Ive tossed the idea around about removing the roof from my Raider. Carpet is already gone, so its not a big deal. I was thinking a Jtop style cut, but instead of removing the roof over the drivers/passenger seat, I would install a removable sunroof. I wanted to know if the people here who have chopped off the roofs, would do it again? Would it be possible to make the chopped roof into a removable cap? I really love my Raider and being on my 8th or 9th year of ownership, I don't see myself parting anytime soon, so I would be in this for the long haul.

I'll let Toasty know you posted. The AZ Crew has done a few.

I haven't seen a good option for making removed pieces into replaceable pieces so far, unless they were one-offs that required a lot of work. Even the bikini top things have a tough time with the transition from hard top to the soft top portion as far as integration.

I'm far from the expert, though. I like my air conditioning too much.

Oh, I also know that the "Torch" blades are a good investment for your recipro saw. Are they Milwaukee...can't remember?

John B.

Pros..
#1 It looks Ballin Awesome.
#2 you're hardcore if you do it.

Cons..
#1 Why is everything wet all the time?
#2 Why do I have to wear a jacket, and ski mask when I drive now.
#3 Why is my cd player stolen?
#4 *&*##%!@ Why is my seat &*()#%$@$# WET!!!!!!
#5 Let me brush this SNOWWWWWWW out of my truck before I can use it.



SO.. If you live where it seldom rains, Chops rule.

BUT...If you live where it is cold, and snows, and rains all the time, it is a bad bad idea.



Ultimate solution for you is the following. Just ask anyone who has owned a jeep for more than a few years.

Winter..........Hard Top, and Hard Doors.
Summer..........Hard Top, and Hard Doors.(IF your AC works)..
Summer(non working AC).. Bikini top, and no doors.

haha you have some good points, but I was thinking if I took my time to do it right and measure twice cut once, I could have a nice custom J top with a replaceable hardtop. I also have to consider making a rollcage since I will be weakening the roof I leave in place drastically. I would have to redesign the way the tailgate opens, to keep the glass with the top, maybe replace the glass sprayer to the lower location. I am definitely going to be thinking this over for a while before you see any cutting threads made by me. My AC also works, but I wheel with all my windows open anyways.

Have you seen Monty McVs bikini top? A big hole with a couple of bows in it. Very nice, will be doing that with my frame swap Raider/S-10. Maybe he'll post up some pics.

Torch blades are fecking awesome! They were designed for heavy demolition work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

And yep, made by Milwaukee.

There's a fine and a coarse version, I'd go fine blade for a roofectomy.

Here's ClayTK's chop top, i took this picture while he was test fitting my chop top's rear window (see my chop in the background). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

This topic has my interest. This is something I seriously considered doing while I had my 88 SWB, but never got around to it. But, this is how I would have done mine.


It would be nice to incorporate an integral roll-bar into the top as well. Plus, this would make an ideal base for a removable hor top, ala Bronco's.

It looks like large velcro straps on the top and maybe inside the rear may work to hold the roof on, and allow it to removed quickly and easily.


-Austin

I am going to cut it this summer. I just need to do some sketching. I feel I can make it look good if I take the time. I have the tools minus a welder (buddy does weld). I figure worst case, I chop mine then find another SWB in the yard and chop it even shorter down and work from there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

EDIT I also have a garage it can sit in when it rains while I do the work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />