This JKU is my wife's daily driver, so I intend to let her drive it . She's very happy to have the barn door to replace the two-step liftgate/tailgate operation, and thrilled that I took the soft top off because she could never deal with the rear window zipper.

I don't have any plans to go into business to sell hardtops (or anything else I design). My hobby is designing new things for my Jeeps, and turning this into a business would take all the fun out of it.

I don't believe there would be enough demand for the JK Safari Cab to make it worthwhile to work with a company get it into production, so I don't plan to license it. I will keep all the molds in case I find a reason to make more or change my mind about licensing.

 

The final product came out beautiful! I love the look as well as the color combo you went with. Are you planning on making the soft roll up sides very soon?

 

Thank you.

It's basically a factory color combination, although Jeep has never used it on the JK. Here's a TJ in the same colors:



Whenever possible, I go with factory parts and colors so my end results look as much as possible like they could have come from the factory. That's also part of the reason I used a ZJ roof rack and an XJ third brake light on this project.

I do plan on making the soft sides soon, yesterday when I was installing the hardtop I did a final test fit of the C-pillars for the soft sides. They're what the soft sides attach to at the back of the doors. They're not painted yet, so I've still got to do that.



But my first sewing project will be the soft barn door skin in spice.



One nice thing about the extra height of the Safari Cab roof - storage above the roll bars. In this photo I'm testing the fit of the prototype soft barn door up there:

 

You've given so much to the DIY that's so much a part of the Jeep experience.
The detailed photos, descriptions , step by step have fired the imaginations of many.
Your willingness and enthusiasm in sharing these great innovations is what Jeeps are all about.
Thank you !

 

I've replied to this thread before and now am doing it again! Your work and workmanship is excellent. If you have ever had a chance to read the threads on the hardtop water leak problem, you would see that there is probably and outlet and an audience for your terrific product. I, for one would pay to have one of your unique tops! Please reconsider. Your hard work would do wonders for all of us with leakers!

 

Thank you very much. Yeah, I can just see the ads now... "Introducing the new JK Safari Cab hardtop - it doesn't leak!"

 

Thank you. I know a lot of Jeepers want to do custom things to their Jeeps, if I post lots of how-to and details maybe some will be inspired to build their own mods. Maybe not something as complicated and challenging as the JK Safari Cab, but you've got to start somewhere .

 

Is this available yet for JKU? Need to replace my hardtop before Winter arrives.

 

Testing the wiper. It's completely out of the field of vision when it's parked. Works properly with the factory wiper circuit, including the delay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFn19U5EdqY The view through the rear view mirror is much better than the factory hardtop - no wiper motor in the way and no third brake light.

 

Improving flow-through ventilation... I installed and tested the power vent motors today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KytfmQV7Lb0 The switches for the power vents are overhead. Also overhead is a small console with a small storage area - in my LJ I keep my EzPass up there, the signal works just fine through the fiberglass roof and I don't need it to have the EzPass stuck to my windshield. The console also has two map lights, and there's a power outlet up there for my GPS or whatever.