Gumby

Hardtop to Targa builds?

Without using T-tops
No fiberglass or plexy build units.

Making the stock steel roof section come in and out as is?

Been done???

Got pics?

duckmanquacker

Did a targa on my nissan pick-up in high school. it came out ok but very flimsy, also leaked bad. I swore the next one I did I would use the windshield top from a covertable and super brace the rear. sorry I never took any pics for reference now.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I've seen a bunch of aftermarket kits on mini-trucks & VW Bugs, but never on any sports car much less a 3rd gen.

I know there are factory built targa tops, but I also know that is not what your looking for here.

Gumby

In my mind I see tube bracing run along the roof in a big square like a cage but the roof section could be removed, but always goes back to the same spot, using a piece of tube inside the tube that could slide back or forward to pin the roof section back where it was.

Put in all the tubing first, weld to the roof n for n aft a-pilars then cut the roof, so everything has to line up and is strong with or without the roof section in place.

Then use some type of simple T seal that stays on the removable section, when set back in, it covers the crack.


not drawn to scale, you get the idea.

87bluebird

make sure you stiffen the frame. otherwise the car will fold on you.

if i was going to do this i would first brace the frame then i would get a t top roof and use the edges around the t tops to seal it as well as use part of the t top frames to brace the removable piece and use the t top latches to remove it.

Gumby

You havn't read my sig I take it.

And no, I wont using T tops if I do it, thats cheating and more work far as I see it. Check out those roof swap thread, no way man.

Id keep it a hard top first.

87bluebird

i wasn't saying convert to t-tops. i was saying use parts of a t top roof to make your swap easier.

Gumby

It wouldn't, find the t-top roof swap threads and see what all involved, much much more work to my eyes, not gonna happen.

Gumby

Now back to it

Stock steel hardtop to targa using the stock steel hard top roof section as the removable piece.

[But NOT done with T-Tops]

87bluebird

well then you could try cutting out the section you want. then weld a piece of square steel along the edges of the roof and some rite angle steel along the removable piece. add some weather stripping and some kind of latch.

FueledSoul

iTrader: (18)

It would be pretty simple to do, but your going to need to reinforce the chassis (sub frames and cage) at a minimal. You need to reference off a t-top car and pretend the bar isn't in the middle and both glass tops are one peace doing so will help you come up with a plan and foundation, so basing your build off a t-top car would be simple. Once you pull your head liner you will see a bar running down the center of the roof of your hard top that bar is also found on cars with t-tops. that bar is important to the over all structural integrity of the car.


Might as well....

duckmanquacker

Yeah talk about butchery. I did that method on my nissan pick-up and it was very flimsy. I like the round tubing Idea much better, In theory it should reduce the twistability that is left with using angle iron and give you a smoother edge. Them corners hurt dontcha know.
refferenced to post #10

hardon85

One question I've had for a long time is (and I know it doesn't really pertain to this thread but it could sort of I suppose) I hear of people replacing their t bar all the time but when they do this doesn't the car flex then? If not couldn't you take the t bar out and drive it that way? I read the thread on how to t-top a hard top and saw they welded in bracing while they cut the roof off wouldn't you need to do the same for replacing a t-top? Now for your question I know you want to use a hard top but t-top cars have extra bracing built into them so maybe that would be a better option structurally. Anyway I guess that was more than 1 question but I've always been curious.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

A converted t-top car or targa top car would be no different than a convertible, chassis strength-wise. Lose the roof structure = add floor structure. SFCs should be sufficient added structure & not require adding a cage of any kind. The factory added simple sheetmetal "SFCs" so putting on real steel SFCs (Spohn/UMI/Alston/etc.) would be even stronger so should be more than enough to strengthen a targa top cars chassis.