Gday All
Has anyone replaced the side windows with top hinged, lockable lids ?
Thx in advance
DETOUR
~•lllllll•~
Has anyone replaced the side windows with top hinged, lockable lids ?
Thx in advance
DETOUR
~•lllllll•~
Hardtop gullwing mods
- Thread starter DETOUR
- Start date
Tagging @jscherb
I think Bulldawg makes replacement hard tops with this feature. There is a review on this forum if your search for it.
edit - found the thread - https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bull-dawg-lj-hardtop-initial-impressions.39354/
I think Bulldawg makes replacement hard tops with this feature. There is a review on this forum if your search for it.
edit - found the thread - https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bull-dawg-lj-hardtop-initial-impressions.39354/
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I've done swing-up windows (a.k.a. "gullwings" in the Land Rover world) for the JK and JKU. This is the JK 2dr version:
Those are glass windows, I've also done solid cargo windows, these are for the JKU; also part of the design are optional MOLLE panels that go inside:
The solid hatches are designed so that you might mount something to the outside, like a Rotopax.
I've also done swing-up hatches on my Jeep-tub camper top based on the Safari Cab hardtop:
I have done some preliminary design work on a TJ version, but not having a TJ I didn't pursue it to completion.
I've done swing-up windows (a.k.a. "gullwings" in the Land Rover world) for the JK and JKU. This is the JK 2dr version:
Those are glass windows, I've also done solid cargo windows, these are for the JKU; also part of the design are optional MOLLE panels that go inside:
The solid hatches are designed so that you might mount something to the outside, like a Rotopax.
I've also done swing-up hatches on my Jeep-tub camper top based on the Safari Cab hardtop:
View attachment 347771
I have done some preliminary design work on a TJ version, but not having a TJ I didn't pursue it to completion.
Jscherb
Thx so much, just what I was looking for . I’m not considering a replacement hardtop to keep the cost at a minimum. What brand frame/hinge/lock assembly did you purchase, or did you buy individual parts ?
•DETOUR•
•Going the xtra mile - it’s never crowded•
I did the prototype swing-ups as part of a design project for Retrofit Offroad. I previously has designed a slider window kit for JK and JL hardtops that they marketed and sold quite a few of, and they were thinking of doing swing-up cargo windows so I worked with an RV window supplier to make prototype swing-up windows.Jscherb
Thx so much, just what I was looking for . I’m not considering a replacement hardtop to keep the cost at a minimum. What brand frame/hinge/lock assembly did you purchase, or did you buy individual parts ?
•DETOUR•
•Going the xtra mile - it’s never crowded•
Retrofit's slider window product: https://www.retrofitoffroad.com/sho...-factory-hardtop-slider-window-kit-2011-2017/
Unfortunately putting movable (slider or swing-up) windows in a TJ, LJ, JK or JL factory hardtop isn't that easy. The windows have co compound curves (curves in both directions) and so the window mounting surface on the hardtop also has compound curves. A standard RV-style window, which is very reasonably priced, requires a flat mounting surface. What I did for Retrofit was design a mounting kit that mounted to the compound curved window mounting surface and provided a flat mounting surface for the slider or swing-up window.
I have done a design for a mounting kit for the TJ and LJ that would allow RV windows to be easily installed; like the JK and JL kits I did for Retrofit, the mounting kit mounts to the curved window mounting surface of the TJ/LJ hardtop and presents a flat mounting surface to the slider or swing-up window. It would look a little like this, although it's only blue for illustration purposes, it would be black to match the hardtop.
The mounting kit wouldn't be hard to make, and RV windows can be manufactured in reasonably small quantities for about $50 each (slider) and a little more for swing-up windows. All that's needed is a company that wants to market the product; I'd be happy to work with a company to create the product.
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I did the prototype swing-ups as part of a design project for Retrofit Offroad. I previously has designed a slider window kit for JK and JL hardtops that they marketed and sold quite a few of, and they were thinking of doing swing-up cargo windows so I worked with an RV window supplier to make prototype swing-up windows.
Retrofit's slider window product: https://www.retrofitoffroad.com/sho...-factory-hardtop-slider-window-kit-2011-2017/
Unfortunately putting movable (slider or swing-up) windows in a TJ, LJ, JK or JL factory hardtop isn't that easy. The windows have co compound curves (curves in both directions) and so the window mounting surface on the hardtop also has compound curves. A standard RV-style window, which is very reasonably priced, requires a flat mounting surface. What I did for Retrofit was design a mounting kit that mounted to the compound curved window mounting surface and provided a flat mounting surface for the slider or swing-up window.
I have done a design for a mounting kit for the TJ and LJ that would allow RV windows to be easily installed; like the JK and JL kits I did for Retrofit, the mounting kit mounts to the curved window mounting surface of the TJ/LJ hardtop and presents a flat mounting surface to the slider or swing-up window. It would look a little like this, although it's only blue for illustration purposes, it would be black to match the hardtop.
The mounting kit wouldn't be hard to make, and RV windows can be manufactured in reasonably small quantities for about $50 each (slider) and a little more for swing-up windows. All that's needed is a company that wants to market the product; I'd be happy to work with a company to create the product.
I’d say WOWEE !
you’re NOT hesitating to go the x-tra mile, eh
Thx for your detailed elaborations
• my next closest idea is removing our LJ’s side windows from the hardtop.
•Then use the windows as a template for a sheet of say 3/16” aluminum, but open up the Center piece in a rectangular shape to accommodate the largest existing on the market available hinged RV window
•I’m not too fond of sliders (one more thing to maintain
speak ice /dirt)•DETOUR•
Hey MichaelGH
Looks cool your logo :
OHIIIIIO
%
Thank you good sir! I was typing my State in the bio and thought maybe I could make it look like a Jeep grille, lol…
I did the prototype swing-ups as part of a design project for Retrofit Offroad. I previously has designed a slider window kit for JK and JL hardtops that they marketed and sold quite a few of, and they were thinking of doing swing-up cargo windows so I worked with an RV window supplier to make prototype swing-up windows.
Retrofit's slider window product: https://www.retrofitoffroad.com/sho...-factory-hardtop-slider-window-kit-2011-2017/
Unfortunately putting movable (slider or swing-up) windows in a TJ, LJ, JK or JL factory hardtop isn't that easy. The windows have co compound curves (curves in both directions) and so the window mounting surface on the hardtop also has compound curves. A standard RV-style window, which is very reasonably priced, requires a flat mounting surface. What I did for Retrofit was design a mounting kit that mounted to the compound curved window mounting surface and provided a flat mounting surface for the slider or swing-up window.
I have done a design for a mounting kit for the TJ and LJ that would allow RV windows to be easily installed; like the JK and JL kits I did for Retrofit, the mounting kit mounts to the curved window mounting surface of the TJ/LJ hardtop and presents a flat mounting surface to the slider or swing-up window. It would look a little like this, although it's only blue for illustration purposes, it would be black to match the hardtop.
The mounting kit wouldn't be hard to make, and RV windows can be manufactured in reasonably small quantities for about $50 each (slider) and a little more for swing-up windows. All that's needed is a company that wants to market the product; I'd be happy to work with a company to create the product.
Is this window available? If so where. I’m wanting to take the whole window out of my 2 Dr wrangler n put in sliding windows.
I did the prototype swing-ups as part of a design project for Retrofit Offroad. I previously has designed a slider window kit for JK and JL hardtops that they marketed and sold quite a few of, and they were thinking of doing swing-up cargo windows so I worked with an RV window supplier to make prototype swing-up windows.
Retrofit's slider window product: https://www.retrofitoffroad.com/sho...-factory-hardtop-slider-window-kit-2011-2017/
Unfortunately putting movable (slider or swing-up) windows in a TJ, LJ, JK or JL factory hardtop isn't that easy. The windows have co compound curves (curves in both directions) and so the window mounting surface on the hardtop also has compound curves. A standard RV-style window, which is very reasonably priced, requires a flat mounting surface. What I did for Retrofit was design a mounting kit that mounted to the compound curved window mounting surface and provided a flat mounting surface for the slider or swing-up window.
I have done a design for a mounting kit for the TJ and LJ that would allow RV windows to be easily installed; like the JK and JL kits I did for Retrofit, the mounting kit mounts to the curved window mounting surface of the TJ/LJ hardtop and presents a flat mounting surface to the slider or swing-up window. It would look a little like this, although it's only blue for illustration purposes, it would be black to match the hardtop.
The mounting kit wouldn't be hard to make, and RV windows can be manufactured in reasonably small quantities for about $50 each (slider) and a little more for swing-up windows. All that's needed is a company that wants to market the product; I'd be happy to work with a company to create the product.
Hey @jscherb, I know this was a while ago and I know you have posted on this topic in a few places over the years but I am hoping you see this and reply. I have an LJ with a factory hardtop currently (as well as a soft top). I am thinking that I can sell the factory hardtop and for barely more money, purchase a Camper King hardtop, either with its standard windows or possibly with their upgraded sliding rear windows. I believe the windows that this manufacturer uses are flat (and I think most all aftermarket TJ/LJ tops use flat windows) and you mention that RV style flat windows could be made relatively cheap. I am wondering if down the road, I wanted to get something like the sliding gullwing hybrid windows that Bulldawg tops use, are there any manufacturers out there that would make me one or two in the size I need? Is this a dumb question and I should just spend the extra grand or so now and get a Bulldawg top?
Part of me wants to buy the Camper King as well thinking that I might prefer a non-glass type gullwing that could be used for recovery storage and I could (hopefully) DIY my own since it is a flat window and not curved. Thanks for your suggestions.
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RV-style sliding or gulllwing+sliding windows can be made quite reasonably, but only in quantity. I haven't worked with any window manufacturers since about the COVID pandemic so it's been a few years, but back then windows could be made for less than $100 each in fairly small quantities, like 25. Prices may have increased since then but I don't think they would be too much more than that. I worked with a window company on the gullwing non-sliding glass prototypes for the JK and JL Wranglers and if they had gone into production they would have been around $65 each if I remember correctly.
There are a few companies that do one-off custom RV windows, you might check MotionWindows.com or RVWindows.com; if I recall correctly simple custom slider windows were costing about $300 each on a one-off basis back then; not sure what they price might be for gullwing style.
Thanks for that info @jscherb. I ended up purchasing a used Rally Top LJ 2 piece with sliding rear windows for a decent price and I plan to sell my factory LJ top. I believe that the Rally Top windows are flat and not compound curved like the factory windows (though I do not know this for a fact). One of the sliding windows had a bad track on the bottom that kept the window from sliding. I purchased a new track and installed it but I believe that the bad track was likely due to the window being just ever so out of straight and even with the new track, doesn't really want to open.
My strange desire is to replace this bad sliding window (which happens to be the drivers side) with something that pops open. I reached out to the companies you listed but no one seems to want to help me (likely due to not wanting to produce just one window). I even contacted Bulldawg to ask them if they know whether or not their windows are the same shape/size as Rally Top as they sell their windows separately. They have not gotten back to me.
My thought now is to build my own gullwing window similar to how many people have for Land Cruisers, XJs, Land Rovers, etc. It seems pretty straight forward and my only thought about what would be different is that I would not be drilling into metal to mount the hinges and would have to figure out how I want to attach a hinge to the hard top. I have seen companies that make gullwings for JKs use some sort of glue to attach an outer frame to the hard top, then the middle section of that opens on hinges. I assume I could drill into the hardtop to attach hinges but that seems like not the correct thing to do. The other option I am wondering about is removing the current sliding window and trying to retain/modify the frame for it to accept a hinge of some sort. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on these options? Thanks for your input. For reference, I'm attaching pictures of the top.
If I were trying to convert a fixed-mount RV window into a swing-up window I would remove and eliminate the clamp ring on the inside of the hardtop and hinge the outer frame of the window directly to the hardtop. You would have to figure out some way to latch the window closed. Most swing-up windows mount the latch in a hole in the glass like the cargo windows I did for the JK in the video earlier in this thread, this won't be possible with a window conversion because the glass is tempered and you can't cut it so you'll have to find another way to do it. Also you'll want a way to keep the window open when you're accessing gear inside, small gas struts are used with commercial windows and you could use those and make a few brackets to mount them - you can see some of the details of gas strut installation in the photo of my Wrangler/Safari Cab based trailer below. Sealing the window against the hardtop could be a challenge although that should be solvable with appropriate weatherstrip. Good luck.
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