I am currently thinking about buying an XJ and chopping it and I was wondering if anyone knows if they really fold like a taco if you dont add a cage or some way of supporting the unibody.

I plan on supporting it anyways but I dont know how soon I will have the chance to make it

I am wanting to do something like this:

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1980 Jeep CJ7 Buggy
SOA, D44/ FF14B, SBC 350, SM465, NP205, 108" WB, 37" MTs

http://www.dpgoffroad.com/
http://www.ucora.org/
http://www.christianoffroad.com/
http://jeepinbyal.com/

Well, I guess if you roll it, it would fold pretty bad if you didn't reinforce it first, but if you are going to do it later anyway, I'd knock it now. Just be careful until you can build a cage in there. But driving down the road it won't flap like a soft top.

Chop that mother up!

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

I vote angle the top from the B pillars to the tail lights. Like a fast back. or some HMMWV's. That would be original.

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-08 KK Bright Silver Met.
Mopar front tow hooks,
Mopar Skids
Curt class III/IV hitch, and wireing
O.K. Offroad steel reciever shackle
Zune 80 gig for the tunes,
(Do Jeep slush mats count?)
Life size Amstaff terrier bobble head in rear seat

Im wanting to do it like this but cut the roof like the tan XJ all the way to the windshield, Im just having a hard time finding exactly what I want I would love to get a 4 door, HO 4.0L and a 5 speed, but I think I might have to just settle and get an auto, 4 door

but I havent decided on if I want tube doors or half doors, Im thinking I might do tube so I can still use the stock doors for winter

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1980 Jeep CJ7 Buggy
SOA, D44/ FF14B, SBC 350, SM465, NP205, 108" WB, 37" MTs

http://www.dpgoffroad.com/
http://www.ucora.org/
http://www.christianoffroad.com/
http://jeepinbyal.com/

Yeah, Like that. now it just needs a turret.

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-08 KK Bright Silver Met.
Mopar front tow hooks,
Mopar Skids
Curt class III/IV hitch, and wireing
O.K. Offroad steel reciever shackle
Zune 80 gig for the tunes,
(Do Jeep slush mats count?)
Life size Amstaff terrier bobble head in rear seat

That is sweet! Wasn't that the one that was for sale a while back?

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

If yo want to use the doors ever again yes you do have to build a full cage in it to keep it from folding up. Well not completely fold up but.., buddy did it to his, after a couple of trips you had to climb in and out of the back, pretty much ruined a good Cherokee. He later built a cage in it, but never got it back to the way it should of been

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

alright thats what I raed and thought but I wasnt sure, I didnt know that the roof added that much more strength to the vehicle



yep thats it and thats the one that got me on this idea

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1980 Jeep CJ7 Buggy
SOA, D44/ FF14B, SBC 350, SM465, NP205, 108" WB, 37" MTs

http://www.dpgoffroad.com/
http://www.ucora.org/
http://www.christianoffroad.com/
http://jeepinbyal.com/

I wonder if that one ever sold. That was really well done.

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

Could always start like this

Do this a few times

And end up like this

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2004 KJ Columbia Edition.
89 XJ Budget Beast <------FOR SALE!!!!!! $2,500
02 Ram 5.9L 360

A hoop at the b pillar is a must. It will keep your head from getting smacked. I have a buddy who runs just the hoop and his body has settled against the bar after many trips on its side.

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2006 Liberty Sport CRD new injection pump, new fuel head, waiting for #4 injector at the dealer...2 weeks and counting
1984 CJ8
1980 CJ7 runnin' on propane
1973 J4000

If you are going to do that make sure you install frame stiffeners like this.

http://www.gotreks.com/page.asp?pageid=59

There are better ones out there that is just an example. Search NAXJA for better ones.

Also make sure you reinforce the front frame behind the steering box.

http://www.gotreks.com/page.asp?pageid=55

Then build a cage off of the stiffeners. Either exo or inner but with as much as you would be cutting you could do a combo of the two and it would be strong and never fold. Build a set of tube doors and you will be happy. You can find good half door candidates fairly cheap on craigslist sometimes.

Once you have that inplace then it will never fold even in a hard hit. And at that point you could easily boatside it by cutting your rockers out replacing with 2x6 tube and run supports to the stiffeners. Skin it with some HDDP or something like that. I can't find the link so I can't remember what it was called.

You have hit on the future plans for my XJ. But still undecided if I want to cut it up yet since it's a 2 dr. Lots planned for the XJ still just no budget to get it there..... My wife needs a big raise.


Parakeet

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Oh MAN I got NATURE on my Jeep.
05 KJ Renny that took the bad economy bullet

89 XJ that thinks tax time is Christmas

I will have another KJ I promise.

my buddy, chopped his xj right at the rear doors and welded the back doors in. he then built a internal cage for it and crossed braced it so the jeep would not fold in the back. It looks really good and he also got a soft top for it.