Convertible FJ! Can it be done to a 5th Gen???

[NYRunner]

Hi All,

Just saw this guy in traffic and at a light he told me it was a custom job.... but I've always thought our 5th Gens would be awesome as either a hard-top removable like the 1st Gen or even a convertible like this...

To Gary (Harper), Engineer1 and anyone else who's taken theirs almost all the way apart LOL or has knowledge to share, what would it take to do this to ours?!?

 

[characterzero]

need negated

having owned a Bronco and kept the top off for extended periods, I love a convertible SUV.

That being said, the 5 windows down and sunroof open totally meets my need for some air - and makes me happy I didn't opt to suffer with the ride of a Jeep!

 

[Jesse1983]

with enough money you can do anything. I don't think Harper or 1engineer have a write-up on removing the roof though.

 

[1engineer]

with enough money you can do anything. I don't think Harper or 1engineer have a write-up on removing the roof though.

This is correct. Lots of MMMMMMOOOOOONNNNNEEEEYYYYYY.

 

[JayBe]

with enough money you can do anything. I don't think Harper or 1engineer have a write-up on removing the roof though.

I'm sure they're working on it as we speak. But back to the subject, I'm sure with enough R&D it could be done. I would think you'd have to add a lot of reinforcing members to the body after the roof it chopped.

Hey NYrunner, where were this pics taken? I've seen a few convertable FJs running around Long Island and the red awning on the restaurant looked familiar. Couldn't make out what it said tho

 

[4ShoreRunner]

I think its from this company - I've seen one running around DC. Looks weird.

Luxury Cars Vehicles Limousines Convertibles Coupes Sedans Ferrari Bentley Rolls Royce Acura BMW Designers Manufacturers CA California

 

[1engineer]

While going to college I worked for a custom shop during nights and weekends. My job entailed tinting windows and striping. After a few years of going to school the owner decided to get into a more "extensive" type of conversion like convertibles. When the first kit came in, they took a look at it and said, "You are in engineering classes right? Do this." It was summer break and the first one took forever. I did several more that summer and thank goodness that fad never took off. It is a PITA to do, looks terrible when the top is up and usually the aftermarket trim parts did not fit correctly. Needless to say it was not a fun summer.
Here is a link to some of the tops. Toyota Convertible Top Kits

 

[TOPDECK]

A removable hard top would be cool, but not a soft top. I had one on my Jeep a few years back and I swore I would never do that again.

 

[coldryder]

It's not mine kind of thing but I am sure you could do it on the cheap with a sawzall.:wow:

 

[Fialdj]

having owned a Bronco and kept the top off for extended periods, I love a convertible SUV.

That being said, the 5 windows down and sunroof open totally meets my need for some air - and makes me happy I didn't opt to suffer with the ride of a Jeep!

I agree, sunroof open, 4 door windows down and rear window down, it's a hard top convertible.

 

[Antman]

..... but I am sure you could do it on the cheap with a sawzall.:wow:

Huh, whazzat? Did somebody call me?

 

[Bourbonator]

This is correct. Lots of MMMMMMOOOOOONNNNNEEEEYYYYYY.

My sawzall begs to differ.

When I want to put my top back on, I'll just use duct tape.

 

[1engineer]

My sawzall begs to differ.

When I want to put my top back on, I'll just use duct tape.

There is a way to do something, and there is a correct way to do something lol.

 

[MeBe4running]

nah.... that doesn't do it for me. Its looks silly and if i was to do something like that in my neck of the woods, i would be under the influence of something, something strong!. California, Arizona I get it, Colorado simply impractical... well unless your rich and can have a few at your disposal!

To each their own but seeing this image below it just looks stupid. The frame of the doors remains and the suicide doors look ridiculous with "the top down"!

I would however do something like this, not to jack your thread....

Cool spotting either way, thanks for sharing!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-t...nd-cruiser-pop-top-prototype.html#post1063628

 

[1engineer]

If I wanted a convertible this is the one I would get:
FJ | Models | ICON

Here are the specs:
Specifications:
Fuel injected 350HP/350TRQ Alloy V8
Five speed manual transmission
Atlas II part time transfer case with a crawl ratio of 87:1
Dynatrac/Dana 60/44 based axles
Vented and slotted power disc brakes
12" travel Coil suspension with front and rear sway bars
Dedicated .180" wall chassis with unmatched rigidity
Hand crafted 5/32" 5052 H32 aluminum body
Innovative powder coat finish in 8 colors
Polyurea coated under body and floor surfaces
Stainless steel body hardware, marine grade textiles
Mandrel bent stainless steel exhaust system

This is how to mod a Toyota correctly.

 

[Antman]

Holy crap! Nice dream-link.

I would kill for one of them there Bronco's!:hunter:

 

[limamike]

nah.... that doesn't do it for me. Its looks silly and if i was to do something like that in my neck of the woods, i would be under the influence of something, something strong!. California, Arizona I get it, Colorado simply impractical... well unless your rich and can have a few at your disposal!

To each their own but seeing this image below it just looks stupid. The frame of the doors remains and the suicide doors look ridiculous with "the top down"!

I would however do something like this, not to jack your thread....

Cool spotting either way, thanks for sharing!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-t...nd-cruiser-pop-top-prototype.html#post1063628

Thing looks like Howard the Duck. Disgusting.

 

[TOPDECK]

Holy crap! Nice dream-link.

I would kill for one of them there Bronco's!:hunter:

Yeah I have waiting to see that when they came out. Really nice. When I was a young kid we had a Bill Stroppe Bronco the red white and blue one. It was my favorite but my dad traded it in for new 81 FJ40.

It would be awesome to have them build a new Bill Stroppe.

 

[Antman]

Yeah I have waiting to see that when they came out. Really nice. When I was a young kid we had a Bill Stroppe Bronco the red white and blue one. It was my favorite but my dad traded it in for new 81 FJ40.

It would be awesome to have them build a new Bill Stroppe.

Check out my Garage- I even have a '73 Bronco R/C Crawler that I beat the Piss out of...

I looove early Bronco's!

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I have seen two topless FJs here in the bay area. One with the top up which is ugly. One with the top off which was nice.

As for a runner, I would like to see a top that is removable behind the rear passenger doors. That way the majority of the roof is still in tack. Just an idea, and I probably would never do it anyways.