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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: jml19621] #1105307
11/04/11 12:37 PM
11/04/11 12:37 PM
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Kelowna, B.C. Canada
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DPelletier Offline
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To the OP; can it be done? sure, of course it can. Is it expensive? that is subjective and it depends on how much work your dad can do himself.....farming it out would be HUGELY expensive....doing it yourself should be relatively inexpensive. How much time will it take? Lots....no question.

The biggest caution is to make sure the car is going to stay in the family because after all his hard work the car will be impossible to sell except at a give away type price.


Dave


1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: jml19621] #1105308
11/04/11 12:39 PM
11/04/11 12:39 PM
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,570
Sunny South Florida
Golden-Arm Offline
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you could change a challenger into a mustang, with a lot of work and money. the big question would be: why? buy a convert, after selling the hardtop. ultimately, it's his ride, but why do whats already been done?


"When Tyranny Becomes Law, Rebellion Becomes Duty"

Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: DPelletier] #1105309
11/05/11 04:45 AM
11/05/11 04:45 AM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,018
Missouri
MOBodyman Offline
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Quote:

Quote:

The car won't be any less safe than many of the hardtop cars that have been cut into a dozen pieces and welded back together during their restoration.
Dallas




As the owner of a metal fabrication shop, I felt the need to comment on this common misconception: Welding (done right, of course) is stronger than the base material. In addition, these cars were welded together (poorly most of the time) from dozens of pces right from the factory.

The upshot is that as long as the work was done properly, there is no reason a car that has had replacement panels welded in can't be as strong or stronger than a factory job.

Of course if someone doesn't know what they are doing, they can compromise the strength of the unibody but the most dangerous car is actually one that has significant rust.


Dave




That was exactly my point. No problems if done correctly.
Dallas


2012 Rallye Redline Challenger, 1st new car!
2010 Ram 1500 4wd HEMI-hauler
2014 Dodge Dart-gas saver
4 projects and a bunch of parts cars, losing interest since buying the Challenger lol
1969 Dodge Coronet 500-'gonna fix 'er up someday!'
Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: MOBodyman] #1105310
11/05/11 10:51 AM
11/05/11 10:51 AM
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Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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The main part of the convertible that needs to be added is what was inside the rocker panels, one very large "C" section piece of steel that is about 1/8" thick! Found that out around 30 years ago when I cut-up my first A-Body vert, broke a few sawzall blades when I got to the rockers. The guy who had the kits was Jim and he lived in Kouts, Indiana. I think he finally sold off all the associated parts and they are coming back out.


The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

A-Body's RULE!
Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: lahatte] #3032260
04/10/22 07:24 AM
04/10/22 07:24 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 519
Virginia
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larry4406 Online content
mopar
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Virginia
Originally Posted by lahatte
Oh, and I'm doing one for myself... http://www.claylahatte.com


Awakening an old post

Clay did you ever finish this?

Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: chargervert] #3032283
04/10/22 09:37 AM
04/10/22 09:37 AM
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N.E. OHIO, USA
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Originally Posted by chargervert
Who would want to do a thing like that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" />



whistling laugh2 laugh2 laugh2


20140708_212523.jpg
Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: jml19621] #3032371
04/10/22 03:51 PM
04/10/22 03:51 PM
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Posts: 1,061
Atlanta, GA
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mgoblue9798 Offline
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Atlanta, GA
It can be done, but there are numerous e body convertible only parts that are worth damn near their weight iin gold. If he has a completely rotted donor to scavenge from it might be feasible. Trying to piece the stuff together one part at a time would be nuts.

Last edited by mgoblue9798; 04/10/22 03:52 PM.
Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: mgoblue9798] #3032393
04/10/22 05:51 PM
04/10/22 05:51 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,915
new berlin wisconsin
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Mr T2U Offline
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new berlin wisconsin
Originally Posted by mgoblue9798
It can be done, but there are numerous e body convertible only parts that are worth damn near their weight iin gold. If he has a completely rotted donor to scavenge from it might be feasible. Trying to piece the stuff together one part at a time would be nuts.


with enough time and $$$ almost anything can be done.
if you have a rusty donor body the job is not that difficult. there will be a lot of careful cutting and welding involved doing this job.
i have helped do this on a 70 challenger convert about 30 years ago, doing this was actually easier than welding in new panels for rust repairs.

here are the big differences between the 2 body styles. there are probably a few more that i forgot.

obviously the windshield header panel is different than a HT.
as posted earlier there is a thick brace that runs the entire length of the rocker panel on converts. on a HT this brace is about 1 1/2' long under the rear 1/4 glass. the rear glass guide bolts to this brace.
the inner 1/4 bracing part where the top bolts on is different.
obviously the area under the rear glass is different.
also there is a brace and drip channel that runs the entire width of the body under the above panel to catch water. on rusty cars this is usually rusted out also.
and there is a patch over a cut out area on the front of the inner wheelhouse so the top can fold into the body. on HT cars there is the mating flange joint of the outer and inner wheelhouse meet.
there is also a brace between the wheelhouses on converts that is not present on HT cars. the top pump bolts in under this brace.

as posted earlier. unless you have a rusty convert donor car i wouldn't even consider attempting this job, and i am a I-Car certified autobody / frame/ painter with over 30 years experience. i have helped restore at least 100 E-Body cars over the years.

Last edited by Mr T2U; 04/10/22 05:54 PM.

perception is 90% of reality
Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: DPelletier] #3032402
04/10/22 06:22 PM
04/10/22 06:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 107
Long Island, New York
57Fury440 Offline
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The original post is eleven years old!

Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible? [Re: 57Fury440] #3032406
04/10/22 06:36 PM
04/10/22 06:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,498
N.E. OHIO, USA
A12 Offline
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Originally Posted by 57Fury440
The original post is eleven years old!


We know from this:

Quote
Awakening an old post

Clay did you ever finish this?

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