DIY-DUB Custom Title Time!
1,591 posts · joined Apr 2004 ·
just curious if this will have any effect on the car
how much rigidity u reckon id lose with a ragtop?
68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --
11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Yes ****
It has to be done correctly....
If You just cut a hole in the roof without any steel reinforcing
I'd hate to think what Your roof might do....
You would have to reinforce the roof First, before the hole was cut....
Best to find an old Beetle shell 1st and cut a large hole in it and see what happens....
Cabriolets - both Karmann & Karmann Ghias both have substantial reinforcing under the chassis.... otherwise You would never be able to shut the doors....
and the doors would rattle once they were shut.... as the chassis flexed....
Lee
It has to be done correctly....
If You just cut a hole in the roof without any steel reinforcing
I'd hate to think what Your roof might do....
You would have to reinforce the roof First, before the hole was cut....
Best to find an old Beetle shell 1st and cut a large hole in it and see what happens....
Cabriolets - both Karmann & Karmann Ghias both have substantial reinforcing under the chassis.... otherwise You would never be able to shut the doors....
and the doors would rattle once they were shut.... as the chassis flexed....
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
type3lover in the garage...
796 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·
Heaps! The strongest structural part of a VW body is the roof.
My ex had a '76 that had been converted and it scared me. Maybe it had a lot to do with her driving ;-)
My ex had a '76 that had been converted and it scared me. Maybe it had a lot to do with her driving ;-)
.
eirecooled Officially Full-On Dubber
308 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·
if it's a factory sunroof...none. sardine/chop tops good luck! :duh
Problem: I got probed by Aliens last night...............and I think I like it!.........E.T call ME.
MUD BASHING ANYONE ?? Wolfsburg Wizard
591 posts · joined May 2004 ·
I seen a chop top convertable bug non genuine and if you stood on the back bumper the door gaps opened up 2cm very scary
You only need two tools
Wd40 if it don't move and it should
Duct tape if it move's and it shouldn't
Wd40 if it don't move and it should
Duct tape if it move's and it shouldn't
DIY-DUB Custom Title Time!
1,591 posts · joined Apr 2004 ·
im talking about a ragtop ppl, im not hackin off my entire roof, i hate hack gob verts, ont trying 2 offend those who own 1, but they just dont look right
battybat Seriously Crusin Dubber
127 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·
whole roof is off on my sardine, with engineers report, no flex whatsover in the body when jacked up, doors are fine to use.
as long as you leave a reasonable amount of metal at the sides (about 10 cms I think) it seems good.
mine is chopped all the way back as well - no rear window. If you think about it you can drive a beetle without the body on, so it's gotta be pretty strong.
your could always weld some top hat re-inforcement into the pan or stick a roll cage in if you're worried about flex!
will dig out some pix...
as long as you leave a reasonable amount of metal at the sides (about 10 cms I think) it seems good.
mine is chopped all the way back as well - no rear window. If you think about it you can drive a beetle without the body on, so it's gotta be pretty strong.
your could always weld some top hat re-inforcement into the pan or stick a roll cage in if you're worried about flex!
will dig out some pix...
http://www.dtsband.com - Rock and Roll is NOT dead
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
battybat Seriously Crusin Dubber
127 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·
back end - you can see the line where the roof is cut
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http://www.dtsband.com - Rock and Roll is NOT dead
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
battybat Seriously Crusin Dubber
127 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·
side view
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http://www.dtsband.com - Rock and Roll is NOT dead
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
battybat Seriously Crusin Dubber
127 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·
front view
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http://www.dtsband.com - Rock and Roll is NOT dead
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
battybat Seriously Crusin Dubber
127 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·
she's undergoing a rebuild at the moment cos of the one problem I've found with this type of conversion -THEY LEAK!!! and then the pan rusts into a heap of crap. - probably to do with the roof stretching and the seams pulling as it's under a fair bit of tension
lots of rust proffing and paint on the pan - and maybe a drain hole or two - no carpets this time round either.
doesn't leak while driving tho, just when stood around in torrential sydney rain.
I reckon it's worth the hassle - great with the top off, and makes it into a very useable hatchback - I can get a drum kit, 2 guitars, amp and 2 people into this, no worries!!
you have to get an engineers report for rego though
lots of rust proffing and paint on the pan - and maybe a drain hole or two - no carpets this time round either.
doesn't leak while driving tho, just when stood around in torrential sydney rain.
I reckon it's worth the hassle - great with the top off, and makes it into a very useable hatchback - I can get a drum kit, 2 guitars, amp and 2 people into this, no worries!!
you have to get an engineers report for rego though
http://www.dtsband.com - Rock and Roll is NOT dead
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......
My other car is a scooter, and it's in even more bits than my beetle. One day they will both be back together.......