jscherb
Expedition Leader
I almost forgot... I did a concept drawing of a YJ stretch early in the design phase of this project... this one's stretched to Scrambler length though...
"Safari Cab" modular hardtop project
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Man, I gotta say, I'm not a Jeep person. There was always just something about them that I didn't like. But I'm lovin' your LJ full cab! It's just a little bit... classier.... looking than standard. Awesome work!
Welcome to ExPo, Jeff!
I agree that the diecast model mod is outrageous. If you included a model
truck with the sale of the Safari Roof, you'd double your sales!
Overlanders are always mounting heavy stuff on the roof. Have you estimated
the weight that can be carried on the roof? It might make sense to cast a mounting
point reinforcement into the fiberglass so the roof rack can be supported by a cage
inside the bed of the truck.
I'm thinking of the Jeep Overland project that came from the Mopar Skunkworks, and
now is in the Expeditions West test fleet. Inside, the rack supports attach through the
roof like this:
The thread where this is discussed is here
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31401
Your CJ pickup project is also very cool. Can you provide a link to your
build thread?
Chip Haven
I agree that the diecast model mod is outrageous. If you included a model
truck with the sale of the Safari Roof, you'd double your sales!
Overlanders are always mounting heavy stuff on the roof. Have you estimated
the weight that can be carried on the roof? It might make sense to cast a mounting
point reinforcement into the fiberglass so the roof rack can be supported by a cage
inside the bed of the truck.
I'm thinking of the Jeep Overland project that came from the Mopar Skunkworks, and
now is in the Expeditions West test fleet. Inside, the rack supports attach through the
roof like this:
The thread where this is discussed is here
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31401
Your CJ pickup project is also very cool. Can you provide a link to your
build thread?
Chip Haven
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I've designed a support system that uses the roll bars to support the weight on a roof rack, although it's a little different than the MOPAR system. If the Safari Cabs make it to market, the support system might be an optional accessory, since not everyone who buys one would necessarily want to carry weight on the roof.
The build thread for Gaucho (my CJ pickup) is on JeepForum: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/gaucho-cj-stepside-pickup-build-709132/
The build thread for the Retro Wrangler (my TJ pickup) is on CJ-8.com: http://www.cj-8.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18796
jingram
Adventurer
Jeff,
As always absolutely amazing work... you truly are a master craftsman in every sense of the word. I definitely look forward to seeing how this plays out and truly hope they make it to market... they look great!
The LJ and Scrambler ones are my favorite, just because I think that the longer wheelbase with the safari type really has that "look" to it. :lurk:
As always absolutely amazing work... you truly are a master craftsman in every sense of the word. I definitely look forward to seeing how this plays out and truly hope they make it to market... they look great!
The LJ and Scrambler ones are my favorite, just because I think that the longer wheelbase with the safari type really has that "look" to it. :lurk:
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
What a neat project, and it looks GREAT!
I didn't see any, but what about adding a large sunroof to the sloped front end. A big part of the reason folks get jeeps is for the open-air-ness of them.
I've been thinking of getting an LJ Rubicon as a 2nd rig, primarily for expedition setup, and would be really interested in a more functional top, but would really want a somewhat opening top.
I second the classic looks of this project, very cool
EDIT: I don't see what's modular about these???
I didn't see any, but what about adding a large sunroof to the sloped front end. A big part of the reason folks get jeeps is for the open-air-ness of them.
I've been thinking of getting an LJ Rubicon as a 2nd rig, primarily for expedition setup, and would be really interested in a more functional top, but would really want a somewhat opening top.
I second the classic looks of this project, very cool
EDIT: I don't see what's modular about these???
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Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
Don't leave out the 2-door when you get to JK mode.
And I'll volunteer to test fit it.
Where are you located anyhow?
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Thank you very much.
I don't plan to put a sunroof in mine, but there's no reason you couldn't put one in if these come to market.
Here's how some of the parts of the mold masters go together. If they come to market, the company could mold them like this, or they could mold them in fewer pieces to make manufacturing more efficient, they would have to decide that when (if) they commercialize them.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
So you're saying they can be ordered with one, or the customer could put one in after the fact?
Here's how some of the parts of the mold masters go together.
I see, but these parts won't come apart for the customer though right?
That would be cool if you could remove the sides/rear and just have the top, but I'm sure that's asking a bit much.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
In my talks with the company so far, there has been no discussion of sunroofs. I don't think they're planing that it would be a factory option, so probably you'd have to do it yourself.
The minimum number of parts they will disassemble into would be 4: roof, 2 sides, rear door. But as I said in the earlier post, they could be molded in more parts than that, for example, the sides could be molded in three parts - door surround, side panel, rear corner. That's a manufacturing and commercial product decision the company will have to make. I am making the mold masters completely modular, so they could be molded a number of different ways. Also that enables the same masters to be used to build different configurations of top - for example, the door surrounds plus the rear corners together can make a half cab. Put a side panel between them and you can make any length full cab.
BTW since the top can be disassembled, it can be stored in the "soft top season" much more easily than a top that doesn't come apart.
Well since the sides and the roof come apart, that could be done, but since the sides support the roof, you'd have to come up with some structure to support the roof.
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
If/when I get my YJ-L done interested in building a one off for me? I'll do the unskilled labour part.
I'm north of Perth, Ontario.I'm only half joking.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
If/when I get my YJ-L done interested in building a one off for me? I'll do the unskilled labour part.
I'm only half joking.
Sorry, no, I'm only going to make a top for my LJ, and possibly my Gaucho pickup and maybe any other future project Jeeps I think up. If I did this for money it would take all the fun out of it for me
. Any other tops that that get made would be made by the company if they decide to bring them to market.I let the company know I started this thread so they can monitor it for market interest, feature requests, etc., so if you're interested in seeing these come to market you can let the company know through this thread.
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Questions about the Safari Cab? Try here first: Safari Cab FAQ
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Root Moose
Expedition Leader
No worries, more of a "you don't get what you don't ask for kind of query". 
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