I know that either way I am going to have a cage fabbed for my rig but haven't decided on exo or internal. I just read another thread on cages and someone mentioned a combination cage. My reason for this post is more about body metal fabrication/modification. I have a '76 Cherokee 2 dr with the long windows. I would like to lower my CG, the overall GVWR, as well as a removable hardtop like the Ford Bronco. I have mulled it over with a few people so far but none of them seem to have the "right stuff" and make me feel comfortable with them doing the job.

I have a few requirements and some other ideas floating around in my head and would appreciate your input and relative experience on this. First, driver and passengers safety is #1, of course.:flipoff2: This to me means that the seats and harnesses should mount to the cage. Second, the top will need to be removable. :idea:s ... Custom bumpers will be fabbed to relocate all existing lighting and incorporate more and to include a winch mount. (anybody know where to pick up aircraft landing lights?) Next are rocksliders between the fenderwells. I would like some protection for the fenders and body panels. My 360 will be a full propane conversion, so the tank(s) will need to be very well protected. I do not want a front row seat to an early 4th of July ... :nuke:!! For the long days in the AridZona :mad3: sun a custom soft top would be nice for us fair skinned Irish types, so it would be nice to have a "frame" to be pulled taught over. I will cut it short there and not get so picky. I'll try to post some staright on shots of my :jeep: for you creative types to get fabby with.

A BIG THANKS in advance for your help!!! :beer:

BTW ... anybody any where near close that can pull this off? I have also been toying with the idea of bobbing the back end about a foot or so for improved departure angle.

cut the top ur self.. forget teh hard top.. pain in the ass.. and finda local boartstore and ask if any of them know some one who makes custom boat covers.. and 9 chances out of 10 they can set u right up..then buy the slips for the soft top like jeeps have and the cross bars if needed tak and say the bar in half and extend it with a piece of pipe.. then cover the entire bar with padding if looks are big issue. . either way witha internal or external the soft top will be easy up easy down.. think about it.. do u really need a hard top?
just sumthing else to bust! besides the true part of out doors is actally beingin the out doors not unde a rooof!


im getting ready to chop the top of a 81 suburban and it will have basically a bikinni top from a local boat cover makers.. a lil ol man and his wife. with a external cage! rember eithe way u go pic pic pic s

if u have to keep the hard top and want a exo cage.. make the rear piece bolt on or the top os u can un bolt and pull the top.
lot of work but its ur ride so go for it

Good idea for the most part BUT I am now living in AridZona so using it a DD in :eek:110-115+ :mad3: heat is not fun! With a hardtop I can kick on the A/C when needed and cruise without sweating to :skull:. ;) Thanks for the heads up on using a boat accessory shop for a custom top though! They should be able to help out with side panels as well to keep out the monsoons n stuff.

:beer: