MatteBlack

This will be my first Cherokee (a 2000 4dr sport) so I am sort of looking for the odd tip or two on where reinforcement will be most important. Typical trouble spots common to the model mostly or especially useful tricks that might not be so obvious. Cutting it might be an overall bad idea but, it's what I want.



The idea is to cut out the roof from the top of windshield to about 2/3rds of the way back through the rear doors.

At this time, I intend to keep the doors but, they will likely be made removable. The B-pillar will be trimmed down just above the hinges to the rear door.

I hope to add 2 roll hoops to protect the passenger compartment. One up the front of the front door and A-pillar extednding about 6" above the standard roofline and another hoop reaching to the same height just inside the rear door roughly even with the back of the opening portion of the side-window.

I am still trying to work out how I will tie-in the two hoops over the gap but, this will eventually get a custom-made canvas roof. The rear compartment will be left largely stock save for being stripped and tied into the rear roll hoop.

Bed-lining and a pair of buckets (no rear bench) should make-up most of the interior but, I'd hope to keep the middle of it free for some sort of camping bed set-up with the hatch open down the road.

Good ideas on where to brace or tie-in to the body would be greatly appreciated.

93XJLI

If you're asking where to tie in a roll cage, you shouldn't be building one.

MatteBlack

I have some clue but, a race car fabricator will be doing most of the brainpower. Just figured that I would I ask folks who knew cherokees well for some extra insight.

DaveVmax

x2


you should be doing some extensive research on this before even attempting it.

you first cherokee?

why dont you test its limits first before you start cutting it all up.

its not an easy task.
mine

93XJLI

Anyone worth a damn will be able to look at a car know where to tie in a cage.

MatteBlack

I appreciate the warnings and have been the type to give such in other arenas. The reality here is that this is part of my research before I do it or, more correctly, have it done. I have a trusted builder who knows roll cages and even a cherokee or two but, not in this way.

Sometimes a particular model will have it's own idiosynchracies and often times communities such as this have some hard-earned knowlege about their specific vehicle. I'd hope to include that in the final design.

As far as testing limits goes, I am the limit requiring the modification as I need the extra cabin space but, otherwise really want a cherokee. I like the size and capability of the Cherokee but, the interior is too small for me. Opening up the vehicle for more comfortable usage is one of the first obstacles I need to overcome.

I definitely respect that it is a complex mod and I hope to make it as much of a "measure twice, cut once" affair as a I can.

Also, thanks for the pic. It has many of the details I had in mind. I just want to supersize that and carry it through the roof and possibly add in a bar across the top of the dash. It should be well below my eyeline even while solidly clearing the dash.

Chaoscase

93XJLI

Plenty of builds on pirate that do what you're thinking of doing

MatteBlack

Thanks, I tripped over some pics from there while looking for ideas. I also saw that the TOTM thread on Roll Cages here has generally good roll cage construction info as well.

MatteBlack

It's not perfect but, I did up a quick PhotoChop do get an idea how it might look for real. Tubing thickness is still a bit undersized and it needs some more reinforcing.