atx955

OK,

I live in a warm climate and miss my CJ7 with doors/top off, etc, etc.....(so does my better half actually). I'm looking at my rig that has close to 200k on it and starting to wonder what it would look like with tube doors (or surgically modified original doors to remove glass and cut the metal down by close to half height...and a canvas top in place of the dreaded panoramic sunroof. etc, etc.....

I've built a race car from unibody up, and so the work doesn't scare me off, but basically chopping up the Cayenne.....should I do it?!!!!!

alex532

Do it! Document the process for me.

hatchetf15

Check out what some of the other folks on the forum have done. “Otis” is a cool build and I’m sure there are some scintillating ideas out there for safari/adventure builds that would warm a rock crawler’s heart.

RSbob

I’d love to see it. Go your own road.

Shawn Stanford

It's going to look weird...

phatz

It would look like this

atx955

Potentially! I have drawn it out with the top chopped off and replaced by cage.

It actually looks less awkward in that mode as opposed to leaving it on and doing the canvas sun roof and door surgery. Although if i cut the top off I probably would lower the door height by about 6 inches.

Also I have a 350HP race car motor and that Thing..*maybe* 150

Pillow

Are you a Gambler 500 enthusiast.... Go for it!

atx955

Other thoughts....

• The curb weight for the PIG is 5k lbs. But I have a Titanium, so alu hood, lightweight body panels. I can't find the specifics on the weight reduction for those enhancements, so let's just say it chops 200 lbs off the weight of the car. So:
  • Starting weight is 4800lbs.
  • I would have to believe I shed at ~ 1000 lbs (maybe more) losing the roof, rear lift gate, dor glass and plumbing and doing other weight reduction in the interior. So that puts us at 3800lbs.
  • Cage adds back around 200. So now we're back at 4000lbs.
  • P/W for standard config(stock curb weight) is .073
  • P/W with top chopped off / caged is .088 (not too bad....)

pnw_mike

Having just replaced a window I'd say the ease of removing the metal glass surround (top of the door) is certainally on your side. It's only held on with 4 bolts and the internal door panel. The entire assembly including the window pops right out after you remove the bolts!

atx955

Pretty much the **only** thing giving me reason for pause is wiring / electronics. I've thought about just moving the motor to an AEM Infiniti ECU, but geez. Really the ratio of electrical work to mechanical for this effort would be like 8:1 (or 10:1 by the time you factor total irritation and lack of proper documentation.

nodoors

One more vote for DO IT! My screen name is nodoors because I love vehicles with no doors. If I didn't already have too many doorless vehicles I would entertain a similar Cayenne build. It is my inclement weather vehicle, so it has to stay sealed and one is all I care to keep maintaining at this point in time.

I am pretty sure the following is true:
1. None of the interior ceiling wiring will trigger dash warnings (including sunroof if you have one)
2. Except for the door locks/sensors (driver's door triggers fuel pump to prime) the electronics in the door will not cause problems (power mirror, puddle light, speaker, window switches, do not trigger dash warnings)

What is your plan for the tailgate?

nodoors

Also, since you don't have the intercoolers, cutting the fenders and using wheel arch extensions for bigger tires is a lot easier. Do you have air suspension?

Petrolhead_007

I would say for simpicity and testing just remove all 4 doors, and see how you'd like it. You can keep the rear hatch as is, and you may open or close rear glass depending on how bad is the buffeting. It is easily reversible if you don't like it or end up getting another jeep or a convertible.

Btw, does the Cayenne run and drive without the doors?