Chop top Cherokees
12-13-2017, 08:09 AM
#242
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee(SJ)
New here. Been having my 1999 XJ for about 8 years. Only work I done on it is installed a 3" Rough Country lift kit and 31" tires. I was it around town and only off road on my place. Here in Louisiana were I am at, I deal with a lot of mud.
Well, I busted out the back and one back side window in one shot. Don't ask but it had something to do with a backhoe. LOL: Well, it is time for me to take my XJ to the next step. It's a 4 door and I am looking at chopping the back section roof off. To bad photobucket robbed a lot of pictures in this thread. Once I start, I will try to post pictures.
Well, I busted out the back and one back side window in one shot. Don't ask but it had something to do with a backhoe. LOL: Well, it is time for me to take my XJ to the next step. It's a 4 door and I am looking at chopping the back section roof off. To bad photobucket robbed a lot of pictures in this thread. Once I start, I will try to post pictures.
12-14-2017, 11:14 AM
#244
Senior Member
It's hard to see that this has been chopped and although it's not a Cherokee it definitely has Cherokee parts. Note the doors. They are from a 2 dr. Cherokee which are almost 10" longer than the original Comanche doors (which are the same as used on a 4 dr. Cherokee).
I can't find a build thread on this but my guess is the builder chopped off the back half or so of the cab, installed the longer Cherokee doors, reinstalled the cab to match the doors and grafted in a new roof section (probably from a Cherokee). I think he used a long wheel base Comanche and replaced the box with one from a short wheel base Comanche (6' vs. 7'4"). The rear axle may have been moved back too.
That's a LOT of work for a very subtle difference.
I can't find a build thread on this but my guess is the builder chopped off the back half or so of the cab, installed the longer Cherokee doors, reinstalled the cab to match the doors and grafted in a new roof section (probably from a Cherokee). I think he used a long wheel base Comanche and replaced the box with one from a short wheel base Comanche (6' vs. 7'4"). The rear axle may have been moved back too.
That's a LOT of work for a very subtle difference.
12-14-2017, 11:43 AM
#246
Senior Member
^^^ I agree. 
If the wheel base has been extended that would be an even nicer highway truck with a good sized cab.
If the wheel base has been extended that would be an even nicer highway truck with a good sized cab.
12-14-2017, 07:50 PM
#247
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Long Island
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
01-14-2018, 12:13 PM
#249
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Long Island
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
As long as the hatch is steel just weld it back on to wherever you chop the roof whether it be behind the rear doors or the front doors. My friend chopped his and kept it a 4 door and I cut mine down to the front doors both water tight.
07-14-2018, 07:54 PM
#251
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
In my opinion, you dont need a cage, But you do need some sort of reinforment. I used a 6pt roll bar tied into the floor at the bottom of the b-pillar, the top of the wheel well, and the rear quarters.
This truck held up fairly well to a 50+ mph rear end collision, that bent a pice of 6" c-channel rear bumper into a U shape.
This truck held up fairly well to a 50+ mph rear end collision, that bent a pice of 6" c-channel rear bumper into a U shape.
Question though, has anyone converted the Cherokee doors to removable doors?
07-14-2018, 07:58 PM
#252
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
I've been wanting a CJ 5 for as long as I can remember but that's not in the budget so I've decided to make my own. Couple questions I'm trying to figure out though. Is it possible to take the top off without compromising the integrity of the unibody? Has anyone ever converted the Cherokee doors over to removable like on wranglers? I have a 97 grand Cherokee 4 door to play with. The front corner got banged up so I have an 85 Cherokee chief to use for parts.
07-17-2018, 08:05 PM
#253
CF Veteran
Yes, plenty of people on here have made removable doors. There are a bunch of threads . It's not all that hard to do, but you get awesome results. I like the look of chopped Grand Cherokees! There is an awesome one on here, I believe it's called War Hog, but I might be mistaken
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tracyk
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
14
08-04-2021 07:26 AM
95cherokee89
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
59
10-16-2015 03:17 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
