Body Mod question

[rockrat]

I know some of you will explode at this;but, would someone on here give me some pointers on "dovetailing" my chief. I'm looking at having a better departure angle as well as the tires having clearence. I'll be running rockwells and 44's, axles stretched as far out as I can get them, trying to keep a low COG. The roof will be cut and moved forward with 2 tailgates. Granted the back one will have to modded, toolbox and shorter.
The crew I run with bobbed and tubed their rigs (mostly rangers and broncos), and I'm the only one running a FSJ. We run tight and twisty trails, bogs and rocks, that's why I'm building this way.

[orangecherokee]

Thanks for the update.

edit: I read it as someone had already told you. excuse me. I've looked into this but I never went through with it. is your rig 4 door? if it is I suggest the break be there behind the door. I think it would look best that way. essentially you are cutting large triangles out. I haven't done it so I can't give you anymore info. I would however search pirate for info. Some people have done it in the past and it comes out looking like crap. I'd take my time, measure twice, cut once. You might also do some research of your own with a piece of large poster board so you can scale it out and make your first cut the best.

[jaredfreeman]

id say break out the sawzall and make sure you take lots of pics never seen it done but would like to. id say have at it and have some fun doing it remember =

[Blue & Gray]

I bookmarked this some time ago. Gives a pretty good idea of the deal.

http://bb.tennesseeoffroad.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=38;t=000110

I hope to see pics of how yours comes out, sounds like a sweet build.

[rockrat]

Thanks for the update.

edit: I read it as someone had already told you. excuse me. I've looked into this but I never went through with it. is your rig 4 door? if it is I suggest the break be there behind the door. I think it would look best that way. essentially you are cutting large triangles out. I haven't done it so I can't give you anymore info. I would however search pirate for info. Some people have done it in the past and it comes out looking like crap. I'd take my time, measure twice, cut once. You might also do some research of your own with a piece of large poster board so you can scale it out and make your first cut the best.

it's the 2 door version. The rear seat is coming out with racing seats going in, so the break will be just inside the front of the wheelwell. I know I'll have to weld some plates to the inside bulkheads to strengthen the body. The floor will be the tricky area. I hope to keep the body lines somewhat proportional.

[rockrat]

id say break out the sawzall and make sure you take lots of pics never seen it done but would like to. id say have at it and have some fun doing it remember =

I'll be taking my time, cause I don't want a full on truggy just yet.

[rockrat]

I bookmarked this some time ago. Gives a pretty good idea of the deal.

http://bb.tennesseeoffroad.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=38;t=000110

I hope to see pics of how yours comes out, sounds like a sweet build.

Once I get started, I'll be keeping a photo journal and a thread as go along. I like to different; besides, why shouldn't the FSJ get represnted in the "Dovetailed" look?

[4x4fEvEr]

I don't know about a huge dovetail, but I removed my taillights and pushed mine in quite a bit that way, it looks like rough because my quarters have already been beat to :o:o:o:o on the rocks. Good luck