Jurassic Park Explorer

"JR1" (type35bugatti)
05/04/2016 at 12:45 • Filed to: JP Explorer

I know I brought this up a view days ago but I have a question that needs answering. How does one make a roof for a JP Explorer. This guy made one out of plexiglass and cut four feet out of the roof. However wouldn’t that compromise structural rigidity? Furthermore how does one even get the curve in the roof and make it weather tight? The guy posted a brief video but I don’t think it exactly answers how he got the glass to bend and curve. The jig he made just seems...odd. Finally wouldn’t the plexiglass flex going down the road as wind went over it?

DISCUSSION (33)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > JR1
05/04/2016 at 12:49

I don’t think the sheet metal on the top of the roof is structural at all. as long as there are any cross members in the way, I don’t see why you could just cut it out.

Jund bummed that the rest of the bubble is just some wood, and not actually creating additional space in the truck.

HammerheadFistpunch > JR1
05/04/2016 at 12:51

There are 2 ways to do it:

1. get it done at whatever cost so that it looks right but sucks.

2. find someone who can sell you a thick sheet of plexi that they can mold to shape.

In the event of the later, I think you will need to make some VERY accurate measurements and it will probably be the most expensive part of the conversion (finding UV stable Plexiglass in that thickness aint going to be cheap). For installing, you would need to cut the whole roof out, then create and weld in a new rear raised roof that is structural. Its BoF so it wont matter as much as it would if it were unibody, but I would want it strong enough to not compromise safety.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > JR1
05/04/2016 at 12:53

It was a prop, dude. Also, remember that Mr. Hammond spared no expense.

MonkeePuzzle > JR1
05/04/2016 at 12:54

some googling suggests most folks jsut skip doing the roof.

or a better idea!

Kinja'd!!!

PartyPooper2012 > JR1
05/04/2016 at 12:58

Most efficient and financially suitable way is to NOT DO IT.

benefits include:

1) Free time
2)Saving money
3)Unmolested Explorer

HammerheadFistpunch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2016 at 12:58

yup. Rule 1 of making a movie - It only has to LOOK right.

JR1 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2016 at 13:02

I understand that but people do these conversions in there backyard all the time and I imagine they would still want it to be drivable

JR1 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
05/04/2016 at 13:02

I get the disappointment there but at the end of the day there is already a lot of space back there anyway. And you might be write since it is body on frame the structure probably is not compromised too much.

JR1 > MonkeePuzzle
05/04/2016 at 13:03

Some people are just crazy!

JR1 > HammerheadFistpunch
05/04/2016 at 13:04

Definitely the most expensive part without a doubt I imagine a professional shop would charge more money than what you could buy a good running Explorer for.

JR1 > PartyPooper2012
05/04/2016 at 13:06

Lets be honest though if you paint an Explorer and add all the stickers it is pretty well molested at that point anyway.

Wacko > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:13

build a JP Jeep JY

all you need is a late model YJ, a light bar without lights and paint.

you can thank me later.

Kinja'd!!!

PartyPooper2012 > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:15

if you wanted to really badly, you can go to one of them chain places that re-paint your car for 300 bucks. remove all stickers and you’re golden.

if you cut a hole in the roof with a precision of a excavator, you may as well take the plates off and call 1800 kars for kids

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:17

Kinja'd!!!

The best way to do it in theory is to use real hot-formed and rolled glass, like the Fairlane Victoria Skyliner. Since you can’t, the trick would be to see if you can get close to the right profile with a single-axis bend, heat it up, and either put it through a roller brake or just as mentioned by one of these guys drape form it with black paint on the bend zone over a form outside .

HammerheadFistpunch > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:17

yup, about $700 for the sheet in the thickness and size you would need, then you need to find the means to shape it. Probably $1200 all with the cutting/welding if you do it yourself.

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/clear_…

Polycarbonate might be cheaper

http://www.eplastics.com/lexan_clear_po…

and as long as you put a UV film on either, they should last for a little while.

MonkeePuzzle > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:18

crazy awesome!

Pixel > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:20

Doing it yourself, the best way is to make a plywood buck, cover it in flannel and drape-form a sheet of acrylic using a lot of heaters.

The flat out best way is to find a boat shop that does custom plexi windshields and talk to them.

JR1 > Wacko
05/04/2016 at 13:28

I like that idea too but the Explorer is cheaper and I think the paint job is so much cooler too

JR1 > PartyPooper2012
05/04/2016 at 13:30

There are chain places that paint your car for $300? Damn that is cheap although I think for the fun of it I would want to do it myself.

And this car would totally be for kids and the kid inside me. Think of how awesome this would be at a 4th of July parade!

JR1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
05/04/2016 at 13:33

The second way seems like a pretty difficult task but who knows maybe it could be done.

PartyPooper2012 > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:34

http://www.maaco.com/faqs.html

https://www.google.com/#safe=off&q=pa…

As for the kids/parade/etc... I have no comment. I don’t go to parades. I don’t want kids... and 4th of july is spend doing most american thing ever... BBQing with friends and family

JR1 > HammerheadFistpunch
05/04/2016 at 13:37

That would be the thing I would not have a clue how to place the glass on the roof even if I was able to get the right shape. The weather stripping and screws the can on youtube used made me cringe.

JR1 > Pixel
05/04/2016 at 13:38

The second idea is a really good idea actually. I imagine it would not be a cheap proposition but damn it would look cool when it was finished

JR1 > PartyPooper2012
05/04/2016 at 13:40

Not saying I would put it in a parade but having a car like this would just be a fun way to brighten up peoples day as you yourself drive it down the road and enjoy the labor of your hard work.

And that paint is cheaper than I thought it would be

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:40

They should spare no expense then.

PartyPooper2012 > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:41

of course the quality shows... i wouldn’t paint a brick there... but some do

JR1 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2016 at 13:47

I'd spare much expense

Wacko > JR1
05/04/2016 at 13:51

cheaper before the mods, jeep cheaper after the mods.

JR1 > Wacko
05/04/2016 at 13:53

Eh depends how cheap of a Jeep you get. The Explorer above is proof you can do it for $1800 if you make it really bad