Just bouncing some ideas around this evening,,, did some searching but really,,,I didn't find the answers I was seeking.

If I wanted to make my 96 2 door a true rag-top,,,what would I have to do in order to maintain or improve,,structurally what I have removed? Where else would need reinforced to regain some strength?

Like roll cage.. would I just thru bolt it to the floor pan?
I like the "fast back look also. Like the old Bronco or Internationals,, I'm thinking of the actual top construction too,,, Having one sewn up,,, any idea on the cost ?
The factory slip-lip, like on the side windows of a TJ would be used on the side of my proposed chop. Even the windshield "lip" could be used. As you can read, soon as I thought about doing this my mind got into 4th gear and took off. My thoughts are not in any order and the flood of steps to get it done seems huge. Doable but huge. Has anyone here actually done this ?

This would be badass looking for sure,,,tooling the beach or wherever,,,

So,,, whattyall all think ? worth the effort?

 

Buy a wrangler! To do this right, you're talking about a major undertaking. It's hard to properly reproduce the strength of the unibody, even with a cage. Especially with a bolt-in cage.

 

For the price you could buy a 92-96 bronco for what a full cage welded in and having a custom vinyl top made for it.And the bronco gives you better options on upgrades later like running a big block or diesel.Axle swaps the rear is bolt in the front you have sas kits to use a dana 44 or a bolt in dana 60 soon from bronco air.

 

Buy a sawzall and give it a shot.

 

Google.

 

ive seen two different XJs in the junkyard this past year that were scrapped rather quickly following an attempt at a top chop, one even had the feshly cut top still in the back of it. Just saying.

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=xj+chop+top

 

 

My jeep is rediculously strong, I've rolled it a few times in Moab and it didn't hurt a thing, mine is just bolted to backing plates through the floor in three didffernt spots on the cage works very well