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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: suzi1 on May 19, 2009, 01:31:53 PM

Title: cutting roof off
Post by: suzi1 on May 19, 2009, 01:31:53 PM
Hi there,
I have picked up a cheap 93 4 door Sidekick and want to cut the roof off as well as the back window. Basically a convertible conversion with no need for a top, but I want to keep the 4 doors and windows intact. Anyone have any experience with this?
Ive been warned by a body guy that the frame on the 4 door is not 1 piece so if I cut the roof the body will buckle very slightly and the doors will jam.
I am using this rig strictly for running on the sand and washboard so dont want the roof.
Any advice?
Sawzall at the ready.

S1
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: scottprice on May 19, 2009, 01:42:45 PM
I personally haven't had an easy time finding a 4 door and you want to cut it up, tell ya what, sell yours to me and I have a few 2 doors you can play with ; )
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: Drone637 on May 19, 2009, 02:12:32 PM
Are you planning on putting a cage in as well?
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: suzi1 on May 19, 2009, 05:29:29 PM
Yes, of course.
one hoop around the windshield, one behind the driver and one behind the backseat.

S1
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: Digger on May 19, 2009, 05:53:12 PM
4 doors definatley have a solid one piece frame just like the 2 doors. As long as the body is solid enough and not too rotted away, you should be fine cutting the roof off and still have the doors work...
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: biker on May 19, 2009, 08:56:07 PM
I believe that you will want to put a brace between the door posts behind the front seats to support the rear door hinges better. Other than that Lets see some pics
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: Drone637 on May 20, 2009, 08:41:21 AM
And if you add some body supports that tie into your roll cage you should be set.  :)
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: suzi1 on September 22, 2009, 01:42:06 PM
took awhile but its finally done to what I would consider fine "hackmanship".
Total cost was $500 for cutting the top, welding the rolls bars, welding in new rocker panels, bondo here and there, and the full paint job. This thing will run on sand 80% of the time so bigger tires and it will be set.
(http://)
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: Drone637 on September 22, 2009, 02:33:42 PM
That is pretty cool.  :)

Have you looked at chopping the front doors to match the rears, or do you want to allow the window to roll up.
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: keith on September 22, 2009, 03:55:28 PM
Very cool.  Nice job.   I've always had a dream to graft the sunroof flip from a 2 door onto a 4 door.  But since I can't weld it's not going to happen anytime soon.
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: sir lance on September 22, 2009, 07:21:01 PM
if you welded the rear doors shut, and smoothed out the door handle's, it could pass as a LWB sidekick, cool

Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: olija on September 22, 2009, 08:11:10 PM
I always wanted to do exactly that with my old Sidekick, but since it rains 9 month out of the year here I figured it was more work than it was worth. Looks good, but it will look really good with some bigger tires and some black wheels
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: beercheck on September 22, 2009, 08:45:42 PM
Huh.  I really like that.
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: GSPKurt on September 25, 2009, 08:18:32 AM
Nice work.
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: john1974 on September 25, 2009, 09:28:19 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: mike5721947 on September 25, 2009, 04:02:19 PM
now just build a soft top for it... just so the rest of us can drool...
Title: Re: cutting roof off
Post by: Rhinoman on September 26, 2009, 04:51:19 AM
I like that  ;D