Brainstorming: 3rd gen w/ removable top
#1
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Brainstorming: 3rd gen w/ removable top
So I had a large post but when i tried to post i got an error and it all went bye bye.
In a nut shell i love the 1st gen 4runner look, i have 3 in my day. (1 crashed, 2 stolen)
My goal is to end up with a 3rd gen 4Runner with a top that can be on or off.
The liftgate is the tricky part. I figure cut the hatch in half with the top welded to the removable lid. The issue comes up when trying to turn the remaining gate parts into a tailgate with a window that goes up and down. (similar to the 1st or 2nd gen tailgates.
I have called almost all shops in sac to see if they can be creative and they all wont even touch the idea. Looking for any information you folks can share: concerns, ideas, places to get help. i dont have any fabrication experience.
I want to retain the stock look of the 4runner as best i can. keep that in mind when submitting ideas.
I dont want to have anyone tell me this can't be done. Bring a problem, bring a solution.
let the brainstorming begin!
In a nut shell i love the 1st gen 4runner look, i have 3 in my day. (1 crashed, 2 stolen)
My goal is to end up with a 3rd gen 4Runner with a top that can be on or off.
The liftgate is the tricky part. I figure cut the hatch in half with the top welded to the removable lid. The issue comes up when trying to turn the remaining gate parts into a tailgate with a window that goes up and down. (similar to the 1st or 2nd gen tailgates.
I have called almost all shops in sac to see if they can be creative and they all wont even touch the idea. Looking for any information you folks can share: concerns, ideas, places to get help. i dont have any fabrication experience.
I want to retain the stock look of the 4runner as best i can. keep that in mind when submitting ideas.
I dont want to have anyone tell me this can't be done. Bring a problem, bring a solution.
let the brainstorming begin!
#3
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Sorry to hear about your problem posting...
I'm not surprised the body shops won't touch it... it's a pretty big and involved job...
there are a few members who have bobbed their tops completely and one (if I remember) who converted a 2gen to a canvas back....
The roof is structural to the body so removing it completely would weaken it somewhat...
the tailgate would have to be converted to a 1gen type lower half the upper half could remain attached to the top but would have to be remade out of fibreglass most likely to allow for the custom fitting that would be needed. the rear doors would have to be welded shut probably since you would have to loose the upper half of the doors...
it would be very tight but you might be able to install the seat tracks off an xtra cab pick up to allow for rear seat access...
the top itself would be a total custom job... you might be able to use the existing top as a starting point to make a fibreglass mold...
as I said it would be a huge project... you might try to get in touch with a custom coach builder (limo mfg.)
I'm not surprised the body shops won't touch it... it's a pretty big and involved job...
there are a few members who have bobbed their tops completely and one (if I remember) who converted a 2gen to a canvas back....
The roof is structural to the body so removing it completely would weaken it somewhat...
the tailgate would have to be converted to a 1gen type lower half the upper half could remain attached to the top but would have to be remade out of fibreglass most likely to allow for the custom fitting that would be needed. the rear doors would have to be welded shut probably since you would have to loose the upper half of the doors...
it would be very tight but you might be able to install the seat tracks off an xtra cab pick up to allow for rear seat access...
the top itself would be a total custom job... you might be able to use the existing top as a starting point to make a fibreglass mold...
as I said it would be a huge project... you might try to get in touch with a custom coach builder (limo mfg.)
#4
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Would be cool. And definatly do-able.
Just one concern. Dont be like many other people out there and get in over your head. Start small, learn to do body work, weld, paint, all that fun stuff. Unless you want to pay out the ass for a shop to do it. Which personally i would never do, because then its not something you created.
Just one concern. Dont be like many other people out there and get in over your head. Start small, learn to do body work, weld, paint, all that fun stuff. Unless you want to pay out the ass for a shop to do it. Which personally i would never do, because then its not something you created.
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i have a feeling this is going to take forever.
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As sweet as it would be, i am not so ambisious that it will be removed all the way to the front seats. Only the cargo area will have the removable section. this way i can still have and operate my sunroof. with the majority of the roof still intact the overall strength should still remain. Then again i am not an engineer.
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Yes, i would like to keep the sun roof operational. I want to also keep all the doors working so welding the back doors shut is out of the question.
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weird thread bump^^ but good thread. i plan on doing this in the spring.
this is mossyrocks build. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557102
this is mossyrocks build. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557102
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