Now what?

[macgyvr]

Well I cut the back off the ol XJ a couple of weeks ago... and I'm wondering where to start in the process of tying this thing back together...I know I want to finish the cage all the way to the back, and that I need to do something to make the roof more firm behind the c pillar...but beyond that I'm game for pretty much anything...

You're thoughts and suggestions??

a little fun before the cutting begins...38s baby!

where the cage is now

what we took off

mac 'what's preplanning?' gyvr

 

[XJoachim]

I'm starting with the same you did next week or so. As i see you did cut at the seams of the rear window. Most of the frame stiffness is still there if you left the pinch seam welds intact. I'm planning to go from the c-pillar in a bow to the rear "frame rail" and tie in a cross too that will hold the spare tire later.

 

[Kaczman]

I cut in the same spot as you- pinch seam as well. I welded 1x1 box along the roof and scabbed in some contoured panels at the C pillar. It held up even when I rolled onto the C pillar. The roof dented, but the reinforcement help up well.

-Jon

 

[macgyvr]

well i actually did a little preplanning in the whole mess of things, I was going to cut below the pinch seam, but after looking at how the structure of the jeep is, i decided that i need to keep the pinch seams around the windows for strenth. so in the end the weakest spot that I have found is the roof line... any more thoughts suggestions.... or pics...

mac 'pics rock' gyvr

 

[Kaczman]

I wouldn't worry too much about the pinch seams if they don't lie where you want the body lines. I made the rear quarters out of 1" box tube and 18 ga. sheet. I think it is more difficult to work around the body, than it is to start from scratch. If you look around, you may be able to see how Beezil capped the inner and outter quarters when he still had some sheet metal.

-Jon

 

[macgyvr]

If I had the time and money to drop in the Jeep that I wanted to, I would be cutting the back of the jeep off pretty much like beezils... for now I want to finish the cage, get the top strengthened and not do a ton of body work.

I'm not sure if i want to spend the time to build a back wall similar to what beez built in his or not...

before moab in October i've got to finish this body work project, redo my suspsension and axles...so I've got a lot to do to make the most of my $$ and time....

mac 'jeep hasn't seen a big project like this for a looooong time' gyvr