New World Cabs?

[wm69]

I won't hold my breath for a Scrambler model. I would 100% buy one if they made one. I wanted to order at GR8 full top a year or two ago but they had quit making them. Much rather have a Safari top, and would be quite willing to pay more for one, but given the fact that there just aren't that many Scramblers out there, I don't think demand would make it a profitable item unless the modular design allowed them to use parts from other model tops.

Wish someone still made a good full length top.......

 

[jscherb]

Today the mercury edged above 40 and there was no precipitation, so I rolled up the side curtains and went out for a speed test. I got up to 70 mph, and there was no flapping or strange noises, and the straps held the rolled up curtains securely. I couldn't ask for better performance . Here's a few photos taken just after my test run.

 

[DC CJ8]

HOT!!
I bet Bigwalton digs this especially....

 

[bigwalton]

 

[AK-RWC]

Can we prohibit jscherb from posting further updates until a Scrambler top is available?

 

[jscherb]

Can we prohibit jscherb from posting further updates until a Scrambler top is available?

Yesterday I also took a bunch of photos with various door configurations, no doors, half doors, etc..., so I shouldn't post them?

Starting with no doors and the side curtains rolled up...

 

[jscherb]

Ok, I won't post any more Safari Cab photos... how about the trailer project?

I've been working on "accessorizing" the trailer - I made a custom-fit bed mat and put 6 tie-downs in the floor. I was originally thinking of laying down some strips of "wood" (actually TimberTech plastic/wood composite like I used in the Retro bed), but I decided a mat would be more functional and easier to keep looking nice. The interior of the trailer will also be done in spray-on bedliner, so the mat is just another layer of protection.

The tie-downs are the same type I have in the Retro Wrangler bed, I used them again because they've worked out great in the Retro. They're removable in case they'd get in the way of a load, and they're also stainless steel so they'll never rust.

Today I'm working on the trailer wiring. That's the last task I need to do before paint prep and paint.


BTW, the more I work on this trailer project, the more I think the method I used to build the trailer tub would be a great way to build a pickup bed for a Jeep pickup, and also an excellent way to lengthen an ordinary TJ or YJ to LJ or Scrambler length. Removing the inner fenders completely and replacing the outer side panels with new sheet metal turned out to be so much easier than butt-joining two tubs to make the trailer, and I think would also be a far easier way to lengthen a tub. Makes me think maybe my next project should be a LWB Wrangler, maybe a Scrambler-length tub... I could build a custom extended Safari Half Cab with extra room behind the seats, Scrambler-style bed... a Gr8Tops tonneau cover like the one on my trailer... quick-release bulkhead so the 2-seater could be quickly converted back to a 4-seater... maybe a two-piece fully modular roof panel so the half cab can be converted to a full cab by just installing the longer sides and the back half of the roof... it would also be a good use for that custom drop-down tailgate I made with the Wrangler latch and handle but decided not to use on the trailer... let's see, what other ideas haven't been implemented yet? And since I already have enough Jeeps, I could build this one to be auctioned off when I finish the fabrication like I did with the Gaucho project... hmmmm....

 

[Polarfire]

BTW, the more I work on this trailer project, the more I think the method I used to build the trailer tub would be a great way to build a pickup bed for a Jeep pickup, and also an excellent way to lengthen an ordinary TJ or YJ to LJ or Scrambler length. Removing the inner fenders completely and replacing the outer side panels with new sheet metal turned out to be so much easier than butt-joining two tubs to make the trailer, and I think would also be a far easier way to lengthen a tub. Makes me think maybe my next project should be a LWB Wrangler, maybe a Scrambler-length tub... I could build a custom extended Safari Half Cab with extra room behind the seats, Scrambler-style bed... a Gr8Tops tonneau cover like the one on my trailer... quick-release bulkhead so the 2-seater could be quickly converted back to a 4-seater... maybe a two-piece fully modular roof panel so the half cab can be converted to a full cab by just installing the longer sides and the back half of the roof... it would also be a good use for that custom drop-down tailgate I made with the Wrangler latch and handle but decided not to use on the trailer... let's see, what other ideas haven't been implemented yet? And since I already have enough Jeeps, I could build this one to be auctioned off when I finish the fabrication like I did with the Gaucho project... hmmmm....

I'm liking where this is going! BTW, post as many pics as you like! Even though it make us Scrambler guys a little jealous of the TJ/LJ guys we still love to see all the innovations!

 

[Randyzzz]

Keep the pics coming...of the top and the trailer. Your vision for a new project sounds cool also...

 

[Bad Karma]

Ok, I won't post any more Safari Cab photos... how about the trailer project?

I vote for banning whoever says no more pics...

nice work (as usual). love seeing what youre building.

 

[AK-RWC]

I vote for banning whoever says no more pics...

(I was only kidding, which I'd hoped came across by my use of the "bow" and "smokin" smiley faces. The top is incredibly cool, and I've been paying attention to jscherb's projects since at least 2003.)

 

[jscherb]

(I was only kidding, which I'd hoped came across by my use of the "bow" and "smokin" smiley faces. The top is incredibly cool, and I've been paying attention to jscherb's projects since at least 2003.)

I know you were... but I never take anything for granted, so I don't assume everyone still wants to see my projects. When people stop commenting on what I post, then I'll know it's time to stop posting.

I'll have some interesting pictures tomorrow...

 

[jscherb]

Keep the pics coming...of the top and the trailer. Your vision for a new project sounds cool also...

Thanks. The idea for the possible new project is to take the modularity I've designed in the Safari Cab to the next level. With each new project I just have to try something more challenging and original in design than the last project. I don't know if I'll actually do this one, we'll have to see how bored I get once I finish up the few projects I'm working on now.

 

[Bad Karma]

(I was only kidding, which I'd hoped came across by my use of the "bow" and "smokin" smiley faces. The top is incredibly cool, and I've been paying attention to jscherb's projects since at least 2003.)

I was joking too.. notice whats written under my user name

 

[Bad Karma]

Thanks. The idea for the possible new project is to take the modularity I've designed in the Safari Cab to the next level. With each new project I just have to try something more challenging and original in design than the last project. I don't know if I'll actually do this one, we'll have to see how bored I get once I finish up the few projects I'm working on now.

judging by all youre projects, i'm going to go out on a limb here and say you get bored pretty quick. The number of projects youve done over the past few years is insane. and to top it off the quality of all those projects boggles my mind.

 

[jscherb]

Over the course of this thread I've posted a bunch of concept drawings for a camper top made from Safari Cab parts... here's one of the concept drawings again:

...and yesterday since I had the hard side panels off my Jeep I decided to throw them on the trailer just for fun.

I made the trailer the exact length to accept an LJ Safari Cab roof panel. The side panels in the LJ side panel molds with a dam in the proper place, that's the only tweak needed to use the LJ Safari Cab molds to make the camper top, so no new mold work is required to build the camper top.

Here's a very rough digital edit of one of the photos - I drew in the missing walls and roof, and edited the windows to match the concept drawing. Even though it's rough it give a pretty good idea of what the Safari Cab camper top could look like:

 

[jscherb]

Last week I had the Safari Cab LJ out on the trails at Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, I drove this one this year because I wanted to see how the modular Safari Cab stood up to a good trail thrashing.

After three full days of trails, there were no rattles, squeaks or other unwanted behavior from the top.

I was also testing a new tailgate reinforcement/large spare carrier I recently designed and built. This strengthens the factory TJ/YJ tailgate to eliminate flex, moves the factory spare carrier up a couple of inches so larger spares can be carried, and replaces the factory hinges with much stronger, greaseable/rebuildable ones. It eliminates the need to install one of those $800+ bumper/swing away spare carrier deals just to carry a larger spare without trashing the tailgate.

Here's a photo I took when I installed it about a month ago, still had lots of snow in Elmira then...

You can't see most of the reinforcement, it's hidden by the spare. That's actually one of the main design goals - to keep the stock look as much as possible.

The reinforcement worked great too, absolutely no rattling or movement of the spare or flexing of the tailgate (or barn door) over the rocks and bumps on the trails.

And on "Big Saturday" I ran into "Trust" (Terry Rust) in Moab - Terry, it was great to finally meet you!

 

[Bad Karma]

thats awesome! did you get alot of attention in Moab with the top?

question about the spare tire "carrier". did you also strengthen the tub where the hinges mount?

 

[Polarfire]

Awesome work as usual! Any update on top production?

 

[jscherb]

thats awesome! did you get alot of attention in Moab with the top?

question about the spare tire "carrier". did you also strengthen the tub where the hinges mount?

Yes, lots of really nice comments and attention at Moab.

I've designed reinforcements for the tub, but did not install them for Moab - the TJ/LJ tubs have welded-in reinforcements and I wanted to see how it performed without any additional reinforcement added. Everything worked fine, so they probably aren't necessary. Definitely would be necessary on the YJ though, no welded-in factory reinforcements on those tubs.