16 replies to this topic

[Bill D.]

The older I get, the less I like intense summer sun. Today, I put together the frame for a top using 1.5" ABS plastic water pipe. Still need some diagonal bracing on the back to stop sway and figure out something for a top and I should be good to go. Pics of mounting pipe to the quad coming up.  Recon_top1.jpg   102.06K   22 downloadsFront mount uses self tapping screws straight to the steel rack and two screw through the clamp into the plastic to keep it from slipping. The front pipe is slightly off center as to not obstruct my dominate left eye. Makes for a great rifle rest when shooting straight ahead especially with my elbow on the gun rack for rear support.Rear mount to the 2 x 12......this is the weakest part of the setup due to left/right sway. I will probably make some diagonal braces out of heavy steel strap. Don't know what material I'll use for a top yet.

[ShooterJohn]

Hey Bill that's a good idea. Nothing worse than the sun beating down on you. If you deside the plastic isn't durable enough let me know and I can help you put one together out of steel tubing. Then you could climb up on top and shoot!

[Cranky Farmer]

Pretty slick. I hope it holds up for you.

[Soreloser]

Pretty slick. I hope it holds up for you.

Can it double as a shooting stand if you stand up on the seat also?? Great Idea.

[Bozsik]

Hey Bill, You can use it as a roll cage also.........once. db

[Bill D.]

Hey Bill that's a good idea. Nothing worse than the sun beating down on you. If you deside the plastic isn't durable enough let me know and I can help you put one together out of steel tubing. Then you could climb up on top and shoot!

John - I thought about a steel frame but the center of gravity is bad enough on a quad so I wanted to keep the weight down. Probably going to go with a sun resistant vinyl top that snaps on.....got a friend in the upholestry business that I bet can help me out. I am also entertaining the idea of a small lexan windshield that can go on the center post quick with a couple thumb nuts........it would have to fit somewhere out of the way when not in use. Hate the dang gnats in my eyes, mouth, and nose when coming in after dark. I could probably mount it to the top of the gear box for storage.

[MojaveJ]

Just curious as to why you didn't just buy an enclosure from cabelas?

[bzzrd feedr]

Bill Lookin good Don't show or leave that quad with Henson or you'll he will have it ghillied up and you'll never find it again. Looks like you're getting her dialed in. Have I ever showed you my CJ? dale

[Bill D.]

Just curious as to why you didn't just buy an enclosure from cabelas?

I looked at the enclosures but I wanted something wide open so I could easily and quickly shoot in almost any direction. Also, they want way too much money for enclosures.......so far I only have $37 in this setup.

Bill Lookin good Don't show or leave that quad with Henson or you'll he will have it ghillied up and you'll never find it again. Looks like you're getting her dialed in. Have I ever showed you my CJ? dale

I wonder if Ray would be inclined to make a top for me if I let him shoot a squirrel off my Recon....haha!Nope, never have seen your CJ.......can you post a pic?

[Steve C]

Bill D.,Great set up - i'd never thought of using ABS for that. Great idea.I have a yamaha kodiak i'm looking to make some changes/additions too. Where is the best/cheapest place on the web now? i haven't looked for anything for sevearl years. I want to ad a extra gas container to the back rack, have a winch, not sure what else i might add...steve

[ShooterJohn]

Nope, never have seen your CJ.......can you post a pic?

Here's a picture of Dale's SAV (squirrel assault vehicle) with the top on.Here's one with the top down. He likes the top up to keep from getting sunburned.

[Bill D.]

Thanks for posting the pics, John.......looks like Dale has about the perfect setup! I added some heavy bracing to the back corners today.....big improvement!

[ShooterJohn]

That bracing would make a BIG difference. Looking good there Bill.

[Gunner]

Looks like a rodent patrol in Ft. Bidwell. Bill, I would top your cage with something solid to help stiffen the entire assembly.

[Shoot-it]

That is not going too stay on bill only if you plan on staying in first gear. once you get going with a little side wind whop down it will go. If you look in cabelas i think they make a close cab for quads .

[bzzrd feedr]

Gunner you pegged one locale but you'll never guess the other. Bill D. You may want something solid like previously mentioned. One idea would be the little fiberglass tops off of a golf cart. What I've found with the CJ's top is that alotof times you need shade from the sides. I usually have a couple old beach towels that I lay up top and let some of it hang down. On a solid top though you could hinge something that could swing down or could swing up and just lay on top. don't know if I've explained it well enough.