Hard top chop

[Grayhound]

I may need to surrender my angle grinder…

…I’ve had some SOT envy issues with the way the back quarter windows pop out. So I took a grinder to it. I’m not done yet and have some finishing to do, but so far I dig it!

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[jaymz]

Whatever floats your boat.

I personally would have just bought a safari top and called it a day.

 

[Grayhound]

Whatever floats your boat.

I personally would have just bought a safari top and called it a day.

Sure, the jl soft top is the best they have ever made but it wasn’t the right top for me. Tire was my compromise. It was also a spare hardtop I had

 

[jhackathorne]

Could've sold the spare hardtop, bought the Safari top and pocketed at least a couple hundred dollars.

 

[Heater]

I got a spare hard top for my JK almost free and plan to build a modular top like the one here:

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/converting-a-factory-jk-jku-hardtop-to-modular.160775/

Some basic fiberglass/SMS skills and the right tools, space patience and materials will turn out very nice and functional.

 

[Dan M.]

interesting. I would be worried about structural integrity and the remaining parts starting to show cracks. You will have to post an update after you drive it around for a bit.

 

[Heater]

The person that created that post (Jeff Scherb) did the same for another Jeep his Son drives and the modification has had zero problems. The one part of that post, if you go through the entire post, is the hard top D pillar is accessed to attach to the body to give it another attachment point. Not sure how the JL is as compared to the JK, but the corners need some reinforcement given the wind buffeting effect, which is rather simple on the JK. Thanks.

 

[Grayhound]

Could've sold the spare hardtop, bought the Safari top and pocketed at least a couple hundred dollars.

Tried, no body wanted a damaged ht …

 

[Grayhound]

interesting. I would be worried about structural integrity and the remaining parts starting to show cracks. You will have to post an update after you drive it around for a bit.

I installed 3/4” angle aluminum for strength.

 

[Grayhound]

The person that created that post (Jeff Scherb) did the same for another Jeep his Son drives and the modification has had zero problems. The one part of that post, if you go through the entire post, is the hard top D pillar is accessed to attach to the body to give it another attachment point. Not sure how the JL is as compared to the JK, but the corners need some reinforcement given the wind buffeting effect, which is rather simple on the JK. Thanks.

True I drilled access holes so I could utilize the additional mounting points on the d Pilar.

 

[Grayhound]

I got a spare hard top for my JK almost free and plan to build a modular top like the one here:

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/converting-a-factory-jk-jku-hardtop-to-modular.160775/

Some basic fiberglass/SMS skills and the right tools, space patience and materials will turn out very nice and functional.

Yes this ids exactly the idea!

 

[jhackathorne]

Tried, no body wanted a damaged ht …

You kinda left out that part.

 

[fspalt]

I used to have a F-body Camaro with the removable glass T-tops. I never understood why Jeep didn't make the hardtop with removable windows on the JL. Since they already did the engineering with SOT it seems like it would have been simple to carry over that part of the design to the hardtop. I imagine they didn't want to sacrifice the sales of the SOT but it seems like it would be a good middle of the road option. For me I would worry about too much about leaks and future failure with the SOT. That and it seems like you would never be able to remove it and get it back on right again. And that's not mentioning the nauseating price tag...

 

[Heater]

while I’m preoccupied with doing the fabrication of the top with the modularity J Scherb outlines, I put in the rear hard top sliding windows. This by far One of the best things I have done. Airflow is optimal, cold or hot day.
Like this:

https://www.retrofitoffroad.com/sho...-factory-hardtop-slider-window-kit-2011-2017/

Would be a great option for the JL aftermarket.

 

[Grayhound]

while I’m preoccupied with doing the fabrication of the top with the modularity J Scherb outlines, I put in the rear hard top sliding windows. This by far One of the best things I have done. Airflow is optimal, cold or hot day.
Like this:

https://www.retrofitoffroad.com/sho...-factory-hardtop-slider-window-kit-2011-2017/

Would be a great option for the JL aftermarket.

I’ve not seen this, I do like this as well’

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