My XJ is now a trail rig, and I'm moving down south soon, so I figured I'd have a lot more fun with chopping my whole roof off, and reinforcing the entire entire with a cage. I have a buddy who did this and who can help me. Although instead of bugging him, I'd like to get some other tips or info if any of you guys did it.


Here's his:







I'm going to consider keeping the roof as a hard top. Mounting it wouldn't be an issue, just sealing it partially and securing it. I'm debating on keeping the 2 front doors intact, and cutting the rear two in the middle, like the second picture.


Also, so I could have various opinions on a very important matter. Recommended DOM size?


Open to feedback or additional info.



Cheers

Have as many solid frame tie ins as possible, and I would use 1.75x.120 dom.

Right on.

Here's a pic of mine right now. I want to reinforce the stinger as well. Should I also tie it into my future sliders? Or is that more for looks/little protection? I'm trying to picture what that'd look like. I'll have to look for some pics.

if you're going to doing a bunch of fabricating you should sell that bumper and make a simpler one with a better approach angle

If you had a hybrid cage then I'd say do tube from A and rocker, under the fender, into a reasonable sized stinger.

Would you recommend a shorter stinger? And I kind of want to get rid of the winch. I've never used it. Maybe relocate it to the rear? Would that be useful?

oh yeah much shorter. this is the only two times I have ever seen a stinger be useful

@ 57 seconds


just watch from the beginning




other than that I have NEVER seen a stinger be anything but in the way. so I'd angle it way up and shorten it. also I've never used a winch either so I'll probably never run one.. someone in my group always has one though

Would you guys recommend a full chop, or a hybrid exo with maybe a removable soft top roof like the Detours one?

Definitely need a better approach angle to your bumper if you plan on tying into it. Here's a good bumper build for some ideas: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1041403

If you do a full chop with a removable top, you'll either need help putting on your top or a lift system to do so, plus a place to store it. Something to think about.

Oh OK. That doesn't look to bad actually. Also, if I've never used my winch (came with the Jeep), should I still have it on the front? I can still have it, I might just relocate it to the rear or something. Although, I guess it's nice peace of mind?




I'm also still kicking around the idea of the full chop. If I did do it, I'd go full soft top. The hard top would be too cumbersome. My friends are telling me to just go exo/hybrid cage. I thought about a chop similar to the picture below, but maybe a different cage style, so I could do a fastback soft top? And could a 92 use a 96+ hatch? I'd just be using the bottom half, I'd make the soft top cover up the rest. I just don't want to deal with fiberglass.

I'd sell the winch to one of your friends. who can then possibly pull you out with it later

I've never liked the humvee look at all. and the sucky thing about full internal is if you flop, you're still gonna lose your windshield and A pillar

only reason I'd chop a 4 door is to dove tail it

There was a guy on Naxja I believe who did a dovetail with the roof intact. If I wasn't on my phone I'd post a link, I know I bookmarked it on my laptop.

Is the purpose of that to run bigger tires or for better flex in general? Looks pretty sick. Hard to do?

looks badass, less likely do bash the quarter panels/tailights into a rock if they're tucked in like that. you can make a smaller rear bumper. and it's as easy as (once you chop top it) cutting out the wheel wells and bending it in.

heres a good place to start looking
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-...chop-tops.html


emptypockets, are you thinking of this one?
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-...l#post11851710

Yep, post #40. That thing is so sick!

I think I'm going to go with a hybrid/exo cage instead of a chop.. I'll definitely address the bumper as well. Anyone have any good pictures of cages or tips?