Very nice Dan.
Michael and the boys did an outstanding job. I can't wait to see it in person!
Michael and the boys did an outstanding job. I can't wait to see it in person!
Builds DanKunz ROTW
- Thread starter GXO
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Will you being going with a "fast-back" soft top (following the lines of your cage) or the "squared-off look" of the OEM 40 soft top, closer to the original lines of the 80?
I am thinking both would look good, just wondering what you have in mind.
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- #103
fast back for sure, with some ideas I have for zipper windows.
It has turned out awesome!
How great is the feeling? it looks great Dan, Welcome to the topless club. I hope to one day, maybe one day wheel at some midpoint between CA and GA. I'm reliving my build through you Dan. aweomse
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- Thread starter
- #106
Thanks Sam, it is amazing to see something I imagined come to life. I too wish I get a chance to wheel somewhere westward and meet up with all the folks on here. My dream is to ship west and run the Rubicon and Moab. Time will tell, it is getting more and more likely as I get older and things shape up 
Skillet
Skillet
Fantastic! Wheeling machine.
- Thread starter
- #108
I just had my first appointment with the soft top people. They took pics and measurements, came up with some ideas. They are going to design the top shelf "all in" view and then build it back to a minimal start so I can build it over time and reduce immediate out of pocket
That is just awesome!
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- #110
Soft top estimate is done. I will be going in for measurements on Friday!
That turned out very nicely Dan. Glad you figured out exactly what you wanted in the end. You went from inner cage to half inner and we started on a front exo to meet up with the inner - in the end it turned out perfectly and they did a fantastic and clean job of it. I'd let my child ride with you in that.. Looking forward to seeing it in person.
- Thread starter
- #112
Now I am designing a custom soft top and considering gutting the stereo and starting over because I found at least two shorts from water damage (amp and somewhere in the wiring).
Weeeee
Weeeee
I ditched All the factory stereo equpt. and wiring and now run 2 front speakers; 1, 10" sub; and two "outdoor" weatherproof speakers off the rollcage that can be turned to face outward toward the rear (tailgate party style). They're all powered off a 5-channel amp that is integrated into the sub box while I custom made to fit right behind the center console. Oh and a pioneer headunit w/ bluetooth I didn't run the speakers off the headunit b/c on the freeway, it doesn't have enough juice to over power the combo of wind and tire sound when the windows are down (not that great with the windows up either).
Everything is mounted as far up as I could get them. If I were to redo it (which will happen someday) I'd go All marine grade audio Equiptment except for the Headunit, b/c marine headunits just flat out suck. I'd also consider mounting the amp in place of the passenger air bag. If you have any Q's, I've rewired my rig and done different audio setups quite a few times and would be more than happy to help
Cheers.
- Thread starter
- #114
I just gutted it. I am going to go marine head, amp, and speakers. There are a lot of nice low cost units. I am going to use the doors still, and the amp and sub will be in the rear passenger quarter.
The wiring and install on the old stuff was pretty ugly...functional, but ugly.
The wiring and install on the old stuff was pretty ugly...functional, but ugly.
- Thread starter
- #116
Considering I drive it a max of a few thousand miles a year, most of those offroad, I think I can discount some of that concern
Road = 100
Offroad = 80
Road = 100
Offroad = 80
You sure you mean B-pillar (that would be the one all the way to the front of the passenger)? that is actually pretty far from the passenger, in fact the whole cage is laid out pretty well IMHO and you can always add some foam around the sensitive "potential" areas. Lastly if Dan is going to run race harnesses (which is the only way to fly) once you're strapped in you're not going anywhere. Have them weld in and gusset a horizontal behind the 2nd row. With a cage I wouldn't want to have the slack of a regular seat belt. my $.02 Marine audio is definitely the way to go...I'm just not a fan of the headunits they offer, but to each his own. Cheers
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- #118
Harnesses are on the short list. I plan on adding a bar behind the rear seats when that happens.
Just so much to do at once!
Just so much to do at once!
Please Explain.....If you are concerned about back seat passengers hitting it (the harness bar) in the event of a frontal colision I guess it isnt as soft as the back of the front seats. However any one that is in the back seat and is properly restrained, with the stock belts or 4 points, will still be far enough away from the harness bar that it shound never be an issue even for a full size adult.
And Dan, if you want us to add a harness bar to the C pillar just run by the shop and we can stick it in for you.
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- Thread starter
- #120
I think I will get the lining in, the soft top on, and the new stereo I have planned in then do harnesses.
Cage build 2.0!
Some factors:
- My kids are in boosters that tighten the seatbelts to where there is not as much slack as stock or adult passengers (major reason I didnt do harnesses right now, they are still young and need the boosters).
- Minimal road mileage, and a very careful and skilled defensive driver (I had a guy a guy cross into my lane at 80 mph, fully boxed in, and managed to avoid any collisions to any cars around me...happens all the time in Atlanta).
- Short term plan to install harnesses which would eliminate any further risk
So, that said, we beat this one to death, and we can move on
Cage build 2.0!
Some factors:
- My kids are in boosters that tighten the seatbelts to where there is not as much slack as stock or adult passengers (major reason I didnt do harnesses right now, they are still young and need the boosters).
- Minimal road mileage, and a very careful and skilled defensive driver (I had a guy a guy cross into my lane at 80 mph, fully boxed in, and managed to avoid any collisions to any cars around me...happens all the time in Atlanta).
- Short term plan to install harnesses which would eliminate any further risk
So, that said, we beat this one to death, and we can move on