Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Matt4x4 on June 25, 2006, 07:10:06 PM

Title: Roofless ZJ
Post by: Matt4x4 on June 25, 2006, 07:10:06 PM

I used to have a YJ and just loved having the top off. Now with my ZJ I want to have the same feeling. But I dont want to take a saws all and start hacking it up, like a hillbilly. Besides the safety issue, can I legally cut the roof off and find a way to modify the doors. No doubt I would put in a cage on it.

I ask this because I had a friend a year or so ago that had a XJ that he cut abit of the rear roof off, and he said that he had to get it inspected. And what they did was put stress on the body to see if it buckled. He did like a S.U.T. type deal to it. I have seen a dakota regular cab around town that had a convertible roof. Other then that I haven't seen anything with its stock roof cut off.

Thanks

Title: Roofless ZJ
Post by: TJ54 on June 25, 2006, 08:39:24 PM

There was a factory dakota convertible.

http://www.mytrain.com/truck.html

Title: Chop the top
Post by: henry on June 25, 2006, 08:40:08 PM

Yea, it'll be tough passing an inspection with the roof cut off.  Not sure how you would go about that one, but, the Dodge Dakota convertable you saw is factory original.  Dodge made ragtop Dakotas in the early 90s.  A rare find if you can get one.  


 8)

Title: Roofless ZJ
Post by: fony3 on June 25, 2006, 11:39:22 PM

Have you though about just doing an aftermarket sunroof?

Title: Roofless ZJ
Post by: redbull on June 26, 2006, 12:38:11 AM

If it's insured and registered, why would you need to get it inspected?

You could try something similar to this:
(http://www.toontoys.ca/Projects/projectrusty/part2/Finish%20001.jpg)


The "top" was custom made at a boat shop.

Build here:
http://www.toontoys.ca/Projects/projectrusty/part2/project_rusty_runner_part_2.htm

Title: Roofless ZJ
Post by: cablesmurf on June 26, 2006, 06:26:49 AM

The problem in the that the roof is a part of the unibody and if you cut it, you would really need to re enforce it to make it safe. Here in Calgary, you'd probably be fine with the insurance co', (they rarely look at the vehicle, so you could just not tell them about the roof), but please make it safe for the rest of our sakes. Now, you could get stopped my the cops or the highway inspectors and they might have something to say about it.

Title: Roofless ZJ
Post by: keener on June 26, 2006, 07:45:39 PM

Cut a unibody ? Pretty scary.
If you cut the roof, you are weakeing the frame, because the frame and body are one.That's like taking that Toyota posted above and removing one third of its frame.