No. Hate to sound like a smart ass, but if you have to ask that, you have no place attempting this. No point in ruining a good Maverick.
I don't really agree with Jamie, but then again, I kinda do...Cutting a mav may or may not "ruin" a maverick. Check out pictures of others' attempts to "convert" a mav...the lines just don't look good with the top cut off. Something about how the trunk lid sits in relation to the i-don't-know-whats. It just doesn't look good. Camaros look better with the top cut off, maybe even Pintos, but the mav needs a top to look good. But, to each his own, and if you want to cut, enjoy, and post pictures so future cutters can see what they will have.
its your car,.if you want to cut it up ,who's to say you cant? but,.... the maverick is a unit body constructed vehicle,(it has no frame) what that means is, that it lacks the structural strength to keep from folding in on itself without without some help. what will happen is once you cut its roof, it looses some of its structural integrity and will start bending in the middle, to the point that once you open the doors, you wont be able to close them again .
No, what he is saying is we own unibody cars (they have no frame). Most cars now days are unibody. The roof is part of the structure of the car. Factory convertables have extra braceing so they won't fold up.
Yup ... that is why convertibles always weigh more than a hard-top ... lots of extra bracing in the floors and subframes ...
I know this is an old thread. I agree that the 2 dr mav just dosnt look right with the top chopped off, but what about using the decklid and tops of the quarters from a 4dr?? That would give a little straighter line to the car, and a smoother place to cut/add a conv.top. (all this after much braceing and structural support) What are your thoughts?
that is what i wondering about.and what about using the bracing from a mustang. just thinking through my fingers.
Actualy I think I remember reading a post about using mustang subframe connectors somewhere on here. Seems to me that they fit ok, just didnt line up with existing holes on the mav.
I think it can be done but it will take a tremendous amount of work. You obviously haven't seen the one Mavaholic is working on. Check out the following thread: http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=13190&highlight=maverick+convertible
Yeah man, I am a auto body man myself and what it is with a convertible compared to a hard top if that a convertible frame is thicker, stiffer, and more sturdily built. What you could do if you would like to make a maverick convertible is to maybe find an old Mustang or even a old Ford convertible of some sorts ithat is already beat to hell and change bodies on them and that way you have all the extra support you will need on them, but that is just my .02
Actually this Part 3 is better to see what I'm doing. http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=13764&highlight=convertible The mustang convertible did not use any different sheet metal than the stock car. What they did is add big beams to the inner rockers that run from the front torque box to the rear one. Then they added 2 extra pans from side to side that goes under the seats. One on top of the floor which is welded in and 1 under the floor which is bolted on.
Thats looking great Mavaholic! (just wish I had the the time, and tallent to do that. Its taking me too long as it is with the cleveland swap) I think I need to find a 'sugar momma' so I can just play with cars all day.
