my friend wont listen

[locked and loaded hemi]

is it true you cant changhe a vinyl or hardtop car into a convertable i told hinm you can because the subframe is different but he a stupid chevy fan and wont listen the answer hopefully show him either im right or he is

[MyMopar]

Well you can do almost anything.  Someone here on the board was looking into making a hardtop into a convertible.  So yes it can be done.  A lot of modifications need to be made if you are to do it right and in the end, finding all the parts required, doing all the labor and everything else involved, it would be cheaper to just buy a convertible (just about).

[Troy]

I'm assuming you are referring to a Mopar E-body. You can if you have the time, money, energy, knowledge, and skill. The unibody is the same but there are some stiffening pieces added to convertibles. If you hack off the roof without adding these first then the car will likely bend in half. There's also a bunch of supports near/around the rear wheelhouses to hold the top assembly. Your best bet is to have a parts book, factory service manual, and a whole bunch of reference pics before diving in. There's obviously a lot more to it than I wrote but it is possible.

Troy

[Alaskan_TA]

Maybe have him practice on a Camaro or Chevelle first? 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

There is a company out there doing it, but be willing to shell out 10K+.   


  Mike

[ShelbyDogg]

Under the door sills, there was a thick 1/4" steel plate that followed the sill's outside shape and ran front to back. A piece could be made to replicate it along with subframe connectors and torque boxes. That would strenghten the sides before cutting the top.

Like Mike said, there was a company out there selling all of the conversion parts but I have never found any info about them. (if they are still in business)

[EvilTwinATX]

anyone remember the name of the company? I have never heard of this before.

[Topcat]

yeah one of them was the guy that owned the 72 Hemi cuda Burpin was talkin about.

(sorry, I just had to go there) 

[360 'CUDA]

 

[Challenger6pak]

Both of these cars started life as hardtops. 

http://convertible-conversions.com/

[gomopar440]

Doesn't sound like they'll do cars for anyone else but themselves according to their site.

"WE HAVE HAD MANY CALLS AND E-MAILS FROM PEOPLE WANTING US TO CONVERT THEIR HARDTOPS TO CONVERTIBLES.  WE DO NOT PROVIDE THIS SERVICE.  AFTER WE GET A CAR DONE, IT IS THEN OFFERED FOR SALE."

They do offer a few repop/reconditioned convertable specific parts over there though.

[Troy]

I heard about them at Carlisle. They work at their own pace and sell the cars when finished (as opposed to having impatient clients breathing down their necks all day long). If you want one you just have to wait until they're done. Makes sense to me.

Troy

[AARudy]

please do not hack up another poor Mopar....KEEP IT ORIGINAL!!!

[AARGeister]

I heard about them at Carlisle. They work at their own pace and sell the cars when finished (as opposed to having impatient clients breathing down their necks all day long).

This is the way to do business.  Providing a product is ALWAYS easier than providing a service.