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Convertible 4 door project?

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Offline keith

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Convertible 4 door project?
« on: April 25, 2010, 12:21:28 PM »
I would really like to have a 4 door Tracker/Sidekick with the flip roof section from a 2 door.  I know the 2 doors door is longer than the 4 door.  What I'm thinking is the front of the roof from a 2 door could be cut off at the windshield header back to where the targa bar is.  The side rails would be shortened by the difference in size between the 2 door and 4 door doors.  This assembly would be welded onto a similar cut off on the 4 door.  

Does this sound possible?  What issue am I missing?   Is the windshield angle the same on a 2 door as a 4 door?  Would a Sidekick Sport have the same size windshield and front door area as a regular Sidekick 4 door?



« Last Edit: April 25, 2010, 12:25:07 PM by keith »

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Offline jzap

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Re: Convertible 4 door project?
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2010, 07:43:39 PM »
QUOTE: "I know the 2 doors door is longer than the 4 door.  What I'm thinking is the front of the roof from a 2 door could be cut off at the windshield header back to where the targa bar is.  The side rails would be shortened by the difference in size between the 2 door and 4 door doors.  This assembly would be welded onto a similar cut off on the 4 door."

You may be making it harder than it needs to be.  The soft top roof opening is a recessed section that allows the door to seal on the same mating surface configuration as the 2dr hardtop.  Why not cut the roof of the 4 dr inside the door gasket mating surface, dropping in the roof section, and welding it in without disturbing the door mating surfaces.  The open area would extend slightly into the rear seat area, but you would not have to shorten the side rails or the flip top hardware.  The section added to the 4 dr would have to include the latches and seal area for the top header.     
Jim Z.
96 Tracker
66 Apache camper

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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Convertible 4 door project?
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2010, 07:49:51 PM »
The real trick will be getting the top to stay on, you could get a Bikini top, but
those are designed to wrap around the top targa bar on the 2 door.

You would need to modify or have made a top that could be attached to the top,
perhaps with some snaps on the roof section

Wild
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And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

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Offline yellow2000S/R

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Re: Convertible 4 door project?
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2010, 08:17:53 PM »
I was wondering the othre day about something "kinda" similar. I was thinking about having a 2 door body on a 4 door frame (so you have the bar up around like on the 2 door, cab forward basically). Then cut the rear off the 2 door and put the 4 door rear on enclosing behind the front seats and making it a truck bed.

Too much work for too little gain.
« Last Edit: April 25, 2010, 08:49:06 PM by yellow2000S/R »

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Offline keith

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Re: Convertible 4 door project?
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2010, 08:30:43 PM »
You may be making it harder than it needs to be.  The soft top roof opening is a recessed section that allows the door to seal on the same mating surface configuration as the 2dr hardtop.  Why not cut the roof of the 4 dr inside the door gasket mating surface, dropping in the roof section, and welding it in without disturbing the door mating surfaces.  The open area would extend slightly into the rear seat area, but you would not have to shorten the side rails or the flip top hardware.  The section added to the 4 dr would have to include the latches and seal area for the top header.     

That is an interesting suggestion.  I'll have to look closer and see if it could work.  You are right that it would be a lot easier.