mhiscox
Exp. Leader Emeritus
Or perhaps you could talk EarthRoamer, or C.F Maier Composites, who did the EarthRoamer Jeep's fiberglass, into making a run of the door inserts used when the 4-door JKU was turned into the XV-JP:
JK 4-door to 2-door long wheelbase conversion.....
- Thread starter Metcalf
- Start date
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
It all depends on how complicated you want to get.....
Earlier in the thread the door insert idea was tossed around. It basically boils down to the fact that the 4 door B-pillar would require a completely new seal design at the front.
The only way I have worked out to do this with mostly off the shelf parts is....
-4-door JK base
-install mopar pickup body kit ( uses basically a 2-door style B-pillar system, closes the rear door off, etc )
-Use the front half of a 2-door hard top
-Use the rear half of a 4-door hard top
-The tops would need to be joined in the right place or else the top won't fit right with the tapered/bowed sides of the JK chassis.
-Close off the windows completely or make new window glass that was longer.
Personally, if I was to tackle this project I would make a few new top pieces ( top section and window section ) and use factory pieces for the rest. I think the factory top(s) could be disassembled to save the pieces you needed. What I see this being in the end is a more simplified commercial vehicle option in a high mobility chassis. You can basically squeeze all the drivetrain from a full size dodge truck in a smaller package. I would love to see the new 3.0L diesel engine but I think that is going to be VERY expensive to pull off. The V8 is a piece of cake these days. Dynatrac and other builders have more axles than you can shake a stick at.
Basically, what I want is a NEW mid-sized heavy duty high mobility commercial grade vehicle. In my opinion the 4-door JK would be the best place to start for that.....
Earlier in the thread the door insert idea was tossed around. It basically boils down to the fact that the 4 door B-pillar would require a completely new seal design at the front.
The only way I have worked out to do this with mostly off the shelf parts is....
-4-door JK base
-install mopar pickup body kit ( uses basically a 2-door style B-pillar system, closes the rear door off, etc )
-Use the front half of a 2-door hard top
-Use the rear half of a 4-door hard top
-The tops would need to be joined in the right place or else the top won't fit right with the tapered/bowed sides of the JK chassis.
-Close off the windows completely or make new window glass that was longer.
Personally, if I was to tackle this project I would make a few new top pieces ( top section and window section ) and use factory pieces for the rest. I think the factory top(s) could be disassembled to save the pieces you needed. What I see this being in the end is a more simplified commercial vehicle option in a high mobility chassis. You can basically squeeze all the drivetrain from a full size dodge truck in a smaller package. I would love to see the new 3.0L diesel engine but I think that is going to be VERY expensive to pull off. The V8 is a piece of cake these days. Dynatrac and other builders have more axles than you can shake a stick at.
Basically, what I want is a NEW mid-sized heavy duty high mobility commercial grade vehicle. In my opinion the 4-door JK would be the best place to start for that.....
sourdough
Adventurer
Me too! BTDT My old Willys Wagon had all '78 Wagoneer mechanicals. Sold it an am looking for a modern replacement. I must say my '03 Tundra Limited is working well but not quite what I want.
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
Just another quick 'chop, sorry to the guy on the AEV forum that posted the donor pic, but I really liked the stance and tire size.
This is a 4door base with the rear doors and top 'chopped out. 37" mtr/k tires on an AEV 3.5 lift. This is almost exactly the stance I am looking for. I think that is about the perfect compromise in my opinion. I think 37s are just about the most universal tire these days that can do just about anything but don't go overkill in any direction. That is subjective for sure, I run 39s on my daily driver
I hate it on most 4-doors, but I like a body colored top on this concept. The black top looks too much like a removable jeep top, where if its body color the theme blends better and looks more like a panel style vehicle or something?
To me the elimination of the rear doors and longer panel style top make the entire vehicle look shorter?
One more thing. On those vinyl wraps that cover windows how see-though are they from the inside? And how not see through from the outisde? I was thinking that could be a neat way to have a window in the top without it looking like it has a window? I like the clean panel side look but I can realize the advantage of having a window on the passenger side at least.
Just a few thoughts.
This is a 4door base with the rear doors and top 'chopped out. 37" mtr/k tires on an AEV 3.5 lift. This is almost exactly the stance I am looking for. I think that is about the perfect compromise in my opinion. I think 37s are just about the most universal tire these days that can do just about anything but don't go overkill in any direction. That is subjective for sure, I run 39s on my daily driver
I hate it on most 4-doors, but I like a body colored top on this concept. The black top looks too much like a removable jeep top, where if its body color the theme blends better and looks more like a panel style vehicle or something?
To me the elimination of the rear doors and longer panel style top make the entire vehicle look shorter?
One more thing. On those vinyl wraps that cover windows how see-though are they from the inside? And how not see through from the outisde? I was thinking that could be a neat way to have a window in the top without it looking like it has a window? I like the clean panel side look but I can realize the advantage of having a window on the passenger side at least.
Just a few thoughts.
Chop away, sounds like you are coming up with a cool project. Love the Rango build by the way.
It is a 3.5" AEV lift with 37's. Really works well and after a little trimming and very slight modification, I have minimal rubbing. If you want to go with a tire that is any larger, don't get the AEV rear bumper though, as the tires make contact with the lower tube on the bumper at full flex.
It is a 3.5" AEV lift with 37's. Really works well and after a little trimming and very slight modification, I have minimal rubbing. If you want to go with a tire that is any larger, don't get the AEV rear bumper though, as the tires make contact with the lower tube on the bumper at full flex.
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
Thanks, the little Willys is fun, if your ever in the Durango area you should come check it out. Its like a big go cart for Jeep nuts....
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
Never even got a 'no....and your crazy....just keep it a 4-door' back from them.
BrettDez
Overland Explorer
Metcalf,
I apologize if this was already answered...20 pages long I probably missed it. But why do you want to remove the rear doors and keep it enclosed?
I don't see any advantage by removing the rear doors? If anything make the interior a little more spacious and leave the doors for better cargo access? Seems like an awful lot of money and effort for something with no gain? This is not a criticism, so please don't interpret that way. I am legitimately curious!
Again...if you already answered, sorry to ask again. Let me know and I'll try searching for the answer.
EDIT:
Oh and my thought on accomplishing this. Simply buy a JK-8 Kit and instead of using the shortened hard top that is included, get a custom fab steel box to cover the pickup truck bed, paint match, and call it a day.
I apologize if this was already answered...20 pages long I probably missed it. But why do you want to remove the rear doors and keep it enclosed?
I don't see any advantage by removing the rear doors? If anything make the interior a little more spacious and leave the doors for better cargo access? Seems like an awful lot of money and effort for something with no gain? This is not a criticism, so please don't interpret that way. I am legitimately curious!
Again...if you already answered, sorry to ask again. Let me know and I'll try searching for the answer.
EDIT:
Oh and my thought on accomplishing this. Simply buy a JK-8 Kit and instead of using the shortened hard top that is included, get a custom fab steel box to cover the pickup truck bed, paint match, and call it a day.
Last edited:
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
That's a tough question to answer. I think what everyone wants is different from their vehicle....
I look at a 2-door JK thinking its about perfect until I realize that I want to sleep in the back and have more storage room. The long wheelbase of the 4-door chassis would be nice for go-faster type stuff in the desert but is still has the short front and rear overhangs of a 'jeep' type vehicle. For me the more utilitarian the vehicle the better. I don't really have any day to day use for the rear seats and rear doors. I just want the storage space and interior space the 4door chassis length provides. If you eliminate the rear doors and full size rear seat things start to look really good to me. Anyone know what a complete roll-up window door weighs? ( 50-70lbs each maybe? ). By eliminating the rear doors I think you would gain storage space, probably more than you would think if you used it correctly. A water tank could be molded to fit on the floor to 'replace' the rear lower seat cushion to flatten the floor and use more 'wasted' space.
I basically want a new mid-size extremely capable vehicle that will provide enough room for two people to sleep inside with a reasonable amount of gear. Could that be done with a modified 4-door JK without eliminating the rear doors.....yes. Could it be better if you eliminated the rear doors in my opinion......yes. I don't plan on having anything right behind the seats that I need to access through the rear doors on a daily basis. Small items can be accessed from the front seats, or with the front seats tilted forward ( even better with 2011+ 2door seat frames ).
In the end, I am picky....
Blacked Out
Preparing for Zombies
Is this what your looking for sir?
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