Custom modular JK hardtop
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 37
From: Elmira, NY
Thanks for that info. While I haven't mounted it yet, I was test fitting the assembled rack on the hardtop and there's an issue with the spacing. The problem is that 47" on center puts the rails right on the edge of the ribs. As you can see in the picture below (which I borrowed from another user who installed one on their hardtop), in order to fit the rails with the factory crossbars, you have to extend the crossbars slightly beyond 47". This means that less bearing area is being taken up by the connection between the channel adapters and the plastic piece that connects to the inside of the crossbars, and that's something I definitely don't want to do.
That being said, I think my options are to either A) Cut the overall Length of the Crossbar to place the roof rails on top of the thicker section of the hardtop and drill 2 new holes for the plastic adapters (cheap, route) or B) Place the roof rails in their proper location outside of the ribs and use the Surco Channel Adapters and Crossbars. I think I'll be opting for the latter. That being said, are the Surco Channel Adapters you have Surco P/N J100? The website just says "Jeep Adapter." Thanks again!
That being said, I think my options are to either A) Cut the overall Length of the Crossbar to place the roof rails on top of the thicker section of the hardtop and drill 2 new holes for the plastic adapters (cheap, route) or B) Place the roof rails in their proper location outside of the ribs and use the Surco Channel Adapters and Crossbars. I think I'll be opting for the latter. That being said, are the Surco Channel Adapters you have Surco P/N J100? The website just says "Jeep Adapter." Thanks again!
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 37
From: Elmira, NY
I was thinking it might be useful to have a spare cover with a Molle grid on it, and maybe a pocket on the inside so I decided to sew one to see.
I had some ACU camo fabric on hand so I made a prototype out of that, and I guess I'll call it the "Tactical Spare Cover" because in the ACU camo it reminds me of a military tactical vest. It's got a Molle grid on the rear surface, and a pocket on the inside weatherproofed with a flap secured with velcro. There are also Molle grids at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock on the sides.
This photo better shows the Molle grids on the back and on the side, and the flap over the inside pocket.
In these photos I've got a military surplus ACU camo "sustainment pouch" mounted. It's one of the larger military Molle pouches - about 11" tall, 8" wide and 4" deep, I think it was originally designed to hold 3 MREs, but because they're so large they're very versatile, and perfect on the Tactical Spare Cover.
I've only got one sustainment pouch today but I'll probably pick up a few more - two can be mounted side-by-side on the face of the space cover, or one could be mounted on each side. More photos when I get a few more.
Testing my tow strap in the inside pocket, it's a 30', 10,000-lb. capacity strap with d-rings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PNdysStu2E
I had some ACU camo fabric on hand so I made a prototype out of that, and I guess I'll call it the "Tactical Spare Cover" because in the ACU camo it reminds me of a military tactical vest. It's got a Molle grid on the rear surface, and a pocket on the inside weatherproofed with a flap secured with velcro. There are also Molle grids at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock on the sides.
This photo better shows the Molle grids on the back and on the side, and the flap over the inside pocket.
In these photos I've got a military surplus ACU camo "sustainment pouch" mounted. It's one of the larger military Molle pouches - about 11" tall, 8" wide and 4" deep, I think it was originally designed to hold 3 MREs, but because they're so large they're very versatile, and perfect on the Tactical Spare Cover.
I've only got one sustainment pouch today but I'll probably pick up a few more - two can be mounted side-by-side on the face of the space cover, or one could be mounted on each side. More photos when I get a few more.
Testing my tow strap in the inside pocket, it's a 30', 10,000-lb. capacity strap with d-rings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PNdysStu2E
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 37
From: Elmira, NY
The retrofit kit for installing slider windows in a factory hardtop is now in production, the company sent me a set to test and they arrived today.
The first production run of slider windows to go with these is underway, they should be ready by the end of the year.
Since the windows are not ready yet I couldn't install the entire kit, but I test fit the production retrofit kit with the prototype slider frame I had from the design phase of this project. Everything fits as designed.
The first production run of slider windows to go with these is underway, they should be ready by the end of the year.
Since the windows are not ready yet I couldn't install the entire kit, but I test fit the production retrofit kit with the prototype slider frame I had from the design phase of this project. Everything fits as designed.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 37
From: Elmira, NY
I picked up a couple more of the large military surplus "sustainment pouches" to try out on the Tactical Spare cover, here are a few combinations...
Seems like this will be very handy.
Seems like this will be very handy.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 3
From: Central Ny
Are the RetroFit Sliders for the 2 dr later hardtops as well ?
The zippered interior pouch on the Spare Tire cover is a wonderful storage place.
The Molle Pouches too, but will they stay put ? Hate to see greedy hands, or the rigors of trail use peel them off
The zippered interior pouch on the Spare Tire cover is a wonderful storage place.
The Molle Pouches too, but will they stay put ? Hate to see greedy hands, or the rigors of trail use peel them off
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 37
From: Elmira, NY
The first ones being released are for the later model JKU. What the company told me was that if those do well then the next one they'd do is the 2 door.
I've got no worries about the pouches staying put on the trail. Yes, greedy hands might do something bad, but those same hands could also unzip the side or rear window on a soft top and take whatever wasn't bolted down inside 
. I don't envision the pouches being part of everyday driving though - I think they'd be mostly used on the trail.
. I don't envision the pouches being part of everyday driving though - I think they'd be mostly used on the trail.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 37
From: Elmira, NY
A month or so ago I posted about an idea I was working on for openable skylights in factory Freedom panels:
I started on the project today...
I'll be making the prototype skylights out of tinted plexiglass, but once the prototype is done the plexiglass will serve as a pattern for having tempered glass made.
I started on the project today...
I'll be making the prototype skylights out of tinted plexiglass, but once the prototype is done the plexiglass will serve as a pattern for having tempered glass made.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 3
From: Central Ny
Items such as this, which will apply to either 2dr or 4dr, and fit 2007 to the present, "should" be commercially Viable.
I certainly want to DIY, or buy these. DIY leaves $ for Adventure.
I certainly want to DIY, or buy these. DIY leaves $ for Adventure.
Last edited by Four Low; Nov 28, 2016 at 12:29 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 37
From: Elmira, NY
I was working on something inside the Safari Cab and it was getting dark so I put some lights inside to help me see what I was doing. I thought it might make a cool photo so I took one...
