Door Windows, my convertable project ;)
Door Windows, my convertable project ;)
'97 1500 ExtCab
Still planning on cutting off the roof in spring and haven't decided on the strategy yet. I really would like to have the typical convertible result of having the windshield upright without the door window frames sticking up. I can leave the part of the window frame that follows the line of the windshield and cut the window frame at the top of that line and at the back near the door lock -- I'd like that option the most but I have no idea what is going to happen to the stability of the window itself. If I can't get any information about this, I suppose the best thing to do would be to go to a wrecking yard and find a damaged door and cut it up. Please only reply if you think your info is solid.
Still planning on cutting off the roof in spring and haven't decided on the strategy yet. I really would like to have the typical convertible result of having the windshield upright without the door window frames sticking up. I can leave the part of the window frame that follows the line of the windshield and cut the window frame at the top of that line and at the back near the door lock -- I'd like that option the most but I have no idea what is going to happen to the stability of the window itself. If I can't get any information about this, I suppose the best thing to do would be to go to a wrecking yard and find a damaged door and cut it up. Please only reply if you think your info is solid.
Grand Champion
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,435
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Are you planning on putting a convertible frame and top on it? If so what are you going to use? Or just remove the roof and leave it like that. Ever consider a removable hard top like the traildusters/ramchargers had?
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
The frame supports the window. Leaving the front portion of the frame *might* give it enough support, however, real possibility the frame also locates the window front to back, so, without the frame, the window could slide backwards on the regulator, and disengage from the front portion. I suspect a broken window would be the end result there. (and very quickly at any kind of speed.....)
Also, if you can get away with removing two-thirds of the frame, you will have to modify how the window seals to the top, when it is installed. You can't just weld the 'removable' part of the frame to the top, unless you want to roll your window all the way down, every time you want to open the door.
I think leaving the frame is going to be pretty much a requirement.....
Also, if you can get away with removing two-thirds of the frame, you will have to modify how the window seals to the top, when it is installed. You can't just weld the 'removable' part of the frame to the top, unless you want to roll your window all the way down, every time you want to open the door.
I think leaving the frame is going to be pretty much a requirement.....
Opening the doors/window up is a complication for sure.
Two ideas. A fiberglass hard top like on the old Blazers or a canvas top. I've done a little bit of canvas work in the past making a number of replacement poptop tents for VW busses and two convertible tops for a Triumph Spitfire. I might be able to do it but fabricating a locking forward header is something that I haven't been able to get my head around. The hardtop could be done by making a mold using the existing roof. I may be able to address the opening and closing of the door by cutting off the outer leg of the u-channel -- 50:50 chance you'll understand -- incorporate the 2/3rd of the removed window frame into the hardtop. I think I need to go to the wrecking yard and buy a rusty door.
The biggest problem here is that if I can do this, it'll be stupid badass funky as hell -- lowered 2 in the front and 3 in the back, camo paint with shark mouth and a padded faux roll bar made from PVC -- rigid fiberglass bed cover that transforms into a popup tent. I only paid one dollar for this 22 year-old truck that runs great and has no rust. I don't see a problem making it cosmetically decent as an open top convertible. The fiberglass finishing work is well within my abilities. I could go straight into this as a sunny day only happy truck. The real prize would be if I could actually make this as a practical vehicle. When I was a teenager, my friends and I turned a '70s Caprice Classic stationwagon into a convertible and destroyed a fair amount of woodland with it. Yes I am ashamed of my stupid behavior and I'm a tree hugger now but I got the fever for a convertible pickup truck.
Two ideas. A fiberglass hard top like on the old Blazers or a canvas top. I've done a little bit of canvas work in the past making a number of replacement poptop tents for VW busses and two convertible tops for a Triumph Spitfire. I might be able to do it but fabricating a locking forward header is something that I haven't been able to get my head around. The hardtop could be done by making a mold using the existing roof. I may be able to address the opening and closing of the door by cutting off the outer leg of the u-channel -- 50:50 chance you'll understand -- incorporate the 2/3rd of the removed window frame into the hardtop. I think I need to go to the wrecking yard and buy a rusty door.
The biggest problem here is that if I can do this, it'll be stupid badass funky as hell -- lowered 2 in the front and 3 in the back, camo paint with shark mouth and a padded faux roll bar made from PVC -- rigid fiberglass bed cover that transforms into a popup tent. I only paid one dollar for this 22 year-old truck that runs great and has no rust. I don't see a problem making it cosmetically decent as an open top convertible. The fiberglass finishing work is well within my abilities. I could go straight into this as a sunny day only happy truck. The real prize would be if I could actually make this as a practical vehicle. When I was a teenager, my friends and I turned a '70s Caprice Classic stationwagon into a convertible and destroyed a fair amount of woodland with it. Yes I am ashamed of my stupid behavior and I'm a tree hugger now but I got the fever for a convertible pickup truck.
