JK 4-door to 2-door long wheelbase conversion.....
- Thread starter Metcalf
- Start date
A carbon hard top would be awesome, But prob around $10K or more.
River Raider has just come out with a carbon fiber/fiberglass hood.
Road Race Motorsports is working on one. They also just came out with a carbon grille, Won't save much weight there.
You could save a ton of weight if you did carbon fiber doors/door panels, rear door, upper windshield frame.
Then you've also got super light weight Braille batteries.
All that I mentioned would probably cost $20K or more lol.
River Raider has just come out with a carbon fiber/fiberglass hood.
Road Race Motorsports is working on one. They also just came out with a carbon grille, Won't save much weight there.
You could save a ton of weight if you did carbon fiber doors/door panels, rear door, upper windshield frame.
Then you've also got super light weight Braille batteries.
All that I mentioned would probably cost $20K or more lol.
I didn't see anyone post "Sarge" up here. I always liked this:
I like it too, thanks for posting it up!
Ursa Minor
Active member
If you ask A/T, then A/T would ask me. (I designed and my company builds the Habitat that AT distributes – so maybe I’ll save you a call.) The hard tooling we use for the Habitat is pretty set, so it’s not something we could do as a production part – it would be all custom work.
The JK top is made out of formed sheet molded composite parts, once those are bonded together it’s not coming apart without some damage to the flanges, you could try really getting it hot to see if it breaks the chemical bonds, but a lot of times the stuff will fracture before the adhesive will. You could probably cut out a section with a wheel.
It would probably not be that much lighter than the original top. Replace structural steel with carbon fiber, there can be a serious weight savings. The JK top mostly keeps the rain off the interior, it’s not adding any rigidity to the vehicle chassis. Replacing something non-structural that’s already fiberglass, you’re starting with a fairly light part – JK Top is maybe 140 lbs. So something similar out of carbon even on a thin core might be 10 – 20% lighter, but to go really light, say 50%, would be rather expensive for both the materials – and the tooling/processing needed to deliver a decent part. So you’d be paying $$$$$ to save 70#. Maybe the military has that kind of budget.
Probably be better to make the bumpers out of carbon…hmmmmmmm
So, to all those here – a OEM or aftermarket JK hard top runs something like $2000- $3000 depending on what’s included (rear window and such) Probably buy a used one for $1000 if you want to modify it. What do you figure you’d be ready to pay for a new utility JK Unlimited shell like the photoshop photos (or close anyway)? That's what Snugtop or anyone else might want to know!
Clutch
<---Pass
I didn't see anyone post "Sarge" up here. I always liked this:
Hey right there it is Metcalf, just add hinged access panels and your done!
postalWagon
Adventurer
For some reason every time I think about this idea I picture a Willys delivery wagon.
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Metcalf
Expedition Leader
postalWagon
Adventurer
find a clean Willys, and take the time to put a bt4 nv4500 and a atlas with d44s and you would be set.
jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
I'm trying to get away from full frame up rebuildsIts not that I don't enjoy it, but I am looking for something NOT a full frame up rebuild next time.
yeah yeah.... get to wrenching! heehee!
This is kinda an offshoot of another thread, but this idea has been going around in my head all day......
Basically a kit that would convert a 4-door JK into a long wheelbase 2-door version. Replace the rear doors with inserts that would bolt in and a new one piece top to replace the factory version.....
Personally I don't need or want the 4-door JK rear doors, seats, etc. I just want more room in the rear cargo area for storage, sleeping, etc. I have to think that eliminating the rear doors with inserts could make it a bit lighter, cleaner, and more simple overall. I'm thinking the top could be a simple one piece unit manufactured out of strong composite material with an insulated honeycomb top to help with noise, sun, and cold temps.
What I am thinking is a USA available version of something like this.....
Anyone else ever thought about something along these lines?
IF only we could get our hands on some bolt on side pannels from the jk8 bolt on kit...............
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
I posted the part numbers for all the single parts a little bit back. The bolt-on version of the body panels where just cut up J8 body panels. If I was going to go with a bolt in version of the kit I would probably just do a door insert. The B-pillar on the 4-door makes a top a little harder.