Jeepagon (cherokee Exploration)

[arbs]

Purchased a '98 cherokee and started off with RCX 3" lift and 31' Federals M/T. Started doing mild wheeling (hit a few deep spots) and decided to build a snorkle. Of course, always interested in exploration rigs, and owning a cherokee...I HAD to be ('hip') and have a roof rack to lug around camping supplies. After a year or so.. decided it was time for a change.

[arbs]

[arbs]

[arbs]

[arbs]

[arbs]

Started to fit the canvas but then decided to take it all down and attack it another way

[arbs]

Lifted the rear with 1-1/2" Shackles and 1" spacer up front..shocks, bushings, dampener, bumpers, etc etc...

[arbs]

Started to build the frame the other day..
The canvas will be stapled to this frame..and the frame will be held on by clamps.. thus making the entire roof removable if need be.






Now everything has been brought up to date. I will be continuing on from here. PS. I still do not have clamps for the frame.. Not really sure what 'clamps' to look for.

[desteurm]

That's a marvelous idea...but, I wouldn't be cutting the roof out of a unibody vehicle without reinforcing it significantly.

[Flatline's Up!]

Very nice

[arbs]

The section I cut out of the roof had no useful structure at all. A few people have said the same thing to me before thinking that the actual top 'supports' the vehicle from body flex. (I was actually concerned about this as well untill I had actually cut the roof). As long as I dont cut the pillars or surrounding part of the roof, the vehicle will not be effected.

To back this up, I did a few tests which included opening all of the doors (including the trunk) and flexing the vehicle to its max. I could open and shut each door independently as if it was parked on flat ground in the driveway.

Here some pictures of another test I did in the garage as well...

[ARB_jon]

you gonna put a cage in there?

[Chainlink]

I see you tested ( the unibody). But I personally don't think a flex test proves anything.....I have seen a 90 Cherokee that was stiff as shit, while a 99 couldn't open rear hatch if sitting in a pothole.


I love the idea and love you are thinking outside the box but at the same time would like to see some strength added. Even a smallish interior roll cage I think would suffice, something tied in. I agree with what I think you are saying in the pillars take the brunt of integral strength. But in no way cutting a roof apart leaves it unaffected.

With any expedition, or vehicle for that purpose preparation is key.....prepare for the worst and hope it was all for naught.

But dang nice project, I have a idea or project that has same kind of ideas....just way further in the future. Kudos and be safe.

[arbs]

My original thoughts where to use the roll bar in back and tie in a bar in front (connected together on the sides) and place a hammock in the middle like this...



The only thing from stopping me right now is that I do not have a tube bender of any kind. But I agree that it couldnt hurt to stiffin up the unibody. And I still will be putting the bars in the truck (having no roof should make this a little easier when welding) But as far as a 'true roll cage'.. it is impossible for my design to allow such a sturdy structure due to the fact that bars cannot cross in the center, obviously. But then again, this is not a rock crawler. It should still add the additional strength you requested.

Plus, it will be a chill spot to hang from when sleeping at night.

[arbs]

this is the roll bar in the rear of the truck right now. This picture was when we started fitting in, but it is now secured in the rear and bolted down to large plates, in and out.

It originally came out of an older Toyota 4Runner..and I realze it is a 'one time' protection bar... as in, one roll over, and the bar will probably disform enough and become useless. But it should still serve a purpose to add in the extra strength when the bar system has been completed.

[desteurm]

If you don't have a tube bender you could contact a fabrication shop with some sketches and see what they suggest. The roof may not seem that important but it does support the pillars. Heavy cargo and pounding roads take a toll. I would look long term to reienforce the underside rails, a heavy duty cross member and some skid plates for the sensitive aluminum parts. You could have a removeable cross member for the roll cage that is bolted in while driving but park and pop it out. It would suck to get munched in a roll over.

To properly flex test the system you would need a 20% ramp then try and open all the doors then close all the doors. Take baby steps and see at what point you notice change.

[arbs]

I like the idea of the removable crossmembers for the roof.. that would definitely be something I will consider.

And as far as the flexing goes, those pictures were taken in the garage just to see if I lost any noticable strength because I was worried. After that test, within the next couple days I did take the vehicle to full flex on a ramp and did the same thing. Again, the doors shut as if it was sitting on the flat ground and were aligning perfecty, and there was no noticable seperation from the body underneith.

Also keep in mind, I have been wheeling this truck for 4 months now.. and continuesly check to see if there is any noticable differences.

But no worries, because I will be throwing in some kind of support bar system. I'll see if I can find anyone around here that could bend some tubing for the front and sides...

I have also started working on the rocker panels on the bottom and will be re-enforcing those as well within the month.

[arbs]

[Jeffb_79]

I'm not quite sure I get what you're making.... it looks like a RTT, but with a big hole in the roof I don't get where you'd be sleeping.

[arbs]

The top originally came off the 70's unibody vanagon, which was capable of popping its top and having a canvas bed that rolled out. This way, during the day, they could have the extra head space to cook and what-not, and during the night, owners could sleep on the bottom and the top bunk.

For this, I will be installing a hammock which will extend to the rear and to the front of the vehicle from the bar support system that I posted above. This way, you can store all of the luggage and what-have-you in the 'trunk' of the cherokee and be able to sleep without having to move everything outside of the truck.

With the top popped, I can stand straight up out of the trunk without hitting my head on the roof. I am 5' 11"... This way, I can change, move around, pretty much have the extra space to function within the jeep, and then put the hammock up to sleep at night.

[arbs]

And as far as the benefits compared to something like an RTT..

With the pop top, I have a an amazing amount of additional space to move around in the vehicle. With the back seat folded down and front seats pushed and folded foward, its definitely a roomy place to be able to enjoy camp.

It also allows me to remain 'in doors' for the night. Instead of being in a completely exposed tent or rtt, I will still be sleeping mostly inside of the jeep.

The other thing about RTT's I dislike is the height factor. I am impressed with how slim they are, but they still sit quite high... much higher than this cap... which only added around 2-3 inches to the roof.

And lastly... Price. I have put about 150 bucks into this build. And its also been quite fun.

Heres some pictures of the top down when I was driving the truck around this past winter...

[Jeffb_79]

Originally Posted by arbs

The top originally came off the 70's unibody vanagon, which was capable of popping its top and having a canvas bed that rolled out. This way, during the day, they could have the extra head space to cook and what-not, and during the night, owners could sleep on the bottom and the top bunk.

For this, I will be installing a hammock which will extend to the rear and to the front of the vehicle from the bar support system that I posted above. This way, you can store all of the luggage and what-have-you in the 'trunk' of the cherokee and be able to sleep without having to move everything outside of the truck.

With the top popped, I can stand straight up out of the trunk without hitting my head on the roof. I am 5' 11"... This way, I can change, move around, pretty much have the extra space to function within the jeep, and then put the hammock up to sleep at night.

Ok... that makes sense.
I didn't see the purpose of a pop up if you're sleeping on the floor... then having to unload your rig every night and pack it up every morning.

Looking forward to seeing the results

[Johnny Quest]

very cool

[82FB]

Well, my 2 year old just looked at what I was looking at and said, "I like that Jeep. I want to buy that Jeep." Can you tell I am in the market for an XJ? He can!

[ohiozj]

thats freaking awesome....!!

nice work