Building custom soft top for the LJ

[squint]

Here is a sneak peek at what I have been slowly working on for nearly 3 years now:
It is starting to pick up speed now that I am working on the material portion of the project.
The design took me ages to work out.
Just wanted to say I love this forum and all the great ideas being shared here.


[EDIT:
After completion of the top many of you have expressed an interest in having this put into production so I have started an "interested" list. This does not mean taking deposits, only that you have a place in line and if/when production begins, you will be given the option to pay at that time and be one of the first to receive your top. This is nothing contractual, just an “I am interested” list.

Please PM or email me with the following info and I will add you to "the list".
My email is gdon AT cox DOT net

-Full name
-Email
-Phone number (optional)
-Jeep year and model (All jeep models will be considered if I there is enough interest)
-Color desired.

Any comments welcome

Thanks for your support.
__________________
Greg]

[jeepdreamer]

Cool man,
Looks kinda like your going for sort of a soft top version of this.

[gorogergo]

I like where this is going.
Also like those rims, BTW.

[squint]

I love Jeff Sherb's ideas- I never saw that one before though. It will be somewhat similar to that without the extended rear section. I have plans for a rather large rack system on the back, making room for cargo such as coolers, jerry cans, etc, but that will be after- I will give you a hint there; it is something that I have not seen on any TJ, LJ or JK.

[squint]

I like where this is going.
Also like those rims, BTW.

Thank you, I really like them too. Will take some more pics of the process this weekend and post.

[jscusmcvet]

Subscribed :-)

[postalWagon]

Going for a "Troopie" Jeep? That would be a very cool build/mod.
can't wait to see more.

[SulVento]

That is VERY intriguing........I'll be watching this thread for more!

[JeffRRC]

It looks very Defender-ish to me. I like it and the wheels look great too

[squint]

Originally, I was thinking of something more like this:

About 20 years ago in the army, they still had a number of older vehicles that I was able to drive around the bases from time to time and I always vowed I would purchase one, however, the need for airbags and some modern ammenities drew me towards the LJ. I still had a nostalgic longing for that old military top look with the bows and the canvas top, however, and I have always felt the factory tops did not quite suit my needs.

That being said, I do have to admit that when I began my research on traditional soft tops, I realized that the Rovers and Cruisers did employ the same basic structure as, for example, the old CJ3bs. It goes without saying then that there will be a recognizeable kinship when looking at my top as I have drawn ideas from each.

All that being said, I do want to keep my LJ looking traditionally "Jeepy" as much as possible while still retaining the features that I wanted in a soft top.

Thanks for the encouragement and the interest I will update today with more info and pics.