Chopped top question

JeepMN · 05-28-2007, 06:15 PM

To begin with, I am a new member and would like to say hello to all of you. I am 17 and bought a 96 xj this past winter. Since buying it, I have become entangled in a state of endless modifications which has brought me to this inquiry.

I have a question about chopping the rear off of my 96 cherokee country. I want to remove the top from the front of the rear windows back, if that makes any sense to you. I have seen a few people on this and other forums who have done so. The question I have is about structural stability. I plan on leaving the lower part of my liftgate as a kind of makeshift tail gate. I want to bolt or weld that in place. My question is, would the vehicle be structurally sound enough? It is my guess that with that bolted in place, and the fact that I have a tow hitch, which is tied into both unibody rails, that it would be of adequate strength. I do not do any heavy wheeling, only driving forest roads and some very light trails, nothing that has ever had me worried about my vehicle's structural state. Would it be safe to do what I am planning, or would it be absolutely necessary to put a cage in?

I'd like to thank you all for your help, it is much appreciated.

**Matt Gertsch** · 05-28-2007, 06:22 PM

It would have the structural integrity of a cardboard box if you didn't cage it.

ktmracer419 · 05-28-2007, 07:20 PM

fiberglass doesnt weld too well.

and if you plan on wheeling it invest in a cage, if you drive it on the street, it might hold up ok, but to be safe, cage it.

Topgun514 · 05-28-2007, 07:37 PM

check the desert metal build sheet...he just chopped his...
the 96 is the year they upgraded the strength of unibody and stronger bars...and if you have a country that should mean you have a 4 door which means it should be stronger than a two door...main pillars...so chop ahead, you beat me to chop my 96...but also id cage it if you are gonna be leaning or tipping your heap...

what kinda lift do you have on it too?

JeepMN · 05-28-2007, 08:12 PM

It's a country I might add. I'd say it sees about 90% on road driving, with the occasional camping trip (forest roads, flat minnesota trails).

It's got 3" rough country springs up front, and the rear sits a little higher than 3" with the s-10 packs i've got in it.

**BeachinXJ** · 05-28-2007, 08:26 PM

I would cage it regardless. If you are ever in an accident with no cage, you will prob be killed and your insurance company will never cover it.

JeepMN · 05-28-2007, 08:39 PM

This is probably a stupid question, but to cage of the rear where would be the best places to put support? I've done some searching, and all the pictures I see of chopped xjs have either no support, or cages that go around the entire vehicle. Would that much cage be necessary, or would a few strategically placed bars be adequate?

Forgive the lack of experience, I'd just like to do it the right way when I do go through with it.

ktmracer419 · 05-28-2007, 09:46 PM

research, alot.

ive been reading cage threads on www.naxja.org for about a year now and i still dont know if im ready to tackle it.

**BeachinXJ** · 05-29-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeepMN

This is probably a stupid question, but to cage of the rear where would be the best places to put support? I've done some searching, and all the pictures I see of chopped xjs have either no support, or cages that go around the entire vehicle. Would that much cage be necessary, or would a few strategically placed bars be adequate?

Forgive the lack of experience, I'd just like to do it the right way when I do go through with it.

With mine, we have a 6 point cage installed, tieing into the unibody in the rear with thick metal plates. There are plates at each other point bolted through the unibody floor to help brace the cage. Then, I added a X pattern in the back between the B pillar loop and the rear bars. That helped brace side to side without the roof being there. I have it chopped from the B-pillar back.

Hope that helps, do your research!

**HeavyMetal** · 05-29-2007, 10:35 AM

the jeep is absolutely not going to need a cage to drive around. but as kyle stated, accidents and stuff change that. you should definitely invest at bare minimum in stuff which was already mentioned. You dont need a full on cage, just something to replace the rigidity which was lost, so some cross-brace support and up and downs at the pillers