Builds Flopped My Rig, Time To Chop The Top!

[VCCruzr]

While wheeling last weekend, I flopped my rig.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-socal-80s/603207-dishpan-springs-waterfall-flop.html

So, now I have a new project ahead, chop and cage, and most likely bob the rear. I have spent the last couple of days looking at the different threads looking for ideas. My favorite so far is Hanna's Ute but mine will lose the entire top and have tube doors. I am not going to trailer this rig so it will have to be street legal.

Here's a few pics for this thread:

 

[VCCruzr]

Rigs For Ideas

Is there a build thread for Hanna's rig?

Post your ideas, I'd like to see your input.




Here's a couple of pictures I like for ideas:

 

[cody c]

It looks like your 80 did pretty well considering how it looks to have landed.

You could always cut and paste the pillars from something else and try and build a pop top roof like the one over at expedition portal as well.

 

[Slowerthanu]

So, street legal obviously means windshield and frame.

Tie the cage into the entire a-pillar, maybe with some dimple died 1/8 or so to maintain rigidity and as a bit of a weather barrier.

If the b pillar is decent, keep it and tie that piece into the cage. You will maintain a lot of rigidity and also a strong mounting point for belts. Since it is a 4 door I would place an X at the b and c pillar and I would probably use 2 inch DOM with a rig this heavy although 1.75 will probably be more than sufficient.

Half doors with the mirrors maintained should keep the cops at bay.

Run a removable aluminum bikini type roof.

Tie it all to the sliders or frame and you're GTG.

 

[VCCruzr]

The process begins.....

Well, I have made good progress this morning gutting the interior to prep for work ahead. Seats out, Storage Box out, Carpet and Headliner out.

 

[warpdriv]

How much money did you find?

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

A full length canvas bikini top would be cool.
Stretch it over whatever cage you end up building and make it easily removable.
That makes me want to cut my roof off!

 

[e9999]

yes, one of those safari-looking full length soft tops... ooolala....

it really looks like it handled the flop well. Neat safari look aside, you couldn't straighten things out a bit, keep the metal roof and put a cage under to keep things simpler?

 

[Tapage]

by one of your pics in the other thread looks the pass side of your A pillar it's kinda bend .?

 

[akarilo]

Really sorry about that man!

 

[VCCruzr]

How much money did you find?

Funny you said that. The PO must have liked quarters. I found almost $7 worth under the carpet and center console.

A full length canvas bikini top would be cool.
Stretch it over whatever cage you end up building and make it easily removable.
That makes me want to cut my roof off!

Yep, thinking a soft top will be cool.

yes, one of those safari-looking full length soft tops... ooolala....

it really looks like it handled the flop well. Neat safari look aside, you couldn't straighten things out a bit, keep the metal roof and put a cage under to keep things simpler?

I probably could straighten things out, burt it would be more work and $$$. DS A & B pillars are bent, and 3 of the 4 doors are beat up pretty good.

by one of your pics in the other thread looks the pass side of your A pillar it's kinda bend .?

Yes, both A pillars and DS B pillar.

Really sorry about that man!

Thanks, I was pretty bummed at first but had no choice but to get over it. At least I live in SoCal where the weather is nice, so having an open vehicle will be okay.

 

[1973Guppie]

I would keep the front doors (get used ones) as this will make it ALOT nicer to have to drive to and from the trail. The rear doors could be tube, or just openings to allow people to hop into and out of the rear seats. I would put together a custom top with snaps that go on the rollcage, easy to fix if you flop and inexpensive. Do an exocage, then you can wheel the snot out of it and not have to worry about fixing when you flop.

Noah

 

[Mattnatti]

Although I am a noob to the LC family first I would like to say , thankfully you were able to make it out of the truck safely. Secondly , what a shame that there was this much damage to a nice rig.

Me personally , I don't like the bobbed look. I can understand the chopping aspect of rebuilding your truck but a 80 is not a 80 without the full length IMO. Since it appears that chopping the roof is the best option I would cage it all the way to the rear. Bikini top it ( I like the snap on/off to the cage idea ) and half doors like mentioned above.

I understand the principle behind a bob and half cage but I think it would look better caged to the rear and lower body left intact.

I look forward to following your progress.

 

[kidglove13]

Derrick, sorry to here about the flop dude.

Glad you are taking it well

But, you know that with the way you wheel, it was bound to happen at some point

I almost flopped 2 weeks ago at Rausch Creek got saved by a small tree

When I was leaning against the tree all I kept thinking about was chop top and cage

I would not go through the trouble of bobbing it

There is something about the full size of the 80, I dont know what it is but I like it anyway

Cutting off the roof and caging it is the way to go like some of 80's you posted pictures of, particularly the white one

I dont know the 80 just looks cool full body with no roof and a cage

Keep us posted on the chop.

 

[mickeyt]

I love that white one. Who owns that one and is there a build thread for it? Looks like he had doors fabbed?

 

[VCCruzr]

Did The Cutting Today

Well today I broke out the sawzall and grinder with a cutting wheel and went to town. I was by myself so I did a half at a time. Here are some pictures of today's progress.

 

[VCCruzr]

More Progress Pictures

More...

 

[G-Cat]

S'Scribed

 

[specialk396]

Looking good so far.

 

[badmuthatrucka]

Sorry to see the damage, but it's also looking like you're going to have tons of fun with this!