Custom modular JK hardtop
01-23-2016, 07:47 AM
#711
JK Enthusiast
I'm sorry my project is annoying, that's not my goal.
If there's a company interested in licensing the design so they can put it in production, I'll be happy to discuss it with them, but I really don't think there's enough demand for a hardtop like this or for the separate barn door to make it worth a company going through the expense and effort to produce them. I have been discussing it with one company that's interested, but I don't know it anything will come of that discussion. And even if a company does decide they want to take this on, I don't know if I want to do it - usually it's a lot more work for me than just turning over my prototype molds to a company - almost always I have to be involved and help them get from prototype to production.
I don't have any plans to sell the prototype, sorry. In all my projects, I've only sold one prototype and that was after a company started manufacturing it and they gave me a production model so I no longer had a need for the prototype. In most cases I keep the prototype and put it to use, because the main reason I build these projects is for my own use.
You didn't say so I have to ask - what specifically is it you want? The barn door for use with a factory hardtop, or the complete Safari Cab hardtop?
If there's a company interested in licensing the design so they can put it in production, I'll be happy to discuss it with them, but I really don't think there's enough demand for a hardtop like this or for the separate barn door to make it worth a company going through the expense and effort to produce them. I have been discussing it with one company that's interested, but I don't know it anything will come of that discussion. And even if a company does decide they want to take this on, I don't know if I want to do it - usually it's a lot more work for me than just turning over my prototype molds to a company - almost always I have to be involved and help them get from prototype to production.
I don't have any plans to sell the prototype, sorry. In all my projects, I've only sold one prototype and that was after a company started manufacturing it and they gave me a production model so I no longer had a need for the prototype. In most cases I keep the prototype and put it to use, because the main reason I build these projects is for my own use.
You didn't say so I have to ask - what specifically is it you want? The barn door for use with a factory hardtop, or the complete Safari Cab hardtop?
01-23-2016, 10:41 AM
#713
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
01-23-2016, 12:59 PM
#715
First, let me say that you are a very talented and skilled designer who is able to take an idea and turn into a finished product. The level of craftsmanship shown in this thing blows me away!
Having purchased a 2-dr '09 soft top JK back in July, my wife and I have immediately wanted to get a hard top. However, I love the modularity of the soft top. Thus, we've looked at some hybrid tops like the Trektop Pro, which we really like, but it's still a soft shell and many have said there's no change in cabin noise from the soft top. I've also considered some custom options via molds, sheet metal, etc. in order to develop something unique. My wife and I also really love the Defender series LRs, so when I showed her this, she fell in love and said, "I want it! Buy it now!!" Haha, I, of course, agreed. We only hope that one of the 2 companies you've been in conversations with is willing to pick up the torch and run with it.
If you're still debating between the colors, which is a tough call, I'd personally go one color to match everything. I know you're not going for a Defender look, but the ones I've seen that are one color look so clean! Here are two examples in colors similar to yours. The first one all one color, the other with a black top. Good luck in making your decision as I think it will look good either way and I'm eager to hear/see what happens with the development for taking this awesome modulated hard top to production!
Having purchased a 2-dr '09 soft top JK back in July, my wife and I have immediately wanted to get a hard top. However, I love the modularity of the soft top. Thus, we've looked at some hybrid tops like the Trektop Pro, which we really like, but it's still a soft shell and many have said there's no change in cabin noise from the soft top. I've also considered some custom options via molds, sheet metal, etc. in order to develop something unique. My wife and I also really love the Defender series LRs, so when I showed her this, she fell in love and said, "I want it! Buy it now!!" Haha, I, of course, agreed. We only hope that one of the 2 companies you've been in conversations with is willing to pick up the torch and run with it.
If you're still debating between the colors, which is a tough call, I'd personally go one color to match everything. I know you're not going for a Defender look, but the ones I've seen that are one color look so clean! Here are two examples in colors similar to yours. The first one all one color, the other with a black top. Good luck in making your decision as I think it will look good either way and I'm eager to hear/see what happens with the development for taking this awesome modulated hard top to production!
01-23-2016, 01:12 PM
#716
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
.Having purchased a 2-dr '09 soft top JK back in July, my wife and I have immediately wanted to get a hard top. However, I love the modularity of the soft top. Thus, we've looked at some hybrid tops like the Trektop Pro, which we really like, but it's still a soft shell and many have said there's no change in cabin noise from the soft top. I've also considered some custom options via molds, sheet metal, etc. in order to develop something unique. My wife and I also really love the Defender series LRs, so when I showed her this, she fell in love and said, "I want it! Buy it now!!" Haha, I, of course, agreed. We only hope that one of the 2 companies you've been in conversations with is willing to pick up the torch and run with it.
If you're still debating between the colors, which is a tough call, I'd personally go one color to match everything. I know you're not going for a Defender look, but the ones I've seen that are one color look so clean! Here are two examples in colors similar to yours. The first one all one color, the other with a black top. Good luck in making your decision as I think it will look good either way and I'm eager to hear/see what happens with the development for taking this awesome modulated hard top to production!
Attachment 635412Attachment 635413
If you're still debating between the colors, which is a tough call, I'd personally go one color to match everything. I know you're not going for a Defender look, but the ones I've seen that are one color look so clean! Here are two examples in colors similar to yours. The first one all one color, the other with a black top. Good luck in making your decision as I think it will look good either way and I'm eager to hear/see what happens with the development for taking this awesome modulated hard top to production!
Attachment 635412Attachment 635413
I am still debating about colors, I was all set to paint the sides to match the body and do the roof in black, but like I said I saw a few color-matched factory hardtops recently on Jeeps that were the same color as mine, and I didn't like them at all. My LJ is completely color matched (the black one I posted a photo of earlier today), and I love the look of that one, but somehow I don't like the look of a color matched top on the color of my JK.
01-24-2016, 04:40 AM
#717
JK Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Hollis, NH
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For your red JKU I'd go red or black
I'm not a fan of mixing colors (at least on vehicles) unless one of the colors is neutral...black or white, or sometimes something metallic like silver or gold. Given you already have black accents (step bars, bumpers, tires, etc) I'd go with black. The image of the red Defender with the black roof top is a very good look. My JKU is white with the black hardtop (and big black roof rack) and if I was to get this roof (would love it) I'd go with either all white or white with a black roof.
I remember you did a concept drawing of a 2-door in all white that was beautiful.
I remember you did a concept drawing of a 2-door in all white that was beautiful.
01-24-2016, 05:08 AM
#718
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
I'm not a fan of mixing colors (at least on vehicles) unless one of the colors is neutral...black or white, or sometimes something metallic like silver or gold. Given you already have black accents (step bars, bumpers, tires, etc) I'd go with black. The image of the red Defender with the black roof top is a very good look. My JKU is white with the black hardtop (and big black roof rack) and if I was to get this roof (would love it) I'd go with either all white or white with a black roof.
I remember you did a concept drawing of a 2-door in all white that was beautiful.
Attachment 635467
I remember you did a concept drawing of a 2-door in all white that was beautiful.
Attachment 635467
I am also thinking about the color for the canvas parts - the roll-up soft sides and the soft barn door. If I do a black roof with color match sides (or an all black hardtop) I'd probably just use black soft top material, but if I paint the top something in the tan/sand/khaki range, I could do the soft parts in a tan. There's a pretty good range of tans in sailcloth soft top fabric, so I should be able to pick something for the soft sides/soft barn door that goes well if I choose to paint the top something in the tan/san/khaki range.
I've posted this illustration before, it shows the roll-up soft sides.
Last edited by jscherb; 01-24-2016 at 05:10 AM.
01-24-2016, 08:12 AM
#719
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
JK Safari Cab build phase complete!
One last thing I had to do on the roof panel before declaring it done and ready for paint prep was to finalize the Alpine window openings. I had cut the openings and temporarily installed the windows before the last time I put the top on the Jeep for fitting, but I didn't do the final trimming of the openings or try installing the window gasket lock strip. I've done that now, so I can now declare the build phase of this project is basically complete. I'll do one last fitting of all the parts on the Jeep to ensure everything fits and works to my standards, then the parts will be ready for prep/paint and final safety glass window installation (it still has the temporary plexiglass windows). Here are a few photos of the (dusty) completed top as it sits in my garage right now.
Paint phase to begin whenever I decide what color(s) it should be.
One last thing I had to do on the roof panel before declaring it done and ready for paint prep was to finalize the Alpine window openings. I had cut the openings and temporarily installed the windows before the last time I put the top on the Jeep for fitting, but I didn't do the final trimming of the openings or try installing the window gasket lock strip. I've done that now, so I can now declare the build phase of this project is basically complete. I'll do one last fitting of all the parts on the Jeep to ensure everything fits and works to my standards, then the parts will be ready for prep/paint and final safety glass window installation (it still has the temporary plexiglass windows). Here are a few photos of the (dusty) completed top as it sits in my garage right now.
Paint phase to begin whenever I decide what color(s) it should be.
Last edited by jscherb; 01-24-2016 at 08:17 AM.
01-24-2016, 09:32 AM
#720
JK Jedi
JK Safari Cab build phase complete! One last thing I had to do on the roof panel before declaring it done and ready for paint prep was to finalize the Alpine window openings. I had cut the openings and temporarily installed the windows before the last time I put the top on the Jeep for fitting, but I didn't do the final trimming of the openings or try installing the window gasket lock strip. I've done that now, so I can now declare the build phase of this project is basically complete. I'll do one last fitting of all the parts on the Jeep to ensure everything fits and works to my standards, then the parts will be ready for prep/paint and final safety glass window installation (it still has the temporary plexiglass windows). Here are a few photos of the (dusty) completed top as it sits in my garage right now. Paint phase to begin whenever I decide what color(s) it should be.