Barn Door for JK factory hardtops
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I've been asked a few times about the Smittybilt's new "Safari Top", several people even asked if I had anything to do with the design. I had nothing to do with it, and aside from a similar name and four Alpine windows it's very different than my Safari Cab design. Some of the differences...
- It's one piece, not modular. The sides are not removable and it doesn't have the option of roll-up soft sides.
- The side windows don't open.
- It's got a hatch in the rear, not a barn door. No windows on either side of the hatch either.
- No rear wiper.
- There are no drip rails protecting the doors from runoff.
- According to the Smittybilt web site, the JKU version weighs 320 lbs.
None of the above is meant to be a criticism, I'm just pointing out the differences - it's really not at all like my design.
They did hit a reasonable price point, so if people like the styling and limited set of features it offers, and can deal with the one-piece/320-lb. design, it may be a good option for them.
I saw it last fall at the SEMA show, here are a few photos I took there.
On the SEMA top, the Alpine windows were plastic. Hopefully they've changed them to glass, because the plastic will scratch but will also probably cloud over time, the same as many headlight lenses do these days.
- It's one piece, not modular. The sides are not removable and it doesn't have the option of roll-up soft sides.
- The side windows don't open.
- It's got a hatch in the rear, not a barn door. No windows on either side of the hatch either.
- No rear wiper.
- There are no drip rails protecting the doors from runoff.
- According to the Smittybilt web site, the JKU version weighs 320 lbs.
None of the above is meant to be a criticism, I'm just pointing out the differences - it's really not at all like my design.
They did hit a reasonable price point, so if people like the styling and limited set of features it offers, and can deal with the one-piece/320-lb. design, it may be a good option for them.
I saw it last fall at the SEMA show, here are a few photos I took there.
On the SEMA top, the Alpine windows were plastic. Hopefully they've changed them to glass, because the plastic will scratch but will also probably cloud over time, the same as many headlight lenses do these days.
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bknudtsen
Expedition Leader
I think that with the above design and weight, you'd pretty much be committing to a permanent hardtop SUV setup, or at the very least, seasonal. With the Africa concept vehicle, I would imagine that there is a market for a Wrangler based SUV. I am sure that there are folks that have never removed their tops.
I like your design, however. The one piece roof panel is more appealing to me than the Freedom panels here in the PNW. I like the option your design offers of running without doors or sides, but with the roof panel installed. The drip rail is key too. Jeep should follow your lead and make their tops modular as well. Storage would be simplified for so many potential buyers.
I like your design, however. The one piece roof panel is more appealing to me than the Freedom panels here in the PNW. I like the option your design offers of running without doors or sides, but with the roof panel installed. The drip rail is key too. Jeep should follow your lead and make their tops modular as well. Storage would be simplified for so many potential buyers.
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Funny you mention this. I was just looking at the new Q-Tec catalog this weekend, and saw it in there.
I do like that the top is made in the U.S. of A., and Alpine glass doesn't use a gasket. Other than that it doesn't appeal to me.
But I am very biased, as I really like the soft top (sans the ridiculously difficult back zip in window).
I do like that the top is made in the U.S. of A., and Alpine glass doesn't use a gasket. Other than that it doesn't appeal to me.
But I am very biased, as I really like the soft top (sans the ridiculously difficult back zip in window).
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I thought about using bonded Alpine windows but ruled it out because they require a recess to bond them into. I wanted to be able to assemble a roof with four, two or no Alpine windows, so I didn't want to put recesses into the mold. If I wanted to do an Africa concept copy, for example, I'd want a smooth roof with no Alpine windows (or recesses for the windows).
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
To me what makes this work so well on your top, is all the windows match. You don't have some frameless, and some framed. It just flows together like it should.
Yeah, sometimes I don't get Smittybilt. Their soft top bag is incredibly well thought out, and built (even if it is made in China, which just slays me to say).
I don't know if it's the rush to get something into production, or just a lack of thorough design evaluation on their part, but it really leaves me shaking my head.
In any case, I'm glad it's out for those who want to purchase a taller hard top. But it could have been so much better.
On another note. I was thinking about your Safari logo, and it dawned on my that your LJ Safari top logo should have one palm tree, and your JK safari logo should have two palm trees crossing each other above the word Safari.
Since the LJ was the first Safari top, it would read like
Safari
__l
The JK Safari top would read like
Safari
_/\
Only not quite so slanted, so it looked like the roman numeral II. lol
:beer:
Yeah, sometimes I don't get Smittybilt. Their soft top bag is incredibly well thought out, and built (even if it is made in China, which just slays me to say).
I don't know if it's the rush to get something into production, or just a lack of thorough design evaluation on their part, but it really leaves me shaking my head.
In any case, I'm glad it's out for those who want to purchase a taller hard top. But it could have been so much better.
On another note. I was thinking about your Safari logo, and it dawned on my that your LJ Safari top logo should have one palm tree, and your JK safari logo should have two palm trees crossing each other above the word Safari.
Since the LJ was the first Safari top, it would read like
Safari
__l
The JK Safari top would read like
Safari
_/\
Only not quite so slanted, so it looked like the roman numeral II. lol
:beer:
jscherb
Expedition Leader
The c-pillars aren't required, they're just to provide a place to attach the front of the soft sides and a place for the door to seal against. Here's a few shots with the pillars removed.
Removing all of these parts has no effect on the load capacity of the roof rack - the roof rack is supported by the roll bars, so no weight is borne by the roof panel.
Removing all of these parts has no effect on the load capacity of the roof rack - the roof rack is supported by the roll bars, so no weight is borne by the roof panel.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I've been wondering what it would look like with half doors and the side panels off. I don't have half doors, but with a little photo-editing I added some. I also "painted" the c-pillar as long as I was making changes.
Actually I do have several sets of half door uppers - one factory set of 4 with vinyl windows, and one set of 4 with glass slider windows, but I don't have any lower doors to put them on. They'd be perfect with the roll-up soft sides
.
Actually I do have several sets of half door uppers - one factory set of 4 with vinyl windows, and one set of 4 with glass slider windows, but I don't have any lower doors to put them on. They'd be perfect with the roll-up soft sides
.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
That's the most "Safari" look yet.
That top on a Commando Green JKU with a Spice interior and Mopar Winter Wheels and I am sold!
From the 'Web
So what color would you want the outside of the hardtop to be? Spice like mine? Black? Commando Green? Something else?
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Commando Green on the sides, and dark cammo green on top. would get my vote.
bknudtsen
Expedition Leader
I think a Spice top would look sweet. Kinda like old school canvas