Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Home Page → Great Lakes XJ → General XJ/MJ Technical → Starting my soft top
 

Topic: Starting my soft top

Post Info
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
RE: Starting my soft top
Permalink  
Okay got the top back from Lansing Glass today - hopefully working on the install tomorrow. Just need to rivot down the new snap locations on the XJ body on 3 sides and work on the rear bar.

__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
Permalink  
Here's my precision tools for the install - lol:
100_2586.jpg
100_2586.jpg
100_2587.jpg

Now for the front I attached the snaps flush to the body - still may need to make some kind of wind deflector so the wind don't go under the cover and blow it off the snaps.  The side will be the same - pretty much flush with the rain gaurds.  The rear is what I am working on now - I am using the tonneau cover frame for this, but need to figure out the best way to bend it to fit the curvature of the body.  If I can't get a good way may just put snaps flush to body - bend it upwards a little to limit water from leaking in.  If I do us the frame from the orignal cover still trying to figure out how to fasten down. 

Also made the rear cut too.
100_2590.jpg
100_2590.jpg

100_2592.jpg


__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
threeEs99
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 1078
Date:
Permalink  
Just one question. Why did you leave the "T" in the center? If you already explained it I may have missed it.confused

-- Edited by threeEs99 at 23:04, 2008-09-14

__________________

99 sport.
rust bucket, DD, 3 car seats
04 wj (w/3 car seats too)
DD duty for the lady  
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
Permalink  
The one section that goes across the width is one of the supports - didn't want to cut that out yet (still undecided).  The small T-top section was going to house a waterproof housing for items like cb and switches, but after looking at the pics not sure now.  I may, once the rollcage is installed cut the remaining areas out, lol - though not sure anymore.  Probably keep it the way the pic shows for awhile and think about it. 

I think I figured out how to attach the rear mount using the old tonneau frame - but start work tonight for 4 night shifts, so won't be messing with it till the weekend now.

__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
Permalink  
Okay got the rear bar down - didn't turn out too bad, and even without any extra sealing, the stock weather stripping seems to snug up pretty good.  Need to finish the sides - installing snaps, so that should tighten up the cover a little more.  The front I am concerned with since there is a good gap and wind will go under and probably unsnap the front (need to work on that some more).

Still need to:
1.  seal back 100% for mounting area and smooth over cut sections were it attached to the top of jeep.

2.  Cover up bolt/nuts stickin into roof

3.  Install rubber/weather stripping around entire trimmed area + possible bed liner (spray on )

4.  Buy rollcage from Motion and have them weld it up

100_2624.jpg
100_2625.jpg
100_2626.jpg
100_2627.jpg


100_2628.jpg

__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
SqueakyGreen
Supporting Member
Status: Offline
Posts: 9
Date:
Permalink  
Thanks for sharing all this.  I've often thought a wide opening in the roof would be the ideal compromise between the utility of the XJ, and the open feeling of the TJ I used to have.  Kits similar to what is on the new Liberty are $$$ expensive, so I find your ingenuity appealing.

Have you thought about fabbing up something for the front similar to what you'd see on a CJ/YJ/TJ?  You'd still have to rig up something for the front of the canvas that could slip into the TJ-like channel, which would probably help with wind and moisture from sneaking in under the top.  A lot of work, I'd imagine...

Anyway, great job and keep posting updates!


__________________
'96 XJ Country:   4-wheeled family fun wagon
'07 DL 1000:   2-wheeled Jeep (ATGATT)

Tread lightly, but leave an impression.
SqueakyGreen
Supporting Member
Status: Offline
Posts: 9
Date:
Permalink  
Something like this:

http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=6961


__________________
'96 XJ Country:   4-wheeled family fun wagon
'07 DL 1000:   2-wheeled Jeep (ATGATT)

Tread lightly, but leave an impression.
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
Permalink  
Well I have two snaps left to do - one redo and install one more......  Did some mods to the front - installed some snaps on both pass and driver side front down the windshield frame to help keep the cover attached due to wind.

100_2865.jpg100_2865.jpg

100_2866.jpg100_2866.jpg


Got the interior bout gutted - hopefully making the call to Motion tomorrow to order the cage smile

100_2863.jpg100_2863.jpg100_2866.jpg




__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
Jeepguy91
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 407
Date:
Permalink  
Lookin good ed. You gonna have motion weld in your cage?

__________________

1996 Grand Cherokee Limited 3.5" rough country, 265 courser at's, roof rack, winch bumper, dana 44, 8,000 lb. winch
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
Permalink  
Yeah that's the plan as of now, talked to a few closer shops, but they want a lot more just for the labor.  I'm hoping to buy a welder soon so worst case I can make some additions to the cage this summer.

__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
ChevelleSSLS6
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 1579
Date:
Permalink  
If you're going with a cage, I doubt the stock roof supports will do much. Others who have done this type of modification will know more than I do though.

I think MOR sells those unibody reinforcements too, that get welded to the 'frame rails'. Those may be worth looking into as well in regards to chassis stiffness.

__________________

My Fleet
1996 XJ "Snowball"- 3.5" lift, bunch of little mods.  I hate pegleg rear axles!
1974 AMC Javelin "Jade Grenade"- 360v8, 4sp, green inside and out. Underfunded Project.
2009 Kawsaki Vulan 900 "Rocket III"- Summer DD
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
Permalink  
Well made few hour trip trailering the XJ and only two snaps keep popping off.  I was surprised since speeds trailering were close to 70mph.  Only one front snap keeps popping off and one driver side, side one about midway down. 

__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
Jeepguy91
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 407
Date:
Permalink  
So did you just take the xj over or did you just go pick it up?

__________________

1996 Grand Cherokee Limited 3.5" rough country, 265 courser at's, roof rack, winch bumper, dana 44, 8,000 lb. winch
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
Permalink  
Took it over - tenative plan is to pick it up on Dec 18th.

__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
92XJT
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 309
Date:
Permalink  
Well I think the soft top needs some work.  It is pretty susceptible to side winds, I found out on my way home from Motion.  Had some fairly strong side winds towing the XJ home and one time the complete side of snaps (drivers) came undone from the wind.  Well at least the rear snaps held great, along with the front (I assume they only stayed on due to my nylon straps).  Front still does great head on, but did find out it is not very water proof when you are travelling 65mph into on and off monsoons.  Seat got a little damp was the only issue noted. 

On the good side - cage is welded up and done (for now) and looks great - thanks Adam.  Will get some pics up soon to show it off. 

__________________
07 Powerwagon, pretty much stock besides Line X bedliner and dual exhaust.  Quad cab, fully loaded (minus nav), etc

92 XJ sport, 33" boggers, 4.56 gears, rear locker, more to add

07 Arctic Cat 400 4x4, lockers front and rear, 2500lb MM winch
 
«First  <  1 2 | Page of 2  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
 
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard