New World Cabs?
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
Thanks guys!
My styling goal from the beginning has been to create an appropriate mix of retro and contemporary styling that looks as good on a factory stock 70's CJ-7 as it does on a 2006 Unlimited. The styling mix should look "right" on the earliest CJ7 or Scramblers, but at the same time the retro styling should enhance the look of the more contemporary TJ and LJ. It should remind you of the classic 60's Meyers hardtops on the CJ-5's and M38s, and even the early Toyota FJ40's and Land Rover 109's, but at the same time not be a copy of any of them. Oh and by the way it should stand out from the crowd and not look anything at all like the "inverted bathtub" designs that are so common.
OK, sounds like a bunch of marketing BS, but that's been my goal. In my eye at least, I feel like that I've achieved the look I was shooting for. I'm glad you guys like it as well.
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
Here are a few shots of the van configuration, with windows only on the rear wall:
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Here's the link to the survey again for those who haven't taken it yet: Safari Cab market survey.
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Questions about the Safari Cab? Try here first: Safari Cab FAQ
---------------------
Here's the link to the survey again for those who haven't taken it yet: Safari Cab market survey.
---------------------
Questions about the Safari Cab? Try here first: Safari Cab FAQ
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
Thanks! Me too. I guess I should get on ordering the windows...
redcj5_304
Bone Stock...but try'n
- City
- Lufkin
- State
- TX
outstanding....all 448 posts. thanks for sharing and inspiring. those of us in texas need that FJ crusier look to help cut down on the heat! you keep it up.
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
Thanks! Believe it or not this isn't the detailed thread, that's over on Jeep Forum, and has almost 1800 posts as of this morning...
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/safari-cab-custom-hardtop-project-952157/
Since the first top I'm making is for my LJ, I thought it would be more appropriate to do the detailed build on a TJ forum instead of a Scrambler forum. I've been been doing the thread here somewhat as a summary of the progress in that one because the top is also designed to fit Scramblers (and other models).
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
This is what LJs should have come with stock. I now fully despise my LJ's hard top, thanks
Yeah, I never liked mine, that's why I started this project.
Anybody want to buy a good used factory LJ top? Mine will never need to go on my LJ again
- City
- Dexter
- State
- MI
craigslist that thing, just be sure to have your new top in the garage when they come over to pick it up so they don't see it and kill the saleYeah, I never liked mine, that's why I started this project.
Anybody want to buy a good used factory LJ top? Mine will never need to go on my LJ again
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
craigslist that thing, just be sure to have your new top in the garage when they come over to pick it up so they don't see it and kill the sale
No, they can see it, the conversation might go like this:
BUYER: Wow, I like that top that says Safari on the side - is that for sale?
ME: Might be, but the price would be a little higher than the factory top.
BUYER: How much? I'd like to buy that one instead.
ME (as DR. EVIL): Ok, the price is.... MUAHAHAHAHAH... ONE MILLLLION DOLLARS!
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
One of the reasons I made the top modular is so I could easily experiment with different configurations without having to make a complete new top each time I got a new idea...
So here's an idea I've been working on - removable soft windows in the side of the hardtop. These could be snapped in and out at a moment's notice and provide much more of an open air experience without having to remove the complete hardtop.
The same side panel mold can be used to make these new type side panels, all that's needed is an insert for the mold for that window opening. This insert gets fixed inside the side panel mold with double-sided tape, and the edges get sealed to the mold with modeling clay. Then the side panel is molded, and the insert forms a 3/4" deep recess with a 3/4" lip to provide a place for a soft window to be snapped in (or perhaps a hard window insert as well). Here's the mold with the insert, the insert is as yet unfinished:
And here's a couple of concept drawings showing what this side panel will look like, both open and with a soft window snapped in:
I'll try to get one of these side panels molded this coming week.
So here's an idea I've been working on - removable soft windows in the side of the hardtop. These could be snapped in and out at a moment's notice and provide much more of an open air experience without having to remove the complete hardtop.
The same side panel mold can be used to make these new type side panels, all that's needed is an insert for the mold for that window opening. This insert gets fixed inside the side panel mold with double-sided tape, and the edges get sealed to the mold with modeling clay. Then the side panel is molded, and the insert forms a 3/4" deep recess with a 3/4" lip to provide a place for a soft window to be snapped in (or perhaps a hard window insert as well). Here's the mold with the insert, the insert is as yet unfinished:
And here's a couple of concept drawings showing what this side panel will look like, both open and with a soft window snapped in:
I'll try to get one of these side panels molded this coming week.
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
Thanks! Yes, the roof rack is already bolted on, I was driving it around today.
jscherb
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Elmira
- State
- NY
And a couple of van shots:
Driving it around today as a panel van, with no windows (no paper windows either... not much visibility without those side or rear windows! But still pretty cool to drive.
---------------------
Here's the link to the survey again for those who haven't taken it yet: Safari Cab market survey.
---------------------
Questions about the Safari Cab? Try here first: Safari Cab FAQ
Driving it around today as a panel van, with no windows (no paper windows either... not much visibility without those side or rear windows! But still pretty cool to drive.
---------------------
Here's the link to the survey again for those who haven't taken it yet: Safari Cab market survey.
---------------------
Questions about the Safari Cab? Try here first: Safari Cab FAQ
- City
- Lexington
- State
- SC
Very very
NICE.. Now were talkin... can see the lines on the roof very well now.
can now get a good visual on drip rail and proportions of the height of the roof panel in regards to the drip rail..
The very first picture of the panel version really really does take me back visually to an old panel van delivery truck.
can't wait to see it with the glass in there too.
Very nice very nice...
NICE.. Now were talkin... can see the lines on the roof very well now.
can now get a good visual on drip rail and proportions of the height of the roof panel in regards to the drip rail..
The very first picture of the panel version really really does take me back visually to an old panel van delivery truck.
can't wait to see it with the glass in there too.
Very nice very nice...