[Oman Jeep]

I've got a factory hard top which has no windows in it - intention is to cut it up and make it half the size. Not sure yet whether I'll be taking it to a boat yard / bodykit place or doing it myself as a teach-myself-fiberglass-work project.


I want to use an extra large aftermarket sunroof / H2 factory sunroof. In the dunes we are looking up through the roof quite a bit when going up / down the big slopes. I normally have the soft top back.

I don't want a spoiler type sunroof because it would interfere with a roof rack. For this reason the "half cab" will still extend backwards behind the front seats, looking a little bit like the sound bar on the back of my Bestop Halftop. This gives the sunroof somewhere to go.


Secondly, when we're in crowded areas I drop the rear window so I can hear what's behind me on a slope, so that I just stop if I don't make it all the way to the top. If it's clear, we swing a u-turn and come down again.

So I guess what I'm saying is even though it looks like I've watched a bit too much pimp my ride - these things are born out of necessity.

Here's the first concept sketch:





What I'm looking for now is if anyone's seen / read any articles from the sport truck / hot rod scene on installing a drop-down window where there used to be a fixed window. That's the major obstacle.



P.S. I live in Dubai so if this thing leaks it's not exactly a big deal

[.Jch.]

that looks awesome.

[Bmel17]

no ideas on help, but that sounds cool as anything!
I would make sure you have enough room on that back wall so you can put your seats back comfortably!

[Dravintoad]

Looks nice.
It seems you would need something like a double shell to house those windows, wiring and whatnot.
Power windows?
(I assume you will settle for nothing less than the best)

Those corner/curved windows will be a pain and may not be worth it.

I would like to see the stages if you do this.

[Oman Jeep]

Originally Posted by Dravintoad

Looks nice.
It seems you would need something like a double shell to house those windows, wiring and whatnot.
Power windows?
(I assume you will settle for nothing less than the best)

Those corner/curved windows will be a pain and may not be worth it.

I would like to see the stages if you do this.

Corner windows will definitely be worth it... The Bestop fabric Half Top has HUGE blind spots in that area... Lane Changes are a real lean forward and look over your shoulder job.


The whole lot will of course be powered. And I'll use the modules that tie into central locking so press and hold unlock will roll down all 3 windows and pull the sunroof back

As for the double shell issue - the mid-gate will have two thick strong walls because stuff will be placed behind the seats there... it needs to be durable.

For the roof, obviously the overhang / wing section will be a double layer, but the interior won't be necessary. I'll be using a seperate thinner layer that will clip / velcro / bolt on to form a head-liner. That head-liner will be covered in Audi style Alcantara (why the hell not? )

[TheBoogieman]

No advise but I think we are all stunned at your nice graphics.

[Oman Jeep]

Thanks but it's just a sketch

I really want to re-work the shape of the spoiler section blending into the rear corner... I know I can do a much better job there.

I'm going to measure up sunroof options and when I know which systems I want to use, I'll do a more to-scale rendering

[FLATFENDER54]

I had an electric rear roll down window on my 83 short bed chevy. It was made by an aftermarket company but I believe it could be made by someone with some good skills. ( I had to take it apart one time when it broke to fix it) Thats an awesome looking idea/plan you have there by the way

[Lawrence]

Originally Posted by Oman Jeep

What I'm looking for now is if anyone's seen / read any articles from the sport truck / hot rod scene on installing a drop-down window where there used to be a fixed window. That's the major obstacle.

Why not use one, or at least the mechanism, from a pickup truck? Toyota has one on the Tundra and they fitted it on their SEMA FJC a couple of years back. Do a search for FJ Cruiser Soft Top Concept.





Another idea is to use a canvas top instead of a glass for the sunroof, so not to have the "visor" hanging out the back like in your CAD drawing. That's the way Toyota did it and the soft top can be opened toward the front or rear of the vehicle or pushed together in the middle as it is here.

[Varnish]

Will the main hoop of whatever roll cage plan you have allow viewing out the corner windows?

Looks like a fun project.

[Schwalby]

x2 on the toyotas. My 97 4runner has a powered rear window as well so I bet you could find a working setup in an old toyota in a junk yard and then adapt it to fit in your top. The only things you would need to adjsut is the length of the arms. Shouldn't be too hard I would think. I also like the idea of the canvas sun roof. I think it will be easier to make and lighter.

[Bill_Dunnigan]

hey, i am an electromechanical engineering student at wentworth institute of technology in boston. I can design the internall workings of your top for you. I'm a solid works pro so let me know if you need my assistance.

btw do you have any jeep models on solid works or similar cad programs.?

pm me to contact, i'm very handy

-bill

[Bill_Dunnigan]

forgot to say i'm also an experienced machine designer (if you need crudentials) lol

[FLATFENDER54]

I forgot to mention on my rear window it was the entire window that rolled down behind the back seat. It was not just a small, slide it sideways type of window. The framework for the window went into the rear cab window opening and used the original factory weather stripping. It angled in just barely at the bottom (the window was still flat) so that the bottom of the window and framework was able to clear the lower lip of the cab. It slid down into tracks that were just like door window tracking. THe door window tracking was part of the frame work for the entire window. It had one electric motor centered at the very bottom of the enclosure that pushed or pulled in 2 peices of plastic fishtape type stuff , it went to the edges and turned upwards and pushed or lowered the glass up or down in its tracks. (Sorry...... I can see it very well in my head but cant explain it worth a damn) haha

[BlueFlame]

I'd stick with aftermarket electric sliding sunroofs and back window. (Both exist.)
No engineering required, reliable, and they'd go in whatever top you built. (No need to have a cavity within for them to slide into.)