, I don't think the target market for the slider windows would be people who want to go back to the factory glass after they install the sliders.

 

[jscherb]

This GIF anim shows approximately what the Full Size vs. No Trim windows would look like.

 

[Comanche Scott]

The raised portion isn't really thick enough to provide any material amount of extra strength, so while it could add a marginal amount of strength, I believe it's mostly to form a dam for the adhesive and to close the gap between the glass and the fiberglass due to the thickness of the adhesive bead. I would have no reservations about reinstalling the factory glass if the raised portion were cut off although it might take a little care to have it look as good as the factory installation on the inside without the raised portion closing the gap to the glass.

Doesn't really matter what the raised portion is for though, I don't think the target market for the slider windows would be people who want to go back to the factory glass after they install the sliders.

The lip forms a C channel, all the way around which adds more structure than you'do think.

 

[jscherb]

What the "no trim" cargo hatch I posted the other day might look like:

 

[Gonzzo]

Any thought of making a "cargo hatch" type window for the 2dr 2011 and u jk's?......

I have been scouring the net looking for a Gullwing type window.....

Thank you for your time and hard work! .....

 

[jscherb]

Any thought of making a "cargo hatch" type window for the 2dr 2011 and u jk's?......

I have been scouring the net looking for a Gullwing type window.....

Thank you for your time and hard work! .....

Yes. The company I'm doing the window project for wanted me to start with the late model JKU, but they said the other models would be in the plans if the first one does well. Once the retrofit kit gets into production for the late JKU, it'll be pretty straightforward to make versions of it for the other 3 JK window sizes (early and late 2dr, and early JKU). And RV-style cargo hatches are already manufactured in an appropriate size for the late model 2dr window opening, so should be no problem sourcing those.

Today I'm making up a test retrofit kit to mount a cargo hatch in the late model JKU window opening, should have photos of the installed hatch later today.

 

[Gonzzo]

Do you think a glass window that will also open like a Gullwing door is possible for the 2dr jk's?.

My son rides in the back and I would kill to have opening windows for him.

I prefer the Gullwing style window but would live with a type of slider window, super easy to get to stuff in the back seat!....

Thank you for your time and hard work! ......

 

[jscherb]

Do you think a glass window that will also open like a Gullwing door is possible for the 2dr jk's?.

My son rides in the back and I would kill to have opening windows for him.

I prefer the Gullwing style window but would live with a type of slider window, super easy to get to stuff in the back seat!....

Thank you for your time and hard work! ......

What I'd like to do is what they call in the window biz a "windoor slider" like many pickup caps have, but I don't know if this project will go there.

 

[Gonzzo]

That is EXACTLY what I'm looking for! .....

If you decide to pursue this project please contact me!, I will help any way I can!!!.....

Thanks again! !!!....

 

[jscherb]

That is EXACTLY what I'm looking for! .....

If you decide to pursue this project please contact me!, I will help any way I can!!!.....

Thanks again! !!!....

The next step is up to the company - if they decide to go ahead and bring the first window kit to production, my next step would be to arrange for the windows they choose (probably sliders) and the retrofit kit to get set up for manufacturing. It's likely they'd do the late model JKU first because that's what they've had me do the prototypes for, but they could decide to do some other model first. Or they could decide there isn't enough interest to make it worthwhile to go into production, I don't know. My goal is to finish up the prototypes in the next day or two so they can decide what they want to do.

 

[jscherb]

What the slider frame looks like with the retrofit kit; the outside shape/angles/corner curves of the kit match the window recess in the hardtop perfectly.

For comparison, the frame without the retrofit kit:

This photo only shows part of the retrofit kit - in addition to matching the recess in the hardtop, the retrofit kit also deals with the curved window mounting surface and provides a flat surface for the new window to mount on. The retrofit kit makes it possible to install affordable RV-style windows/hatches/windoors in the JK hardtop without lots of special costly tooling.

 

[jscherb]

I made up a test retrofit kit today to mount a hatch. This hatch is a common size, I picked up a pair of these at an RV surplus place a while back for about $25 each.

Hinge up, to open as a gull wing:

Gull wing open; I've got a gas strut temporarily clamped in place holding it open, and a cardboard mockup of what a cargo compartment could look like inside:

Hinge down, to open as a trail table/work surface:

Table/work surface open; there would be a stay wire holding the table open/level instead of the jar I've got it propped up with: