Hard-Tops for Offroaders (Jeeps, Gypsys and more)

starter · 9th February 2010, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-jay

Guys,

Had met Mr Lobo yesterday. Seems to be a man who knows his stuff.
His rates seem to be really pricey.

for the hard top on the gypsy he has quoted INR 1Lakhs

per vehicle and only if 4 people require the same.

I wanted to modify by adding a sunroof option which he is quoting IN 15000/-

I am planning to enquire in someother places. Any suggetions?

P:S- he is an oldy who keeps ooooon talking.

Hey Ajay,
As far as i remember, you had a hard top on the Gypsy already, right?
If i remember correct, it was also in a very good shape and still, on the look out for one?
How about some junk yard (gujri), would they not have an old hard-top?
Anyways, i will check with Suraksha and see if they could order for one.
Cheers,
Deepak

GrayBerry · 9th February 2010, 23:47

you can have the hardtop make in Singapore or Taiwan for a lakh, this would include a roll cage and finish on the inside. the price seems to be insane.

star_aqua · 10th February 2010, 01:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sha

Are you sure 1 lakh for gypsy hard top

. Gypsy hard top from authorized seller it will cost between 20-25k.

uncle why do you want hardtop??

1 lakh is OK i think. But some one should ask him what is the cost for hardtop without gypsy.

A-jay · 10th February 2010, 13:16

Guys,

The price he quoted 1lakh was for one. i am sure. i was stunned too when he said that.

I had plans of getting a sunroof kindoff thing done at the back. this would not be of glass but of fiber itself which would be like a lid with latches.

Any idea where i can get this done and if its feaseble.

if this is not possible I plan to make the front slanting portion at the top detachable with latches instead of permanent screws.

This would allow me to remove the front slant portion on the roof and also will try to fold down the glass at intervals leaving the back hard top on.

How does this sound is this feasable.

I know it sound crazy but i dont think its impossible.

Cheers
aj

Spitfire · 10th February 2010, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-jay

How does this sound is this feasable.

And whats the purpose for doing all that? Ventilation?

Rajachu · 10th February 2010, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-jay

Guys,

The price he quoted 1lakh was for one. i am sure. i was stunned too when he said that.

I had plans of getting a sunroof kindoff thing done at the back. this would not be of glass but of fiber itself which would be like a lid with latches.

Any idea where i can get this done and if its feaseble.

if this is not possible I plan to make the front slanting portion at the top detachable with latches instead of permanent screws.

This would allow me to remove the front slant portion on the roof and also will try to fold down the glass at intervals leaving the back hard top on.

How does this sound is this feasable.

I know it sound crazy but i dont think its impossible.

Cheers
aj

u search for a thread here TBHP on similar mods by Khalid khan,i forget in which its available

Raj

svsantosh · 10th February 2010, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by star_aqua

1 lakh is OK i think. But some one should ask him what is the cost for hardtop without gypsy.

I missed the pun when I read it 1st.

Sha · 10th February 2010, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by star_aqua

uncle why do you want hardtop??

Need for longer trip

to keep luggage secure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-jay

Guys,

The price he quoted 1lakh was for one. i am sure. i was stunned too when he said that.

I had plans of getting a sunroof kindoff thing done at the back. this would not be of glass but of fiber itself which would be like a lid with latches.

Any idea where i can get this done and if its feaseble.

aj

Buy new one from Authorized parts dealer it will cost you only 20K and do the sun roof modification, any body builder company can do this modification,

Rajachu · 11th February 2010, 12:12

Just now i got a mail from Mr Zarryl Lobo of the Xtra hardtops as follows.FYI

Raj

"as to the cost of gypsy top i would sincerely request you to please call any service /spare part out let and check
as to local tops
1 our tops are designed
2 they ARE TWO SKINS AN OUTER AND AN INNER
a feature that local tops do not have
that is the reason our tops are more expensive and in par with the original tops
also our tops are fitted with rubber beadings glass channels and glasses of Maurti original and that is an expensive component
and if there are several tops ordered we can do and a discounted price "

svsantosh · 21st April 2010, 17:24

Just thought all 4x4 TBHP readers want to know what can be 'acheived' with a SWB and a short-wired brain!!

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/1836352-post10977.html

DirtyDan · 13th July 2010, 02:06

The fabric top and rear flap on my Invader was a problem. I did not have good visibility out the rear through the plastic window. If I opened the rear window all manner of dust and debris was sucked into the interior by the shovel load. In a short 50 meter stretch of trail, the interior and the humans riding inside would be covered with dust. Breathing the stuff was a real health problem. Dust was pulled in the back window opening by the vacuum the peculiar shape of the Invader creates.

I decided to put a hardtop on my Invader. After searching for a long time for a shop to do the work, I settled on a shop in Pathenkot, Punjab. This shop does extensive modifications on staff cars used by Army officers at the big base there.

The side sliding windows are from a Maruti Omni. The rear window is large for visibility and comes from a wrecked Mahindra Commander. This was fitted on top of the original tailgate. A steel door frame had to be added to the rear to shut the new rear door into. I took out the original inside facing rear seats and put in 2 small seats from the Commander facing forward. These leave little leg room but are good for small people and short hops.

I mounted a jerry can and holder on the rear tailgate spare tyre rack and added a heavy bull guard to the front. The interior and seats were done in beige fabric which conceals dust and dirt. The cost was 42,500 rupees and took 24 days to complete. I chose a full hard top instead of a half hard top so as to make resale of this vehicle a bit easier. This configuration is more utilitarian.

The idea here is different from what a "pure" off-roader might do. I am trying to mod this vehicle for use in the Himalayas where I live. I needed protection from the elements, room for extra fuel, gear and luggage for long treks away from home. Previously I put 4:88 crown gears in the differentials. This ratio helps the MDI3200tc motor show its grunt and climb the big hills up here. The extra weight, high on the vehicle, makes a very small impact on performance and handling.

Samurai · 13th July 2010, 08:17

That's a very cool looking hard top Ken. Very clean job.

Blue Thunder · 13th July 2010, 10:23

Very good-looking/functional hard-top, DirtyDan, and I like the matt black finish

. Hope they did good pre-treatment before painting...there is lot of surface rust on that sheet metal.

Solid tyres, I guess they are BFG-AT? I guess the spare tyre is bolted in place on the floor and not just lying there.

Rocky_Balboa · 13th July 2010, 10:27

Amazing work at such prices, DD.
Why not paint the section above the tail-gate also grey?

Hard-Tops for Offroaders (Jeeps, Gypsys and more)-fin204.jpg

4x4addict · 13th July 2010, 13:15

Great job DD. Looks very neat and practical. Good thing that you found a good body shop that does a good job and is easy on the wallet. My experience was a personal hell !!.

What tire size are you running? I am running 4.27 differentials with the Turbo DI engine and I feel it is a good compromise between power and mileage. I guess since you are mostly in the hills, 4.88 provide the extra grunt.

9th February 2010, 23:47	#77
GrayBerry BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 174 Thanked: 22 Times	hardtop you can have the hardtop make in Singapore or Taiwan for a lakh, this would include a roll cage and finish on the inside. the price seems to be insane.
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 13:16	#79
A-jay BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 42 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	hard top Guys, The price he quoted 1lakh was for one. i am sure. i was stunned too when he said that. I had plans of getting a sunroof kindoff thing done at the back. this would not be of glass but of fiber itself which would be like a lid with latches. Any idea where i can get this done and if its feaseble. if this is not possible I plan to make the front slanting portion at the top detachable with latches instead of permanent screws. This would allow me to remove the front slant portion on the roof and also will try to fold down the glass at intervals leaving the back hard top on. How does this sound is this feasable. I know it sound crazy but i dont think its impossible. Cheers aj
	() Thanks

11th February 2010, 12:12	#84
Rajachu BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 113 Thanked: 4 Times	Just now i got a mail from Mr Zarryl Lobo of the Xtra hardtops as follows.FYI Raj "as to the cost of gypsy top i would sincerely request you to please call any service /spare part out let and check as to local tops 1 our tops are designed 2 they ARE TWO SKINS AN OUTER AND AN INNER a feature that local tops do not have that is the reason our tops are more expensive and in par with the original tops also our tops are fitted with rubber beadings glass channels and glasses of Maurti original and that is an expensive component and if there are several tops ordered we can do and a discounted price "
	() Thanks

21st April 2010, 17:24	#85
svsantosh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 4,289 Thanked: 8,081 Times View My Garage	Just thought all 4x4 TBHP readers want to know what can be 'acheived' with a SWB and a short-wired brain!! http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/1836352-post10977.html
	() Thanks

13th July 2010, 02:06	#86
DirtyDan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala, H.P Posts: 2,108 Thanked: 1,666 Times	The fabric top and rear flap on my Invader was a problem. I did not have good visibility out the rear through the plastic window. If I opened the rear window all manner of dust and debris was sucked into the interior by the shovel load. In a short 50 meter stretch of trail, the interior and the humans riding inside would be covered with dust. Breathing the stuff was a real health problem. Dust was pulled in the back window opening by the vacuum the peculiar shape of the Invader creates. I decided to put a hardtop on my Invader. After searching for a long time for a shop to do the work, I settled on a shop in Pathenkot, Punjab. This shop does extensive modifications on staff cars used by Army officers at the big base there. The side sliding windows are from a Maruti Omni. The rear window is large for visibility and comes from a wrecked Mahindra Commander. This was fitted on top of the original tailgate. A steel door frame had to be added to the rear to shut the new rear door into. I took out the original inside facing rear seats and put in 2 small seats from the Commander facing forward. These leave little leg room but are good for small people and short hops. I mounted a jerry can and holder on the rear tailgate spare tyre rack and added a heavy bull guard to the front. The interior and seats were done in beige fabric which conceals dust and dirt. The cost was 42,500 rupees and took 24 days to complete. I chose a full hard top instead of a half hard top so as to make resale of this vehicle a bit easier. This configuration is more utilitarian. The idea here is different from what a "pure" off-roader might do. I am trying to mod this vehicle for use in the Himalayas where I live. I needed protection from the elements, room for extra fuel, gear and luggage for long treks away from home. Previously I put 4:88 crown gears in the differentials. This ratio helps the MDI3200tc motor show its grunt and climb the big hills up here. The extra weight, high on the vehicle, makes a very small impact on performance and handling. Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

13th July 2010, 08:17	#87
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,003 Thanked: 49,941 Times View My Garage	That's a very cool looking hard top Ken. Very clean job.
	() Thanks

13th July 2010, 10:23	#88
Blue Thunder Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Right here . Posts: 1,662 Thanked: 398 Times View My Garage	Very good-looking/functional hard-top, DirtyDan, and I like the matt black finish . Hope they did good pre-treatment before painting...there is lot of surface rust on that sheet metal. Solid tyres, I guess they are BFG-AT? I guess the spare tyre is bolted in place on the floor and not just lying there. Last edited by Blue Thunder : 13th July 2010 at 10:34.
	() Thanks

13th July 2010, 10:27	#89
Rocky_Balboa BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Namma Bengalooru Posts: 693 Thanked: 407 Times View My Garage	Amazing work at such prices, DD. Why not paint the section above the tail-gate also grey? Last edited by Rocky_Balboa : 13th July 2010 at 10:28.
	() Thanks

13th July 2010, 13:15	#90
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,497 Thanked: 4,650 Times View My Garage	Great job DD. Looks very neat and practical. Good thing that you found a good body shop that does a good job and is easy on the wallet. My experience was a personal hell !!. What tire size are you running? I am running 4.27 differentials with the Turbo DI engine and I feel it is a good compromise between power and mileage. I guess since you are mostly in the hills, 4.88 provide the extra grunt.
	() Thanks