94 LWB roof

[gregory.pearson]

I'm curious to hear everyone's 2 cents on this one:

I have a second Classic that is in good shape.

The longer I look at it in the driveway, the stronger the urge I'm having to ditch the entire roof. Pillars, windows, everything. I know that the immediate response would be to preserve rollover integrity, so if you were going to do something as blatantly irresponsible as this, where would you guys go about adding a minimal roll bar? I have some thoughts already, and access to all the right equipment to cut, weld etc.

I have no need to drive it further than the confines of my town (no more than a 5-10 mile radius) and no plans to ever drive over 15-20 mph-

I don't need any sort of roof or canvas top for it because it has a spot in the garage.

I'm not thinking of an elaborate roll cage, sadly this one would not be destined for the trail, ever. (If you can forgive me for that, and keep reading... thanks)

Also- I won't have any passengers riding in this, I want it just for around town and to get a few longboards to the nearby beach.

Rip me to shreds, tell me why you think this is the dumbest idea ever-
Or, if you can entertain this idea, any suggestions on little things you'd do, add, or make sure to delete as well?

I love these trucks, and don't want to tred into an area of complete and total blasphemy. My '90 classic is my daily driver and will remain so, I was thinking of having some fun with this one.

Thoughts?

[TerryS]

Personally, I don't think it's blasphemy. There ahve been several good threads, on this board, RR.Net and others about chopped classics. Some look like just that, others look great. Maybe someone with more energy than I will dregde up a few of the threads.
I'm not sure I ever saw a LWB done. You may want to consider seam welding the reardoors for rigidity.
What looks even nicer is a soft top Disco, with cage. One was done and shown extensively on here (I think, maybe it was the old RN board) it was a thing of beauty.

[ArmyRover]

There was one for sale recently on dweb. I think the guy that did it frequents lrrforums.com as well.

You might want to get in touch with him and pick his brains abit.

I have no issue with it and have often considered making my rrc into a pick-up truck. with a old style big canvas sunroof....

[OkieRover]

Yeah there was a guy on here a few years ago that did a total roof removal on his Disco. He built a pretty elaborate cage for it though. And seeing what he was trying to accomplish you should consider more cage than a simple roll bar. I'd also get the entire interior floor pan media blasted and coated in Rhinoliner or LineX type material. Can't wait to see what you have in mind.
Long boards to the beach??? We just got back from Huntington Beach....longing to go again.

[gregory.pearson]

Thanks for all the feedback, I'm still on the fence about this, but the comments definitely help.

I do suppose there are plenty of other ways to accomplish a more utility oriented Classic. My main goal was to be able to throw things into the back.

Thanks for the pointers on the other similar projects that are lurking out there. I've been able to track down the photos of most of them.

I know most of you have elaborate cages/ exp. racks on top, but all I stow up there are boards, not Jerrycan's and hi lifts! It'd be a lot nicer to toss them into a wide open bed. The fresh air wouldn't be bad either.

I'll keep this updated of course if/when I start hacking away.

**Right now I'm happily distracted from all of this by the fresh Gdyr ATS 215/85's that FedEx just delivered to my doorstep** I know it's a very
small step, but that means the stockers are finally coming off.

Okie- I bet you had a blast. In a selfish way, I'm glad you don't live closer to the coast, because then you'd never make time to work on your truck.. and I don't know what I would have done without the maintenance details on your site. If you ever happen to head the opposite direction to this coast, our sleepy town is a great place to get in the water

[OkieRover]

Originally Posted by gregory.pearson

Okie- I bet you had a blast. In a selfish way, I'm glad you don't live closer to the coast, because then you'd never make time to work on your truck.. and I don't know what I would have done without the maintenance details on your site. If you ever happen to head the opposite direction to this coast, our sleepy town is a great place to get in the water

Thanks for the kudos.
I used to have relatives in Esmond. I'm not sure they would remember me and I'm not sure who all is still alive these days. I haven't been there since 1973. My Godfather is still alive, I believe.

Funny you should mention getting in the water up there. We are hoping to make a trip up there next year. New York City is the destination. But I bet I could talk the family into some wave action. DC Benny is in NYC and I hope to see him as well. More info on that as we the year progresses.

[gregory.pearson]

p.s. unrelated to the topic of ths thread, 215/85's look out of place without a tiny bit of lift. They fit, but don't look quite right. Betting everyone already knew that...other than me.

[ArmyRover]

I would have said something about the tire size but I figured you meant to type 235/85

[OkieRover]

SO my mom sent me the address of my relative. And they still live in the same house!
18 Sweet Road, Smithfield, R. I. 02917
I know they told me Esmond but I see on the map it's Esmond Smithfield.
Anyway...

[peterbat]

do you have springs or any lift on? i have on mine 225/75 r16 bridgestone's &they look great, filling out the fenders& no rubbing!
cheers, pete b