Anyone know what gauge steel is used for the xB body (roof). I am thinking about doing my ragtop DIY. Before I do this I want to practice cutting the same gauge steel with an air nibbler. I knew getting an air compressor was dangerous! Now I'm liable to try all sorts of stupid ____ on my car! :shock:

I think it would look absolutely hideous as a rag top....dont ruin this car

I think a sliding ragtop would look great. Just my opinion! We have a company here in annapolis that does them for $1200 retail.

A Pepsi can oughta be about the same strength... I'm Joking, I'm Joking :lol: :lol: :lol:

From my understanding, there's a rather substantial support beam that shouldn't be hacked and gets in the way of a larger opening such as a ragtop. I think someone said there was one down in So-Cal tho...

Anythings possible, but man that is one you can't really walk away from if you start and can't order a factory roof if you f$%^ it up... Good Luck...

SPFR Jon has a sliding ragtop on his Cherry red xB, he was the first to do it, as well as dual sunroofs on his blue xB - looks really sweet!

- Brian

i've seen an xB with a powered rag-top...it looked pretty good. The rag top retracts on its own with one touch button... it's pretty dope with the whole top open..cuz it goes almost back to the trunk area. i think the guy said he spent $1,800 on it. I liked it cuz it's powered...not one of those manual ones.

I think it would look absolutely hideous as a rag top....dont ruin this car

Bro, I think this car is begging for a rag top. I guess it depends on the overall look you are going for. I have 15" ATS Cup with white lettering on mine. A rag top definitely keeps with the old school Euro theme that I have in mind.

From my understanding, there's a rather substantial support beam that shouldn't be hacked and gets in the way of a larger opening such as a rag top

It's true that there is that "support" rib that is right above the front seats. However, I've talked to two sunroof guys and both of them said that its there as a way of reducing sag and vibration in the roof and NOT as a means of supporting the frame of the car.


you can't really walk away from if you start and can't order a factory roof if you f$%^ it up...

Can't argue with that. Thats why I'm looking to practice on some cheap sheet metal. I may even go to a junk yard and bring home a hood or door panel to practice on. I've spent some time researching this on DIY web sites and the only really hard thing seems to be cutting the hole evenly. I may rent a nibbler and find that I'm out of my mind for even thinking about this, but this type of ____ is really fun for me so I'm hoping to give it a go.

it's pretty dope with the whole top open..cuz it goes almost back to the trunk area. i think the guy said he spent $1,800 on it. I liked it cuz it's powered...not one of those manual ones.


I'm gonna rock a 40" x 70" that goes almost all the way back. Do you know what brand his is? I'd love to get a powered one that big. I'm assuming $1,800 included installation?

make it into a camper, or better yet... a double decker, paint it red, get a british driver or just someone with bad teeth. chicks will want you for this, trust me.

You kid about the camper, but the thought has crossed my mind. Having some sort of tent attachment that hooks up to the xB open hatchback would be dope.

You kid about the camper, but the thought has crossed my mind. Having some sort of tent attachment that hooks up to the xB open hatchback would be dope.

Like this:
http://schaeferauto.net/images/jeep_tent.jpg

or this?

http://www.loftyshelters.com/Gallery%20Folder/Gallery%20Images/Jeep/Jeep-tent-awning.jpg

YUP!!! Gotta love the two story one.