Hard top/Safari top with fabric side windpows - thinking out loud...

[Fireball05]

So, sitting here reading the thread about soft tops, and then for some reason seeing the photos of this recently finished beauty, I got to thinking....

Could you take a hardtop and cut it off right below the drip rail and turn it into a safari top? I believe someone has already done this. Could you then have some side and rear windows/fabric made so that it would be a hybrid soft/hard top?

The side windows would be similar to the BCB top, or the old Can back style. Is this a dumb idea? How hard would this be? Would this look cool?

Old hardtops are relatively easy and cheap to find. Building removable side and back curtains/windows would obviously be custom, but couldn't be more than a few hundred bucks. Seems like for less than a grand you could have a pretty cool setup.

Any ideas?

 

[Fireball05]

Here are photos of two safari tops:

This looks to be an unmodified top cut just how I was thinking. Wish we had more pictures and a side view of this one.

 

[Fireball05]

I'm talking to myself here, but it looks like this would be an awesome start. Do this:

Then just have an upholstery shop make some side and back windows.

What am I forgetting?

 

[Arikilen]

I like that last one you posted. a roll down canvas/oilskin side would be cool.

 

[broncoitis]

Man FireBall your killin me! You think way too much. ;D

This has been in my thoughts for a long time now even if you don't believe me! ;D

 

[sprdv1]

Man FireBall your killin me! You think way too much. ;D

This has been in my thoughts for a long time now even if you don't believe me! ;D

been thinking the same myself, Easy to put some snaps in the top & along the side somewhere. Snap/Un Snap. Quick set up / tear down IF you're out, starts raining, or wheelin when it's cold, want that protection.

 

[sprdv1]

This is Thom, he had to shorten from front/back, in order to fit the taper of the roll bar in the back.

Here are photos of two safari tops:

 

[Ethansdad73]

You not alone in your thought process. I have thought bout it too. A draw back would be the windows flapping in the wind as they will stretch in the sun and have nothing to keep them taunt.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ChrisC74]

I think that this is something that many of us have kicked around in our heads at one time or another. I for one would love to see someone with your attention to detail tackle this.

One additional thing I had thought about with this concept would be in addition to the snap in / snap out fabric panels was also framing some Plexiglas sides and a back that you could put in with nutserts or something similar for driving in the winter.

I have the BC top b/c I do not plan on running without the top part but the modular hard top idea is very interesting if it could get rid of some of the framework.

 

[Fireball05]

Man FireBall your killin me! You think way too much. ;D

This has been in my thoughts for a long time now even if you don't believe me! ;D

No Rob, I don't believe you. In fact, I'm fairly convinced that neither you nor your Bronco actually exist!

One additional thing I had thought about with this concept would be in addition to the snap in / snap out fabric panels was also framing some Plexiglas sides and a back that you could put in with nutserts or something similar for driving in the winter.

I have the BC top b/c I do not plan on running without the top part but the modular hard top idea is very interesting if it could get rid of some of the framework.

Chris, that's actually a really good idea and the plexi panels would probably be easier to pull off than the fabric panels/windows. The work that was done to the top I posted in post#3 looks like a good starting point. How would you have to do the openings to allow the fabric to snap in and out and still be relatively waterproof?

 

[Crawdad]

Subscribed but dont want to comment bc i no longer have a bronco. A hardtop is in my future though and i would like to modify it. Keep on jotting your thoughts down!

 

[ChrisC74]

Chris, that's actually a really good idea and the plexi panels would probably be easier to pull off than the fabric panels/windows. The work that was done to the top I posted in post#3 looks like a good starting point. How would you have to do the openings to allow the fabric to snap in and out and still be relatively waterproof?[/QUOTE]

Not sure - I am still doodling it my head. I imagine you would need a small lip or flange around each opening - possibly using a piece mounted across the bottom making use of the existing hard top holes?

I have my hard top sitting under my deck - I would rather keep my BC top on rather than put the full hard top back on but one of these days I might start cutting it up and see what I can come up with.


I never put the sides and back on the BC top except winter - I don't even carry them with me b/c I do not want to scratch the windows. I am going to have the local boat cover shop make me some black sunbrella panels with snaps to makes existing - I will keep these rolled up under my seat in case I get stuck out in the rain.

I am interested in seeing what you come up with.

 

[Hoochdog]

Yes, its a great idea. I have wanted to do the same thing. Here is a pic of some snap on windows on a full size bronco.

Brent

 

[ren71]

I've also been thinking about this for awhile.

Here's a jeep version that doesn't look too hard to duplicate.

 

[Fireball05]

Ren, that looks cool. Where did you get those pictures? Any close-ups available? The 3rd brake light mounted up high is a pretty cool idea. That could be incorporated into this master plan we are coming up with!

Hooch, that FSB snap in side window looks super simple,and appears to just snap onto a flat surface. I'm pretty sure that would allow tons of water inside, wouldn't it?

I happened to have this photo of my liftgate removed. If you kept the back corners of the hardtop intact, you could reuse the support posts, and make use of the lip that is already used seal the liftgate. Not sure I'm in love with this look though. What does everyone think?

 

[ChrisC74]

Ren, that looks cool. Where did you get those pictures? Any close-ups available? The 3rd brake light mounted up high is a pretty cool idea. That could be incorporated into this master plan we are coming up with!

Check out post #6021. The total thread is 400+ pages of the guy designing the custom "safari cab" top. If it is not OK to post this link b/c it is to a j*(&P forum let me know and I will delete - it is for hard top info purposes only...



http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/safari-cab-custom-hardtop-project-952157/index402.html

 

[Fireball05]

Wow, I'd I end up doing this I promise to document it in less than 403 pages!!!

Played around a little with potential cuts. Here is with the front vertical:

And here is the front parallel to the window frame:

The cut on the bask support could be rounded/curved at the top to match the trailing edge of the top of the hardtop.

Thoughts ?

 

[Crawdad]

Wish I could give you a trail condition top for your perfect looking top!

 

[DanHall]

I like the look of your second mock up better, parallel to the door window frame. I think you would want to add stiffenersmalong the bed rail along with gussets up to the vertical posts to keep the top from flexing too much. It could also give you a rail to attach your new sides to.

 

[71massbronco]

Alright, I will be Debbie Downer here. Don't care for the look at all.