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4 door topless \ convertible

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Offline Soupy

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4 door topless \ convertible
« on: July 14, 2010, 04:22:21 PM »
I so I finally landed my mits on a zuki. Drove 4 hours thinking I was getting a 2 door. I show up and its a 4 door.  The deal was sweet enough I took it. I traded a 94 nissan sentra 2 door (running), for a 1995 'kick, 4 door JLX 4wd, not running - some sort of electrical  fuse blowing problem.  Seller already through an ignition switch, fuel pump, 20-30 fuses at the problem and just flat out gave up. While I set out to resolve the short issue, I'm looking to find every picture of a 4 door that has had the top cut or made into a convertible. I'm not finding much. mayb I'm breaking new ground, but I REALLY want togo topless. I'm thinking a 2 door donor and a plasma cutter will go a long way. Cut out the roof section, weld into 4 door, making surnot to molest any of the mating surfaces on the door, and then solve the diff door length issue and figure out a way to secure top. - Massive velcro and bungy straps or 1" tie down straps sewn into top? to start. Will build roll cage etc. I just want to see what others have done. Must be someone out there with an itchy trigger finger and a sawsall. If you haveany pics, Can you post em up? Ortell me where they are? Thanks

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Offline jawman

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2010, 09:43:43 PM »
where are you located? I might have a 2 door kick for you to chop up. I have only seen one 4 door with a chopped roof. it was a white one, but cant seem to find where I saw it.
Zuki addict. I have five zuks right now and not even thinking about stopping.
87 Sami tin top
91 4 door SOLD
93 4 door
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95 Geo 2dr V6
keep them coming

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Offline Soupy

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2010, 10:43:17 PM »
tualatin OR -

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Offline grats

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2010, 06:20:38 AM »
Probably the reason you don't see 4 door convertables is once you cut the top off
you jepordize the integrity of the frame (ie. weaken it), unless you stengthen the
frame with additional support.
1982 SJ410
1997 Tracker
2008 SX4

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Offline Soupy

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2010, 07:36:22 AM »
I intend on adding a rollbar after removing sheet metal /top

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Offline mike5721947

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2010, 07:42:07 PM »
id say cut it and weld in 2 front sections of soft top frame. then either get 2 front sections of hardtop or a custom softtop and run it like the 4door jeeps.
1990 Suzuki sidekick 2Dr Conv.
385,000 km and still going strong.
31" kumhos 3inchs of lift.

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Offline Soupy

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2010, 05:53:07 PM »
I'm thinking of starting with a 2 door convertible top section, then I can use the canvas as a basic start. In a previous life I had a ford ranger that a did a hard tiop conversion. Brand name was Raticle. SO I've taken a sawsall to my draily driver once before and aint skeerd to do it again.  Just was hoping for puictures of what the brave soals  did before me. But then again, maybe not everyone is willing to chop up thier zuki's. Ehh, I'll try to take some pictures if I get the right parts assembled. Maybe I'll start a whole new tren din th zuki world... or maybe not :)

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Offline TopHeavy96

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2010, 09:21:07 PM »
Don't worry, you're not the only one, I thought of doing this for a while, and came up with a few different ways.  It could possibly be done by cutting the roof between the doors but keeping the doors and door pillars intact, down behind the rear doors, then from front to rear under the quarter windows.  Relocate the top tailgate hinge and use a softtop tailgate.  I'd probably use a modified factory canvas top, extended in the front to reach the windshield, and shortened in the back to match the 4-door quarters.
96' Tracker 4-door, 16v, auto, open front, limited slip rear, Jeff1997's 2" lift with diff spacer, 95' mustang shocks, Calmini axle truss, BFG 30x9.5 mud-terrains on 15x8 "D"-windows, trimmed and banged fenders and bumpers, radio shack CB, Tom Tom GPS, 100w KC lights
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Offline keith

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #8 on: July 19, 2010, 12:41:06 PM »
I may times thought about taking the flip section from a 2 door and grafting it onto a 4 door.  If I knew how to cut and weld I'd have tried it.  Instead I ended up buying a 2 door Wrangler Unlimited. 

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Offline ebewley

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2010, 07:29:41 AM »
Another idea is to trade the 4-door for a 2-door like you originally wanted.

-Eric
Eric L. Bewley                               
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Offline bentparts

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2010, 11:42:52 AM »
Nah, that would be too easy :laugh:
The usual stuff, and 2nd generation Air to liquid intercooled TURBOCHARGER

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Offline ebewley

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2010, 01:49:12 PM »
Eric L. Bewley                               
Editor, ZUKIWORLD Online                   

Suzuki 4x4 Owners Association - Please Join  The ZUKIWORLD ORDER Today!
About ZUKIWORLD Online: We are an enthusiast web site dedicated to the promotion of the Suzuki Automobile as the best and most capable vehicle on the planet. We offer product reviews, Tech tips, DIY, Travel and Adventure, Forum, Technical information, Life Style, and so much more!

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Offline Soupy

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2010, 10:02:32 PM »
I have the thought of trading for a 2 door, but my wife has fallen in love with the idea of a 4 door for more room to bring the dog with on our grand voyages. and really, what is the fun in a trade, where are are the busted knukles, cut fingers and wondering if the damn thing will ever see the light of day again in a simple trade.

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2010, 05:46:15 AM »
Interesting idea, I'm not sure how easy it would be to graft on the top section of a 2-dr, the metalwork around the front is quite different on a 4-dr but the windscreen is the same so you could make it work.
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1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

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Offline Zukipilot

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Re: 4 door topless \ convertible
« Reply #14 on: July 27, 2010, 08:06:37 AM »
The old Scouts use to have an oversized bikini top that snapped across the window frame (if I remember correctly). Not the best for water tight, but worked... maybe you could take a Kick Bikini top and have an upholstery shop extend it to the length of the 4 door and have it supported by your roll bar....

Zig
Zukipilot
'92 Liberty Overland Sidekick