I was just wondering: is there anyone here with a convertible top conversion PU? They were all the rage back in the 90s and 00s and I was wondering if anyone bought one that was already converted or if anyone converted theirs. Also, are the conversion kits still available? I am not planning to make my 88 a convertible; I was just thinking about how fads come and go...
One thing Ive always hated were convertible conversions. cut off roofs and targa tops. Every now and then I run across a nice truck on Craigslist that I wouldn't mind buying but with the top cut off...Pass
We have a 57 Thunderbird that has a factory removable hardtop. I like that one... On a truck? not sure. The problem, as I see it is that when they are done right, they look great with the top off and funny with the top on. I haven't seen any with that seamless, can't tell its a convertible look like factory ones do. (for the most part.) If you want to see a snapshot of late 80's convertible mini-truck styles and vintage stereo systems, look up the video for "The cars that go boom" by Le Tigre. (I think thats the name of the song and the girls that sing it. It'll get you close enough for a search.)
I personally don't like a removable hardtop on a truck and a removable soft top is even worse. If your gonna cut the top off, do it right, make it permanete and lay the windshield back, I have seen several trucks in M/T'n done this way and if done right, it looks great.
THAT"S THEM! Yeah, I remember seeing their rat mascot in two page ads in all the trucking and mini-trucking magazines. I guess they're still in business. Oh, I dunno, to me, the hardtop made from the cut off roof seemed like a pretty good development; had me thinking twice about actually getting it done. It at least made the truck lockable. In the end, I am now glad I just let the fad pass without my participation...
Geez guys, just because you don't like something doesn't mean you have to come in here and dump on it. I pass on commenting on lots of threads because I don't have anything good to say. Personally, I love the removable hardtop. I passed on them because of the security and rain issues. It'd stink to be out and have a Florida summertime shower ruin the day. I've always thought storage would be an issue too.
It will leak....they all do in some form or another. I had one back in 88 (Ratical) on my 86 mazda. I truly loved it with the roof off....
Oh; that's good (in that I didn't do it) or bad (that it leaked on you) to hear. I thought the hardtop would work well at keeping the interior dry. I have a Miata with a hardtop and it doesn't leak. I know that it was designed from the factory from the beginning and so it is different that having an aftermarket top but still, the hardtops looked well designed from the pictures. Litneon- I don't think anyone is really "dumping" on them. Some just posted their drawbacks and how they didn't like them. I didn't like them when they first started chopping the roofs and installing a sagging, frumpy, cheesy-looking soft top. It was only after someone (Raticle?) started selling the hardtop that the idea looked interesting to me. It was/is interesting because unlike chopping the top off of a uni-body car that has to be reinforced with a bunch of plates inside and underneath the shell, trucks have a full frame. Whatever you do to the body or bed will not affect the trucks' strength, weight, or versatility. Having driven a Miata for 14 years, I am over having a convertible which is why I am not really interested anymore. Even here in "Sunny SoCal", I only enjoy driving with the top down for a couple of months. The rest of the time, it is too hot or too wet. Plus, with the top down, it doesn't help much to put the A/C vent on "Recirculate" when you get stuck behind an old diesel Rabbit or Benz 240D...
