Rich XJ what do you have to worry about when choping the back of it? You have to take the headliner down right? I am thinking about doing it to mine becuase i am in a welding class at school and my teacher would love to help me with it.

 

haha when it rains you get wet its not a daily driver thing its a 4x4 toy. the top off makes it more fun. i will probably do a soft top eventually.

 

the jeep i started with had no headliner or doors or anything so i just had to take out the wires for the hatch. you will have to worry about finishing it so it looks nice thats the hardest part.

 

HEre is mine, im still working on the cage, should be done by saturday

 

I've also wondered why people chop the backs off of XJ's...
It looks burly, and all, but I would think that any weight advantage would be changed to a body flex disadvantage unless a FULL CAGE was added.
This would re-create the blind spots again.
It might be a "uniqueness" thing, like the folks who put Mustang II's on 4x4 frames, etc.
I'm all for creativity, and I understand budget-mindedness...Cutting up what you already have is a lot less expensive than going out & buying a YJ..
Not something I would do personally, but to each his/her own...
I just wouldn't get in one as a driver or passenger unless it was hella caged and had 5-point harnesses.

 

I want to chop mine for several reasons.

1. The lower weight on the rear end.

2. I think it looks cool.

3. The way I intend to do mine it will still have the ability to go back to the original configureation with a canvas top.

4. It provides a much more custom appearance and allows you to haul larger items in the back.

The real question is why wouldn't you?

grin

 

Well I hope to get my XJ looking similar to the yellow one on the first page of this thread someday. It would be exo'd and have full frame supports to get rid of any added/released body flex from the missing roof over the cargo area and d-pillar.

I love vehicles that were perfectly fine and then chopped and hacked up. They look better and more unique that way instead of just a dime a dozen version of that vehicle.

 

my buddy has a removable hard top for his wrangler. I'd like to see that for an XJ.

Some of these chop jobs look great when done, some I would be afraid to ride in.

If you are going to do something, take the time to do it right.

 

It is definitely possible to make the removed metal reattachable by way of some alignment points, weatherstripping and hinge style clamps.

 

the wrangler top is fiberglass and it takes a couple few guys to remove/install. I would think it would almost have to be composite on the XJ too for weight reasons.

The trade off with the fiberglass/composite material is road noise.

 

Yes, but I was saying that the removed metal could be modded into a removable top. A soft top with a lightweight frame would be cool as well.

 

some one has a removable top on an xj he winches it up into his attic in his garage

 

the metal roof on the xj is very light. i was surprised when we cut it off i lifted it up and tossed it around like nothing. the fiberglass wrangler top weighs a lot more

 

you asked and here it is i goggled it
http://www2.pirate4x4.com/forum/show....php?p=9213802

 

you asked and here it is i goggled it
http://www2.pirate4x4.com/forum/show....php?p=9213802